By The linebacker position is one that is ever-changing and adapting. As NFL offenses have opened up and become more pass-heavy, linebackers have had to become faster, quicker, and better in pass coverage. However, they still must be able to get off blocks and stop the run game. These are my top 10 LBs for the 2021 NFL season.
10- Devin Bush, PIT
Some might be surprised to see Bush land here, as he missed most of 2020 with injury. Prior to this, Bush showed flashed of becoming one of the best young LBs in the game.
Bush had a solid all-around rookie season with 109 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 1 sack. His athleticism is one of the biggest reasons I project him as a breakout candidate.
Bush ran a 4.43 coming out of Michigan and has showed that speed on tape. He can get sideline to sideline and chase down backs with ease.
Obviously, Bush needs more actual production on the field before he can vault into elite status. Watching him play, it is easy to see the traits and upside. The Steelers did spend the 10th overall pick on him, after all. The talent is there, and I expect to see it in 2021.
9- Devin White, TB
Similar to Bush, Devin White is another high first-round pick with tremendous athleticism and upside. The former 5th overall selection has come along nicely for Tampa Bay and was a key contributor in their Super Bowl run.
Following a rookie season that saw him recover 4 fumbles and score 2 touchdowns, White continued to improve. He racked up 140 tackles, 15 TFLs, and 9 sacks in 2020. His numbers pop off the page, and his highlight plays are incredible to see.
He was incredible on the biggest of stages, racking up 12 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 pass deflection, and 1 interception in the Super Bowl.
For Devin White, it’s all about developing in coverage and cutting down on missed tackles. With absurd 4.37 speed, White has the physical ability to be a great cover player. He just needs to get the mental side of the game down. If he continues to show improvement and more consistency, White could become a top 5 LB in 2021.
8- Roquan Smith, CHI
Roquan Smith improved tremendously in 2020. In his first two years combined, Smith totaled 7 passes defended and 2 interceptions. He matched those numbers in 2020 alone while also piling up 139 tackles, 18 TFLs, and 4 sacks.
Smith finally became the outstanding coverage player we all thought he would be coming out of Georgia. According to PFF, Smith allowed just a 75.8 passer rating in coverage this season. This was 30 points lower than the average linebacker.
Roquan just turned 24 and still has plenty of time to grow. If he continues to improve like he did this past season, I see no reason why Smith can become a top 3 linebacker in the NFL one day.
7- Deion Jones, ATL
Deion Jones is one of the more under-appreciated stars in the NFL. He has totaled 100+ tackles and 2+ interceptions in 4 of his 5 seasons. Jones even has 5 pick-6s in his NFL career.
Jones makes his money as one of the best coverage linebackers in the league. He is almost more of a safety than linebacker at his size, and it shows on the field. He has blazing speed and great zone coverage instincts. Jones is one of the few linebackers who can match up with the likes of Travis Kelce and Darren Waller.
His smaller frame can hurt him in run defense, especially on inside runs, but he makes up for it with his quickness and ability to diagnose plays.
Atlanta has had a pretty miserable defense for a few years, which has hurt Jones’ reputation. Nonetheless, he remains a bright spot on the team and a top linebacker in the NFL.
6- Demario Davis, NO
Demario Davis has had an unusual NFL career, breaking onto the scene in 2019 at the age of 30. Over the past two season, Davis has accrued 230 tackles, 8 sacks, and 17 passes defended. He even earned his first and only All-Pro nod in 2019.
Davis is steady in all aspects of the game. He is a super reliable tackler who can shrug off blocks and make plays in the backfield.
He is also solid in coverage despite not being the greatest athlete ever thanks to his zone instincts. Davis is just a smart, heady player who does all things well.
He is now 32, so regression is likely on the horizon, but I don’t see that happening too greatly in 2021. Davis is one of the more reliable and consistent players on this list. I expect this type of play to continue in the upcoming season.
5- Darius Leonard, IND
Darius Leonard has been a stud since the day he came into the league. In just 3 seasons, Leonard is already a 2-time Pro Bowler and a 2-time First-Team All-Pro. He has forced 9 fumbles in his career and totaled at least 120 tackles and 7 passes defended each year.
Leonard has a knack to make big-time plays in the biggest moments. He creates turnovers at a very high rate.
Leonard is an above-average cover player despite not having top-end speed. He’s a heady player who has been extremely consistent in his first 3 seasons.
Leonard does everything you ask of an elite linebacker. As a leader on the Colts’ defense, he continues to get even better and could push for a top 3 ranking this season.
4- Lavonte David, TB
Lavonte David has been one of the most consistent linebackers of the past decade. Despite only being a 1-time Pro-Bowler, David has carved out a very successful career. He continued his success in 2020, leading a Tampa Bay defense that stifled Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl.
On the year, David totaled 117 tackles, 12 TFLs, 6 passes defended, and 3 forced fumbles. He is a versatile player who flies across the field for Tampa Bay.
David does everything at an elite level. Whether making a play in the backfield or covering downfield, David is always in the right spot.
The gap between these top 4 guys is very slim, and if you put David at 1, I wouldn’t have any arguments. He is over 30 now, but doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. Lavonte David and Devin White look to be the best LB duo once again in 2021.
3- Eric Kendricks, MIN
After earning First-Team All-Pro honors in 2019, Kendricks followed up with another great season in 2020. Unfortunately, he only played in 11 games due to injury. Still, he managed to record 107 tackles, 6 passes defended, and 3 interceptions.
Kendricks is a staple of coverage linebackers. PFF has given him the highest coverage grade among all linebackers over the last two seasons. He combines great athleticism with amazing instincts in coverage.
He isn’t just a coverage linebacker, however. Kendricks is stellar in the run game and does all the things an elite run-stopping linebacker does. There really are no faults to his game.
Minnesota puts lots of pressure on Kendricks to hold up, and he does so very well. The Vikings defense has fallen off a little as of late, but that is far from Kendricks fault. He will be looking to put up another All-Pro season in 2021.
2- Bobby Wagner, SEA
There has been no linebacker over the past 5+ years better than Bobby Wagner. Wagner has been named a First-Team All-Pro five straight years, and 6 of the last 7. In 2020, Wagner continued his dominance with 138 tackles, 3 sacks, and 8 passes defended.
Wagner has been the leader of Seattle’s defense for years. Going back to their Legion of Boom days, Wagner has always been the man in the middle making the calls and making big plays.
He is stellar in both the run and pass game, dissecting the offenses and causing offensive coordinators to adjust their gameplans.
Despite having him at two, I would have no problem putting him at 1. His talent is undeniable, and it really comes down to scheme and preference. Wagner is the elite of the elite and should continue to dominate the position for at least another few years.
1- Fred Warner, SF
Fred Warner is a prototype modern-day linebacker. Some underrate him a little because of the 49ers down year last year, but make no mistake, Warner was a key reason why San Francisco made their Super Bowl run. At just 24 years old, Warner made First-Team All-Pro this season with 125 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 6 passes defended.
Warner is the perfect example for where the linebacker position is heading. He is a freaky athlete, similar to the likes of Devin White and Deion Jones, but he also has the mental side of the game down. He has the perfect combination and speed, size, and strength for the modern game.
There isn’t really anything Warner doesn’t do well. He can completely take away the middle of the field in zone and man up tight ends with ease. His speed allows him to play sideline-to-sideline, but he can also shed blocks and burs through the line with his strength.
At such a young age, Warner has the potential to be at the top of this position for the next decade. He will be the guy young linebackers look up to and model their game after. I am excited to see this 49ers team back healthy with Warner leading the charge.
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