Linebackers, like most other aspects of the NFL, have changed dramatically over the years. Gone are the days of slower, thumping linebackers in the middle of the field. Those players have been replaced by players who look more like big safeties and can cover anyone from a wide receiver to a tight end.
The NFC West has a great crop of talent at linebacker, led by the Seahawks’ tandem of Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright. It’s not easy to rank the best linebackers in the division, but we picked out the top six. This list of comprised of only off-ball linebackers and not those who rush the passer off the edge.
1. Bobby Wagner, Seahawks
Wagner remains the best linebacker in the NFC West and one of the top defenders in all of football. He’s the center of Seattle’s defense, which is now lacking talent with Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor gone. Wagner didn’t miss his first tackle of 2018 until Week 16, which is absolutely remarkable considering he almost never comes off the field.
Without Wagner, that Seahawks defense would look completely different. He’s missed just one game since 2016, has never had fewer than 114 tackles in a season and is a four-time first-team All-Pro. This was an easy choice for the top of the list.
2. Kwon Alexander, 49ers
A newcomer to the division, Alexander drastically changes the look of San Francisco’s front seven. He’s a wildly athletic linebacker who can do everything from blitz to cover tight ends to make tackles along the sideline thanks to his speed. He’ll remain in a 4-3 defense, which will ease his transition to a new team, and he should continue to look like a Pro Bowler.
The biggest issue with Alexander is durability. He’s missed 14 games in the last two years and 18 in his four-year career, so there are certainly concerns about his availability for the duration of a season. But when healthy, Alexander is a playmaker in the middle of the field.
3. K.J. Wright, Seahawks
Wright was one of the most consistent and durable linebackers in the NFL prior to last season when he missed 11 games due to injury. However, that doesn’t take away from his talent when he is healthy. Wright had four straight 100-tackle seasons prior to 2018, including a Pro Bowl appearance in 2016.
Wright is a great run defender and a great complement to Wagner in Seattle’s defense, playing the weakside linebacker role for the Seahawks. He’s someone the Rams always have to be aware of when playing Seattle.
4. Cory Littleton, Rams
Littleton only has one year of starting experience under his belt and it wasn’t the most successful season, but he did have his moments. According to Pro Football Focus, Littleton ranked 11th among all linebackers in coverage grade, which shows how valuable he was against the pass.
He picked off three passes and had 13 passes defensed, which are solid numbers for an off-ball linebacker. He does need to improve against the run, but that will come with experience, which he has very little of right now. Expect Littleton to continue improving in 2019 after being a starter last season.
5. Jordan Hicks, Cardinals
Hicks is another new addition to the NFC West, coming over from the Eagles where he spent four seasons. He’s had a lot of trouble staying healthy in his career, playing just one 16-game season in four years and missing a total of 21 games in that span. He was a stud in his second season with five interceptions, 11 passes defensed and 86 tackles, but he’s played just 19 games since then.
Assuming he can stay healthy, he’s going to be a solid addition to Arizona’s defense, particularly in coverage. Linebackers who can drop back and make plays on the ball are not easy to find, which makes Hicks a nice addition.
6. Fred Warner, 49ers
Warner stepped in as a rookie and started all 16 games for the 49ers last season. He had his ups and downs as every rookie does, but he also recorded 124 tackles, forced a fumble and had three tackles for loss. He’s a promising player and should only benefit from having Alexander next to him.
The 49ers are set at linebacker for the foreseeable future with Warner and Alexander, given their playmaking ability and speed in the middle of the field.
