Sam, Will, or Pass Rusher? The Top 10 NFL Outside Linebackers

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

1.) DeMarcus Ware, Dallas

Was there any doubt about who the best in the business is? DeMarcus Ware is so athletically gifted that his potential is unlimited. Converted from a collegiate Defensive End, Ware now has the ability to play the 3-4 OLB position as well as the 4-3 Will and 4-3 Sam.

He has fluid hips and a thorough understanding of the game. Ware may not be able to bulrush blockers, but his first step off the line of scrimmage is, quite possibly, the best ever. He’s not one-dimensional as he can drop back into coverage and play it effectively.

The scary part is that Ware has only played in a blitz-heavy system for two seasons and averages 17 sacks per season in that blitz-heavy system.

2.) James Harrison, Pittsburgh

James Harrison is a late bloomer. After being signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent, Harrison proceeded to be released and re-signed numerous times by both the Steelers and Ravens.

Finally carving a spot as a backup in '04, he showed signs of brilliance, but was forced to sit behind Joey Porter.

After Harrison got his time to shine he never let the spotlight go. Harrison has 178 tackles, 24.5 sacks, 10 run stuffs, 13 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 5 passes defensed, 2 interception,s and 1 safety over the past two years as a starter.

Perhaps more impressive is that no 3-4 OLB drops into coverage as much as he does in Dick LeBeau’s Zone-Blitz system.

3.) Lance Briggs, Chicago

The 4-3 Outside LineBacker seems to have become a lost and underappreciated position in the eyes of the media. They seem more enamored with a player’s ability to rush the quarterback than they do with their ability to play the run and guard the pass at a high level.

Lance Briggs, at one point, was far and away the league’s best coverage linebacker, and while that title now belongs to his teammate Brian Urlacher, Briggs has more coverage responsibilities than any other linebacker in the NFL. That said, Briggs is capable of shooting gaps for sacks and run stuffs better than any other OLB in the league as well.

4.) Joey Porter, Miami

How could I list another 3-4 OLB before the pass rushing freak Shawne Merriman? “Blaq what are you thinking?!” I’m thinking about versatility and how Joey Porter has it and Shawne Merriman doesn’t.

While Porter was nothing more than a glorified pass rusher last year, in 2007 he played as a 4-3 Sam and had moderate success. Prior to that he played in the Dick Lebeau called Steelers defense in which outside linebackers play in coverage more than their other 3-4 counterparts. Porter was a staple in that defense and instrumental in their defensive success.

5.) Shawne Merriman, San Diego

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