B/R NFL 1000: Ranking the Top 50 Inside Linebackers from 2015

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

At the end of the 2015 NFL season, who was the best inside 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 for a possible best score of 100.

Potential and career accomplishments are not taken into consideration.

Inside linebackers are judged on pass rush (10 points), run defense (30), coverage (20), tackling (30) and the overall value of the position relative to the other spots on the field (nine points). The maximum score for this position is 99.

In the case of ties, our team 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 from our team. 

 

Players' heights, weights, seasons played and sack totals from NFL.com. All other statistics from Pro Football Focus.

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Pass Rush

The seven-year veteran has never been much of a pass-rusher. Laurinaitis plays with great instincts but lacks closing speed and reliable pass-rush moves.

Run Defense

In 2015, Laurinaitis posted a career low in tackles, just 86 total. Early in his career, he was a bull against the run. However, now entering the latter part of his career, the league has taken its toll on him. Laurinaitis struggled to disengage from blockers and did not show the same acceleration he had in years past.

Coverage

He gets good depth in his drop and works forward in coverage better than most "Mike" linebackers. He still has the ability to work sideline-to-sideline and blow up underneath routes. However, he will get beaten over the top by more athletic tight ends and had trouble with shifty backs in 2015.

Tackling

Laurinaitis had one of his least productive seasons as a tackler in 2015, but he was reliable when he was in the right position. When you take into account that he played more snaps than any other inside linebacker in 2015, his total of only 11 missed tackles is impressive. Almost as impressive as the fact that he has played, and started, all 16 games in every one of his seasons in the league. This man does not come off the field—he played 99.8 percent of the Rams' defensive snaps—and that is a rarity in the game today.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Wilhoite has never recorded a sack in his career. He does not have the closing speed or length of a typical pass-rusher. The 49ers did not ask him to blitz in 2015 and most likely won’t use him as an inside pass-rusher.

Run Defense

He plays well in the box and is not afraid to get his nose dirty and take on blockers. He needs to work on shedding blocks and freeing himself up to make more plays, though. Wilhoite plays with good pad level and leverage but needs to work on his explosion and making plays at, or behind, the line of scrimmage.

Coverage

Wilhoite uses his hands well at the line in knocking tight ends off their routes, but he doesn’t have the speed to keep up down the field in man coverage. He saw limited third-down snaps this year with the return of NaVorro Bowman and the solid play of Gerald Hodges.

Tackling

In 2014, Wilhoite was a solid tackler and missed few opportunities. 2015 was a different story. He missed 13 tackles in 416 fewer snaps. Wilhoite will have his hands full competing for snaps in 2016. His health could have had something to do with the missed tackles, as he did miss four games because of injury in 2015.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Speed and quickness are two of Malcolm Smith’s strengths. The undersized linebacker was able to use those traits to get to the quarterback four times in 2015 while also getting eight hurries.

Run Defense

His 4.4 speed allows him to chase down almost any ball-carrier in the NFL and work around slower blockers. While his speed is jaw-dropping, Smith needs to add bulk to his 225-pound frame to make the move to inside linebacker pay off. He made plenty of tackles against the run but needs to make more plays closer to the line of scrimmage.

Coverage

He has natural cover ability and looks more like a safety athletically. Smith matches up well with running backs and gets good drop in zone. He does not have the strength to match up with bigger tight ends and cannot redirect their routes off the line. No other inside linebacker saw more balls thrown at their man than Smith last year, with 88 targets.

Tackling

Smith racked up an amazing 121 total tackles in 2015, but he also had plenty of chances to make tackles. Part of that was his quickness and that he rarely came off the field for the Raiders. However, he also ranked second in missed tackles, racking up 23 of those. Playing at such a low weight lets him get to the ball and play faster than most linebackers, but it also limits his ability to make plays in the box and bring down bigger ball-carriers. Smith needs to find a good playing weight that can optimize his natural speed while adding strength.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

The second-year linebacker did most of his work in coverage, where he is more proficient, but he was able to record 3.5 sacks in 2015.

Run Defense

Another undersized (235 lbs) and athletic inside linebacker, Kirksey is able to use his speed to make plays sideline-to-sideline, but he can get lost and overpowered when playing in the box. He will have to continue to impress through special teams and hope for more playing time in the rotation.

Coverage

He can match up well with backs, and he does a good job of coming back to blow up underneath routes. At 6’2” and with good arm length, Kirksey has the ability to match up on tight ends and stay on their hip, and he shows adequate change-of-direction ability.

Tackling

Kirksey has to add strength to play inside, but he makes up for a lack of it with good initial contact on ball-carriers, knocking them off balance. He also has great pursuit ability when he can disengage from blockers.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Donald Butler isn’t used much in the pass rush and lacks the moves to be effective as a pass-rusher. He only makes plays on quarterbacks when they are out of the pocket.

Run Defense

At a stout 242 pounds, Butler is able to play in traffic and take on big blockers. He needs to use his leverage to get through blockers and make plays close to the line of scrimmage.

Coverage

Butler made a lot of improvements from 2014, when he struggled in coverage. Seeing most of his snaps in passing situations, he showed the ability to read underneath routes and make plays on ball-carriers in space.

Tackling

He's not an authoritative hitter, but he was reliable in 2015 with only five missed tackles. Butler needs to take better angles to the ball and make better initial contact with bigger backs. He plays with good pad level but needs to drive through.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

McClellin is used to getting to the passer and was drafted as an outside rusher. But he has struggled to find his position in the NFL. He has the ability to dip his shoulder and get around the edge, but he did not show an ability to pressure the quarterback from the inside in 2015.

Run Defense

Making that move from outside rusher to inside linebacker is difficult. McClellin struggled to find ball-carriers and get off blockers in 2015. Overpursuing runners and missing running lanes were big problems that the former first-round pick will need to correct. The athletic ability is there, but the free agent has to hope he showed enough promise in 2015 for the Bears to ask him back next season.

Coverage

McClellin played as a defensive end early in his career and has since made the move to outside and then inside linebacker. He does not have the turn-and-run ability to cover much ground and gets out of position, leaving open lanes and windows in the defense.

Tackling

His 10 missed tackles in fewer than 700 snaps was not a good rate, especially in comparison to his output from previous years. Finding the right role in the right scheme would be huge for McClellin. Bouncing around to different positions, three in four years, has hurt his ability to get in position to make good tackles.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

While he can generate pressure up the middle, Will Compton doesn't get to the quarterback much—he logged only two hits on the quarterback and no sacks in 2015. Washington usually used him as a two-down linebacker or asked him to drop in coverage.

Run Defense

Compton has good natural instincts against the run but still needs to add bulk to complement those instincts. Average athletic ability keeps him from being a sideline-to-sideline linebacker, but his football IQ helps him overcome average speed to get to the ball. And he uses his hands well to disengage blockers.

Coverage

Even though Compton isn't overly fast, he is able to get into drops and work forward on underneath passing routes. He makes good contact on would-be pass-catchers.

Tackling

While Compton is undersized (6'1", 230 lbs), he is physical and not afraid to take on ball-carriers. He needs to play low and hit low to limit missed tackles, as he had 10 in 2015.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Kwon Alexander showed an impressive set of pass-rush skills, and if not for his size (6'1", 227 lbs), he might be able to move outside. He has great quickness to go along with closing speed and the natural ability to bend the edge. His burst off the ball makes him a threat as an inside blitzer.

Run Defense

The same speed that makes him so dangerous leads to over-running lanes and missing out on tackles. He is able to slide around bigger linemen and put himself in position to make plays, though.

Coverage

Another undersized, quick inside linebacker, Alexander was a good fit for former head coach Lovie Smith’s Cover 2 defense. He is able to pop tight ends and running backs off their routes and stay on their hip with his speed. He has the potential to be dangerous in coverage, as he was just a rookie in 2015.

Tackling

The LSU product did lead the league in one category: missed tackles with 27. He must improve, and to do so, he needs to find a comfortable playing weight. At just 227 pounds, Alexander will have to add bulk to effectively play inside linebacker in the run-heavy NFC south.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

After recording 1.5 sacks in 2014, it seemed like Robinson was starting to hit his stride as a pass-rusher, but Washington rarely asked the lengthy linebacker to blitz in 2015. His speed and agility, along with natural strength, would make him an effective rusher.

Run Defense

Robinson can make plays on any ball-carrier, anywhere on the field, but he must improve his ability to take on blockers and disengage them. He relies too heavily on working around blockers and needs to use his hands to keep linemen off him.

Coverage

He has good turn-and-run ability, as well as good depth in zones. His length and speed make him an ideal defender for tight ends, but he must work on getting players off their routes and not losing his man in one-on-one situations.

Tackling

Robinson had too many missed tackles for a big linebacker, 15 in 2015. He needs to play with the strength that he has and stay low on ball-carriers. Improving his initial contact on ball-carriers would go a long way for him.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Timmons’ first-step quickness is better than most, and it helped him record five sacks in 2015. Generating pressure up the middle and chasing quarterbacks out of the pocket with his speed makes him a real threat to get to passers and disrupt the pocket.  

Run Defense

Even as an undersized linebacker (6'1", 234 lbs), Timmons has learned to play to his strengths, leverage and speed. Beating blocks with exceptional quickness, he is able to put himself into running lanes and make plays on ball-carriers at the line of scrimmage. He isn’t afraid to make contact with blockers and surprise them with his natural athletic ability. 

Coverage

Timmons was the second-most targeted linebacker in 2015, showing he is sometimes lost in coverage. His inability to pick up receivers in his zone led to many of those targets. 

Tackling

Twenty-plus missed tackles two seasons in a row is not a trend the Steelers like to see. His 21 missed tackles in 2015 resulted from a lack of functional strength and short arms. Timmons needs to get back to making good contact, something he showed early in his career. 

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Anthony Hitchens (6'0", 235 lbs) made a solid impact for the Dallas Cowboys in his second season, starting nine games and seeing action in all 16. As a pass-rusher, the athleticism and agility from his days at Iowa are evident, as he's able to flush the pocket and hurry quarterbacks into mistakes. On the year, Hitchens' two sacks, three quarterback hits and four hurries showed a respectable amount of talent.

Run Defense

As a smaller linebacker, Hitchens has to win in the run game with speed and intellect. He's not going to step down into the hole and take on a pulling blocker one-on-one, but he can sidestep that blocker to make scoop plays on running backs. Until he learns to use his hands to keep free from blockers (stacking and shedding), he'll remain a flashy player but one who is ultimately inconsistent. 

Coverage

Playing primarily at middle linebacker, Hitchens was asked to get deep and take away the underneath middle of the field in zone coverage. He does this well, showing the open-field speed and balance to change direction and attack the ball. On just 28 targets, he allowed 21 catches for 251 yards, but he gave up no touchdowns. 

Tackling

Too many missed tackles (12) showed up on film to credit Hitchens any higher as a pure tackler. He has range, and his instincts are solid, but the result when he gets to the ball was less than stellar. A big area of emphasis for him will be to get stronger so he can run through ball-carriers and secure the takedown.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Craig Robertson failed to record any sacks for the second season in a row. Cleveland used him less as a rusher and more as a coverage linebacker.

Run Defense

Robertson plays aggressively and likes to make contact with blockers and runners. That aggression can lead to missed opportunities in draws and over-running rushing lanes. He needs to work on his discipline and not getting caught out of position.

Coverage

He has made improvements as a coverage linebacker, getting good depth and working forward in 2015. However, he will get beaten on play action and screens, but he has the speed to make up for missed assignments.

Tackling

Robertson saw limited snaps in 2015 but only missed four tackles and put himself in position to make solid hits.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Preston Brown, the second-year linebacker out of Louisville, has yet to record his first NFL sack. The bulky, 6’1”, 251-pound bruiser has been relied on heavily in pass coverage and has not shown much potential as a pass-rusher.

Run Defense

Brown plays with good aggression and functional strength, but he also plays tight and does not offer much, if any, sideline-to-sideline ability. He is able to make plays in the box and in traffic but is unable to chase down ball-carriers or make plays outside the tackles.

Coverage

Rex Ryan loves big, physical linebackers, and that’s what he has in Brown. He doesn’t get much depth in his drops but covers good ground and works back to screens and underneath routes well. Brown showed solid hands in 2015 with two interceptions.

Tackling

Brown plays downhill and makes good contact with blockers, keeping his outside shoulder free. He is able to disengage blockers and put himself in position to make good initial contact with ball-carriers. His 13 missed tackles in over 1,000 snaps makes him one of the more reliable tacklers at his position.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

In his second year with the Dolphins, Kelvin Sheppard took on a starting role in 2015. The big linebacker (6’2”, 249 lbs) offers a solid bull rush but not enough speed to go along with it to be utilized as a rusher.

Run Defense

Sheppard does everything pretty well but nothing extraordinarily well. He is a big, physical linebacker but can struggle to get off blocks and sometimes overpursues when he does. He lacks adequate speed to play sideline-to-sideline.

Coverage

Sheppard was used mostly as a two-down linebacker. When he was in coverage, quarterbacks had a high passer rating for passes in his zone. He tends to get out of position in zone and lacks the speed to stay with elite pass-catchers.

Tackling

Sheppard only missed 12 tackles in 2015 but routinely missed chances to get close enough to make tackles and didn’t make many stops at or behind the line.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Perry Riley has good speed and athletic ability but doesn’t have any pass-rush technique. He's used best as a coverage linebacker and struggles to beat linemen to the quarterback.

Run Defense

Riley uses his instincts and vision to find ball-carriers and rarely overpursues his target. He needs to improve his ability to take on and stack and shed blockers.

Coverage

Despite limited turn-and-run ability, Riley gets good depth in his drop and has good route recognition for an inside linebacker. Even in his injury-shortened season, he brought in two interceptions.

Tackling

In his nine games, Riley only had four missed tackles, and he continues to be one of the more reliable linebackers on the Washington roster.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

D’Qwell Jackson isn’t used much as a pass-rusher, but he has tallied a few sacks in his 10 seasons. He racked up three more in 2015 by utilizing good hand use and relentlessly chasing down anyone with the ball.

Run Defense

Few inside linebackers put themselves in a position to make tackles like Jackson does. However, a lot of his tackles come after significant yardage has already been gained. He needs to play with strength and sort through trash when playing in the box.

Coverage

Coverage has always been a strength of Jackson’s game, and he still continues to play well when dropping into zones and recognizing players entering and exiting his coverage area. He can be overmatched when trying to cover lengthy tight ends, though.

Tackling

When it comes to racking up tackles, few do it like Jackson. In 2015, he recorded 137 total tackles. However many of those came too far downfield. His 21 missed tackles tied him for third-most in the league in 2015. Usually a solid tackler, Jackson struggled to wrap up and drive through ball-carriers, which led to many of the missed tackles.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

In his two seasons with the Chiefs, Josh Mauga has seen solid playing time alongside Pro Bowler Derrick Johnson. As a situational pass-rusher, Mauga has the ability to get to the quarterback with closing speed and solid hand use.

Run Defense

A solid first step and an aggressive nature let Mauga get into position to make plays in the run game. He needs to do a better job at keeping himself free of blockers by stacking and shedding or using his quickness to work around them. Either way, he needs to find block-shedding strategies that he can rely on.

Coverage

His ability to turn and run is solid, and he is not often fooled by play action or screens. He is able to knock tight ends off their routes, but he struggles to stay with them, and running backs, vertically.

Tackling

Mauga missed too many tackles (12) last year for a bigger linebacker (6'1", 245 lbs) and needs to play with more strength and competitiveness. He allows too many backs to beat him for extra yards or make him miss in the open field.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Daryl Smith's ability to move in space and close on ball-carriers is still impressive, as he recorded three sacks and six hurries in 2015. That doesn’t sound like much, but the Ravens didn’t ask him to blitz often.

Run Defense

His struggles against the run have been well-documented in years past, although he did make improvements in 2015. Smith has the athletic ability to get to ball-carriers and play sideline-to-sideline, but he struggles to shed blockers and is slow to read and react to plays.

Coverage

Not many at his position can flip their hips and turn and run like Smith can. He is exceptional at getting to the flats and can lock up with any back and hold his own.

Tackling

While his coverage ability is the strongest aspect of his game, tackling was as one of his worst in 2015. His 18 missed tackles in 2015 were a career high, and he struggled to bring down backs he usually had no trouble with. I would expect a bounce-back year with fewer missed tackles in 2016.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Rookie linebacker Stephone Anthony stepped in and started all 16 games for the Saints in 2015. But he did not have the opportunity to show much pass-rush ability, as he was used mostly in coverage.

Run Defense

The stout, young linebacker showed no fear in taking on blockers in his first year. Anthony has great speed to go along with his size (6'2", 245 lbs) and can get into running lanes and make plays on ball-carriers. To beat more blocks and make more stops behind the line, Anthony needs to play low and use his feet to fill gaps.

Coverage

He has the speed and length to cover tight ends and keep up with them up the seam and does a good job of breaking back to the football on screens and underneath routes.

Tackling

Anthony needs to improve on his 15 missed tackles in 2015 and work on stacking and shedding blockers to get himself free to make clean tackles.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Ben Heeney did a good job of generating pressure and shifting the pocket. He only recorded 2.5 sacks but showed potential as a pass-rusher and good awareness of where to attack the line.

Run Defense

Undersized at 6'0", 230 pounds with subpar athletic ability, he still somehow finds his way to the football. Taking on blocks was a problem for the rookie linebacker in 2015, as he didn’t have the strength to stack and shed or the agility to slide past linemen. But he never gives up on the play and was able to make 28 tackles in limited playing time.

Coverage

Heeney has a nose for the football and finds windows to sit in well. He isn’t able to match up well in man defense due to his size and speed; however, he works back to the ball well and isn’t fooled much by play action or screens.

Tackling

The 2014 NCAA leader for missed tackles came into the league with some questions about his ability to bring down ball-carriers. His four missed tackles in 2015 shows that those concerns were valid. Heeney is going to have to add bulk to play consistent football at this level. Even five to 10 pounds would go a long way for taking on blockers and tackling running backs who outweigh him.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Bulky veteran linebacker Jasper Brinkley has never needed much of a pass rush in his career, but he is relentless to the ball-carrier. Not many blockers can stand in his way. He recorded one of his two career sacks in 2015.

Run Defense

As a rotational two-down linebacker, Brinkley has found a role as a run-stuffer. His role-specific abilities limited his number of snaps in 2015, as he only played 428 snaps. Brinkley has exceptional strength and the ability to fight off blockers and make plays in traffic. His ability to sift through trash and read gaps is almost enough to overcome his inability in coverage.

Coverage

While he is great in the trenches, Brinkley gets lost in space and and doesn’t have the speed to cover much ground or make up for his mistakes.

Tackling

Seeing most of his playing time on short-yardage and running situations, Brinkley has to play on some tough downs, which resulted in some missed tackles, seven in 10 games. He loves to make contact and plays with good pad level for a bigger back (6'1", 252 lbs).

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Eric Kendricks has great natural instincts, playing strength and speed. He was able to get to the quarterback four times in his first season, showing good ability as a blitzer that he didn't flash during his time at UCLA.

Run Defense

Undersized at 6'0", 232 pounds, Kendricks needs to add bulk, but he has the frame to do it. He struggled to shed blockers and relied too heavily on those natural abilities rather than his technique. As he learns to play with his hands and slide his feet to beat blockers, Kendricks is going to wreak havoc on ball-carriers in the future.

Coverage

Kendricks' football IQ is exceptional, and he is always finding himself around the ball. He can sink in coverage, run with athletic receivers and loves to separate would-be pass-catchers from the ball. He needs to work on staying with his man and recognizing receivers entering his zone.

Tackling

Early in the season, he struggled to bring down ball-carriers and missed a few tackles. As the year progressed, so did his tackling. Outside of one game in Seattle, Kendricks finished the year strong. He needs to see ball-carriers all the way through the hit and keep his head up in the hole. As he uses his vision, he will fill more gaps and tackle more consistently.

Position Value

Overall

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Pass Rush

There is no question Clay Matthews can get to the quarterback. He has exceptional first-step quickness and the strength to shed blockers. Making the move inside showed his versatility as a player. Matthews led all inside linebackers in all three pass-rush categories: sacks (6.5), quarterback hits (10) and hurries (37). 

Run Defense

While Matthews excelled at getting to the quarterback in 2015, he struggled against the run. We can chalk up some of his struggles to playing a new position for the first full year, but he wasn’t able to pick up ball-carriers and struggled to beat blockers who got to him on the second level. He needs to hold his own on the inside and disengage from blockers and not overrun ball-carriers.

Coverage

When he wasn’t trying to get to the quarterback, Matthews was also good when asked to cover. His athletic ability lets him get depth in his drops, as well as get to the flats or play the seam. Of the 15 inside linebackers who played more than 1,000 snaps, Matthews saw his man targeted the least, just 35 targets against him.

Tackling

Moving inside in 2015, Matthews did not put himself in position to make good tackles. His 16 missed tackles are somewhat concerning, but going from outside pass-rusher to inside linebacker is a big change of scenery. Getting more comfortable inside and learning how to take on and shed blocks should lead to different results for him in 2016.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Ryan Shazier does it all. He has a great first step, and not many linemen can do anything against his speed. He still needs to add bulk (he's 230 lbs) to stay healthy and to play better as a linebacker at this level.

Run Defense

Much like Timmons, Shazier has a raw athletic ability that he can utilize in all aspects of the game. He moves his feet and uses his hands to keep blockers away from him while filling gaps and finding ball-carriers. He plays sideline-to-sideline and can chase down any back when his angles are good. He needs to become a stronger linebacker and meet more blockers rather than avoid them.

Coverage

His range in coverage is exceptional, but his recognition is subpar. Shazier has the speed to make up for his early mistakes and run with anyone when in man coverage. He has a lot of room to grow when asked to drop in zone coverage, though he gets beaten by play action and needs to separate receivers from the ball.

Tackling

His lack of strength and playing hurt led to a lot of missed tackles. In 12 games, Shazier missed 13 tackles. Getting himself healthy and staying that way will be his first obstacle going forward. After that he can worry about freeing himself from blockers to get in better position to make solid contact on ball-carriers.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

The recently retired Jerod Mayo has never been a pass-rush threat. He only recorded one sack and six hurries in 2015. He is best at pressuring quarterbacks out of the pocket and to the outside.

Run Defense

At 6’1”, 250 pounds, Mayo has the size and playing strength to take on interior linemen and hold his own. His ability to sort through the trash and find running lanes is still exceptional. However, he has lost a step in his game and isn’t the sideline-to-sideline player he once was.

Coverage

Even for a big linebacker, Mayo moves well in space and is able to turn and run with almost any tight end. Trying to keep up with Rob Gronkowski in practice probably hasn’t hurt his ability to cover. Mayo will sit in zones with great depth and natural instincts to see receivers entering and exiting areas. There is no question that he was one of the top coverage linebackers in 2015.

Tackling

Staying on the field had become a problem for Mayo the last three seasons, and even though he was relatively healthy in 2015, he saw limited snaps. The toll the NFL had taken on his body was evident by the number of missed tackles (six) in 2015. Mayo did not have the same power we were used to seeing, and bigger ball-carriers often knocked him backward.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Jordan Hicks missed time in 2015 due to injury (he played eight games), which was no surprise if you followed his college career. When he was on the field, he showed relentless pursuit of the football with exceptional athleticism. If he can stay healthy, he has great arm length, hand use and flexibility to bend the edge or get through the middle.

Run Defense

He turned heads at the 2015 Senior Bowl with his footwork and work ethic. Hicks was able to beat some impressive linemen in 2015 by using strength and extended arms to keep himself free of blockers. Many young linebackers struggle to take on blocks and disengage, but that wasn’t the case for the Longhorns product.

Coverage

With the level of athleticism that Hicks brings to the table, one would expect him to be a natural in coverage. He has the flexibility and talent to turn and run and change direction, but he gets caught up peaking into the backfield on play action. He needs to work on zone recognition and reacting to receivers in his area. His two interceptions both came in the fourth quarter, and both came from his making a play on the ball.

Tackling

Hicks is not an aggressive hitter, but he tackles with good leverage and pad level. He needs to add functional strength to his game and play with less finesse in his tackling. I expect Hicks to become a sure tackler at this level but maybe not the big-hitting linebacker so many people want.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Benardrick McKinney is an athletic, 6’4”, 246-pound linebacker who can move and get after the football. His rare blend of strength and size makes him a great threat to bend the edge or get up the middle on interior linemen.

Run Defense

The typical take-on linebacker, McKinney loves to take on and shed blockers. Not only does he take them on, but he handles them well too. The linebacker uses his feet to slide and drive with exceptional lower-body strength. In addition to his strength, he has a knack for finding the ball and punishing runners.

Coverage

His coverage skills need some work, but with his athleticism and football IQ, McKinney will surely catch on quickly. He has the size to match up well with all tight ends in the league and keep up with them up the seam. He needs to work on moving in space and recognition of receivers in his zone of coverage.

Tackling

McKinney is an aggressive tackler and doesn’t miss many tackles, either. His total of four missed tackles in 2015 shows he has the ability to be a sure tackler in the NFL. Due to his height, McKinney has the tendency to play too upright, which can lead to missed tackles. He will need to keep his center of gravity in check before it becomes a problem.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Another LSU linebacker on our list, Kevin Minter was able to generate plenty of pressure in 2015. He only had a half-sack, but he did record seven quarterback hits and 14 quarterback pressures. Minter extends his arms well to beat blocks and has enough speed to close on quarterbacks.

Run Defense

The ability to play the run is Minter's best asset. He sifts through the trash and puts himself in lanes better than most linebackers, especially third-year ones. He has the vision to recognize off-tackle plays, and he takes good angles to pursue the opposite side of the formation.

Coverage

While his run-stopping ability is top-notch, his coverage ability is average. He pursues the ball well, but he doesn’t have great turn-and-run ability. He's too often fooled by play action and doesn’t have the length to stay with tight ends up the seam. However, he will read and react to screens and has no problem working comeback routes.

Tackling

Minter plays overly aggressive in the run game at times, running past draws and hitting holes too soon. This led to too many missed tackles 2015: 13. He needs to work on breaking down his feet and playing with good leverage.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

The often injured linebacker played all 16 games in 2015, which was a nice change for Texans fans. Brian Cushing was unable to record any sacks in 2015, which was not a change that fans wanted to see. Early in his career, he was great at pressuring the quarterback, but those skills are diminishing.

Run Defense

Not many linebackers have the size-to-speed ratio that Cushing has, and not many fill gaps and get off blocks like him, either. The seven-year veteran has been a run-stopping machine with his ability to sift through trash and explode into blockers. He knocks linemen off balance and sheds like no other while relentlessly attacking the ball-carrier.

Coverage

His turn-and-run skills are exceptional, as are his instincts to read and recognize receivers in his coverage area. Cushing can match up with tight ends and stay on their hip upfield. He is a running back's nightmare when blowing up screens and working to the flats.

Tackling

The number of missed tackles has been a problem. The total of 16 missed tackles this season signifies a problem that needs correcting. Too often in his career Cushing has gone for the knockout blow when making tackles, which has resulted in the missed tackles. As his career plays on, he will hopefully remain healthy and work on becoming more of a sure tackler than a punishing one.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Stephen Tulloch is a typical two-down linebacker. He doesn’t provide much threat in rushing the quarterback and has limited pass-rush skills.

Run Defense

The bulky 5’11”, 245-pound linebacker fills and sheds blocks well. He is a natural at taking on blockers and keeping his outside shoulder free. Tulloch utilizes a classic rip move and does not overpursue. After missing almost all of 2014, he recovered and got back to his old form in 2015.

Coverage

The heavy-footed linebacker cannot turn and run or get the desired depth that teams are looking for from middle linebackers these days. His high football IQ and 10 years of experience let him see the field and anticipate plays well.

Tackling

A total of 12 missed tackles in 2015 was probably more than Tulloch wanted, but those numbers were about on par for players who played the same number of snaps. His natural low center of gravity and technique allow him to play low and hit low.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Year after year, David Harris rates as one of the top pass-rushing linebackers. His 4.5 sacks in 2015 were a good representation of his ability to get to the quarterback. At 6’2”, 250 pounds, Harris has the size to play outside and the ability to bend the edge or get off the ball quickly enough to beat linemen. 

Run Defense

Even after nine seasons in the NFL, Harris can chase down ball-carriers on the outside while being dominant inside the box. He engages blockers and keeps his head up to find rushing lanes and close gaps. 

Coverage

His coverage skills were limited by his speed and fluidity, but he makes up for that by playing every down as if it were his last. Harris will never give up on a play or a receiver. Even when overmatched, he fights to stay with his man. 

Tackling

In nearly 1,000 snaps played, Harris only missed 10 tackles. He's sometimes late on his recognition, which led to some of those missed tackles, but he is a strong tackler and hits through the ball-carrier. 

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

The second-year linebacker followed up an impressive rookie campaign with another good year in 2015. Williamson hasn’t shown much in the pass rush but was able to use his impressive first step to record 3.5 sacks in 2015. He does have the speed to get to the outside and pressure the tackles.

Run Defense

The young linebacker gets sideline-to-sideline, and when he takes good angles, he can pursue any ball-carrier. While he does not have great speed, he has enough. At times, he struggles to disengage from blocks and gets off balance. As a second-year linebacker, Williamson showed great promise in the middle of the Titans defense.

Coverage

He struggles to react to players entering his zone and doesn’t get the desired depth in his drops. He has shown improvements in coverage and works back to the ball well. Williamson can handle underneath routes and uses his hands well in coverage.

Tackling

His eight missed tackles in 2015 backed up what we saw in 2014, when he had only four missed tackles. Williamson has been one of the surest tacklers in the league. He is able to play low and hit low with good force and a good wrap.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Deone Bucannon was taken in the first round of the 2014 draft to play safety, but the Arizona Cardinals quickly realized he could have a bigger impact playing nickel linebacker. In his second season, he made the switch to inside linebacker full-time, and he's improved greatly since then.

Part of what makes him such an intriguing player is that he can do a little bit of everything from the middle of the field. As a pass-rusher, Bucannon is quick enough to run down even the most mobile quarterback, and he added three sacks to his resume in 2015. 

Run Defense

The biggest adjustment for Bucannon coming out of Washington State has been taking on blockers in the middle of the field, and he's continuing to get better there. He is a shark in the middle, always moving and looking for angles to the ball. When he has a clean alley to run to the ball, he's capable of getting there in a hurry and making tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Getting stronger and learning to use his hands better to get through traffic in the run game will be huge for Bucannon in year three. 

Coverage

As a former safety, Bucannon is good in coverage. The lone issue on film is that he's a bit stiff-hipped, which limits his ability to turn and run up the seam. You want him matched up against tight ends and running backs—not against fleet-footed wide receivers. 

Tackling

One thing you have to appreciate about Bucannon as a tackler is that he goes for the strip in the open field. That led to three forced fumbles in 2015 and helped cover up the 15 missed tackles he put on film. The positive is that most of his bad games came early in the year. He didn't miss a tackle attempt in the final three games of the year (playoffs included). 

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Generating pressure up the middle is an underrated aspect of pass rushing. And while he only had five pressures, Gerald Hodges has been good at hitting the center-guard gap and occupying blockers. It's a scheme that worked wonders for the 49ers in the recent past.

Run Defense

After limited time with the Vikings, Hodges joined the 49ers in 2015 and stepped into a starting role later in the season. He doesn’t shy from contact, and he can get through the traffic to shut down running lanes. At 6'2", 236 pounds, the Penn State product needs to add bulk to stay healthy and efficiently get into running lanes.

Coverage

Hodges has average strength and struggles on the line with physical tight ends, although he has the speed to keep up downfield and stay in a running back's pocket. The former safety uses his hands well and has the skills to make a play on the ball.

Tackling

Missed tackles weren’t a problem in 2015, as Hodges had only six. He has the most trouble when breaking down in the open field. He needs to work on using his feet rather than reaching out at ball-carriers with his arms.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

If you want your son to be an elite NFL linebacker, call Marvin Kendricks, the father of Mychal and Eric Kendricks. Mychal Kendricks has excelled at nearly every aspect of playing linebacker. Few linebackers can get after the quarterback on his level, and the Eagles love to give him the green light to get after the passer.

Run Defense

His quick feet and strong upper body help him shed blockers and work into running lanes. Reading and reacting was an area Kendricks needed to work on, and he did so in 2015. Not many players at any position have had the kind of progression that he has had from one year to the next.

Coverage

At 6’0”, 240 pounds, Kendricks has added bulk to become more of a run-stuffing linebacker. His short-area quickness and closing speed on the ball make him solid against screens and getting to the flats. He needs to do a better job of recognizing receivers coming back into his coverage area and getting on receivers early in their routes.

Tackling

After early troubles tackling, Kendricks has also improved in this area. Although he took a step back in 2015, he missed only 12 tackles and still showed good aggression and the ability to stay low.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Although Paul Posluszny doesn’t produce good sack totals, he hits gaps and makes linemen account for him. He does most of his damage against the pass in coverage or spying.

Run Defense

Strength was a concern after a torn pectoral muscle in 2014; however, Posluszny recovered nicely. Taking on blockers and playing in the box are two things the nine-year veteran excels in. He has the instincts to read and react and the vision to get to the opposite side of the formation. His speed is limited, and he doesn't have the sideline-to-sideline speed of younger, more athletic linebackers.

Coverage

When working forward and underneath routes, Posluszny is an effective coverage linebacker. When asked to drop deep into coverage, he becomes a liability and is not great at matching up against tight ends.

Tackling

His 107 solo tackles in 2015 were third-best at his position. When you pair that with only 13 missed tackles, you have one of the better tacklers at the position. Posluszny is not as hard-hitting as he once was, but he is able to deliver big hits when he is in the right spot.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Rolando McClain's size is exceptional, but he lacks the speed to close on quarterbacks, recording only two sacks in 2015. He has the ability to get after the quarterback, but his ability in coverage is more valuable.

Run Defense

McClain doesn’t play well when faced with physical linemen. He relies too much on trying to work around blockers and not through them. He has the arm length and upper-body strength to stack and shed with exceptional ability, but he hasn’t learned to put them to good use in the run game.

Coverage

The big linebacker (6'4", 255 lbs) actually has impressive drop depth and is able play downhill and attack underneath routes. His break on the ball is adequate, and he has enough athletic ability to make plays on balls in the air. McClain isn’t suited to run with tight ends up the seam, but he can get a good jam on them at the line and make them work to get open.

Tackling

McClain saw limited snaps and faced more injuries in 2015, but he also had only six missed tackles. He is able to get his arms around ball-carriers and has the strength to match up and bring down anyone. He needs to be more disciplined—in all aspects of the game—but especially in tackling.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Another bounce-back player after missing all but one game in 2014, Zach Brown was a bright spot for a team that finished last in the league. His power and burst let him attack gaps and generate pressure. He didn’t finish many blitzes, but he did aid teammates in getting to the quarterback.

Run Defense

He has good quickness in the box and when working outside to break down and attack stretch plays. Brown can make plays sideline-to-sideline, and he’s comfortable to take on and shed blockers. When healthy, he does damage to ball-carriers.

Coverage

His natural athletic ability allows him to play over tight ends and stay with them one-on-one. He is one of the more physically gifted linebackers in the league, but he is guilty of taking plays off and allows lesser receivers to take advantage of that.

Tackling

When taking on ball-carriers, Brown can get out of position, which is another result of taking plays off. When he keeps himself clean, he won’t miss many tackles. He missed only five tackles this past season and looks to be a promising tackler and player in the NFL.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

An undrafted free agent from Florida State, Christian Jones started 13 games as a sophomore for the Chicago Bears. And while the pass-rush department isn’t his strength, Jones is still able to use his length (6’3”, 248 lbs) and speed to go after quarterbacks on delayed rushes.

He’s also effective at spying mobile quarterbacks and keeping them contained in the pocket. Jones added five quarterback hits and four hurries in his first season with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

Run Defense

A big area of improvement for Jones heading into 2016 will be more consistent run fits in the Bears’ 3-4 defense. Coming out of a 4-3 scheme at FSU and then playing in one as a rookie, Jones was used to a defensive tackle covering him in the middle of the field, but that doesn’t always happen in a 3-4 scheme.

He has to adapt to shedding blocks better and learning to use his hands to shed guards, centers and fullbacks when they do get through to him. Jones has the speed, power and length to be good here, but his flash plays were few and far between.

Coverage

An athletic, rangy cover man, Jones only allowed one touchdown all season while notching three passes defensed. He didn’t secure any interceptions, but his timing on playing the ball in the air improved, and Jones started to limit targets (44 for 30 catches) and keep receivers under 10 yards per catch.

Tackling

The biggest area that nearly propelled Jones into the top 10 was his ability to secure the ball and bring down runners consistently, both in space and in traffic. He missed only four tackles in his 13 starts (15 games), notching 86 tackles on the year. When Jones gets to the ball, he’s making a play on it.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Denzel Perryman didn’t get after the quarterback in his rookie season, posting only two sacks, but he can shoot gaps and force quarterbacks out of the pocket. He takes a while to generate speed, but he’s proved he can bend and get into the opponent's backfield.

Run Defense

Perryman’s tenacity to the football is rare, and he sees the game exceptionally well for a young player. At 5’11”, 240 pounds, Perryman is built to play in the trenches, and he can take on blockers better than most linebackers. He slides his feet and works down the line like a veteran linebacker, allowing him to attack all parts of the field.

Coverage

No tight end wants to be across from Perryman’s punch. He loves to make contact and jumps on that opportunity at every chance. He needs that punch to not get beaten off the line. He offers good speed, and he can change directions, just not off the ball.

Tackling

Logging just four missed tackles in his rookie year is a good way to start a career. This guy lives to lower his pads and drive through ball-carriers. He needs to continue to work on fine-tuning his game to beat out all the inside linebackers in San Diego's depth chart.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

After missing the entire 2014 season due to a horrific knee injury, NaVorro Bowman was impressive in 2015, to say the least. His 19 pressures were second-best at the position, only behind Clay Matthews’ ridiculous 37. The same speed and strength that Bowman had pre-injury were still present in 2015.

Run Defense

Even though his athletic ability is unreal, Bowman owes most of his success to his vision and awareness. He is able to read plays and react more quickly than almost any linebacker in the game. His physical nature and attacking mentality make for the ideal combination to go along with his speed and strength.

Coverage

The part of his game that seemed to suffer the most was his short-area quickness. We didn’t see the same ability to turn and run or break on balls in 2015. As Bowman gains confidence in his knee, I expect to see a return to his ability to match up with anyone on the field.

Tackling

He missed 19 tackles in 2015, which was a career high, and a lot of those missed tackles came in the box. He is an animal in open space and can track down backs with relative ease. He needs to keep himself free of blockers and stay in position to match up with ball-carriers.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Even with his 12th NFL season now in the rearview mirror, Karlos Dansby still is an impact player between the hashes. When asked to pull the chain and go get the quarterback, he can do it to the tune of five hits and five hurries. But he doesn’t have the lateral agility to break down and chase the quarterback to get sacks.

Run Defense

Range is more what Dansby brings to the table than a hardcore, gap-stuffing run defender. He’s excellent at tracking the ball down the line and closing those stretch zone lanes, but he doesn’t have the meat to step up into the hole and collide with a blocker or runner.

Coverage

Dansby cleaned house last season, grabbing three interceptions and holding it down in coverage to the tune of 35 catches for just 313 yards and no touchdowns allowed. He may be aging, but Dansby (34) is still crafty in coverage and uses his length and size well to blanket tight ends.

Tackling

With just seven missed tackles on the year, Dansby graded out well. He uses his long arms to grab and pull down runners, and he still has the closing speed to run down alleys to the ball in the open field.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

A 12-game starter for the Tennessee Titans in 2015, Wesley Woodyard isn’t a name many expect to see in the top 10. But his impact when on the field (what we grade) was top-tier. As a pass-rusher, he had his second-best season as a pro, notching five sacks, two quarterback hits and four hurries. He’s quick and strong and understands how to time his jumps when crashing the A-gaps.

Run Defense

The 6’0”, 233-pounder isn’t the biggest linebacker in the league and won’t fight an offensive guard for positioning in the hole, but he has quickness and uses his hands to stack and shed blockers in the run game. His 69 solo stops were third-most of his career, and he did that while only playing in 47 percent of the team’s snaps due to injury.

Coverage

Woodyard has the quickness and range to be effective in the passing game, especially when asked to shadow tight ends over the middle. On the year, he was targeted just 21 times and allowed only 15 catches for 127 yards. Given his athleticism and smaller size, Woodyard is a big part of the new trend to get more athletic and less bulky at middle linebacker.

Tackling

Woodyard played in fewer games than some of the other linebackers in the top 10, which may make his four missed tackles seem low based on snap count. But when running the averages, our team found that he was one of the most consistent tacklers in the NFL last season.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Bobby Wagner went from second-round draft pick to one of the NFL’s best linebackers in a short time. He’s made that ascension thanks to his three-down ability. As a pass-rusher (and quarterback spy), Wagner can create disruption in the backfield. In 2015, the fourth-year player from Utah State had four quarterback hits and nine hurries on limited blitzing opportunities.

Run Defense

Wagner, at 6’0” and 241 pounds, does an excellent job of keeping his jersey clean in the run game. He sifts through the trash in the middle of the field and can find the ball before the offense gets up the field. Playing behind big defensive tackles helps his case, but Wagner’s vision, body control, strength and agility are all blue-chip-caliber abilities.

Coverage

Taking away the middle of the field is important not just in the run game but when tight ends and receivers cross into Wagner’s territory. Here he shines as a zone-coverage ‘backer. He gets depth quickly off the snap and has the agility to plant his heels in the turf and close on the ball in flight. His five passes defensed in 2015 tied a career best.

Tackling

With solo 110 tackles on the year and 16 misses, Wagner ranks as one of the best hitters in the game. There are times when he’ll bounce off a running back, but he’s a strong pull-down tackler and can also bring the heat when squaring up a receiver or back who enters his territory.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

When you have Justin Houston and Tamba Hali coming off the edge, you don’t need Derrick Johnson to do much as a pass-rusher. The Chiefs do ask Johnson to blitz often, though, which is why he contributed four sacks and 11 quarterback hurries on the year.

Run Defense

As an athletic, rangy inside linebacker, Johnson doesn’t step up and shut down rushing lanes like some of the bigger linebackers listed here. What he does so well, though, is shoot gaps and make splash plays in the backfield. He’s also fast enough to get outside the tackle box and make plays on runs outside the hashes.

Coverage

With great agility and balance, Johnson has always been a top-tier coverage linebacker—even before it was trendy to put smaller, more athletic linebackers on the field. His ability to diagnose in the passing game allows him to remain one of the best in coverage, even as he ages.

Tackling

Johnson’s 17 missed tackles stand out as a high number, but his impact as the do-it-all cleanup hitter in the Chiefs front seven meant that he faced a lot of tackle opportunities on his own. With excellent athleticism and range, he remains one of the most active tacklers in the NFL.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

After a tremendous rookie season, C.J. Mosley didn’t make as many headlines in his second year as a pro, but he was still a rock-solid linebacker for a Baltimore team that struggled at many levels. Mosley, who pulls the chain and runs down the ball exceptionally well, does double duty in passing situations, given his skills as an A-gap blitzer. He added four sacks, five quarterback hits and nine hurries on the year.

Run Defense

Mosley’s football IQ is off-the-charts good, and he uses that to see the field and diagnose the play. He can be a bit hyperactive at times and overrun the ball, but Mosley is able to take what he sees on film and apply it at a high level. At 6’2” and 235 pounds, he has the strength and toughness to seal up inside running lanes.

Coverage

Mosley unfairly gets labeled as a “thumper,” most likely due to his playing at Alabama in college. But that’s not a true representation of his skill set. In coverage, he is agile enough to run with tight ends and running backs, and most importantly, he understands routes and timing.

Tackling

Mosley’s tackle production did drop slightly in 2015—going from 125 solo tackles to 100—but he maintained a steady 13 missed tackles (14 the year before). That is a higher number than many of the top-ranked linebackers and why Mosley comes in at 25 points overall.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

Brandon Marshall does it all for the Denver Broncos, and if you saw him against athletic quarterbacks in 2015, you noticed that he can spy and run them down in the pocket. He isn’t much of a blitzer by design, but he’ll clean up when the quarterback holds in the pocket and can serve as a good rusher on delays.

Run Defense

Marshall is both strong and athletic, and that speed to the ball makes him such a dangerous inside linebacker. Being quick to react is important, and he does that well. But he’s athletic enough to run down ball-carrier, and stout enough to make an impact when he gets there. If Danny Trevathan is a chase tackler, then the Broncos have the NFL’s best “thumper” in Marshall.

Coverage

Few linebackers have the strength to keep tight ends off their frame underneath and the athleticism to run down the seam in coverage, but Marshall does both well. He limits targets, takes away the middle of the field and has the hands to get between the receiver and the ball and make a play on it.

Tackling

Marshall was credited with 86 solo tackles and just seven misses. That hit rate is huge and shows why he was one of the best linebackers in football in 2015.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

The Denver Broncos had a ton of pass-rushers, but don’t overlook Danny Trevathan as a quietly impactful player when they asked him to spy or attack the quarterback. Sure, he didn’t record a sack in 2015, but he pressures the pocket and has the speed and quickness to attack through gaps and flush the pocket.

Run Defense

Playing in a 3-4 defense, Trevathan is able to stack and shed blockers getting to the second level, but where he wins best is with his ability to quickly get into rushing lanes and make splash plays behind the line of scrimmage. He isn’t a classic thumper but more of a new-age athlete at the position.

Coverage

Pass coverage is where Trevathan shines. He’s an athletic mover laterally and has the quickness to turn and run with tight ends or backs down the field. He also sees the field well in zone coverage, and he has the speed to close on the ball. Trevathan doesn’t allow himself to get boxed out by big players over the middle and altogether plays with elite awareness.

Tackling

Through 16 regular-season games and the Broncos’ Super Bowl run, Trevathan missed just eight tackles and missed more than one tackle in a game only once—in Week 2. He’s not only a productive tackler, but he’s also as close to a sure thing when coming downhill to play the ball.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

A 13-game starter in 2015, Jerrell Freeman (6’0”, 240 lbs) was quietly one of the NFL’s best linebackers. As a pass-rusher, he brings value, given his closing speed and agility in tracking down quarterbacks. He added three sacks, four quarterback hits and six hurries from his middle linebacker position.

Run Defense

Freeman gets in the rushing lane and doesn’t move until he has the ball-carrier. He’s stout enough to hold his ground and smart enough to read the keys and get into position to make a play at or behind the line of scrimmage. Freeman, playing in a 3-4 defense, has to clear blockers to get to the ball and does so routinely.

Coverage

Freeman was often matched up in coverage against tight ends and backs, and he held his own in space. On the year, he allowed 32 catches for 217 yards for three touchdowns, but he added an interception to his resume while doing a stand-up job of limiting targets—down from 75 in 2014 to 42 in 2015.

Tackling

With just five missed tackles on the year, Freeman was one of the best when it came to securing the tackle when he got to the ball. His short, squatty frame can make wrapping up the legs of big backs difficult, but he hits like a rock and can make impact tackles in space or in traffic.

Position Value

Overall

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Pass Rush

A do-it-all linebacker in the middle of the field, Luke Kuechly (6’3”, 238 lbs) continues to dominate. He’s not a classic pass-rusher, but he does get after quarterbacks while shooting A-gaps or working as a spy against running passers. On the year, Kuechly recorded one sack, three quarterback hits and 11 hurries.

Run Defense

Kuechly isn’t the 250-pound run-stuffer many think of, but he’s able to shut down rushing lanes with unreal instincts and timing. He routinely beats running backs to the hole. Playing behind a big, smart defensive line, he’s able to keep his jersey clean from blockers with their help and his own ability to get skinny and knife through traffic.

Coverage

Many things add up to make Kuechly the best inside linebacker in football, but it’s in his coverage ability that he truly shines. He has the agility of a safety, and he uses that to run with tight ends in man coverage or to get depth in zone coverage. From his perch in the middle of the field, he’s able to read and react at an elite level and has the closing speed to make a play on the ball in the air.

Tackling

Even as Kuechly missed three games due to a concussion, he still amassed 97 solo tackles and missed just six attempts during the regular season. He may not lay the wood on every tackle attempt, but he is a heat-seeking missile when tracking down ball-carriers.

Position Value

Overall