On the defensive side of the ball, being a linebacker is one of the most important positions on the field. Some are the “quarterbacks” of the defense and some are lethal pass rushers off the edge. Let’s dig into the rankings.
Edge Rushing Linebackers
7. Za’Darius Smith, Green Bay Packers
After four years in Baltimore, Za’Darius Smith finally broke out with the Green Bay Packers. In 2019, Smith had 13.5 sacks and went to his first pro bowl. He was also fifth in the league with 50 pressures and led the league with 22 quarterback knockdowns (QBKD). Now, it is about staying consistent for Smith, as he looks to build on his 2019 season in 2020.
6. Dante Fowler, Atlanta Falcons
For the first three years of his career, Dante Fowler underachieved. After being traded midway through 2018, Fowler’s career took off, mainly due to moving from defensive end to linebacker. Fowler had his best season in 2019, recording 11.5 sacks and 58 tackles appearing in all 16 games. In 2020, Fowler will take his talents to Atlanta, where he will be used in a similar role. Expect a big year from the former third-round pick in 2020.
5. Bradley Chubb, Denver Broncos
Unfortunately, Bradley Chubb’s 2019 season was cut short to an injury. Despite that, Chubb’s talent off the edge is top-notch. Chubb had 12 sacks in his rookie season while totaling one in four games in 2019 before getting injured. Chubb should be at full strength in 2020, and at only 24 years old, the combination of Bradley Chubb and Von Miller will give quarterbacks nightmares in 2020.
4. Von Miller, Denver Broncos
Von Miller has been in the NFL for nine seasons and has been in the conversation for the best pass rusher in many of those seasons. In 135 career games, the eight-time pro bowler has 106 sacks. His best season was 2012, where he had 18.5 sacks. While Miller is getting to the back end of his career, he is still going to be a problem for offensive linemen in 2020.
3. T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers
Many people here the name Watt and think J.J., but soon T.J. Watt is going to have the upper hand of the brothers. Through three seasons, Watt has developed into a superstar and his only getting better. In those three seasons, Watt has made two pro bowls and has totaled 34.5 sacks in those three seasons. Every year, his sack total has grown. In 2019, he earned first-team all-pro with 14.5 sacks. The Steelers defense is at the top of the league, and Watt is a big reason for this success.
2. Chandler Jones, Arizona Cardinals
Throughout his entire career, Chandler Jones has been one of the most underrated pass rushers in the NFL. Through eight seasons, Jones has had 11 or more sacks six times and 15 or more sacks twice. His best season was last year, where he had 19 sacks and led the league with 8 forced fumbles. He earned first-team all-pro and his third pro-bowl appearance too. Jones is going to be 30 but does not seem to be slowing down. Expect a lot more sacks out of Jones in 2020.
1. Khalil Mack, Chicago Bears
Even with a down year, Khalil Mack is still the clear-cut number one pass-rushing linebacker in the NFL. Mack has made the pro bowl every year but his rookie season and has earned all-pro honors in three of those years. From 2015-18, Mack's lowest sack total was 10.5. For a career, Mack has 61.5 sacks through 94 games. The former defensive rookie of the year will look to bounce back in 2020, along with his team, the Chicago Bears.
Coverage Linebackers
7. Roquan Smith, Chicago Bears
After an impressive career at Georgia, Roquan Smith has continued that success into the NFL. Through two seasons, the Chicago Bear has 122 tackles. He also has shown his ability to play in coverage, totaling 7 passes defensed and 2 interceptions in his first two seasons. The young linebacker is poised to become a captain on an already stout defense, and 2020 might be the year.
6. Leighton Vander Esch, Dallas Cowboys
Leighton Vander Esch has started his career firing on all cylinders for the Dallas Cowboys. In 2018, his rookie season, the Boise State product totaled a whopping 140 tackles, plus 2 interceptions. In his rookie season, Vander Esch made his first pro bowl. 2019 was off to a good start, but after nine games a neck injury ended his season. Even with this nagging injury, Vander Esch has said that he feels great and is ready to go. If he can avoid getting the injury bug, Dallas have themselves a star at the linebacker position.
5. Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers
Probably the most underappreciated linebacker on this list is Fred Warner from the San Francisco 49ers. Often called the “captain of the defense”, Warner is the leader of arguably the best defense in the NFL. Through two seasons, Warner has 242 total tackles. Like many guys on this list, he has also shown his versatility in pass coverage. Warner’s leadership and model of consistency is something the 49ers should expect year in and year out.
4. Jaylon Smith, Dallas Cowboys
After a gruesome injury in college, Jaylon Smith has become an incredible story and one of the up and coming stars in the NFL. After getting his feet wet in his rookie year in 2017, Smith has burst onto the scene since. In the last two seasons, Smith has 263 tackles and has become the leader on the Cowboys defense. His speed and explosiveness make him a very complete linebacker. If they both stay healthy, Smith and teammate Leighton Vander Esch can be the top linebacker duo in the NFL for many years to come.
3. Eric Kendricks, Minnesota Vikings
Eric Kendricks has been as consistent as they come and was finally rewarded for his efforts. In 2019, Kendricks earned first-team all-pro honors and went to his first pro bowl. He has had 100 or more tackles in four straight seasons and has been a staple for the Vikings defense. Every year, Kendricks brings the same game to the table and 2020 should show more of that.
2. Darius Leonard, Indianapolis Colts
In a few seasons, we may see Darius Leonard jump into the top spot on this list but being number two is nothing to be ashamed of. In 2018, his rookie season, Leonard exploded with 163 tackles, leading the entire NFL. He earned first-team all-pro honors and followed that up with another 121 tackles in 2019. With the addition of DeForest Buckner on the front end and Malik Hooker on the back end, Leonard has some help and the Indianapolis Colts have a good chance to take off on the defensive side of the ball.
1. Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks
While Leonard has been great, Bobby Wagner has been on a different level for eight years. He has made six straight pro bowls and has been an all-pro in five of the last six seasons. After being apart of the Legion of Boom that won the Super Bowl in 2020, Wagner has emerged as the captain and leader on this defense. Wagner has never had less than 100 tackles, having 120 or more in six of his eight seasons. In 2016 and 2019, he led the league in tackles, 167 and 159, respectively. Wagner is the identity of the Seahawks defense and will continue his hall of fame career helping grow the Seahawks defense back to stardom.
Stats from profootballreferece.com
Injury report on Leighton Vander Esch from dallascowboys.com
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