The 1976 Defensive Player of the Year helped the Steelers win four Super Bowls (IX, X, XIII, XIV). Not many linebackers can boast the athleticism of Urlacher, who set the single-season Bears record with 153 tackles in 2002 and owns the team's career tackles record with 1,361. Not bad for a former third-round draft pick out of Arizona. Manage Settings 5-time NFL Championship Game winner James Farrior, New York Jets (1997-2001), Pittsburgh Steelers (02-11) His 10 All-Pro selections are tied for the NFL career record alongside Lawrence Taylor. Super Bowl XLVII champion Hall of Fame, Class of 1982 George was known for his ability to play the defensive line as well as dropping back disrupting the passing lanes of opposing quarterbacks. He started all 26 games at middle linebacker the last two seasons. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Tippett had his most dominant season in 1985, when he led the Patriots to their first AFC title and was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year. 5-time Pro Bowler15. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Born: March 28, 1930 (Mingo Junction, Ohio), Died: Nov. 6, 2017 (age 87, Natchez, Mississippi), High school: Mingo High School (Mingo, Ohio), Career highlights: NFL champion (1963), six-time All-Pro (1958, 1963-66), five-time Pro Bowl (1958, 1962-65), NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, PFR 1960s All-Decade Team. Super Bowl XX champion Tragically, Seau took his own life in 2012, at 43 years old. 1973 Defensive Player of the Year Onus on Bills' coaches, McDermott at middle linebacker draft April 30, 2023 at 5:05 p.m. EDT. Kuechly made seven Pro Bowls, seven All-Pro teams, and in 2012, he was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Arguably USCs most notable No. 6-time first-team All-Pro 1 overall pick in the 1949 NFL draft, Bednarik led the Eagles to a championship in 1949 and in 1960, where he made the game-saving tackle as time ran out. Today, all four men are enshrined in the Pro. Briggs made seven consecutive Pro Bowls while playing for the Chicago Bears alongside another great linebacker, Brian Urlacher. His talent has already made him a rich, rich man. Generations of linebackers have played in the NFL and defined the game. Talley was on all four of Buffalos AFC title teams that lost in the Super Bowl and finished his career with 1,252 tackles, 38.5 sacks and 29 takeaways. Master Your Draft Strategy With Our Free and Easy-to-Use Mock Draft Simulator. Hall of Fame, Class of 1973 Jackson only missed two games in his 13 seasons with the Saints in 1989 because of a car accident. 10. High school: Excel High School (Excel, Alabama), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1971), NFC Defensive Player of the Year (1973), five-time Pro Bowl (1967-69, 1973, 1974), two-time All-Pro (1969, 1973). Forester died in 2007 after a long illness. Wilber Marshall was one of the greatest pass coverage linebackers of the modern era. If you want to know where the modern concept of an outside linebacker came from, start with George Connor. Super Bowl XXXIX champion, The foreman of the Steel Curtain defense, Butkus punished ball carriers and crushed spirits. Rank below to be added in the Power Rankings and to have a chance to win a gift card to LAZADA, Amazon, Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks of All Time Rankings, Top 10 NFL Running Backs of All Time Rankings, Top 10 NFL Wide Receivers of All Time Rankings, Top 10 NFL Tight Ends of All Time Rankings, Top 10 NFL Outside Linebackers of All Time Rankings, Top 10 NFL Defensive Ends of All Time Rankings, Top 10 NFL Strong Safeties of All Time Rankings. Few stories rival that of former NFL star Patrick Willis. In addition to having the greatest linebacker of All-Time in Ray Lewis, 20 years of Ravens football has seen some incredible linebackers. Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens (1996-2012)2000 Defensive Player of the Year Nickerson had his best years with the Steelers and with the Buccaneers right before those teams started to make deep, consistent playoff runs, but he was a feared player and at his best playing in a 4-3 scheme defense. Spikes is one of just seven linebackers in NFL history to register over 200 career starts, and he never had less than 70 tackles in 15 NFL seasons. Super Bowl I champion Robertson's size, speed and athleticism often made the difference in games for the Rams. Fortunato, who was named one of the Bears 100 Greatest Players, did accomplish one thing that Butkus never would. Lanier collected three All-Pro mentions and eight spots in a Pro Bowl,. If Dolphins fans felt like they were having flashbacks when Zach Thomas came along to play middle linebacker in the mid-1990s, it's because it wasn't the first time they'd seen an undersized, dominant player leading their defense. No, Sensei Tippett! Fortunato also is the only player on the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1950s that was not inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He played with an amazing amount of fire and determination without bringing much attention to himself. We know this. Willis' career was cut short due to injuries but his legacy on the field is known. Almost 50 years after he retired, Bell's nine defensive touchdowns are still tied for the most in NFL history for a linebacker alongside fellow Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks. 1972 NFL Man of the Year His ability to diagnose plays and shut them down wasn't matched by many. Born: May 1, 1925 (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Died: March 21, 2015 (age 89, Richland, Pennsylvania), High school: Liberty High School (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania), Career highlights: Two-time NFL champion (1949, 1960), eight-time Pro Bowl (1950-54, 1956, 1957, 1960), 10-time All-Pro (1950-57, 1960, 1961), NFL 100th Anniversary Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1967). The Top Ten Greatest NFL Middle Linebackers of all Time 2023 NFL Draft: Top Linebackers - The San Diego Union-Tribune Lewis recorded 2,059 career tackles, 41.5 sacks, 31 interceptions and forced 17 fumbles. He also finished his career with 25 interceptions and 24 sacks. Hall of Fame, Class of 1986 Lambert was a legendary cornerstone piece of the "Steel Curtain" defense in Pittsburgh for 11 seasons (1974-1984). Jack Lambert played 11 seasons all for the Steelers and won four Super Bowls as the starting linebacker and heart of the "Steel Curtain" defense with fellow Hall of Famers Mean Joe Greene, Mel Blount, Jack Ham and Donnie Shell. Vilma, who also won a national championship at the University of Miami in 2001, also is well-known for taking the NFL to court following a yearlong suspension in "Bountygate. Richter was the valedictorian of his class at Cal, then went and served two years in the Army and fought in the Korean War before starting his NFL career. Super Bowl XXXIV champion25. David cashed in with a Super Bowl victory following the 2020 season. Take a look at the best photos from the red carpet. Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers (2007-12) Darryl Talley was a physical and athletic marvel during his playing career, and his consistency was truly something to behold. . He also is the Bills' career leading tackler. Born: Sept. 1, 1960 (Seattle, Washington), High school: Edina West High School (Edina, Minnesota), Career highlights: Six-time Pro Bowl (1985-87, 1989, 1991, 1993), four-time All-Pro (1985-87, 1989). "Dr. Doom" terrorized opposing offenses for 10 NFL seasons and was a six-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection. Tedy Bruschi, New England Patriots (1996-2008) He was one of the most feared players in the sport in his prime. Fletcher carved out a 16-year NFL career, including a Super Bowl win with the Rams in his second season. Marshall wasn't just a pass coverage linebacker though,. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Eight of those he made the All-Pro team and the Pro Bowl, with back-to-back NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards in 1969 and 1970. Richter, who died of a brain aneurysm in 2010, had a lengthy career in motorsports after his football career was over and is a member of both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Motorsports Hall of Fame. Vince Lombardis leader on defense, Nitschke (No. One of our representatives will be in touch shortly. Other than having one of the coolest names in NFL history, Takeo Spikes was also one of the most durable linebackers of all time. Raiders post-draft depth chart: Will any of the rookies be Week 1 In addition, Lewis was a two time Defensive Player of the Year, seven time First Team All-Pro and a 13 time Pro Bowler. Ranking the 10 best linebackers in Raiders history Podcast Teams AFC East Bills Dolphins Jets Patriots AFC North Bengals Browns Ravens Steelers AFC South Colts Jaguars Texans Titans AFC West. First, he went to junior college in Fort Scott, Kansas. Be the first one to comment on this story. Super Bowl VI champion17. The former Miami Hurricane is a member of the NFL's 2000s All-Decade Team and a member of the NFL's 100th Anniversary Team. Lambert is a member of the NFL's 1970s All-Decade Team, the 1980s All-Decade Team, the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team, and the league's 100th Anniversary Team. Over his career Willis racked up 865 tackles to go with 20.5 sacks, 16 forced fumbles and eight interceptions. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Lance Briggs did one thing that's highly unusual for an NFL linebacker in the modern era he played his entire career for the same team. He posted nine straight seasons with at least 100 tackles and played in all 16 regular-season games for the last 12 seasons of his career. How deep was Nitschke in pop culture during his career? 12 on the NFL's all-time list. Harry Carson, New York Giants (1976-88) Inducted into the Hall of Fame as recently as 2016, Greene's career was arguably underrated. Wagner, who first turned heads by running a 4.4-second 40-yard dash at the Utah State pro day, helped lead the Seahawks to a Super Bowl win in 2013, won another NFC title two years later and was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 2010s. Related:NFL Teams With Most Hall of Famers. His 1,077 career tackles put him in the NFL's top 10 career list. Bear Bryant called him one of the best players he ever coached at Alabama, where Jordan won a national title in 1961. He finished his career with 458 tackles, 65.0 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, nine . 9-time Pro Bowler In four seasons, Willis has 594 total tackles, 15 sacks, made the Pro Bowl every year, and three times has been named a first-team All-Pro linebacker. High school: Maggie L. Walker (Richmond, Virginia), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1969), six-time Pro Bowl (1970-75), eight-time All-Pro (1968-75), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1986). It's fitting that Khalil Mack now plays for the Chicago Bears. The NFL's Top 50 Linebackers of the Modern Era Richter didn't miss a game in nine seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and made seven All-Pro teams. London Fletcher, St. Louis Rams (1998-2001), Buffalo Bills (02-06), Washington Redskins (07-12) It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. For Fortunato, it was Dick Butkus, and for Gradishar, it was Karl Mecklenburg. He helped lead Florida State to its first national title in 1993 and a decade later put together his greatest NFL seasons, winning NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors and leading the Buccaneers to their only Super Bowl win in 2002. Brown played on two teams that came up just short of winning a Super Bowl, with the Pittsburgh Steelers losing in the big game following the 1995 season and the New England Patriots following the 2007 season. One thing Spikes never did? No questions asked. His best season was in 2008, when he had over 100 tackles and helped lead the Arizona Cardinals to an NFC championship and into the Super Bowl. High school: East Coweta High School (Sharpsburg, Georgia), Teams: Atlanta Falcons (1998-2008), Dallas Cowboys (2009-11), Denver Broncos (2012), Career highlights: Five-time Pro Bowl (2001-05), two-time All-Pro (2002, 2004). 2023 NFL Draft: Grades for all Day 2 picks | NFL Draft | PFF Jack . High school: Clarkstown High School North (New City, New York), Teams: Tennessee Titans (2000-09), New York Giants (2010), Career highlights:Three-time NFL All-Pro (2002, 2003, 2007), Pro Bowl (2003). NFL Draft best available players for Buffalo Bills: Drew Sanders That didn't matter. His style of play is strikingly similar to Chicago Bears Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher, who preceded him by a generation in the Windy City. If Lawrence Taylor is the Michael Jordan of NFL linebackers, Carson was his Scottie Pippen. High school: St. Xavier High School (Cincinnati, Ohio), Career highlights: NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2013), seven-time Pro Bowl (2013-19), seven-time All-Pro (2013-19), NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2012), NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. Born: Dec. 27, 1959 (Birmingham, Alabama), High school: Barringer High School (Newark, New Jersey), NFL career: 11 seasons (1982-88, 1990-93), Career highlights: NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1985), four-time All-Pro (1985-88), five-time Pro Bowl (1984-88), NFL 1980s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (2008). But what sets the great ones apart from the rest of the pack? They spoke of intensity, determination, and an undying will. That is the highest among all linebackers. 7-time Pro Bowler18. The Arizona Cardinals have declined to pick up linebacker Isaiah Simmons' fifth-year contract option, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Super Bowl XIII champion His production would not slow as he helped from the Steelers Steel Curtain defense and helped lead the Steelers to four Super Bowl Championships. 29) Bryce Paup. Before becoming a pop culture reference in Brians Song and an actor in The Longest Yard and Head, Nitschke was one of the most feared men in football. Copyright 2023 FanRankings. Born: June 28, 1936 (Wheeling, West Virginia), High school: Warwood High School (Wheeling, West Virginia), NFL career: 15 seasons (1958-60, 1961-73), Teams: Chicago Bears (1958-59), Dallas Cowboys (1961-73), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1971), Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (1970), six-time Pro Bowl (1965-69, 1971), six-time Pro Bowl (1966-71). Here are my top 10 linebackers: 1. 7-time Pro Bowler19. 1-time Pro Bowler pic.twitter.com/wy2S8g98pb. 2005 Comeback Player of the Year Gary Reasons (1984-91) Gary Reasons, a fourth-round draft pick from Northwestern State, was a key . Mills, just 5-foot-9, played in the Canadian Football League and then was one of the USFL's greatest players before making the leap to the NFL. Ron Rivera must win in 2023. The Commanders have done all they can 1978 Defensive Player of the Year Sanders could have the highest ceiling of all the middle linebacker . Willie Lanier: For eight seasons, Bell played alongside Billy Lanier in one of the NFL's most legendary linebacking corps. Pat Swilling was part of perhaps the finest assembly of linebackers in NFL history the New Orleans Saints' famous "Dome Patrol" of the late 1980s and early 1990s. An important part of the Buffalo defense, the LB position includes middle or inside linebackers and outside (strong side or weakside) linebackers. 2009 NFL Butkus Award winner He beat a double-murder charge before the 2000 season following the stabbing deaths of two men in a fight after a Super Bowl party in Atlanta. Super Bowl XIV championThe foreman of the Steel Curtain defense, Lambert expanded the job description of the middle backer dropping into pass coverage as smooth as a safety while remaining the sledgehammer enforcer of an old-school middle man. On the football field Chuck Bednarik was one of the toughest players to play the game and possibly the best tackler to set forth on a football field. The Bears have fielded four of the best middle linebackers in NFL history: Dick Butkus, Bill George, Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher. The race for the best linebacker in NFL history can be narrowed down to five people: the aforementioned Butkus, Lewis, and Singletary, along with Jack Lambert and Willie Lanier. High school: Vale High School (Vale, Oregon), Career highlights: Four-time All-Pro (1967, 1971-73), seven-time Pro Bowl (1966, 1968-73), Pro Football Hall of Fame (2000). He joined the military for two years out of high school before going to play football for the University of North Carolina. Bill Bergey went from being a star at Arkansas State to a star with the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFL until owner Paul Brown leveraged him for a pair of first-round draft picks and a second-round pick from the Philadelphia Eagles. Analysis: Nothing against this group of . 3 on the all-time list, Baltimore Ravens, 1996-2012 Two-time Super Bowl champion Voted to 13 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro seven times Recorded 41.5 sacks and 1562 career tackles Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Green Bay Packers, 1958-1972 Two-time Super Bowl champion Voted to one Pro Bowl, First Team All-Pro twice Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Detroit Lions, 1953-1965 Two-time NFL champion Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro eight times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Pittsburgh Steelers, 1971-1982 Four-time Super Bowl champion Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Chicago Bears, 1958-1959; Dallas Cowboys, 1961-1973 One-time NFL champion Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times, Chicago Bears, 1952-1966; Los Angeles Rams 1966 One-time NFL champion Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro eight times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Kansas City Chiefs, 1963-1974 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1995-2008 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to 11 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times Recorded 1,297 career tackles Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Baltimore Colts, 1969-1973; Green Bay Packers, 1974; Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, 1975-1983 Four-time Super Bowl champion Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Chicago Bears, 1965-1973 Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Kansas City Chiefs, 1989-1999 Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice Recorded 126.5 career sacks, which ranks No. Nick Buoniconti was just 5-foot-11 and 220 pounds but destroyed opponents with sheer will and ferocity, helping lead the Dolphins to two Super Bowl wins and the only undefeated season in NFL history in 1972. Urlachers legacy was secure after leading Chicago to the NFC title in 200611. 8-time Pro Bowler Others to know: Rashee Rice (SMU), Jonathan Mingo (Ole Miss), A.T. Perry (Wake Forest) Linebacker. Mike Singletary was the player at the heart of perhaps the greatest defense of all time the 1985 Chicago Bears, who went 15-1 in the regular season and blew out the New England Patriots, 46-10, in the Super Bowl. Top 10 NFL linebackers of all time | The TwinSpires Edge Levis has supreme arm talent and an ultra . Nitscke's style of play was pure dominance in the middle of the field He was known for his ability to dole out hard hits, but his athleticism was always underestimated, and he ended his career with 25 interceptions. Over his career, George was an eight time Pro Bowler and eight time First Team All-Pro. The Best New Orleans Saints Linebackers of All Time - Ranker In 1986, he had one of the most dominant NFL seasons ever. Keith Brooking was an understated, dominant player for two teams, the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys. For starters, Lewis has the most combined tackles in NFL history (2,059). Arizona had until May 2 to make a final . Super Bowl VIII champion Williams was the seventh-best linebacker by Brugler and was not on his Top 100. Starters: Robert Spillane, Divine Deablo. Mar 23. Ham, with the size of a free safety, was as quick as any running back or wide receiver in the 10 yards from the line of scrimmage and recorded a gaudy 32 interceptions and 53 takeaways in his career while helping the Steelers win four Super Bowl. Over his career, Lewis helped lead the Ravens to two Super Bowl championships while being named Super Bowl XXXV MVP. And Farrior, nicknamed "The Ultimate Farrior" by fans, was a huge part of that. This is the eighth of 11 positional breakdowns leading up to the NFL Draft (April 27-29). Les Richter, Los Angeles Rams (1954-62) The Best Buffalo Bills Linebackers of All Time - Ranker Born: Jan. 25, 1985 (Bruceton, Tennessee), High school: Central High School (Bruceton, Tennessee), Career highlights: Seven-time Pro Bowl (2007-13), six-time All-Pro (2007-12), NFL 2010s All-Decade team, NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2007). Poll : Are these the 3 Greatest Middle Linebackers of All-Time? 66) and Bart Starr (No. But for all his individual success, he never made the playoffs.4. Top 10 middle linebackers of all time - Pro Football Mania You may have never heard of Joe Schmidt, but he was the single most dominant NFL linebacker through the 1950s and the early part of the 1960s. The middle linebacker position is the equivalent of the quarterback position on defense. Willis, who the 49ers selected during the 2007 NFL draft was as good as any middle linebacker to play the position and one that was gifted with all the athletic abilities to stop the run, cover running backs and tight ends in passing situations and one that could get to the quarterback. Here is my ranking of the top 10 Giants linebackers, along with some honorable mentions. Born: Aug. 17, 1949 (New Orleans, Louisiana), Died: Dec. 6, 2018 (age 69, Dallas, Texas), High school: Covington High School (Covington, Louisiana), Teams: Los Angeles Rams (1971-78), Buffalo Bills (1979-82), Career highlights: Six-time Pro Bowl (1971-77), six-time All-Pro (1971, 1973-77), NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1971). Fletcher, 5-foot-11 and 242 pounds, ran a blazing 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine coming out of NCAA Division III John Carroll University, but he still went undrafted. Renowned for his elite combination of size and speed, Tippett was scary coming off the edge and racked up 100 career sacks, which is still the Patriots' franchise record. Its hard to argue with No. Both players led their team to a Super Bowl, and for Gradishar, he was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1978, the year the Broncos won an AFC title. 8-time first-team All-Pro 1974 Defensive Rookie of the Year Mar 23. George is credited by many as being the first-ever true middle linebacker, creating a legacy that future Bears like Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher would cement in history.7. It was the second title in franchise history for the Bucs, and the three-time NFL All-Pro doesn't seem to be slowing down even in his 10th season. The duo even led the team to the Super Bowl in 2006, where they lost to the Indianapolis Colts. Many of the games greatest players have been the man in the middle who called the shots in the huddle before turning into tackling machines and splash-playmakers from sideline-to-sideline once the ball was snapped. Nick Buoniconti, Boston Patriots (1962-68), Miami Dolphins (69-76)Hall of Fame, Class of 2001 12-time Pro Bowler Super Bowl XLIII champion23. A name that may have been slotted inside of the top five on the list of middle linebackers if his career was longer is the former San Francisco 49ers great Patrick Willis. Joyner capped his career off by winning a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos in his final season. Dont forget Rays dance.2. 1-time Pro Bowler Brazile is often credited for being the first outside linebacker to define how the game was played in a 3-4 defense while rushing the passer, although sacks weren't an official NFL statistic until his last three seasons. Bill Forester is one of the greatest examples of Vince Lombardi's genius as a coach. Top 10 Linebackers in New York Giants History - Sports Illustrated Continue with Recommended Cookies, Ranking the best Middle Linebackers in the history of the NFL such as Ray Lewis, Mike Singletary, and many more, By Fan Rankings | October 23, 2021 - 07:34 PM. In a 16-season career, he recorded an incredible 1,586 tackles. On the football field Chuck Bednarik was one of the toughest players to play the game and possibly the best tackler to set forth on a football field. However, we're here to give this the good old college try, so let's dive in! These all-time greats have electrified crowds with their energy and leadership and delivered on the field as some of the NFL's best defensive players ever. 2-time first-team All-Pro 6-time Pro Bowler12. Once drafted, Buoniconti became one of the teams best defensive players despite his lack of size. Born: Sept. 20, 1943 (San Antonio, Texas), Died: Dec. 13, 2017 (age 74, Marietta, Georgia), High school: Thomas Jefferson High School (San Antonio, Texas), Career highlights: NFL Rookie of the Year (1966), five-time Pro Bowl (1966-68, 1970, 1972), two-time All-Pro (1967, 1968), NFL 1960s All-Decade Team. Sori-Marin is more of a traditional two-down middle linebacker with good size 6-2, 236 pounds for the position. High school: Lovington High School (Lovington, New Mexico), Career highlights: NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2005), five-time All-Pro (2001, 2002.