The Best and Worst Linebacker Corps in the NFL

The off-ball linebacker is one of the more challenging positions in football to evaluate. As we head towards the NFL draft, there are three consensus top linebackers to choose from: Jihaad Campbell (Alabama), Carson Schwesinger (UCLA), and Jalon Walker (Georgia). Of those three, Campbell and Walker are projected to be first-round selections.

Like Safety, the linebacker position is typically a roster placement allocated for later-round picks. There are premium, can-not-miss players like Kyle Hamilton, but he went 14th overall. Linebackers are in a similar boat. The best typically get selected in the mid- to late first round.

Even in this year's draft, the two consensus first-round picks are seen as hybrids who can play Edge and rush the passer. Alabama's Campbell is probably more of a traditional off-ball linebacker who is athletic enough to stand on the line of scrimmage and rush the quarterback.

Georgia's Walker is what many NFL defenses are starting to look seek. Walker is a hybrid in the same mold as the Commanders' Frankie Luvu. He can play off-ball or on the line of scrimmage.

In most cases, defenses want to have two types of linebackers, a 'box' or traditional Mike, who can set the front, relay the call, and play inside the box on most downs. His partner should be a hybrid who can blitz, play coverage, and align as an Edge on any given down. The best example of this pairing is in Washington with Bobby Wagner and Luvu.

The off-ball linebacker is the key link in the chain from the front to the back, which is why it is so hard to evaluate. Defenses also require different skill sets depending on structure and coverage calls. Athleticism at the position is a benefit, but there are many instances of average athletes excelling.

Using Field Vision's Havoc Ratings, we look at the NFL's best and worst linebacker units.

The Best

Philadelphia Eagles

Zack Baun was a little-known commodity when he was picked up on a one-year deal to be an Eagles linebacker. In New Orleans, he was mainly asked to play the Ted linebacker, or the third 'backer who primarily lined up outside or on top of the tight end.

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio saw something in Baun, and the Eagles picked him up. Baun didn't disappoint as the #1 linebacker overall in Field Vision's Havoc Ratings.

His partner, Nakobe Dean, is a perfect match. Dean can rush the passer and is a well-trained blitzer. He masked what he lacked in coverage ability in his run-stopping prowess.

Fangio used Baun as a Swiss Army knife, moving him around and utilizing his hybrid abilities. Together, they made the best linebacking corps in the NFL last year.

Washington Commanders

One lesson Dan Quinn learned the hard way in Dallas was that having a deep linebacker corps was essential to playing good defense. When he arrived in Washington, the first free-agent signings were All-Pro Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu.

In Carolina, Luvu had made a name for himself as a pass-rushing hybrid. Combined with Wagner's elite box playing abilities, the Commanders created the quintessential modern linebacking room.

Wagner is an elite at stopping the run and can play more than adequate coverage. Though the Commanders didn't want him playing man coverage on tight ends, he could cover most running backs out of the backfield. Wagner's ability to stay in the box allowed Quinn to unleash Luvu on opposing offensive lines.

New York Giants

The top three (really four, if you count the Cowboys) linebacking corps in the NFL are all found in the NFC East. The Giants come in at three with Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden, and rookie Darius Muasau. Okereke was Field Vision's #1 linebacker in Havoc Ratings in 2023. He finished #10 this year but still illustrated why he is considered one of the best all-round linebackers.

Micah McFadden has improved every year he has played, finishing this season as the #21 linebacker in Field Vision's Havoc Ratings. He carries a similar profile to Okereke. Under defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, the linebackers were not asked to blitz at volume. That task was left to their Edges Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibedeaux.

Both Okereke and Micah McFadden missed time in 2024. Muasau was more than adequate when he stepped in to play. In 424 snaps, he accumulated a Stop Rate (zero to negative EPA tackles) higher than both starting linebackers.

Honorable Mentions: Cowboys, Seahawks, Jets

The Worst

Pittsburgh Steelers

Former Baltimore Raven Patrick Queen was supposed to fix the Steelers' issues at the ILB position. In his five years in the league, Queen has never ranked higher than 38th in Field Vision's Havoc Ratings. The one area he typically excels at is rushing the passer, and he is very good when called to blitz.

The issue in Pittsburgh is that the player profile doesn't mesh with the defensive philosophy. Mike Tomlin has built a defense that features a five-man front that gets after the quarterback. Queen's ability to rush the passer is almost lost in the defense's structure.

In the past few seasons, the Steelers have also transitioned to a more zone-based defense. Queen has always struggled in coverage, with his best year being last season with the Ravens. Opposite Queen was a revolving line-up of Elandon Roberts (Raiders) and rookie Payton Wilson.

Wilson has the potential to be very good and showed signs of decent play in coverage and when blitzing.

New England Patriots

Not much went right for the Patriots last year; with that trend, the linebacking corps was lackluster. Last season, hybrid Jahlani Tavai finished as a top-25 linebacker as Bill Belichick used him all over the front and leaned into his hybrid abilities. This year, he took a step back, finishing 68th overall.

Newly appointed Head Coach Mike Vrabel has already brought in established box linebacker Robert Spillbane from the Raiders, who has finished as a top-20 linebacker in the past two seasons under Field Vision's Havoc Ratings.

Tavai was partnered with Christian Elliss, who had somewhat of a breakout year, having not played much in his previous three seasons. In '24, Elliss finished 54th in Havoc Ratings and illustrated a knack for playing coverage. That will bode well for the young player going forward, as he will likely fight with Tavai for playing time next to Spillane.

Green Bay Packers

There is talent in Green Bay; last year's issue was a revolving door of players at the position. Four players accumulated at least 25% of the defense's snaps at the position, with Quay Walker accounting for over 700 snaps. This offseason, the Packers resigned Isaiah McDuffie, who had a down year in production, finishing 117th overall in Field Vision's Havoc Ratings.

Moving forward, Walker will likely be paired with rookie Edgerrin Cooper as the main starters. Cooper was elite when blitzing and rushing the passer; he finished third in Pass Rush Havoc for linebackers. Under Jeff Hafley, the run-stopping and coverage abilities should likely improve in year two.

Still, coverage ability is a concern. Walker is built in a similar mold. He is great at rushing the passer and blitzing, but average at stopping the run. He has issues when asked to cover; if both linebackers illustrate the same skill set, that typically spells disaster for the middle of the defense.

Honorable Mentions: Bills (injuries), Cardinals, Buccaneers

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