The linebacker position is one of the most underrated on an NFL field, as most bettors focus on defensive lines and secondaries when handicapping defenses. But we have not overlooked the linebacker position when putting together our NFL betting previews for the upcoming season. Continue reading for our rankings of the 32 linebacking groups in the league as the next year of football action approaches.
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32. Los Angeles Rams
Key Players at this Position: Ernest Jones
Coming in last place in our NFL linebacker rankings is the Los Angeles Rams. They were suspect at this position already, and losing Bobby Wagner on top of that is terrible for this franchise. Look for the Rams to have trouble at the second level on defense throughout this year, as they are going to need their offense to make up for their significant shortcomings on defense this season.
31. Atlanta Falcons
Key Players at this Position: Troy Andersen, Kaden Elliss
There are several areas on the field where the Atlanta Falcons come up short, and linebacker is certainly one of them going into the 2023 NFL season. The Falcons brought in Kaden Elliss from the Saints, which will make them better than they were last year at this position. But everything around Elliss is not impressive, which will make things tough for this NFC South squad.
30. Tennessee Titans
Key Players at this Position: Azeez Al-Shaair
The Tennessee Titans are another team that brought in a linebacker this offseason, but have a bunch of suspect talent around him. Azeez Al-Shaair came over from the San Francisco 49ers, who still have one of the best linebacking corps in the league today. But the group around Al-Shaair is not all that impressive, and that could hold this defense back in a big way.
29. Philadelphia Eagles
Key Players at this Position: Nakobe Dean
When you look at the roster for the Philadelphia Eagles, there are not many weak points. But linebacker is one of those weak points going into the 2023 NFL season. Nakobe Dean could become a quality player at this spot as he continues to develop. But the Eagles are going to rely on their top-ranked defensive line and their defensive backs to make things happen on defense.
28. Washington Commanders
Key Players at this Position: Cody Barton
Another NFC East team with a lackluster linebacking corps is the Washington Commanders. Like the Eagles, this team has a great pass rush that makes their linebackers less essential to their success than many other teams. But unlike the Eagles, the Commanders do not have the elite talent everywhere else on the field to make up for their shortcomings at this position.
27. Las Vegas Raiders
Key Players at this Position: Robert Spillane
In case you haven’t noticed a theme here, the teams in this section of our NFL linebacker rankings have prioritized their pass rush to their linebacking corps. Of course, some defenses are good at both, but teams like the Raiders do not fall into that category. Denzel Perryman is gone from last year’s group, meaning an already suspect linebacking corps will be a little worse this season.
26. Arizona Cardinals
Key Players at this Position: Kyzir White
A team that could be better at linebacker than they were last year is the Arizona Cardinals, though that is not a high bar for them to clear. Kyzir White comes over from the Eagles ahead of this season. While White was not a top member of last year’s NFC championship winning defense, he is an upgrade over anything else they have in Arizona coming into this year.
25. Minnesota Vikings
Key Players at this Position: Bryan Asamoah, Jordan Hicks
Cracking the top-25 of our NFL linebacker rankings is the Minnesota Vikings, who are not terrible, but are not great either at this spot. The Vikings defense as a whole was suspect last season, and for that to change, Jordan Hicks will need to carry this linebacker group to a respectable season. Whether or not he can do that remains to be seen.
24. Houston Texans
Key Players at this Position: Christian Kirksey, Denzel Perryman
There is a decent group of linebackers in Houston in 2023, but they may be a bit past their prime. Denzel Perryman and Christian Kirksey’s best days may be behind them going into this season. But there are bigger issues to deal with in Houston, and this linebacking corps could be one of the few bright spots for this team in the year to come.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers
Key Players at this Position: Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts
Last year’s linebackers in Pittsburgh were not great in their own right. But the Steelers could be even worse at linebacker in 2023, as they lost several respectable names at the linebacker spots over the last offseason. As they stand now, the Pittsburgh linebackers should be slightly below average, especially as the offenses in the AFC North are set to be tougher in 2023.
22. Los Angeles Chargers
Key Players at this Position: Eric Kendricks, Kenneth Murray Jr.
The Los Angeles Chargers were dismal against the run last season, and their linebackers were a big reason for that. Last year’s fifth-worst run defense in terms of yards allowed per game could get better this season, as Eric Kendricks joins the Chargers linebacking corps. However, the loss of Drue Tranquill could negatively impact this group’s effect on the overall pass defense of the Chargers.
21. New York Jets
Key Players at this Position: CJ Mosley
The New York Jets have a strong pass rush and an elite secondary, which means that their linebackers will always be the weakest link of their defense. But even when you stop comparing them to the other facets of their defense, the linebackers of the Jets don’t hold up all that well on their own either. CJ Mosley has to lead this unit to a better season than he did last year in order for the Jets to reach their ultimate potential.
20. Detroit Lions
Key Players at this Position: Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell
Detroit’s linebackers were unimpressive in 2022, as Alex Anzalone led a unit that was mediocre at best. This year, the Lions hope that first-round pick Jack Campbell helps elevate the linebacking group in the Motor City. Campbell joins the Lions out of Iowa, a school known for its hard-nosed defense, which is exactly the kind of mentality the Detroit defense needs going forward.
19. Green Bay Packers
Key Players at this Position: De’Vondre Campbell, Quay Walker
With Aaron Rodgers departing from Green Bay in the offseason, the pressure is ratcheted up for the Packers defense going into 2023. Green Bay’s linebackers are unlikely to be a major weakness for this team, with De’Vondre Campbell and Quay Walker serving as a decent enough nucleus. But in a season that is likely to be full of growing pains for Jordan Love, this group will need to make some big plays to keep the Packers competitive.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars
Key Players at this Position: Foyesade Oluokun
The Jacksonville Jaguars no longer have a linebacking group like they did back when Myles Jack was patrolling the second level of their defense. But this group is perfectly fine for the Jaguars going into 2023. They will look to make some progress against the pass this season, though playing in the AFC South should help with that given all of the quarterback changes taking place in that division.
17. Dallas Cowboys
Key Players at this Position: Leighton Vander Esch
Grading the Dallas Cowboys at linebacker is so difficult, given the health issues of Leighton Vander Esch most years. When he is healthy, the Cowboys probably belong a little higher than this, and they typically belong a little lower when he is injured. For now, we will stick the Cowboys in the middle of the pack and wait to see what this group can do in terms of remaining in tact.
16. New York Giants
Key Players at this Position: Bobby Okereke
A team that is truly in the middle of the pack at linebacker is the New York Giants. Last year’s group was pretty bad at this spot on the field, but they should get better after bringing in Bobby Okereke. Okereke was one of the most prolific tacklers in the NFL a season ago, and he will help anchor a linebacking group for the Giants that needs to step up this year.
15. Carolina Panthers
Key Players at this Position: Shaq Thompson
Starting out the top-15 of our NFL linebacker rankings is the Carolina Panthers. This group is very good against the run, as Shaq Thompson is great at helping to string out running plays. But the Panthers were not great against the pass, specifically when their linebackers were asked to make plays in coverage. As they rebuild at the quarterback position, Carolina needs this portion of their defense to improve as well.
14. Miami Dolphins
Key Players at this Position: David Long, Jerome Baker
Being just above average even at your weak spots is so important to teams that want to contend for titles. For the Miami Dolphins, that kind of weak spot is the linebacker positions, where they could certainly be worse. David Long comes over from Tennessee this season, which the Dolphins hope will make up for the loss of Elandon Roberts to the Steelers.
13. Denver Broncos
Key Players at this Position: Alex Singleton, Josey Jewell
Last year, the focus for the Denver Broncos was their insanely underwhelming offense. But their defense was very good, and the linebacker positions were a huge reason for that. Alex Singleton and Josey Jewell lead this position group for Denver, which does not appear to be in for any sort of step backward when projecting their performance his year.
12. Indianapolis Colts
Key Players at this Position: Shaquille Leonard
The Indianapolis Colts could have had the best linebacking corps in football heading into this season, or at least one of them. But they let Bobby Okereke go to the Giants, and will have to settle with being just outside of our top-10 as a result. Shaq Leonard leads a group that is still strong at this position, but we could see some defensive regression without Okereke there to clean things up.
11. New England Patriots
Key Players at this Position: Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai
The New England Patriots always seem to be rock solid at positions like linebacker, which are less glamorous. But that is how you build contending teams, and the Patriots have this part of their roster looking strong going into 2023. Ja’Whaun Bentley could be poised for a breakout season at linebacker for the Patriots, who will need all the help they can get from their defense as they give Mac Jones another chance to prove he can be the future of this franchise on offense.
10. Kansas City Chiefs
Key Players at this Position: Willie Gay, Drue Tranquill
Starting out the top-10 in our NFL linebacker rankings is the Kansas City Chiefs. The defending champions added Drue Tranquill to this group in the offseason, as the rich get richer going into this year in the NFL. This group is called upon to do a lot of different things, between blitzing for Steve Spagnuolo and still having to defend the pass and run, but they should continue to cover all of those bases.
9. Seattle Seahawks
Key Players at this Position: Bobby Wagner, Jordyn Brooks
Bobby Wagner is back in Seattle, which is great for a couple of reasons. First, Wagner is one of those players who just belongs in the blue and green of the Seahawks. On top of that, it will improve the linebacker group for a team that is just one small leap forward away from being something of a threat in the NFC.
8. Cleveland Browns
Key Players at this Position: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Anthony Walker Jr.
When healthy, the linebackers of the Cleveland Browns are nothing short of superb. But health was anything but a given for this position group in Cleveland last year. They saw injuries to several key linebackers, including Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Anthony Walker. If they can stay healthy this year, the Browns could be a lot better defensively than they were a season ago.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Key Players at this Position: Lavonte David, Shaquil Barrett, Devin White
One of the true strengths of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is its group of linebackers. Lavonte David could end up as one of the best linebackers of this generation when all is said and done, while he has plenty of reinforcements. Consistency will be the key for this group this season, but there will likely be way bigger things to worry about than this group in Tampa this year.
6. Cincinnati Bengals
Key Players at this Position: Logan Wilson, Germaine Pratt
The Cincinnati Bengals may not have the star power that many teams do near the top of this list. But they have incredible depth at the linebacker spots, which makes them hard to beat in a very different way than many teams. This team can always rest assured that linebacker injuries won’t derail their season, which is a luxury most teams do not possess.
5. New Orleans Saints
Key Players at this Position: Pete Warner, Demario Davis
New Orleans lost a key linebacker in Kaden Elliss this offseason, yet they are still among the best in the league at this position. That speaks to the overall quality of this unit of the Saints defense, as Demario Davis leads a group that should still have success with Elliss gone. New Orleans should benefit from the quarterback changes all over their division, as the overall quality of offenses in Tampa, Atlanta, and Carolina should create some opportunities for the Saints to make big plays on defense.
4. Buffalo Bills
Key Players at this Position: Matt Milano, Tyrel Dodson
There are much more glamourous components to the Buffalo Bills, but their linebackers do an excellent job of holding their defense together. Matt Milano is one of the best playmakers in the league from his position, with the question being whether this group can make the big plays needed to get key stops against the Chiefs and Bengals in the postseason.
3. Chicago Bears
Key Players at this Position: Tremaine Edmunds, TJ Edwards
It is incredible to think that the Bears could have the best linebacking group in the league if they did not get rid of Roquan Smith. There were clearly issues between Smith and the franchise making that move a necessity. But the Bears will have to settle for third place on this list thanks to the loss of Smith, who is one of the best linebackers in the entire league.
2. Baltimore Ravens
Key Players at this Position: Roquan Smith, Patrick Queen
Speaking of Roquan Smith, his current team ranks second on this list of linebacking corps. The Baltimore Ravens have put two incredible linebackers on the field together, as Smith joins Patrick Queen. While this duo may not be enough to make up for Lamar Jackson’s postseason woes, it is certainly one that can strike fear into the hearts of any opposing offense.
1. San Francisco 49ers
Key Players at this Position: Dre Greenlaw, Fred Warner
The clear number one team in our NFL linebacker rankings is the San Francisco 49ers. San Francisco has arguably the most versatile linebacker group in the league, as they can make big plays both in run and pass defense. They also have the star power needed to be truly great at this position, with Fred Warner leading the charge. This group will be a big reason why the Niners are a contender to win the NFC again in 2023.
Other NFL Position Rankings
The linebacker position in the NFL is important, but there are a ton of other important spots on the field as well. Simply click on the links below to check out our other NFL position rankings, which you can use to handicap games for this NFL season.
