Field Vision's Top 10 Run Stoppers at Off-Ball Linebacker

As our positional rankings roll on, we look at off-ball linebackers from a different perspective. One unique thing about Havoc Ratings is they are a play-by-play metric which allows us to cut them in different ways and helps players that our used effectively within their schemes rise to the top.

One way to approach off-ball linebackers is to think of them in terms of their ability in coverage as well as their ability to stop the run. Arechetypes are identified in this articles about Havoc Ratings. Some linebackers specialize in running the seam with a slot receiver or tight end, while others may just drop into their zone and read effectively. Still others are run stopping machines that stay close to the line of scrimmage and stop running backs in their tracks. In today’s rankings, we will look at the last of that group. All quoted ratings are for run stopping Havoc Rating only.

Here is Field Vision Sports top 10 run stopping off-ball linebackers:

1. Bobby Wagner, Washington Commanders (100)*

   Bobby Wagner tops our list of run stopping Linebackers. Wagner has been around a while, but he’s still elite at one thing, stuffing the run, and Seattle used him to perfection in that role. In 2023, his 12th season in the league, he led the league with 183 tackles including 96 solo stops in route to a second team all-pro performance for the Seahawks. He’ll be relied on for leadership and instincts in Washington’s new defense led by Dan Quinn. Quinn was limited by a lack of off-ball linebackers in Dallas and immediately went and grabbed Wagner in free agency to solve that problem.

2. Quincy Williams, New York Jets (99.4)*

   Quincy Williams joins an ever-growing list of Jets to crack our positional rankings and he’s a great complement to C.J. Mosley, who still cracks our top 10 against the run, but is rated as our best coverage linebacker in the league. Williams, who took home first team all-pro honors a year ago had 15 tackles for loss among his 95 solo tackles and 139 total tackles last season. He also forced 2 fumbles and had an interception for good measure. The Jets are loaded on defense, but they’ll need Williams to square up against rushing attacks like the Dolphins and Bills in the division.

3. Bobby Okereke, New York Giants (98.7)*

   Bobby Okereke had by far the best season of his career in his first season with the Giants in 2023. He led all inside linebackers in raw Havoc rating. He is our 3rd best linebacker against the run and top 10 in both zone and man coverage. He filled up the stat sheet last season with 149 tackles including 92 solo. He also added 2 Interceptions, 10 passes defended and 2.5 sacks. He’ll look to replicate those numbers in his second year on a Giants defense that also added edge rusher Brian Burns this off season.

4. Foyesade Oluokun, Jacksonville Jaguars (98.1)*

   Foyesade Oluokun is a stalwart for a Jaguars defense that was middle of the pack last season. Oluokun will be the only off-ball linebacker to crack our top 5 in both run stopping and coverage. He led the league with 111 solo tackles in 2023 and has had over 170 tackles in each of the last 3 seasons. He also plays near the line of scrimmage adding 20 tackles for loss over the course of the last 2 seasons. With new Defensive Coordinator Ryan Nielsen coming over from Atlanta, the Jaguars are poised to improve on that side of the ball and Oluokun will be a big part of that plan especially against the run.

   

5. Zaire Franklin, Indianapolis Colts (97.4)*

   Zaire Franklin had 179 tackles including 107 solo stops for the Colts a year ago. You’ll find him near the bottom of our coverage rankings, but when it comes to stopping the run, Franklin has stepped into his own over the last two seasons. After sparingly playing in his first 4 seasons, Franklin has accumulated 209 solo tackles and 15 tackles for loss over the course of the last 2 seasons.

6. Ernest Jones, Los Angeles Rams (96.8)*

   Ernest Jones is entering his 4th season with the Rams and is quickly making a name for himself as one of the top inside linebackers in football. He does a lot of his damage near the line of scrimmage. While his coverage numbers are modest, Jones is top 10 in both Havoc run defense and pass rush. Last season, he accounted for 145 tackles including 14 for loss and 4.5 sacks. 2023 was a breakout season for Jones and he’ll look to build on that in 2024 for a Rams defense that will be playing without Aaron Donald for the first time since 2013.

7. Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens (96.1)*

   Roquan Smith is an all-around off-ball linebacker ranking 7th against the run in Havoc ratings while also producing top 20 numbers in both zone and man coverage. Smith was first team All-pro for the 2nd consecutive season a year ago recording 158 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. He also had an interception and 8 passes defended in coverage. Smith has been a stalwart on the Baltimore defense since coming over in a trade from the Bears mid-way through 2022 and new DC Zach Orr will have to continue to find unique ways to use him.

   

8. Alex Singleton, Denver Broncos (95.5)*

   After a few years in the CFL to start his career, Alex Singleton has come on strong in the last 4 seasons. He has particularly excelled with the Broncos collecting a career high 177 tackles and 106 solo stops a season ago. He doesn’t do much in coverage but near the line of scrimmage, he’s a tackle machine. With the green dot on his helmet this year after the departure of Josey Jewell, Singleton will have a whole new level of responsibility for the Broncos this season.

9. C.J. Mosley, New York Jets (94.8)*

   C.J. Mosley is our top coverage linebacker in football on a list that will be released later this week, but he still does a lot in the run game. He had 152 tackles last season topping 150 for his 3rd season in a row. The five time pro bowler and five time second team All-Pro has over 1000 tackles in his career and more than 50 tackles for loss. The tandem of he and Quincy Williams is the perfect connection in a Jets defense that has talent all over the field.

10. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Cleveland Browns (94.2)*

    Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah rounds out our list of run stoppers. He doesn’t have the gawdy tackles numbers of some of his predecessors on this list, but Owusu-Koramoah tallied 20 tackles for loss last season to go with 3.5 sacks in route to the Pro Bowl. Playing on a defense that led the league in total EPA allowed last season, Owusu-Koramoah excelled playing down hill and causing Havoc against opposing run games.

*Denotes run stopping Havoc Rating only

As we continue to roll-out our Havoc Ratings to the world, we look forward to the conversation, debate and your feedback as always. Hit us at @fieldvisionmi on X, @fieldvisionsports on Instagram, and on our website fieldvisionsports.com