Having a great middle linebacker can cover up for a lot of things. As the Falcons learned last year, losing one can ruin your entire season.
Today we continue with our NFC South positional rankings — which have thus far included quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive linemen, defensive tackles and defensive ends. This list will focus on the linebacker spot, which has one clear and easy favorite.
Luke Kuechly – Panthers
2018 Stats: 130 tackles, 20 TFL, 2 sacks, 5 QB hits, 1 INT, PFF grade: 90.7
Instinctive, physical and brilliant – there isn’t much Kuechly can’t do. In 2018, he recorded 130 tackles (20 for a loss) and caught the 16th interception of his career. Pro Football Focus ranked Kuechly as the league’s No. 2 linebacker with an elite rating of 90.7. As Carolina fights to get back to the playoffs in 2019, Kuechly manning the middle gives them a big advantage on defense. Despite some concussion scares a few seasons ago, Kuechly has returned to form and at 28 years old, is playing the best football of his career.
Deion Jones – Falcons
2018 Stats: 53 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 2 INTs, PFF grade: 75.8
Jones isn’t quite on Kuechly’s level just yet, but Atlanta’s defensive regression in 2018 was no doubt mostly due to his extended absence. Jones started two games and played just six as his season was derailed by a foot injury he suffered Week 1. At just 24 years old though, Jones’ future is still as bright as ever. Pro Football Focus named Jones as a favorite for the 2019 Comeback Player of the Year award for good reason. His ability to drop back into coverage as well as his willingness to get his nose dirty against the run make him the prototypical modern NFL linebacker. We fully expect him to return to Pro Bowl form this season, which makes the Falcons a different team.
Lavonte David – Buccaneers
2018 Stats: 120 tackles, 13 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 7 QB hits, PFF grade: 77.3
David has been one of the best 4-3 outside linebackers since entering the league in 2012. Overshadowed due to Tampa Bay’s lack of success, David went over 100 tackles for the sixth time in seven seasons in 2018. He utilizes his 4.65 second 40-yard-dash speed to get behind the line of scrimmage frequently, proven by his 106 career tackles for a loss. He’s also effective in coverage, recording 10 career interceptions and 38 pass deflections. David is a legitimate All-Pro defender, he just needs more defensive talent around him to finally get his due credit.
Demario Davis – Saints
2018 Stats: 110 tackles, 11 TFL, 5 sacks, 11 QB hits, PFF grade: 75.8
Davis proved his breakout 2017 season with the Jets was no fluke when he nearly duplicated his numbers with the Saints last year. He tallied 11 tackles for a loss, 11 quarterback hits and five sacks for New Orleans as they nearly reached the Super Bowl. He’s 30 years old, but playing the best football of his career and could be a key component for a Saints team trying to win another championship before their window with Drew Brees closes.
Shaq Thompson – Panthers
2018 Stats: 79 tackles, 4 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 6 QB hits, PFF grade: 68.6
Shaq Thompson didn’t hit the ground running to begin his NFL career the way Lavonte David did. However, his steady progress each season playing for a talented defense warrants a spot on his list. He improved his tackle totals for the fourth-consecutive season, while notching a career-high 3.5 sacks in 2018. Thompson, 25, still has room to grow. If he can stay on the field playing next to Kuechly, it’s a good bet that Shaq will soon prove worthy of his first-round selection.
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