B/R NFL 1000: Ranking the Top 15 4-3 Strong-Side Linebackers from 2015
At the end of the 2015 NFL season, who was the best 4-3 strong-side linebacker in the game? We're not talking about who made the Pro Bowl or even who got the All-Pro votes. Who was really, truly, the best? Forget reputation and how much money each player makes. We want cold, hard analysis that comes from watching the games and grading the players.
That's what the B/R NFL 1000 is for, and it's back for another year.
The B/R 1000 metric is based heavily on scouting each player and grading the key criteria for each position. The criteria are weighted according to importance.
Potential and career accomplishments are not taken into consideration.
We judged 4-3 strong-side linebackers on pass rush (20 points), run defense (20), coverage (20), tackling (30) and the overall value of the position relative to the other spots on the field (eight points). The maximum score for this position is 98.
In the case of ties, our analysts asked, "Which player would I rather have on my team?" and set the rankings accordingly.
Subjective? Yes, but ties are no fun.
A team of experienced evaluators (Dan Bazal, Luke Easterling, Cian Fahey, Adam Heisler, Duke Manyweather, Matt Miller and Marshal Miller) scouted each player with these key criteria in mind. The following scouting reports and grades are the work of months of film study.
Players' heights, weights, seasons played and sack totals from NFL.com. All other statistics from Pro Football Focus.
15. Hau'oli Kikaha, New Orleans Saints
1 of 15
Pass Rush
For a rookie second-rounder like Kikaha, four sacks looks pretty sweet on the stat sheet. A deeper look shows a player who is winning with technique more than athleticism, but the consistency just isn’t there yet. He still has plenty of time to develop, though, and his ability to put up numbers even when he has so much to learn is promising.
Run Defense
Billed as more of a pass-rushing specialist coming out of Washington, Kikaha was actually much more effective at stopping the run in his rookie campaign. His long arms and attention to detail from a technique standpoint allowed him to disengage from blockers and make quick plays on the ball.
Coverage
Kikaha didn’t look comfortable in coverage as a rookie, exhibiting stiff hips when asked to change direction. He has plenty of athleticism, so when he taps into that and translates it into coverage ability, he’ll have a chance to be a special player down the road.
Tackling
Kikaha is a tough, intense player who loves contact and can deliver a big hit when the opportunity arises. He’s still working on the finer points of technique, but he only averaged about one missed tackle per every 100 snaps on defense, which isn’t terrible in the slightest.
Position Value
Overall
14. Akeem Ayers, St. Louis Rams
2 of 15
Pass Rush
A versatile player out of UCLA, Ayers spent four years in Tennessee and one in New England before landing with the Rams in 2015. He regressed a bit on the stat sheet in this department, posting just a half-sack after tallying four in 2014 for the Pats, but he was still around the quarterback often enough to draw attention.
Run Defense
At 6’3”, 255 pounds, Ayers has the frame to balance power and athleticism against the run, but it just didn’t happen consistently enough in 2015. A former second-round pick, he has shown in the past that he has the ability to be an impact player. He just has to be more consistent everywhere, run support included.
Coverage
Ayers has decent athleticism, so watching him struggle in coverage on a regular basis in 2015 was frustrating. He either hasn’t figured out how to master his athletic ability in this area, or his lack of awareness and technique is simply tipping the scales in the other direction. Either way, he has to get better in this area.
Tackling
Ayers is willing enough as a tackler and has the size to be effective, but he lacks the technique and consistency it takes to be successful. He needs to play more disciplined in this area if he wants to improve his game in 2016.
Position Value
Overall
13. Jelani Jenkins, Miami Dolphins
3 of 15
Pass Rush
A fourth-round pick out of Florida in 2013, Jenkins improved in some areas last season, but pass rushing wasn’t one of them. After posting 3.5 sacks in 2014, he was largely a non-factor in this department in 2015, failing to register a single sack.
Run Defense
At 6’0”, 243 pounds, you might expect a player like Jenkins to be a solid anchor against the run, but that just wasn’t the case in 2015. He struggled to find the ball consistently, and when he did, he was too easily caught up in the trash to sift through the box and make a play on the ball-carrier.
Coverage
Jenkins wasn’t much better in coverage, as his lack of athleticism and range made him more of a liability than an asset. He went a third straight season without logging an interception, failing to make much of an impact.
Tackling
He wasn’t the most complete or effective linebacker in the league in 2015, but Jenkins still plays with a lot of intensity and power, which makes him a solid tackler. He posted 65 solo tackles while missing only nine.
Position Value
Overall
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12. Travis Lewis, Detroit Lions
4 of 15
Pass Rush
A seventh-round pick out of Oklahoma in 2012, Lewis started the first four games of his NFL career in 2015. He wasn’t asked to rush the passer much, but he did post his first career sack, along with two quarterback hurries.
Run Defense
Lewis wasn’t terribly effective as a run-stuffer in 2015. At 6’2”, 235 pounds, his lean, high-cut frame didn’t do him any favors when it came to anchoring at the point of attack. Bigger, stronger blockers too easily swallowed him up, keeping him from making a big impact on the play.
Coverage
Lewis’ size might suggest he's a rangy, athletic type, but his 2015 performance didn’t show that. He failed to make any real impact in coverage, showing a lack of ideal speed, instincts and awareness against the pass.
Tackling
Linebackers are supposed to be tacklers before anything else, which is the best thing Lewis had going for him this past year. He registered just eight solo tackles on the season, but he didn’t miss a single one, which bodes well for his getting increased playing time down the road.
Position Value
Overall
11. Danny Lansanah, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5 of 15
Pass Rush
Lansanah made 11 starts for the Bucs in 2015 but, like most players at this position, didn’t play a high percentage of snaps because of how often the defense was in nickel personnel. Still, he made the most of his few chances to get after opposing quarterbacks, posting a sack and three quarterback hurries.
Run Defense
After a slow start to the season, Lansanah improved over the second half of the year, particularly as a run defender. He showed toughness and strength at the point of attack but was just missing that level of athleticism that would have allowed him to slip by even more blocks.
Coverage
Lansanah was a big-play machine in coverage in 2014 with three interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), but his play in this area dropped off considerably in 2015. He didn’t pick off any passes and looked like a much slower player.
Tackling
He posted 33 tackles while playing just 34 percent of Tampa Bay’s defensive snaps in 2015, but Lansanah’s 11 missed tackles were way too many, given how infrequently he played. His technique was erratic, and his ability to break down and use proper form needs plenty of work moving forward.
Position Value
Overall
10. Dan Skuta, Jacksonville Jaguars
6 of 15
Pass Rush
In his seventh NFL season out of Grand Valley State, Skuta started eight games in his first year with the Jags after spending the rest of his career in Cincinnati and San Francisco. His sack numbers dropped from five to 1.5 from his 2014 performance, but he registered eight hurries and made his presence felt in this department more often than not.
Run Defense
Skuta only played 44 percent of the Jags’ defensive snaps in 2015, but he was a solid run defender who could mix it up in the box and hang with bigger blockers when they made their way to him. At 6’2”, 265 pounds, he put his bigger frame to good use last year.
Coverage
That size wasn’t a friend to Skuta in coverage, however. He lacked any range or fluidity when defending the pass, and it wasn’t much trouble for opposing quarterbacks to beat him on either short or intermediate routes.
Tackling
A guy like Skuta is dangerous if he gets his hands on you, but that can usually be easily avoided. He made just 28 tackles in 2015 while missing seven, which isn’t the ratio you’re looking for from a player who doesn’t specialize in coverage.
Position Value
Overall
9. Shaq Thompson, Carolina Panthers
7 of 15
Pass Rush
One of the most impressive overall athletes to come out of the 2015 draft, Thompson is a roller coaster of a player who is still growing into his talent. He flashed some ability as a pass-rusher in 2015, posting a sack and a pair of quarterback hurries, but he could use plenty of work on the finer points of beating blockers to the passer.
Run Defense
At 6’0” and just 230 pounds, Thompson’s lack of ideal bulk makes it difficult to take on bigger blockers and win as a run defender. He can make plays if he’s able to use his athleticism to slide by the block, but that was a hit-or-miss proposition for much of the 2015 season.
Coverage
It’s no surprise Thompson performed best in this area last year, as some thought he was athletic and versatile enough to slide back to safety in the NFL. He has fantastic range and speed and was only held back in this department by his developing awareness and instincts.
Tackling
Despite his lack of size, Thompson is a capable tackler who isn’t afraid to lay the lumber. His technique still needs plenty of work, but once he’s more consistent in that area, his game should see a huge jump in this area. He missed nine tackles over 448 snaps in 2015.
Position Value
Overall
8. Nate Stupar, Atlanta Falcons
8 of 15
Pass Rush
After not starting one game in his first two seasons, Nate Stupar started three in 2015. He wasn’t earth-shattering as a pass-rusher, but he flashed some positive traits and came up with his first career sack, along with three quarterback hurries.
Run Defense
A seventh-round pick out of Penn State in 2012, Stupar got in on 259 defensive snaps for the Falcons in 2015, most of them coming in the first half of the season. At 6’2”, 240 pounds, his adequate frame helped him hold his own against guards and fullbacks who met him at the second level.
Coverage
Stupar was above average in this department last season, showing decent range and athleticism—especially on shorter routes that allowed him to break on the ball downhill. He’s still a bit stiff in the hips, though, and doesn’t look fluid when he's forced to get depth and change direction on the fly.
Tackling
Stupar’s size gives him enough strength to bring down opposing ball-carriers, but he can still be overpowered by bigger backs and can require assistance to finish the job. He’s a willing tackler with good technique and the fundamentals to be successful if he can be more consistent.
Position Value
Overall
7. Sean Lee, Dallas Cowboys
9 of 15
Pass Rush
After missing the entire 2014 season with a knee injury, Lee made 14 starts in 2015 and put together a solid effort. He was scarcely used to get after the quarterback but did manage to bag 2.5 sacks, the first time he’s put anything in that stat column over his five NFL seasons in Dallas.
Run Defense
It’s tough to anchor against the run without confidence in your lower body, and it’s hard to have that coming off knee surgery. But Lee was impressive as a run defender in 2015, showing the ability to stack and shed with frequent success, as well as the keen instincts that have always served him well.
Coverage
Lee has always been fairly strong in coverage, but he took his play to another level in 2015 in this department. His awareness and instincts put him a step ahead of opposing quarterbacks and, combined with his athleticism, allowed him to close windows down the field and frustrate offenses through the air.
Tackling
Fourteen missed tackles are more than you’d like to see from a veteran like Lee, but it’s understandable considering his road back from injury. He still managed to rack up 93 solo tackles, showing the range to make plays from sideline to sideline and the discipline to break down and wrap up ball-carriers with regularity.
Position Value
Overall
6. Bruce Irvin, Seattle Seahawks
10 of 15
Pass Rush
Many fans and analysts were scratching their heads when Irvin was selected midway through the first round back in 2012, but his play over the last four seasons in Seattle just earned him a huge payday on the open market from the Oakland Raiders. Irvin’s specialty has always been getting after the passer, but he ran hot and cold throughout the 2015 season in this department. The 5.5 sacks and 21 quarterback hurries were impressive, but he needs to be more consistent.
Run Defense
Irvin was surprisingly more effective at defending the run than getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks in 2015, though he still wasn’t earth-shattering in that area, either. His athleticism helps get him where he wants to go in a hurry, but too often he struggles to find the ball quickly, leaving him a step behind once he sees where the play is going.
Coverage
The stat sheet shows that Irvin didn’t register an interception for the first time since 2012, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t effective in coverage on a regular basis in 2015. He possesses great length, explosiveness and athletic ability, which help him cover ground fast and close down passing lanes in a hurry.
Tackling
The West Virginia product showed improvement in this area in 2015, missing just four tackles in 819 snaps. He’s still learning how to fully maximize his athletic ability, but he’s refined his technique enough to be a consistent, effective tackler, whether he’s flying downhill against the run or left in the open field on an island.
Position Value
Overall
5. A.J. Klein, Carolina Panthers
11 of 15
Pass Rush
A part-time starter over his three years in Carolina, Klein made a fairly significant impact of his own despite being overshadowed by Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis. He didn’t get many opportunities to get after the quarterback, but he did register his third career sack after failing to get one in 2014.
Run Defense
Klein appeared in 15 games with six starts in 2015, proving to be a solid two-down defender against the run. At 6’1”, 240 pounds, he has the size to keep offensive linemen from simply running through him at the second level. He can also diagnose what’s happening in the backfield fairly well, allowing him to break on the ball.
Coverage
He struggled a bit in this department early in the season, but Klein showed steady improvement as the season wore on. Opposing quarterbacks didn't have to worry too much about him through the air, but he did snag his first career interception in 2015.
Tackling
Klein may not be the flashy, versatile playmaker you’ll find elsewhere in Carolina’s linebacking corps, but his position’s primary role is to tackle well, something he did in 2015. He only played 34.1 percent of the Panthers’ defensive snaps, but he notched 36 solo tackles while only missing four. He doesn’t have the athleticism of his running mates, but he was consistent and reliable in this area last year.
Position Value
Overall
4. Michael Mauti, New Orleans Saints
12 of 15
Pass Rush
It might seem strange for a player who saw just 175 snaps in 2015 to land so high on this list, but that’s just how impressive Michael Mauti looked in his limited action last season. He wasn’t asked to rush the passer much, though, and his new opportunities brought mixed results, none of which made it to the box score.
Run Defense
A seventh-round pick by the Vikings in 2013, the Penn State product was held back by injuries but blossomed in his third season. He took advantage of increased playing time midway through the 2015 season, proving himself to be a tough, effective run defender with great instincts.
Coverage
Those instincts served Mauti well in coverage, as well. He may not have recorded any interceptions or defensed passes, but he flashed the ability to close quickly on short and intermediate routes, demonstrating adequate hip fluidity when he was forced to change direction.
Tackling
What Mauti lacks in raw athleticism, he makes up for with technique and competitiveness. Those traits were most evident in his tackling in 2015, as he only missed one tackle all year. He sets himself up well with efficient pursuit angles and knows how to control his momentum to avoid being embarrassed in the open field.
Position Value
Overall
3. Dont'a Hightower, New England Patriots
13 of 15
Pass Rush
A 12-game starter for the second straight season, the Alabama product was at his best when getting after the quarterback in 2015. Hightower logged 3.5 sacks and 18 quarterback hurries last season, showing the same knack for creating consistent pressure that he did during his time with the Crimson Tide.
Run Defense
At 6’3”, 265 pounds, Hightower has the frame and bulk to anchor well against offensive linemen who are scooping to the second level. He’s not the fastest player at the position, but his instincts and physical style make up for any lack of raw athleticism. He’s not easily fooled, but he lacks that top gear to run down faster backs from sideline to sideline.
Coverage
Hightower’s lack of elite athleticism limits him in coverage, as well. He has plus instincts and can quickly process route combinations and where the quarterback wants to go, but that doesn’t always translate to cutting down passing lanes quickly enough to make a play on the ball.
Tackling
Once he does get to the ball-carrier, though, Hightower rarely loses when it’s time to finish the tackle. He can throttle down with great, consistent control, and his technique is polished enough to avoid getting beaten too often in the open field. His size allows him to handle things on his own, if needed, and even bigger backs have trouble overpowering him.
Position Value
Overall
2. Vontaze Burfict, Cincinnati Bengals
14 of 15
Pass Rush
Burfict started the 2015 season on the physically unable to perform list thanks to knee surgery, missing the first half of the year. When he did finally hit the field, the results were the highest of highs and lowest of lows, depending on the play. He showed the ability to be a useful pass-rusher at times, using his power and explosiveness to get through traffic and impact the quarterback.
Run Defense
Burfict is an old-school thumper in the run game, playing with the physicality reminiscent of some of the all-time greats at linebacker. He’s quick and explosive for his size, and he meets blockers with such power that he’s often able to beat much bigger opponents to get to the ball.
Coverage
He flashed solid instincts and the ability to close well, despite his thick frame at 6’1”, 248 pounds, but coverage isn’t Burfict’s wheelhouse. For every big play he made against the pass, there were a handful of others he was just a step too slow to get to, which led to many missed opportunities.
Tackling
For the most part, Burfict’s physical style of play makes him a fantastic tackler who delivers a powerful punch. His biggest issue in this department (and overall) is his penchant for drawing penalties for big hits when he could have just made the sure tackle and gotten the job done more effectively.
Position Value
Overall
1. Anthony Barr, Minnesota Vikings
15 of 15
Pass Rush
Barr was the best at his position last year, and it wasn’t terribly close. A rare athlete whom some thought might take time to develop in the pros, Barr has made a monstrous impact already in the NFL, dominating in his second season. His elite combination of explosiveness, power and technique makes him a dangerous pass-rusher off the edge, leading to 3.5 sacks and 18 quarterback hurries in 2015.
Run Defense
One of the knocks on Barr coming out of UCLA was his lean, high-cut frame and how that might hinder him as a run defender. Well, 6’5” and 255 pounds seems to be plenty big enough for Barr to hold his own in the box, as he did in 2015. His long arms make it difficult for opposing blockers to keep him locked up, and his quickness makes him a challenge to block.
Coverage
Barr was a jack of all trades in 2015, but he was also the master of most. The best natural athlete at the position in the entire league, his incredible range and length made him a dominant cover man. He showed the hip fluidity to change direction and get depth, and he handled both man and zone responsibilities with ease.
Tackling
For all the talk about how raw he was coming into the 2014 draft, Barr has already developed into a sound technician as a tackler. He rarely overruns a ball-carrier by failing to break down with proper timing, and he puts his big frame and long reach to good use by giving opponents little room to get around him.
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