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As the linebacker position starts to fade away from the NFL, these 12 guys showed why the position still has value. Whether it be stuffing the run, rushing the passer, or covering the pass, linebackers have some of the hardest tasks to complete in the NFL, all while being expected to have the same production as defensive backs and edge rushers. On this list, we'll be taking PFF's metric called "stops" into account, which is defined as the following:
A tackle on a 1st down, if the offense gets 45% of the way to a first down or less
A tackle on a 2nd down, if the offense gets 60% of the way to a first down or less
A tackle on a 3rd/4th down, if the offense doesn’t get a first down
This is a more accurate metric than just accounting for tackles and TFLs, but I will still include those in the descriptions for each ranking. As long as these playmakers were on the field for a minimum of 400 snaps, they'll be considered for the list. Time to review the top 12 linebackers on this edition of NFL PRR!
Photo: Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
12. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (Last Season: Unranked)
PFF Grade: 76.5 (6th)
The first of two rookie LBs to make the list is JOK. In 14 games, he allowed just 6.5 yards per reception, which ranked at the lowest among all linebackers, while also breaking up 4 passes and allowing a passer rating and completion rate of 93.5 and 74.3% respectively. Overall, he recorded 57 tackles, 34 stops, and 3 TFLs, while also tallying 10 pressures, 3 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. On the downside, he missed 15 total tackles and had the 6th highest missed tackle rate among LBs at 17.4%. If he can clean up his missed tackles, he might shoot up the list quickly over the next couple of seasons.
11. Bobby Wagner (Last Season: #2)
PFF Grade: 71.8 (12th)
Bobby took a step back last season, but he was still effective as ever. In 16 games, he recorded 118 tackles, 61 stops, and 3 TFLs to the tune of 10 pressures and a sack. He took a step back in coverage, as he allowed 679 yards and 1 TD, while also allowing a completion rate of 83.9% and a passer rating of 98.2. He did force a fumble, pick off a pass, and break up 2 more passes, so I'll give him credit in the playmaking department. He also only missed 7.8% of his tackles, showing he can still get the job done when it comes to bringing down ball carriers. With a new look in LA, Bobby may find his roots and have a monster 2022 campaign.
10. Fred Warner (Last Season: #1)
PFF Grade: 75.1 (8th)
Fred has taken the league by storm since his rookie season, but year 4 was on the lower end of his performances. In 16 games, he posted 99 tackles, 48 stops, 10 TFLs, while adding 8 pressures and 2 sacks. He wasn't as effective in coverage as he's been in years past, as he allowed 382 yards and 3 TDs on an 82.1% reception rate. He did break up and recover 3 passes and fumbles respectively, while forcing a lone fumble. He also allowed only 8.3 yards per reception, which is tied for 13th lowest among LBs. He could have played better overall this season, but he still had a solid impact on one of the best defenses in the league and still played like a top 10 linebacker.
9. Shaq Thompson (Last Season: Unranked)
PFF Grade: 72.7 (11th)
We finally got to see Shaq's true abilities in 2021. In just 14 games, He recorded 75 tackles, 41 stops, and 9 TFLs, while generating 12 pressures and 2 sacks. In coverage, he shined above all other LBs as he allowed a miniscule 65.8 passer rating, a 67.2% completion rate, and 313 yards with 0 TDs. He also hauled in 2 INTs, broke up 3 passes, and allowed just 7.6 yards per reception, tied for 4th lowest among LBs. Even though he's getting towards the second half of his career, Shaq is in full stride heading into 2022.
Photo: Grant Halverson/Getty Images
8. Lavonte David (Last Season: #3)
PFF Grade: 78.8 (4th)
Lavonte is still one of the most consistent LBs in the league and gets little recognition for it. In just 12 games, he tallied 75 tackles, 37 stops, and 5 TFLs with a missed tackle rate of just 6.9%. He forced 2 fumbles and recovered 1, while also adding 9 pressures and 1 sack. His coverage wasn't the best, as he allowed an 82% completion rate along with 395 yards and 4 TDs. He did break up 2 passes, but allowed a relatively high passer rating of 115.5. Despite this, he posted a coverage grade of 81.0, 3rd highest among LBs, due to his ability to take away passing lanes from QBs at a high level. Despite this, however, I can't rank him higher due to his lack of production against the passing attack. He is getting older, and hopefully he can have one more solid season before hanging up the cleats.
7. Matt Milano (Last Season: Unranked)
PFF Grade: 70.1 (13th)
The underrated Bills LB flourished in 2022. In 16 games, he allowed the lowest completion rate of any linebacker at 61%, while allowing 310 yards and only 1 TD. He also recorded 64 tackles, 37 stops, and 15 TFLs, while creating 15 pressures and finishing 3 sacks. Add in 4 pass break ups, 3 fumble recoveries, and a passer rating allowed of 80.5, it's easy to see why Matt Milano made this list for the first time in his career.
Photo: Bryan Bennett/Getty Images
6. Kyle Van Noy (Last Season: Unranked)
PFF Grade: 72.9 (10th)
Similar to Micah Parsons, Kyle excels at defense because of his versatility. He split time also evenly between on-ball and off-ball snaps, and he performed greatly against the pass and run. In 16 games, he recorded 44 tackles and 27 stops, even though he did miss 14.7% of his tackles. He did, however, record 5 TFLs and batted passes, force 2 fumbles and recover a fumble, and generated 27 pressures and 5 sacks. In coverage, he allowed the 2nd lowest completion rate out of linebackers at 64%, while allowing just 121 yards and 2 TDs to the tune of 1 INT - a pick six, 4 pass breakups, and passer rating allowed for 80.5. Van Noy always seems to shine in New England, and had a fantastic season playing in more of a hybrid role.
5. Roquan Smith (Last Season: #8)
PFF Grade: 47.8 (50th)
It's players like Roquan that make me question PFF's rating system. While it's not perfect, I still believe they get most of the grades right...but this definitely isn't one of those times. Roquan was around the ball constantly, as he recorded 67 stops, the most out of all LBs in the league, 9 pressures and 3 sacks, hauled in 1 INT and broke up 2 more passes while not allowing a single TD, and posted a passer rating allowed of 86.7, despite letting up 52 receptions for 408 yards. He totaled 111 tackles, 12 TFLs, and had a low missed tackle rate at 7.1%. He still needs to prove he can make that first team All-Pro jump by improving his coverage, but Roquan has made a statement as one of the best young defenders in the league.
4. De'Vondre Campbell (Last Season: Unranked)
PFF Grade: 84.7 (2nd)
In his first season in Green Bay, De'Vondre took the league by storm with instinctive run stopping ability, and savvy pass disrupting skills. In 16 games, Campbell tallied 111 tackles to the tune of a 2.9% missed tackle rate, lowest in the NFL, while also adding 53 stops, 6 TFLs, and 2 forced fumbles while recovering 1. In coverage, he picked off 2 passes and broke up another, while allowing a passer rating of 87.8 and a catch rate of 78.9%. This number seems high, but he aligned in the slot on 189 snaps, the most of any LB, meaning he played against more athletic tight ends and slot receivers than other LB. With this in mind, the fact he allowed 426 yards and only 2 TDs is understandable, especially since he's been labeled as more of an early down linebacker than an every-down backer - which is exactly what he has become since donning the green and yellow.
Photo: Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
3. Demario Davis (Last Season: #4)
PFF Grade: 77.9 (5th)
Demario has been incredible for the 4 seasons he's spent in New Orleans. Through 16 games, he tallied 75 tackles, 37 stops, and 13 TFLs while adding 18 pressures and 3 sacks. Although he didn't record an INT, he was a menace in coverage as he allowed a passer rating of 78.7, second lowest on this list and 5th lowest among LBs, a completion rate of 66.7%, and just 288 yards, which is the lowest among all LBs targeted 50+ times, and 0 TDs. We should always expect greatness when Demario touches the field with how often he delivers it.
2. Shaquille Leonard (Last Season: #6)
PFF Grade: 79.0 (3rd)
Shaquille (Darius Leonard for those that are confused) continues to showcase why he's the perfect prototypical off-ball linebacker. Through 16 games, he recorded 81 tackles and 37 stops, all while missing just 6.9% of his tackles, tied for 7th lowest among LBs. He also posted a 91.1 run defense grade, highest among linebackers, while forcing 7 fumbles, recovering 3 fumbles, and recording 4 TFLs. In the pass game, he allowed a reception rate of 69.7% and a passer rating of 84.3. He picked off 4 passes and broke up 4 others, while allowing 543 yards and 3 TDs. His talent for violence is second to none in the NFL, and he shows again why he is the heart and soul of the Colts defense.
1. Micah Parsons (Last Season: Unranked)
PFF Grade: 89.8 (1st)
Not gonna lie, this was the easiest #1 choice I've made since I've started these rankings. I know I don't normally consider pass rushing ability as part of the LB rankings, but to amass a ridiculous 13 sacks and 67 pressures on just 307 pass rush snaps across 16 games is worth mentioning. On top of that, he added 61 tackles with 53 of those being stops, 20 TFLs, and 3 forced fumbles, while also allowing a low reception rate and passer rating of 68.6% and 80.9 respectively. He also didn't allow any touchdowns and only 182 yards in coverage. He had a fantastic rookie year and may be the best linebacker we've seen in decades, if not ever.
Photo: Tim Heitman/USA TODAY Sports
Final Notes:
Some names that just missed the cut were Logan Wilson, Kyzir White, Anthony Walker Jr., and TJ Edwards. Most of these guys were above average in one aspect of the playing the position, but were exposed in other areas. Out of these four, I believe Logan is going to have a statement year in 2022 and will make the top 12 next season.
Join me next time as we round out the final position ranking with special teamers!