Luke Kuechly was the best linebacker of his generation. Now that he’s hung up his helmet and will serve the Panthers as a pro scout, it’s time to find out who will take his title.
Based on a mix of film, stats and feel, here are our top 10 linebackers in the league going into 2020.
10. Dont’a Hightower
It’s no accident that Bill Belichick has entrusted Hightower to play an important role for his defense for such a long time. Modern linebackers need to do a bit of everything and Hightower excels at most of it, especially rushing the quarterback. Last year, he posted 5.5 sacks and 13 quarterback hits to go with eight tackles for a loss. Hightower has made the Pro Bowl twice and won three rings.
9. Fred Warner
Warner is one of the better up-and-coming linebackers in the league. At just 23 years old it’s remarkable how polished his game is. In his breakout 2019 season, he posted seven tackles for a loss, three sacks, five quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, nine pass breakups and a pick-six. Warner missed 17 tackles, though (12.6%) – otherwise he definitely would have ranked higher.
8. Shaq Thompson
Thompson has a hard act to follow in Luke Kuechly, but he has already developed into a strong defender. Last season, he totaled 75 solo tackles, including 11 for a loss – both career highs. The next step in his development is improving in coverage. Thompson allowed 324 yards after the catch in 2019 and a 95.2 passer rating when targeted. He recently signed a four-year extension with the Panthers.
7. Deion Jones
Jones looked like he was going to become a superstar after a tremendous rookie season in 2016. While things have slowed down for him since, he’s still got well above-average ball skills for his position. Jones has totaled an impressive nine interceptions and 32 pass breakups since coming into the NFL. To break into the elite linebacker conversation, he’ll need to become more of a pass-rushing threat – Jones has just two career sacks.
6. Cory Littleton
The Raiders got a badly-needed upgrade at linebacker in free agency when they signed Littleton to a three-year deal. Since he became a full-time starter for the Rams two seasons ago, he’s totaled eight sacks, nine QB hits, 15 tackles for a loss and 168 solo tackles. Littleton’s best selling point is he rarely makes mistakes. He missed just five tackles last year (3.6%). The arrow is definitely pointing up, here.
5. Bobby Wagner
For a long time, Wagner was a close second behind Kuechly in the best-linebacker-in-the-business debate. Last year, some cracks finally started showing in his armor, though. Pete Carroll’s scheme put Wagner out in coverage far too often and he wound up allowing 428 yards after the catch and a 108.2 passer rating. He also uncharacteristically missed 10 tackles (5.9%). Wagner is still a brilliant defender though and is a lock to make the Hall of Fame when he’s done playing.
4. Darius Leonard
Leonard easily has the most potential of this group. In two seasons, he’s already managed seven interceptions, 15 pass breakups, six forced fumbles, 12 sacks, 14 quarterback hits and 19 tackles for a loss, demonstrating his sensational all-around value. Leonard is getting better, too. As a rookie he allowed a 94.7 passer rating in coverage and in 2019 that number dropped to 62.8. In a couple of years, he could be at the top of this list.
3. Lavonte David
While Leonard has the most potential, David is by far the most underrated player on this list and is the definition of a well-rounded defender. Since he was drafted by the Buccaneers, David has totaled 11 picks, 45 pass breakups, 22.5 sacks and is already over 1,000 combined tackles, including 116 for a loss. He’s not slowing down, either. Last season, Pro Football Focus graded David out at 89.2 overall. Somehow he’s only made one Pro Bowl team and one All-Pro. Shame.
2. Eric Kendricks
Minnesota has the toughest defense the Panthers are going to face this coming season and Kendricks is a big reason why. His rare combination of a very high football IQ and superb anticipation makes him the closest thing to Kuechly currently playing in the NFL. While defensive guru Mike Zimmer doesn’t use him as a pass rusher much (Kendricks had just half a sack last year) there’s no real weakness in his game.
1. Demario Davis
Early in his career with the Jets, Davis didn’t look like anything special. He’s improved every season though, especially since signing with the Saints two years ago. Davis has developed into the NFL’s most disruptive linebacker and is perhaps the best pass rusher at the position. He excels in coverage too, having allowed just a 75.8 passer rating last season. Davis also missed just five tackles (4.3%). The competition from Kendricks and David is fierce, but for now he’s the man at linebacker.
