How linebacking talent is laid out across the league.
As we continue to rank the divisions of the National Football League, we’ll turn our attention to the linebacker units. Here is where they stand:
1. NFC North
Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
In Chicago, a new defensive coordinator has arrived, and his name is Dennis Allen. The Bears hired the former New Orleans Saints head coach to join Ben Johnson’s new staff with hopes of revamping their style of football. Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards are both coming off down years but could be in for a turnaround play.
Jack Campbell has played in every game for Detroit since entering the league in 2023. His availability and on-field production have made him one of the top young backers in the league today. The Lions also have Alex Anzalone on the roster, but he missed some time last season and played just ten games. If healthy, he is a key player in their defense.
Edgerrin Cooper burst onto the scene in Green Bay. The 2024 second-round pick for the Packers finished last season with 87 total tackles, three and a half sacks, a fumble forced and recovered, and an interception. If Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie can provide some much-needed depth at the position, they could be in a solid place.
While not boasting any top players at the position, Minnesota’s LB room is pretty good at flying under the radar. A new face on the roster this season, Kobe King, is hoping to add value to their production as a sixth-round draft pick in 2025.
2. NFC East
Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders
Dallas LB DeMarvion Overshown’s availability for the upcoming season is still up in the air after tears to his right MCL, ACL, and PCL sidelined him last year. Without the talented player on the field, the Cowboys will be more reliant on the likes of Kenneth Murray Jr. and Jack Sanborn to hold down the middle of the defense.
The Giants’ defense is hard-nosed when it comes to the front seven. Behind an outstanding line, their linebacking unit has limitless potential. New York already has Brian Burns roaming around and added Abdul Carter with the third overall pick in this year’s draft. Opposing quarterbacks better watch out for the G-Men.
Nolan Smith Jr., Zack Baun, Nakobe Dean, Azeez Ojulari… It couldn’t get much better for Philadelphia at the LB position, right? Oh, they drafted Jihaad Campbell out of Alabama late in the first round this year. Baun finished in fifth place in voting for the 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Nuff’ said.
Washington has talent and veteran leadership at the linebacker spot. Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner played more than 2,100 snaps combined. It’s hard to get any traction going on offense with those guys on the field.
3. AFC East
Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets
Buffalo has a lot of returning players on the defensive side of the ball but had a lackluster season from their LB core. If they can continue to mesh and improve, particularly in their pass coverage, the Bills could make another deep playoff run.
The Dolphins have a handful of players who could have a direct impact on Miami’s record this year at LB. Jordyn Brooks is going to be trying to carry over his successes of 2024 and will be given ample opportunity to do so with veterans Willie Gay and K.J. Britt playing behind.
New England has the makeup to be a top five LB unit by season’s end. Since 2023, Robert Spillane has been a top run defender in the league. The former Las Vegas Raider will certainly have a big role under new head coach Mike Vrabel, who is a former linebacker himself.
The Jets are dealing with the retirement of longtime player C.J. Mosley but should not have anything to fret about. New York has two LBs that finished within the top 25 players in the league at the position in solo tackles, with Jamien Sherwood and Quincy Williams.
4. AFC North
Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
After playing four seasons in Baltimore, LB Patrick Queen played the 2024 season with division rival Pittsburgh. As hard of a loss as it was for the Ravens, I think it was even harder on Roquan Smith. The All-Pro backer will now be in his second season of playing without Queen as his partner in Maryland and should lead their defense once again.
In Cincinnati, they provided Logan Wilson with a lot of help this offseason through the draft and Free Agency. The Bengals’ LB dealt with a knee injury last season that hampered his play, but should be back this season, ready to play alongside Demetrius Knight Jr., Oren Burks, and Barrett Carter.
Cleveland placed LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah on the PUP list this offseason, and he will be unable to play in the 2025 season due to a neck injury sustained last year. The Browns still have quality players at the position, including second-round pick Carson Schwesinger, but JOK’s loss is a blow to the defense.
Pittsburgh’s Queen struggled without Smith by his side in the Steel City last year but should be able to make a comeback in 2025. The Steelers also feature Malik Harrison, Cole Holcomb, and 24’ draftee Payton Wilson.
5. AFC West
Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers
The Broncos have a reloaded LB unit with the signing of former San Francisco 49er Dre Greenlaw. He is coming off a torn Achilles and did not play much in 2024. Also coming off an injury is Denver’s own Alex Singleton, who will be rebounding from a torn ACL.
Kansas City’s got a solid LB group with Nick Bolton leading the way. Leo Chenal and Drue Tranquill flank the sides of the position and have helped elevate the defensive play of the Chiefs over the last two seasons.
Las Vegas saw major turnover with Spillane going to New England and starting LB Divine Deablo making his way to Atlanta in FA. In place, the Raiders will have Germaine Pratt, Devin White, and Elandon Roberts.
Los Angeles is banking on a serious uptick in development from young LBs Daiyan Henley and Junior Colson. The Chargers have veteran players on the roster, such as Denzel Perryman, who could step in, if necessary, but the goal is to let the inexperienced guys take more reps.
6. NFC South
Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Falcons took Georgia product Jalon Walker with a first-round pick in this year’s draft. He will join Kayden Elliss and ex-Raider Deablo on the roster in Atlanta as they work to figure out the best organization for the composite players.
Carolina ranks towards the bottom of the league when it comes to their LB play. Playing with second-year pro Trevin Wallace, will be veterans Josey Jewell and former LA Ram Christian Rozeboom. The Panthers struggled mightily in defense against the run attack, so they will be seeking improvement in that category.
Leading the way for New Orleans will be Demario Davis and Pete Werner, one of the better LB duos in the NFL. The Saints added Danny Stutsman to the roster in the fourth round of this year’s draft. The Oklahoma backer should carve out roles for himself both on special teams and within the defensive schemes.
Tampa Bay’s Lavonte David has been a quintessential player at the LB spot for what seems like ages. He has held down the position in tremendous fashion, but as he begins to slow down entering his 14th year, the Buccaneers are actively looking for complements to his play.
7. NFC West
Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks
Arizona has added Akeem Davis-Gaither after he left Cincinnati. The LB will join a Cardinals’ room that rosters Mack Wilson Sr., Owen Pappoe, Mykal Walker, and fourth-round talent Cody Simon.
Ex-Falcon Nate Landman will join the Rams’ LB core and provide some much-needed depth behind Omar Speights and Jared Verse. Los Angeles also added rookies Josaiah Stewart and Chris Paul Jr. in rounds three and five of this year’s draft, respectively.
Even with the departure of Greenlaw, San Francisco is in a good spot with Fred Warner manning the middle portion of the defense. He obviously couldn’t do it alone, so there is open and competitive competition behind Warner.
Seattle is going into 2025 with an extreme case of youth at the linebacker position. While the Seahawks have depth there, a lot of the players on the roster do not have a high number of NFL snaps to their name, if any at all.
8. AFC South
Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
The Texans are similar to Minnesota when it comes to players at the LB position. Here, you will not find any marquee names, but rather a quality group of guys who feed off of one another and build chemistry as the season progresses. Azeez Al-Shaair, Henry To’oTo’o, Christian Harris, and ex-Colt E.J. Speed are guys to keep an eye on.
James Bettcher has made a return to the Indianapolis coaching staff, this time as LB coach for the Colts. Bettcher held the same position for the previous three years with the Bengals, but has coached previously under Chuck Pagano as an assistant. He takes on a young bunch with inexperience aplenty.
Jacksonville is a sort of saving grace for the AFC South, even though they still rank eighth. The Jaguars could have a top-six or seven LB group if their depth and versatility remain stable. Jacksonville added rookie Jack Kiser in the fourth round of the draft in April.
Tennessee lost a lot of snaps at LB this offseason… a lot. Among the key departures for the Titans were Kenneth Murray and Jerome Baker. Their major signing at the position comes from FA Cody Barton, a former Bronco. He will provide some veteran presence in a group in desperate need of it.
What are your thoughts on the linebacking cores across the league? Think any rankings should be different? Let us know in the comments below!