And I know for sure there are more than that. Ray Lewis. So please, enlighten me in the comments! The only ones I can think of for now being excellent in coverage are Derrick Brooks, Jack Ham, and Steve Nelson. Timer. Keith Brooking has been one of the most consistent linebackers of all-time. Inducted into the Hall of Fame as recently as 2016, Greene's career was arguably underrated. Mike Singletary. Chuck Bednarik. Sam Huff played for the Giants and Redskins in the 50s and 60s and pound for pound was one of the hardest hitters the game of football has ever seen. He played an amazing 150 straight games, and had 30 career interceptions. Lavonte David. Harry is one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history. Comments. Ham was the most technically proficient linebacker of all time. His 160 sacks is the most among linebackers. Gil Brandt's greatest NFL linebackers of all time NFL.com senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt ranks the greatest linebackers in NFL history. Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers David is amongst the most underrated players of this generation at any position. 1 Jack Ham Jack Raphael Ham Jr. is a former American football outside linebacker who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League from 1971 to 1982. Of the members of the 20 sack/20 INT club, Joyner's 52.5 career sacks are second all-time behind Raiders' legend Ted Hendricks. From perennial All-Pro NFL top-100 performer Bobby Wagner to another young linebacker in San Francisco, the . The Chicago Bears are one of the most storied franchises of all time and there is no position in their history that has produced more HOF's than Linebacker. Tom Rusk, 1975-78 - He never played on a winning team at Iowa, but to no fault of his own as he ranked among the best linebackers in the Big Ten as a sophomore, junior and season. 6 of 10. Harry is a member of Big Blue's Ring of Honor and entered the Hall of Fame in 2006. Classic. With that said, here is our list of the Top 10 Outside Linebackers All-Time. There are 12 linebackers who have made 9 or more Pro Bowls: Maxie Baughan, Bobby Bell, Derrick Brooks, Harry Carson, Chris Hanburger, Jack Lambert, Ray Lewis, Joe Schmidt, Junior Seau, Mike Singletary, Lawrence Taylor, and Derrick Thomas. Honorable . Along with Lawrence Taylor, Carson served as a disruptive force in the middle of the Giants defense and helped form one of the greatest linebacker tandems in NFL history. By gboyer708. All Time Top Recruits; Transfer Portal; BK Rec. Featuring some of the greatest NFL linebackers of all time, the best Packers LBs include Ray Nitschke, Dave Robinson, A. J. Hawk, Clay Matthews, and Nick Barnett. Jack Ham is a former NFL Outside linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who played for the Penn State Nittany Lions in College. Kevin Greene Here's the top 10 entering the 2022 season: 1. This isn't definitive, and it's in no particular order, I was just listing them off the top of my head. As previously mentioned, he made history as a junior in 1977 by becoming the first Iowa linebacker to earn first-team All-Big Ten recognition. Teams; CBS Sports; CBS SPORTS HQ; SportsLine; . Give Up. Both are among the greatest NFL linebackers ever. Lavar Arrington is easily the most physically gifted linebacker to every play at Penn State. 4 of 10. This demand however came easily for some of the Greatest Outside Linebackers All-Time including the likes of Lawrence Taylor, Derrick Brooks, Jack Ham, Terrell Suggs, Derrick Thomas and DeMarcus Ware. #3 Lavonte David. From Dick Butkus during the 1960s and 1970s to Mike Singletary in the 1980s and 1990s to Brian Urlacher . 19. 10. Here are 10 of the best linebackers of all-time Kevin Greene With the third-most sacks in NFL history, there's no question Kevin Greene belongs among the best linebackers of all-time. Check out Gil's list here! Bill Romanowski. The Steelers went 6-10 in his first season, but along with players like Hines Ward, Jerome Bettis, and Alan Faneca . David is an elite coverage player for this position and is disruptive all over the field. Over his career, Brooking has racked up 962 tackles and 12 INT's. He was a. Ed Reed. These are the 10 most intimidating linebackers of all time. His eight recoveries in 1976 are the most ever by a linebacker. The official source for NFL news, video highlights, fantasy football, game-day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more. 2 Time Super Bowl Champion (VII, VIII) American Football League All Time Team 9.) Bergey became one of the NFL's best linebackers in Philly, where he made five consecutive All-Pro teams and was the foundation for the "Gang Green" defense that made the playoffs in each of his last three seasons, including a trip to the Super Bowl in . 3 of 10. The top 5 linebackers in the NFL 5. Every decade since 1960, Chicago has had a Hall of Fame MIKE anchoring the defense. DeMarcus Ware was the perfect combination of fast and physical, making him an excellent pass-rusher in an era when outside linebackers were excelling at just that. Putting outside, inside, and middle linebackers in one group gets tricky, and the position (like all positions in the game) has changed considerably over the years. A ranking of the 2014 Best NFL Linebacker Players. - http://www.nfl.com/photoessays/0ap3000000816217. For me, this might be the best group of linebackers that I've seen in probably 35 to 40 years. Lawrence Taylor, Dick Butkus, Rickey Jackson, Mike Singletary, Jack Ham, Ray Lewis, Derrick Thomas, others. (USPRESSWIRE) Linebacker. Since entering the league, Warner has 118 or more total tackles in every season and was named First-Team All-Pro in 2020. Junior Seau was one of the best players of his generation and one of the best middle linebackers to play the game. Greatest Coverage Linebackers of all time??? 8 - Roy Winston This doesn't mean that there's not all-time greats taking to the field every Sunday. With his powerplay and strategic skills, Bobby Joseph Wagner has made him the best NFL linebacker today. [ October 18, 2021 ] Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears Rivalry Timeline All-Time Lists [ August 1, 2019 ] The Top 100 Green Bay Packers of All-Time All-Time Lists [ September 10, 2022 ] Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon are Going to Make History This Year Aaron Rodgers Era (2008-Present) [ September 5, 2022 ] The Perfect Balance of Green Bay's Defense will Define the 2022 Season Aaron Rodgers Era . He led the league in combined tackles in 2016 and 2019, and in solo tackles in 2017. Best Score? Vote below and help decide the best Packers LB of all time! He's been nothing but consistent since those days of Seahawks dominance in the league. In coverage, Lary was a force, as he snagged 50 interceptions during his 13-year career. 8 of 10. So, who's the best off-ball linebacker in the NFL today? Mike Singletary 9 of 11 Anonymous/Associated Press The '85 Bears are almost a mythical team at this point, given that every. Lewis, who was selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the team's second first round selection during the 1996 NFL Draft would go on to put together one of the greatest careers of any defensive player to play the game. These are the greatest linebackers in NFL history. Never saw a proper discussion about this so Imma start one. Since their inception in 1946, the San Francisco have seen a number of top-tier players occupy the linebacker position. Take a look at how all 47 of his. PLAY QUIZ % % Score. However, we're here to give this the good old college try, so let's dive in! 08:00. PRO; DUAL; Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens (1996-2012) 2000 Defensive Player of the Year 2003. If they could excel in coverage, it was cherished, but it wasn't their primary goal. Bobby Wagner has been one of the best linebackers in the NFL for almost a decade at this point, winning a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks in 2013. filter list by All Voters rank it your way 1 Ray Nitschke 1958-1972 He is a nine-time Pro Bowler and a two-time first-team All-Pro. Jack Lambert. The NFL is revealing the 100 greatest players and 10 greatest coaches in NFL history. Most football fans might hardly recognize Brown's name despite being one of the top linebackers in the league heading into 2021. YOU. 7. Ever since his debut with the Seattle Seahawks, he played for them. His teammate Rashaan Evans gets most of the publicity given his first-round draft status, but Brown enjoyed the better season in 2020. That's what linebackers do. He is considered one of the greatest outside linebackers in the history of the NFL. 60. Who are the best linebackers in Green Bay Packers history? He racked up 19 in 2012, setting a 49ers record and chasing the all-time NFL mark until a late-season slump. 2021 NFL Statistics: 1292 Tackles and 23.5 Sacks. 5 Patrick Willis Patrick L. Willis is a former American football inside linebacker who played his entire eight-year career with the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. Answer (1 of 3): Middle Linebackers in NFL History: TOP3: Dick Butkus, Chicago Bears (1965-73) Hall of Fame, Class of 1979 1969 Defensive Player of the Year 1970 Defensive Player of the Year 5-time first-team All-Pro 8-time Pro Bowler TOP2: Jack Lambert, Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-84) Hall. In 1975, Ham earned the Defensive Player of the Year award as a member of the Steel Curtain. A ranking of the 2014 Best NFL Linebacker Players. rank it your way 1 7,494 2,599 Lawrence Taylor Linebacker from Williamsburg, Virginia, USA 2 7,370 3,156 Ray Lewis Linebacker from Bartow, Florida, United States of America 3 6,065 2,566 Dick Butkus Linebacker and Center from Chicago, Illinois, United States of America 4 4,729 1,978 Jack Lambert Linebacker from Mantua, Ohio load more The 1960s Detroit Lions' defensive backfield featured Lary alongside fellow Hall of Famers Dick "Night Train" Lane and Dick LeBeau. Thomas was the sixth overall selection of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1989. Born: Nov. 3, 1981 (Birmingham, Alabama) High school: Woodlawn High School (Birmingham, Alabama . He was drafted by the Giants from South Carolina and helped lead them to victory during Super Bowl XXI against the Denver Broncos. Outside linebacker Joey Porter came to Pittsburgh in 1999. I can't think of a better group." . Jeff Lewis/Icon Sportswire. Jack Ham. He was big enough to take on offensive linemen yet fast enough to cover wide receivers in man. His play on the field was filled with passion and talent that helped him become one of the best to play the game. 9 - Sam Huff I'm going old school with my number 9 pick on the list of the top 10 NFL linebackers of all time. 1. From Dave Wilcox in the 1960s to the legendary Patrick Willis in the 2000s . Every Friday night at 8 ET through Dec. 27, NFL Network will announce the latest members of the All-Time Team . Sam Huff. BK Recruiting Home; News Feed; Team Rankings; Commitments; . Karlos Dansby. Last Updated: December 23, 2019 The Top Ten Greatest NFL Middle Linebackers of all Time 10.) Jayon Brown, Tennesee Titans. Chuck Bednarik. Below, we will rank the NFL's top 10 linebackers entering 2022. 7 of 10. His technical know-how and workman-like approach to the game of football were the perfect fit for the blue-collar Steel City. The 37 sacks he collected in kelly green puts Joyner atop that list of Eagles' linebackers. He has 90.0 sacks this decade, and only Miller, Jones, J.J. Watt, and Cameron Wakehave more over that span. With the combination of speed and power, he is one of the greatest linebackers to ever play in NFL history. Seau recorded 1,849 career tackles over his career to go along with 56.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles and 18 interceptions. He is widely regarded. It's too bad Nebraska only . Former VP of Player Personnel Gil Brandt's Top 10 Defensive Tackles of All Time! ALL; Quarterback. Honorable Mention Rickey Jackson hide this ad. Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers The 49ers struck gold when they drafted Warner in the third round in 2018. His body of work falls behind Luke Kuechly and Bobby Wagner, but not by much. Regardless of how difficult it is to transcend eras and compare players, let's give it a go. Nick Buoniconti Nick Buoniconti played for the Boston Patriots and the Miami Dolphins. 32 DexterDoom 9 yr. ago Ray Nitscike. Come on poeple. Millen believes Smith needs to get better at beating left tackles one-on-one, but there is no . Ryan Kerrigan:His inclusion above better-known players might raise some eyebrows. Team Player ; New York Giants . 3. All except Baughan and Hanburger are in the Hall of Fame or not yet eligible. 0/40. 1. 23. Keeping all aspects of the job in mind, we rank the top 25 greatest middle linebackers in NFL history. He averaged 11.5 sacks per season during his 12 years in the league, leading the NFL in sacks twice and going to the Pro Bowl nine times. One of the best all-around linebackers in team history, Harris ranks 4 th in tackles, tied for 8 th in sacks with 34.5 - which is the 3 rd most for a linebacker - and is tied for 6 th with. This thread is archived Bookmark Quiz Bookmark Quiz -/5-RATE QUIZ. In Detroit, Yale Lary anchored the greatest NFL secondary of all time. MORE INFO. But the numbers alone make a strong case for the Washington pass-rusher. Career highlights: Two-time NFL All-Pro (2011, 2015), four-time Pro Bowl (2011-13, 2015) . 1 of 10. 10 [deleted] 9 yr. ago Lawrence Taylor certainly deserves the #1 spot. (2010-2011) 6-1 / 225. NFL Top 40 Linebackers of All-Time Can you name the NFL Top 40 Linebackers of All-Time in my Opinion ? Comments. 20. 2 of 10. Plays. In the 2020 NFL season, he recorded 11 tackles and one sack with 37-27 wins. Who is the best middle linebacker ever? Joey Porter. As it is, his last All-Pro bid in 2010 and three Pro Bowl . For full breakdown, fan voting and more, visit - http://www.prosportstop10.com/top-10-best-linebackers-in-nfl-history/Comments, likes and most importantly S. To create this list, we took into consideration basic statistics, Pro Football Reference/Stathead's Approximate Value, PFF grades . 5 of 10. DeMarcus Ware. It is hard not to put Ray Lewis at the top of this list as the top Middle Linebacker All-Time. 13 The Bears had a very good offense in 1985, but it was Buddy Ryan's blitzing "46" defense that earned this team Page 2's honor of greatest NFL team of all-time.The Bears, with a D anchored by middle linebacker Mike Singletary (with superb assistance from tackles William "Refrigerator" Perry and Dan Hampton, outside linebackers Otis Wilson and Wilbur Marshall, and DE Richard Dent), went 15-1 . Miami, FL. Brian Urlacher Brian Urlacher played for the Chicago Bears from 2000 to 2012. Ranking the top linebackers to ever suit up in the National Football League is far from easy. If this were a list of the best defenders from the 2010s, Reed would easily be in the Top 10. Go Orange. Ray Nitschke. He just goes out every week and hustles.