As the NFL season approaches, we highlight the top 10 linebackers known for their proficiency in pass coverage and run-stopping. These players stand out for their skills, leadership, and contributions to their teams. Whether veterans or rising stars, these linebackers are set to make an impact with tackles, interceptions, and game-changing plays in the upcoming season.
In the modern NFL, the best linebackers need a mix of skills. The ones on this list are the top players—valuable and impactful. They help defensive coordinators be aggressive and keep opponents off balance. These linebackers are crucial for a winning strategy.
Top 10 NFL Most Valuable Linebackers 2024
Below are the top 10 NFL most valuable linebackers in 2024:
10. Robert Spillane, Las Vegas Raiders
His three interceptions this season are tied for second place among all linebackers, but Spillane has been more effective as a run defender than he has been as a linebacker. In addition to adding 17 pressures from 46 pass-rushing snaps, his run-defence grade of 85.2 places him eighth among all players at the position.
9. Jahlani Tavai, New England Patriots
This season, the linebacker for the Patriots has allowed only 127 yards in coverage, which is the second-fewest yards allowed by any linebacker who has been on the field for 200 or more covering snaps. The coverage grade he received of 84.7 places him tied for sixth place in the position.
8. C.J. Mosley, New York Jets
It is anticipated that Mosley will achieve a career-high PFF grade in 2023, with a score of 84.7, placing him ninth among linebackers. It is the fifth-most defensive stop at the position that he has made with 49.
7. Blake Cashman, Houston Texans
Arguably, Cashman was the most impressive player in his first year as a full-time starter during his debut year. His PFF grade of 87.8 places him in a tie for fourth place among all linebackers. It is only 7.8 percentage of the tackles that he has attempted he has failed to make, and his run-defence grade of 87.8 places him in fourth place in his position.
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6. Foyesade Oluokun, Jacksonville Jaguars
Oluokun has received more than 75.0 points from Pro Football Focus in both coverage and run defence. Throughout 82 pass-rushing snaps, he has accumulated 16 pressures, which is tied for seventh-most totals at the position.
5. Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints
Davis’s total grade through 14 weeks is 88.8, which is the third-best mark at the position. The only person who has more total pressure than him is Ernest Jones, whose run-defence rating of 85.5 is tied for sixth place. His coverage grade of 80.6 ranks eleventh at the moment.
4. Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens
As of right now, Smith is tied with Quincy Williams for the second-highest pass breakups among all linebackers, with six. According to Pro Football Focus, he has had grades of 80.0 or higher against the run and in coverage, and he has missed only 5.4% of the tackles that he has attempted.
3. Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks
Wagner is still a top-tier run-stopper despite the fact that he hasn’t been particularly impressive in coverage this season. The run-defence grade of 90.8 that he received from PFF is the third-best among his peers, and the 54 defensive stops that he made are the second-best. Throughout this season, he has only missed 3.7% of the tackles that he has attempted.
2. Quincy Williams, New York Jets
The defensive stops that Williams has made a total of 63, which is nine more than any other linebacker and his coverage grade of 90.1 on Pro Football Focus ranks him as the second-best at the position. With six pass breakups through the first 14 weeks of the season, he is tied with Roquan Smith for the second-most pass breakups among linebackers.
1. Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers
The overall score of 90.6 that Warner received is the highest among all players at the position, and he is ranked among the top 10 in both the run-defence and coverage grades that PFF gives. Additionally, he has been an effective blitzer, earning a total of thirteen pressures from forty-five pass-rushing snaps
So there you have it, the top 10 most valuable linebackers going into the 2024 NFL season, according to our analysis. These athletes represent the best of the best at one of football’s most important positions. While there are sure to be some surprises and breakout stars this season, you can feel confident drafting or trading for any of these proven linebackers. They have the skills, instincts, and track record of success to anchor your team’s defence for years to come.
