Linebackers have it pretty rough in the modern NFL. Not only after they paid less than just about every other defensive position, they’re stuck working in the middle of the field where they’re at the mercy of playcallers like Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan, who specialize in torturing linebackers with matchups against athletic tight ends who are far bigger than them and super quick wide receivers who are usually much faster.
The Seahawks made a huge change at this position over the offseason, essentially turning over the top end of their rotation. Bobby Wagner, Jordyn Brooks and Devin Bush were all allowed to leave in free agency. Seattle then signed veterans Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker to start and drafted Tyrice Knight for some depth. While Dodson had a breakout season with Buffalo in 2023, it was a small sample size and odds are this team will be taking a pretty significant step back at this spot.
Let’s see where they all stand in our linebacker rankings. Here are the top 32 in the league right now, including a few rookies who just arrived.
Nov 19, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (54) jogs off…Dec 10, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith (0) takes the field before…Oct 15, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) looks on before…Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) reacts after a…SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 12: Bobby Wagner #54 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on during the…Nov 20, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen (6) and linebacker Odafe Oweh…Dec 24, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) slides to the ground…Dec 24, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley (57) gestures…Dec 24, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) celebrates…Nov 13, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (23) gets ready to…Nov 19, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Blake Cashman (53) reacts after a play…Oct 15, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards (53) makes a tackle against…Bills linebacker Matt Milano celebrates one of four sacks of Miami’s Skylar Thompson.November 27, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) celebrates after…January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) runs…Nov 27, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is sacked by…Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) against Green Bay Packers during their football game on Sunday,…Oct 29, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Eric Kendricks (6) enters the field…Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (79) grips the jersey of Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson…Dec 31, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones (53) at…Oct 2, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9)…Indianapolis Colts defensive end Kwity Paye (51) and linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) celebrate a second quarter…Tennessee Titans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (2) pressures Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) during the fourth…Tennessee Titans new free-agent linebacker Kenneth Murray fields questions at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park in…Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Tyrel Dodson (25) against the…Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone celebrates his sack on Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10)…Dec 17, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) is tackled by…Dec 24, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins linebacker Duke Riley (45) takes the field…New York Giants safety Isaiah Simmons (19) during the pregame warm-up before playing the Arizona Cardinals…Oct 28, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack linebacker Payton Wilson (11) celebrates…Michigan linebacker Junior Colson (25) runs a drill during open practice at NRG Stadium in Houston,…Sep 23, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (45) sacks Auburn…
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