Ranking NFLs top 10 linebackers entering

by durovis on Jun 1st, 2023 09:21 AM

The linebacker position in the game of football is one of the most important. These athletes are called upon to be run-stuffing defensive linemen on some downs, and hybrid cornerbacks on others. The strongest players are experts at open-field takedowns and make it hard for quarterbacks to feel comfortable throwing toward the middle of the field.Below, we will rank the NFL's top 10 linebackers entering 2022. To create this list, we took into consideration basic statistics, Pro Football Reference/Stathead's Approximate Value, PFF grades and a gue s on how the player will perform moving forward. Something to note is that 3-4 pa s-rushers will not appear on this list. Players like , , and are not included. With all that said, let's jump in.Honorable mentions: , , , Shaq Thompson, Alexander Johnson, , , , , . GB OLB #59 Campbell was one of the big surprises of the 2021 NFL season, as he stepped his game up in a major way for the . He set career highs acro s the board, notching 146 combined tackles, six Sam Merrill Jersey QB hits and two interceptions. Campbell recorded the second-highest PFF grade of any linebacker with an 85, and also was the second-highest graded linebacker in coverage with an 82.2. He went from having a one-year contract worth $2 million to signing a five-year deal that carries an AAV of $10 million! What a find he was for the Packers last year. Now, it remains to be seen if Campbell can replicate his Pau Gasol Jersey 2021 campaign, but based off of how he played last year, Campbell deserves a place on this list. TB OLB #54 David mi sed five games in 2021 due to injury, but he still had a solid season, recording 97 combined tackles. David also graded out as the No. 14 overall linebacker with a 72.3 PFF grade, and the No. 9 linebacker in coverage with a 73.9. Though he's 32 years old, David hasn't taken a major step backwards just yet. He was All-Pro just one year ago, and has been a leader for this defense since the days when the franchise was going 2-14. It's also noteworthy that David is good in coverage, something other linebackers can struggle with. Plenty of well-known 'backers had coverage grades in the 30s this past season. David has been consistent, as only one linebacker has recorded more tackles since he entered the league, and that player is found later on in this list. TB LB #45 This is likely a polarizing selection. The former No. 5 overall pick recorded 128 combined tackles, a career-high 18 QB hits in 2021 and earned his first Pro Bowl selection this past season. He didn't end the 2021 campaign in the best fashion, but did rebound to record 13 combined tackles, two tackles for lo s, four QB hits and two pa ses defensed in Tampa Bay's two postseason games. Overall, White has had an incredible start to his career, as he's picked up All-Pro honors, a Pro Bowl bid and a Super Bowl ring in just three years. His 2021 campaign wasn't his best, but he seems like a player that's just going to get better, and someone who could end up becoming the next Lavonte David for the Bucs. However, he will have to get better in coverage. Pick Six Newsletter Crafted By The Best NFL Experts Get the day's big stories + fun stuff you love like mock drafts, picks and power rankings. I agree to receive the "Pick Six Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. By pre sing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the and acknowledge Paramount's . Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox. Sorry! There was an error proce sing your subscription. BAL ILB #18 Smith has recorded at least 101 combined tackles in each of his four NFL seasons, and his last two campaigns have been impre sive. The Georgia product was named second-team All-Pro in 2020 and 2021, and recorded a career-high 163 combined tackles last year -- Jordan Nwora Jersey which ranked fifth among all linebackers.Despite the inconsistent offense, the had the No. 6 defense in the league last year, and Smith was a big reason why. While Chicago lost and in the offseason, this unit could be rather strong again with some of the additions made in the secondary, and with the defensive-minded Matt Eberflus taking over as head coach. With Smith entering the final year of his rookie deal, he's in line to sign a five-year, $88.18 million extension. That hypothetical AAV of $17.6 million would make Smith the third highest-paid linebacker in the NFL. Just 25, he's on his way. LAC MLB #6 Kendricks has long been one of the consistent middle linebackers in the league, and he stepped up his game in 2021 with a career-high 143 combined tackles, five sacks and two interceptions. The only season in which he did not record at least 100 tackles was Bryn Forbes Jersey his rookie campaign, when he mi sed two games. He even hit 107 combined tackles in 2020 despite playing in just 11 games! Kendricks is another well-rounded linebacker that can cover, as his 73.8 PFF coverage grade ranked No. 10 among linebackers last year. Despite what PFF says, I don't think there are that many more linebackers who are better in coverage than Kendricks. While Mike Zimmer is gone, new defensive coordinator Ed Donatell is an experienced coach who can get the most out of Kendricks and this defense as a whole. players on both sides of the ball, including Kendricks, have already opened up about the culture change they have felt early on this offseason with Kevin O'Connell. At age 30, Kendricks should again be one of the best middle linebackers in the NFL in 2022. NO OLB #56 Davis is a player people keep expecting to regre s, but he just hasn't. His All-Pro season in 2019 was special, but some might have thought it was just a one-year thing. Then, he was named All-Pro again in 2020 with an AV of 14 for the second straight season. There's no way he was going to get better, right?In 2021, Davis was given a career-high AV of 15 while again being named an All-Pro after he recorded 105 combined tackles, Eric Bledsoe Jersey 13 tackles for lo s and three sacks. His PFF grade of 77.9 ranked eighth last year among linebackers, and he once again showed he's a well-rounded linebacker that doesn't get the kind of credit he deserves. Yes, Davis was a late-bloomer, but not many players can make the impact he does in stopping the run, tackling, rushing the pa ser and working in coverage. Put some respect on Demario Davis PFF (@PFF) SF MLB #54 After Warner's monster 2020 campaign, we thought he could be the No. 1 linebacker on this list entering 2022. Unfortunately, he took a bit of a step back from his All-Pro and Pro Bowls ways. While Warner recorded a career-high 137 combined tackles (T-No. 1