Ranking the NFL's Top 10 linebacker corps
In a three-part series, theScore's Dan Wilkins breaks down the NFL's top 10 position groups at each of the main areas on the defensive side of the ball.
- Defensive Lines
- Linebackers
- Secondaries
A linebacking corps is an always underrated component of a top-flight NFL defense, but having a strong team of linebackers can go a long way to matching up and competing with today's high-powered offenses.
Some explosive pass-rushing outside linebacker tandems appropriately lead the way for their respective position groups on this list, but there are also some impressive three-man units deserving of recognition.
Here's a look at the NFL's top 10 linebacker corps heading into 2015:
10. Houston Texans
Projected Starters (3-4): Jadeveon Clowney, Brian Cushing, Benardrick McKinney, Whitney Mercilus
Depth: Akeem Dent, Justin Tuggle, John Simon,
While it's difficult to place a group in the top 10 based on potential more than proven production, Clowney's ability can't be overlooked after a rookie season spent dealing with injuries. If healthy, as is expected, Clowney should pair with Mercilus to give the Texans two highly productive pass rushers on the defensive edge. Cushing has long proven himself an impact player on the inside, and he's now joined by second-round draft selection McKinney, who has the opportunity to be an impact player from day one.
9. Buffalo Bills
Projected Starters (3-4): Mario Williams, Jerry Hughes, Nigel Bradham, Preston Brown
Depth: Manny Lawson, Ty Powell, Randell Johnson, Jimmy Gaines
The Bills are making the switch to a 3-4 base scheme in 2015, meaning Williams and Hughes will be considered outside linebackers. While the adjustment will involve some minor changes to their assignments, they should continue to thrive under Rex Ryan's guidance, possibly giving the new head coach the most disruptive pass-rush tandem he's had to work with. Bradham and Brown may not have the same name recognition this early in their careers, but both should be able to build on last season's breakout campaigns.
8. San Francisco 49ers
Projected Starters (3-4): Aldon Smith, NaVorro Bowman, Aaron Lynch, Michael Wilhoite
Depth: Ahmad Brooks, Eli Harold, Philip Wheeler, Desmond Bishop
Despite losing Patrick Willis and Chris Borland to early retirements this offseason, the 49ers still manage to field a linebacker corps easily entrenched in the top 10. With Smith in line to play a full season after a suspension-shortened 2014 campaign, and Bowman set to return after an entire year lost to injury, the 49ers will enjoy the availability of arguably the two most talented players on their roster. A strong rookie season from Lynch likely pushed Brooks into a rotational role, where he joins a high-potential rookie pass-rusher in Harold to bolster the unit's overall depth.
7. Philadelphia Eagles
Projected Starters (3-4): Connor Barwin, Brandon Graham, Mychal Kendricks, Kiko Alonso
Depth: DeMeco Ryans, Marcus Smith, Jordan Hicks, Brad Jones
When an established veteran like Ryans is slated for a reserve role, it's safe to assume the linebacker corps in question is filled with plenty of young talent. The Eagles are strong across the board in their 3-4 front, featuring explosive pass rushers with Barwin and Graham on the edge, as well as two incredibly athletic interior players in Kendricks and Alonso. With a likely improved secondary behind them after a productive offseason, this unit should be in position to shine in 2015.
6. Kansas City Chiefs
Projected Starters (3-4): Justin Houston, Tamba Hali, Derrick Johnson, James-Michael Johnson
Depth: Dee Ford, Josh Mauga, Ramik Wilson, Frank Zombo
Houston's 22 sacks alone could conceivably be enough to put the Chiefs on this list, but there's plenty more to like within this group. Hali lining up on the opposite side gives the defense a legitimate pass-rush threat to take advantage of the favorable matchups Houston can create, and Derrick Johnson emerged as a top interior player before injuries forced him to miss nearly the entire 2014 season. There isn't much depth to speak of just yet, but Ford has an opportunity to become that key rotational player heading into his second year.
5. Denver Broncos
Projected Starters (3-4): Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, Brandon Marshall, Danny Trevathan
Depth: Shane Ray, Lerentee McCray, Steven Johnson, Reggie Walker
Similar to the Bills, the Broncos' transition to a 3-4 scheme will see star pass rushers Miller and Ware take on new positions as outside linebackers. With their well-rounded abilities on the edge combining with Marshall and Trevathan's emerging talents on the inside - not to mention the potential for rotational pass-rush contributions from first-round pick Ray - the Broncos could be in position to overcome questions about their interior defensive line.
4. Seattle Seahawks
Projected Starters (4-3): Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright, Bruce Irvin
Depth: Kevin Pierre-Louis, Brock Coyle, Michael Morgan
It may not be on the same level as the Legion of Boom, but the Seahawks' defense wouldn't be anywhere near it's currently vaunted position without this group of linebackers. With Wagner in the middle, Wright on the weak side, and Irvin on the strong side, the Seahawks have a near-perfect combination of talents for their 4-3 defensive scheme. While the secondary deservedly gets most of the attention, the argument can be made that the speed and physicality of the linebackers sets the tone for Seattle's defense against both the run and pass.
3. New England Patriots
Projected Starters (4-3): Jamie Collins, Jerod Mayo, Dont'a Hightower
Depth: Dane Fletcher, Dekoda Watson, Jonathan Freeny
Off-ball linebackers don't get enough attention in comparison to the 3-4 edge rushers that often emerge as superstars, but the Patriots' three-man group is about as good as it gets. Collins and Hightower's contributions were instrumental in New England's Super Bowl run last season, and the unit will now see its captain return to the middle. Though the secondary suffered a few massive free-agent losses, likely setting the defense back in its ability to defend the passing game, a linebacker corps this talented will help shoulder the blow.
2. Carolina Panthers
Projected Starters (4-3): Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis, Shaq Thompson
Depth: A.J. Klein, Adarius Glanton, Jason Trusnik, David Mayo
Led by the 2013 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, the Panthers' linebackers should once again carry their defense to success in 2015. Kuechly is joined in the starting lineup by Davis - a rock-solid veteran that's put together an unbelievable career in overcoming multiple knee injuries - as well as a high-potential second-round rookie in Thompson. Should Thompson settle into a defined role as an outside linebacker and make the most of the elite-level playmaking ability that had him considered a potential first-rounder, Carolina's unit could be worthy of the top spot on this list by season's end.
1. Baltimore Ravens
Projected Starters (3-4): Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil, C.J. Mosley, Daryl Smith
Depth: Courtney Upshaw, Arthur Brown, Za'Darius Smith
Another year, another potentially dominant Ravens defense. What else is new? Not only do Baltimore's linebackers return an edge-rush led by Suggs and Dumervil that has done more than enough to earn consideration as the league's No. 1 duo, but an interior tandem of Smith and Mosley - with the latter coming off a standout rookie campaign - is impressive itself. Factor in some key rotational talent like Upshaw's ability as an early down run defender, in addition to the position-versatile skill set of rookie Za'Darius Smith, and the Ravens' linebackers are the most talented and deepest group in the game today.