This is the eighth post in a series that will delve in to each NFL position, ranking the top 12 for all. After each has been dissected, I will give my final top 12 players in the NFL. TO see the previous post, click here.
Only four more positions left to cover. Hopefully I can get them all done by the 2017 season opener. This one took a while. Having to choose between the old veterans or have faith in some young uns to break out in this upcoming season. It's a mix that most definitely leans toward the younger generation, with the eldest on the list only having been drafted in 2010.
Linebacker. The greats do it all. Stuff the run, take down the QB, and cover the receivers. Some only do one of those things but absolutely dominate none the less. They may play middle, out, weak, or strong side. The may rush, tackle, or cover. Many times they are the anchor and captain of the defense. They morale the troops into getting the job done. Fearlessness and toughness are needed for this position, all the while intimidating the opposing offense.
Three honorable mentions quickly: Thomas Davis of the Carolina Panthers, Brian Orakpo of the Tennessee Titans, Anthony Barr of the Minnesota Vikings.
I'd love to say more about this position but with time not on our side, let's get to the list shall we?
*In case you wonder why a player is on the list or why he is so high, some of these players are where they are based on how I think they will do in 2017 whilst also including past achievements and experience. So if you see someone that surprises you, it could be that I think they are set to explode this upcoming season.
Key:
LB = Linebacker
Tckl = Tackles
Sck = Sacks
FF = Forced Fumbles
PDef = Passes Defended
INT = Interceptions
Top NFL Linebackers of 2017
12. Bud Dupree (Outside) - Pittsburgh Steelers (2015)
2016: 24 Tckl; 4.5 Sck; 1 FF (7 games)
When studying for this position Dupree was not even on my list of possibles. I somehow stumbled upon his film and realized we had a star on our hands. How was no one talking about this guy? Like I'd heard the name before but not tons of hype (well maybe if your a Steelers fan you are) surrounded this guy. He's fast, plays hard, and is the exact type of pass rusher Pittsburgh needs to help bring them back to the glory days of the Steel Curtain. It's time to unleash this high prospect this year.
Fun fact: in his rookie season, Dupree totaled 4 sacks and 26 tackles in 16 games versus a shortened 7 game season in which he beat his sack total and added a force fumble. That's progress right there people. Look out for Bud in 2017.
Proj. 2017: 45+ Tckl; 9 Sck; 3 FF; 3 PDef
11. Deion Jones (Middle) - Atlanta Falcons (2016)
2016: 108 Tckl; 1 FF; 11 PDef; 3 INT
If you know football pretty well, you know those are pretty great numbers for a rookie. Helping to bolster a defense that's been lacking in Georgia for quite a few years, head coach Dan Quinn finally got his tenacious D to go along with a prolific offense. Drafting this LSU grad was part of that. His impact was felt immediately, especially in the passing game that included a first career interception on none other then the great Drew Brees to whom Jones returned the pick 90 yards for 6. He's a playmaker on the backend that's small but fast, making tackles all over the field. He also played pretty well in SB 51, that's nothing to scoff at, even if his team did have a mental breakdown...
Proj. 2017: 115+ Tckl; 5 FF; 10 PDef; 5 INT
10. C.J. Mosely (Middle) - Baltimore Ravens (2014)
2016: 92 Tckl; 1 FF; 8 PDef; 4 INT
Like Jones, Mosely is more of a playmaker in the middle and backend, helping to bolster the pass D and less the pass rush. Making INT's and PDef's a plenty for a position that usually doesn't get much play outside the box and the backfield, Mosely is electric. But Mosely isn't ineffective in the trenches either. He's an all around three tool LB: blitz, stop the run, and cover. He's still at times underrated by the media and analysts, but NFL players certainly do not underestimate C.J.
...Yet somehow he was snubbed off the Top 100 Players of 2017...
I. Don't. Get. It.
Proj. 2017: 105+ Tckl; 3 Sck; 1 FF; 12 PDef; 6 INT
9. Dont'a Hightower (Middle) - New England Patriots (2012)
2016: 65 Tckl; 2.5 Sck; 1 FF; 2 Pdef (13 games)
Those stats don't jump out at you, but Dont'a Hightower is incredibly valuable to the New England defense, making the clutch tackles in clutch moments, including a terrific Super Bowl performance from this stud. He's also a disciplined player who doesn't allow anything to get past him. Love that. The fact that Belichick and company *almost* made the bone headed decision of letting Hightower walk over to their bitter rivals in NY, the Jets, was frightening. Luckily they got their heads screwed on straight at the last second, frantically rushing to get him back in New England before he signed with NY.
Also: Hightower finally made the Top 100 Players of 2017, coming at 94th.
Proj. 2017: 55+ Tckl; 4.5 Sck; 3 FF; 5 PDef; 1 INT
8. Ryan Shazier (Middle) - Pittsburgh Steelers (2014)
2016: 87 Tckl; 3.5 Sck; 3 FF; 9 PDef; 3 INT (13 games)
Ryan Shazier is EXACTLY the kind of player you want at the inside LB position. Stout, fast, and smart. I'm also biased. For some reason I've always been partial to Shazier since he entered the league. But he's finally getting the recognition he deserves. He's the core of the defense and a playmaker. Can't imagine Shazier not being a Steeler as he has very much carried the personality of the team and the fan base, becoming a favorite among Steeler nation.
Proj. 2017: 100+ Tckl; 6 Sck; 5 FF; 13 PDef; 2 INT
7. Justin Houston (Outside) - Kansas City Chiefs (2011)
2016: 20 Tckl; 4 Sck; 1 FF; 1 PDef (5 games)
Houston was being ranked as high as 26th on the Top 100 Players list, so how is he only 7th on my list of LB's? Injuries. When he plays he's great. Even last season. He covers the edge, holding the run to the middle and pressuring the QB. Like this dude came just half a sack short of the NFL single season sack record with 22 in 2014. Since then he's played 16 games in two seasons. Not great. I mean if you combine the two season's into a 16 game season it's pretty solid stats. But you gotta stay healthy. Again he'd be in the top five easily if not for the injuries. I'm hoping he returns to a full and healthy season in '17. But I'm not holding my breath.
Proj. 2017: 50+ Tckl; 12.5 Sck; 6 FF; 9 PDef (assuming he plays 16)
6. Sean Lee (Middle) - Dallas Cowboys (2010)
2016: 145 Tckl; 1 PDef (15 games)
Another example of a great player plagued by injuries, Sean Lee finally gave an (almost) full season in 2016. What did he do with that opportunity? He dominated. We all knew he was this good, but a total of 17 games in three seasons (2012-14) gave us doubt that he could get out of those injuries. But in 2015 he returned to form (128 tckl), captaining the defense and then continuing that return in a dominant 2016. He's a brilliant player. He knows the play before the offense seems to, shooting those open holes before the runner does or knowing where a receiver is going etc. As long as he's healthy, Lee will remain one of the top 3 middle LB's in the NFL.
Proj. 2017: 150+ Tckl; 2.5 Sck; 2 FF; 4 PDef; 2 INT
5. Bobby Wagner (Middle) - Seattle Seahawks (2012)
2016: 167 Tckl (led NFL); 4.5 Sck; 3 PDef; 1 INT
Seattle's Legion Of Boom may get all the glamour and attention, but no one can disagree that with out Bobby Wagner, this Seattle D is unrecognizable. Yeah it hurts when a Thomas III is out or a Kam Chancellor, but if Wagner is down, their captain is gone. Technically Kam Chancellor is the official team captain, but Wagner is is the core, the anchor. He's all over the place as you can see, leading the NFL with 167 tackles. Seattle defenders come and go, but it's hard to imagine the team without Bobby there to hold the D together.
Proj. 2017: 150+ Tckl; 5.5 Sck; 2 FF; 4 PDef
4. Vic Beasley (Outside) - Atlanta Falcons (2015)
2016: 34 Tckl; 15.5 Sck (led NFL); 6 FF (led NFL); 1 PDef
*1 Fumble Returned TD
Beasley received a lot of unwarranted criticism for what he could and could not do entering the NFL. Well he showed everyone what was up in 2016, leading the NFL in multiple categories that are each impressive in their own right. Another key piece in the Atlanta defensive puzzle, Beasley is a monster. Strong, powerful, and explosive off the edge, he's reminiscent of another pass rushing LB in Denver. He was ranked a well deserved 40th spot on the Top 100 Players of 2017 (Bobby Wagner was 39th FYI) and I expect him to unleash more of his inner beast as long as defensive minded head coach Dan Quinn is in Atlanta.
Proj. 2017: 25+ Tckl; 14 Sck; 5 FF; 3 PDef; 1 INT
3. Luke Kuechly (Middle) - Carolina Panthers (2012)
2016: 102 Tckl; 2 Sck; 1 FF; 6 PDef; 1 INT (10 games)
Here we get to the big three of LB's. The three we all know will be the top three. Now the order in which they are ranked is up for debate, as long as they ARE the top 3.
We all know Luke is the best middle LB. No question. Setting numerous records including the most tackles in a single game (24), Kuechly is a quiet player who lets his play do the talking. He's also super annoying to play against in Madden. It seems like no matter when my player is on the field Luke is there to stop me. It's not hard to see why this guy has been ranked no lower then 20th since his rookie year (79th) and even as high as the 7th overall player in the NFL. More than anything Luke is a tackle machine that knows the game of football inside and out. Mad respect.
Proj. 2017: 150+ Tckl; 6 Sck; 4 FF; 11 PDef; 5 INT
2. Von Miller (Outside) - Denver Broncos (2011)
2016: 78 Tckl; 13.5 Sck; 3 FF; 3 PDef
After absolutely wrecking the 2015-16 playoffs that led to a Super Bowl win, an MVP award for Miller, and a new 6-year deal worth $114.5 million featuring $70 million guaranteed, Miller didn't decide to rest and be happy with those achievements. He decided he wanted more. Oh I don't know. Maybe chase the title of GOAT? I mean he's *only* Tom Brady's Achilles heel. While Miller hasn't put up numbers like his sophomore year (a superhuman 18.5 sacks and 6 FF), Miller does something that few do: he single handedly topples offenses. Explosive, scary, ferocious. Then he's all fun after the play is over. Seemingly flipping a switch as soon as play starts. Most would disagree with his not being #1 on my list. Idk. I think he's amazing. But I'd take the overall player over the pass rusher. Not that having a player who can wreck a game in one play wouldn't be awesome.
Gameplan around stopping him all you want. You won't. Just ask Tom Brady. He's been sacked 7.5 times by Miller. Who knows how many times he's been hit or pressured by Von. He makes life hell for Brady... and he enjoys it. Of course in their most recent bout, Miller lost to Brady - in that Brady was named the 1st overall player in the NFL this year. And Miller? 2nd. Ouch. That's gotta sting. If Brady hadn't won SB 51, I guarantee that Von woulda been 1st. But hey. Winners be winners. And while Von makes Brady's life miserable, Brady is 6-2 against Miller.
Proj. 2017: 60+ Tckl; 16 Sck; 5 FF; 6 PDef
1. Khalil Mack (Outside) - Oakland Raiders (2014)
2016: 73 Tckl; 11 Sck; 5 FF; 3 PDef; 1 INT
*1 INT Returned for TD
I absolutely adore this guy (in the least gay way possible). I truly believe it should have been Mack sitting right behind Brady in the Top 100 Players of 2017 (I also don't think Brady should have been 1st but ya know, can't win 'em all). First time I saw this guy play I thought "we're witnessing greatness begin." Was I wrong? When first looking into this dude I thought I'd read he was a DE. Well I wasn't wrong. But then I saw that he's an outside LB as well. That's pretty epic. He does both - and well. So I just had to choose which list got to have Mack at the top. And since JJ Watt is the king over in the DE's, I thought I'd just give Mack the crown at this position instead of make me die having to choose over which (Watt or Mack) is the better defensive end. Hey the NFL decided to do the same thing to I guess so there.
Bunny trails aside, Mack is the perfect blend of pass rusher, tackler, side to side coverer, and overall defensive capabilities. And while he didn't have the superstar impact like in 2015 (remember that 5 sack performance in Denver? Yes you do), he did have consistent play sprinkled with those crazy moments that makes me wonder if he's human. Like seriously. I watch highlights of this guy and think Madden. It's unfair that someone is this good on their own with no help. Easy to see why Mack won the 2017 NFL AP Defensive Player of the Year, beating Von Miller by just *one* vote - Miller and Mack will no doubt become rivals for years to come, playing the same position, in the same division, on two rival teams that play each other twice a year. It's gonna be one heck of a ride watching to superstars compete for the title of number 1 every year.
Proj. 2017: 65+ Tckl; 16 Sck; 7 FF; 6 PDef; 2 INT