Ranking NFC East Starters: Inside Linebackers

Ranking NFC East Starters: Inside Linebackers

It’s important to compare the Philadelphia Eagles to their division rivals, as those teams will be their main competition for a playoff spot. This series will compare the starting rosters of the four NFC East teams, continuing with inside linebackers.

1. Leighton Vander Esch

In only one season, Vander Esch has become not only the best linebacker in the NFC East, but one of the best in all of football. Dallas fans weren’t happy when the Joneses opted to take him over a receiver in the first round, but a stellar rookie campaign and an All-Pro selection later, they wouldn’t have it any other way. He racked up 140 tackles and two interceptions in 2018, forming arguably the best LB duo in football with his fellow young teammate, who’s next on this list. Vander Esch recorded the most tackles in NFL history for any player who started less than 75% of games for their team. 

2. Jaylon Smith

Smith’s talent was unquestionable when he first entered the league in 2016, but a collegiate injury pushed him from a top-five prospect to a second-round pick. Smith racked up 121 tackles of his own in his first year starting 16 games, and was a sideline-to-sideline force for an elite Dallas defense. He was also a productive pass rusher in his handful of pass-rushing snaps, tallying six QB hits and four sacks on the season. 

3. Sean Lee

Lee is undoubtedly one of the best inside linebackers in football, but he’s never healthy. He’s dealt with an assortment of hamstring injuries, three torn ACLs, and has never completed a full 16-game slate. When healthy, we’ve seen what he’s capable of (first-team All-Pro in his last season playing 12+ games). With a move to the SAM linebacker spot, decreased playing time could greatly benefit the tenth-year veteran. 

4. Zach Brown

The Eagles needed help at the linebacker position and received a bargain in the speedy Brown. Over his last three seasons, he’s averaged 124 tackles and 11 TFL 

in stints with Buffalo and Washington. Pass coverage was an issue for him in years past, but after cleaning up that part of his game, he’s become one of the most complete ‘backers in the league. Brown was PFF’s third-ranked LB in the league last season, and was also named the most underrated LB in football by PFF. 

5. Nigel Bradham

Bradham returned a contract extension with his worst season as an Eagle, but things began trending upward towards the end of the season. The Eagles defense was shaky most of the year thanks to a litany of injuries, so it’s no coincidence that Bradham’s best play came when things finally started to mesh for the rest of the D. His first two seasons with Philly were stellar, and with more help surrounding him this year, it shouldn’t be hard for him to return to that level. 

6. BJ Goodson

Goodson has dealt with injuries of his own, but the potential is very much there. He had the best game of his young career in November, totaling six tackles, two PDs, and two INTs. With more experience and injury luck, he could develop into a consistent solid starter for the New York Giants. 

7. Kamu Grugier-Hill

Grugier-Hill is known for his special teams’ prowess, but he’s also a serviceable 4-3 LB. He’s never received excessive playing time, and will have to fight for more with the Eagles free agent pickups in L.J. Fort and Zach Brown. He’s been fine in his minutes, but will have to be more than that in order to secure a spot in the rotation. 

8. Alec Ogletree

Ogletree is a far cry from his better days with the Rams, and his ranking reflects that. The Giants are paying off the huge salary Los Angeles gave him, but it’s far too much for a below average starter. He did have five interceptions in 2018, but his coverage was abysmal at times. PFF gave him a putrid total grade of 50.6, good for 81st in the league. 

9. Mason Foster

The first of the two Redskins LBs to close out this list, Foster is sadly the best inside linebacker on Washington’s roster. The goal for the ‘Skins was to replace him with talented but troubled LB Reuben Foster, but a major injury hampered those plans early in the offseason. Foster actually wasn’t bad in 2018, but for most of his career he’s been a low-end starter and the Redskins don’t seem to believe he can buck the trend. 

10. Shaun Dion Hamilton

Hamilton only started four games as a rookie, and he showed enough for the Redskins to make him a starter this season. There’s not enough to accurately rank him, so he remains at the bottom for the foreseeable future.

-By: Micah Jimoh