His production continued in the NFL where he was a two time Pro Bowler and two time Super Bowl Champion with the Miami Dolphins while earning the Dolphins team MVP award in three different seasons.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fanrankings_com-box-4','ezslot_5',125,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-box-4-0'); The Chicago Bears middle linebacker is just one of many great middle linebackers that have played in the NFL and for the team. He finished his career with over 2,000 tackles (2,039), which is second on the NFL's all-time list, and set the NFL record for linebackers with 215 consecutive starts. Junior Seau, San Diego Chargers (1990-2002), Miami Dolphins (03-05), New England Patriots (06-09)1992 Defensive Player of the Year 52 whose off-the-charts football IQ, spiritual leadership and on-field accomplishments are unmatched. 5-time first-team All-Pro 3-time Pro Bowler Owen Pappoe, Auburn. 10 Best Linebackers in Steelers History (+Honorable Mentions) Staff writer. Others: Darien Butler, Amari Burney, Kana'i Mauga , Drake Thomas. Jack . Singletary also was named NFC Player of the Year three times during his career. He was one of the most feared players in the sport in his prime. And he is the only middle linebacker to win multiple Super Bowls and multiple Defensive Player . Their versatility sets them apart from any other position player in the sport. Only a handful of players can say they truly defined their positions in NFL history. Super Bowl XXXV champion 10-time Pro Bowler 1-time first-team All-Pro 60 Greatest Linebackers in NFL History | Stadium Talk Ranking the top linebackers to ever suit up in the National Football League is far from easy. Super Bowl X champion Super Bowl IX champion And that dance. 1970 Defensive Player of the Year Karl Mecklenburg was a throwaway pick by the Broncos in the 12th round of the 1983 NFL draft and ended up being one of the greatest defensive players in franchise history and definitely the greatest pure inside linebacker. They have the ability to rush the passer while also stepping back into coverage and shutting down passing lanes for opposing quarterbacks. 5-time first-team All-Pro He's not someone who is up for Hall of Fame consideration but his contribution to the game kept defenses afloat on playoff teams for an extended period of time. Lewis was the face of the franchise and the energizer of the defensive dominance. Born: May 3, 1941 (Mount Holly, New Jersey), High school: Moorestown High School (Moorestown, New Jersey), Teams: Green Bay Packers (1963-72), Washington Redskins (1973-74), Career highlights: Three-time NFL champion (1965-67), two-time Super Bowl champion (1966, 1967), three-time Pro Bowl (1966, 1967, 1969), three-time All-Pro (1967-69), NFL 1960s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (2013). The last 60-minute man in NFL history, Chuck Bednarik dominated on both sides of the ball for the Philadelphia Eagles. 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. Not only is Ray Nitschke one of the best LBs in NFL history, he had an act at making something out of nothing. Master Your Draft Strategy With Our Free and Easy-to-Use Mock Draft Simulator. Please logout and login again. He also finished his career with 25 interceptions and 24 sacks. Will Levis lands with the Tennessee Titans: Will Levis' slide ends early on Day 2, with the Titans trading up to Pick 33 to grab the signal-caller. The lineage of great Chicago Bears middle linebackers is clear, with 4 players making this list. An eighth-round pick by the Eagles in 1986 out of UTEP, he was actually cut during his first training camp before being resigned during the season. Inducted into the Hall of Fame as recently as 2016, Greene's career was arguably underrated. But it's worth pointing out that he was much more than a football player. Over his career Willis racked up 865 tackles to go with 20.5 sacks, 16 forced fumbles and eight interceptions. 2 Time Super Bowl Champion (VII, VIII) American Football League All Time Team 9.) Join the contest by ranking below. College Football's Top 50 Linebackers of the BCS Era The Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams middle linebacker, Bill George is the one single man that is known for creating the middle linebacker position. Chad Brown was the type of player who could do almost anything on the defensive front. 1-time Pro Bowler 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. He was an 8-time All-Pro and 9-time Pro-Bowler. The Chicago Bears great was as good of a run stopper as defender against the pass and one player that could play sideline to sideline. During that time Kendricks has broken up 40 passes as a linebacker which is tops in the NFL. Gil Brandt's greatest NFL linebackers of all time 1974 Defensive Rookie of the Year Robertson's size, speed and athleticism often made the difference in games for the Rams. It didn't slow Mills' production, and he made three Pro Bowls and five Pro Bowls despite spending his first five seasons elsewhere. It's fitting that Khalil Mack now plays for the Chicago Bears. London Fletcher, St. Louis Rams (1998-2001), Buffalo Bills (02-06), Washington Redskins (07-12) Analysis: Nothing against this group of . ", Died: June 12, 2010 (age 79, Riverside, California), High school: Fresno High School (Fresno, California), Career highlights: Eight-time Pro Bowl (1954-61), seven-time All-Pro (1955-60), Pro Football Hall of Fame (2011). NEW! Norton's famous nod to his famous father was hitting the goal post pads like a punching bag, similar to how he treated opponents as the star linebacker for two of the best franchises in football for over a decade. 2-time NFL Championship Game winner13. 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. Backups: Luke Masterson, Curtis Bolton. Super Bowl XXXV MVP Seau recorded 1,849 career tackles over his career to go along with 56.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles and 18 interceptions. Lambert, who the Pittsburgh Steelers selected with the 46th pick during the 1974 NFL draft, showcased his abilities during his rookie season in route to helping solidify the Steelers defense and winning Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Lambert hauled in 28 INTs and scooped up 17 fumble recoveries. Top 10 middle linebackers of all time - Pro Football Mania 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. They changed the way football is played on every level. Joyner capped his career off by winning a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos in his final season. High school: Crestwood High School (Mantua, Ohio), Career highlights: Four-time Super Bowl champion (1974, 1975, 1978, 1979), nine-time Pro Bowl (1975-83), eight-time All-Pro (1975, 1976, 1978-83), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1976), NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1974), NFL 100th Anniversary Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1990). 8-time Pro Bowler Before the turn of the century, two of the best middle linebackers of all time were Lawrence Taylor andJack Lambert. . Over his career Nitschke would rack up 25 career interceptions while being named First Team All-Pro in 11 different seasons. When it comes to which linebacker should be at the top of the Top 10 Middle Linebackers All-Time, Mike Singletary is well worth consideration for the slot. Willie Lanier, Kansas City Chiefs (1967-77) How deep was Nitschke in pop culture during his career? 7-time first-team All-Pro The Best Buffalo Bills Linebackers of All Time - Ranker "I'm Samurai Mike, I stop 'em cold," was the start of his "Super Bowl Shuffle" verse. Karlos Dansby was tall for an NFL inside linebacker at 6-foot-4, and he made plays all over the field. You could say he was as close to a Lawrence Taylor version of a linebacker the NFL ever had before we got the real thing. Marshall wasn't just a pass coverage linebacker though,. Robinson's name has been somewhat lost to history because he played next to the great Ray Nitschke, on Nitschke's left side. Taylor's dominance changed the way football is played on every level, from how offensive lines block to the way teams teach how to rush the quarterback. Bills middle linebacker race hinges upon where third-round pick Dorian Once drafted, Buoniconti became one of the teams best defensive players despite his lack of size. Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. was the top pick for Commanders General Manager Martin Mayhew, left, and . We asked 50 experts to vote for the NFL's all-time greatest edge rusher, cornerback and kicker. The two-time Super Bowl champ is one of the greatest overall defenders in NFL history. Posted 8 Days Ago 1. Super Bowl XXXIX champion, The foreman of the Steel Curtain defense, Butkus punished ball carriers and crushed spirits. This is the eighth of 11 positional breakdowns leading up to the NFL Draft (April 27-29). Kendricks has graded at 91.7 over the last two years according to PFF. Super Bowl XXVII champion Forester was a nondescript linebacker for his first six seasons with the Packers, until Lombardi was hired in 1959 and the SMU product's career took off. Gradishar also was a six-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler. Analysis by Sam Fortier. But he'll always be best known for his role on the Bears' Super Bowl-winning team of 1985 that featured arguably the best defense in NFL history. Jordan had one of the signature moments in Cowboys history when he picked off Cincinnati quarterback Ken Anderson three times in one quarter, all within five minutes, and returned one of those 31 yards for a touchdown. Over his career, Lanier made a name for himself for his aggressive tackling abilities earning him the nickname Contact. On paper, Gradishar's resume was much better than Mecklenburg's career accolades. Who are the 3 Greatest Middle Linebackers of All Time? Bills draft Dorian Williams: Does Tulane product give Buffalo what it He played with an amazing amount of fire and determination without bringing much attention to himself. Born: Oct. 27, 1929 (Waynesburg, Pennsylvania), Died: Sept. 30, 1982 (Rockford, Illinois), High School: Central High School (Waynesburg, Pennsylvania), Teams: Chicago Bears (1952-65), Los Angeles Rams (1966), Career highlights: NFL champion (1963), eight-time All-Pro (1955-61, 1963), NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1974). But what sets the great ones apart from the rest of the pack? That would end up being an anomaly in Dansby's career. 2-time first-team All-Pro The league's top prospects stepped into the NFL Photo studio for Draft portraits. This stroke of genius created not only the middle linebacker position, but the 4-3 defense. Born: April 18, 1962 (Titusville, Florida), High school: Astronaut High School (Titusville, Florida), Teams: Chicago Bears (1984-87), Washington Football Team (1988-92), Houston Oilers (1993), Arizona Cardinals (1994), New York Jets (1995), Career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (1986, 1991), three-time Pro Bowl (1986, 1987, 1992), three-time All-Pro (1986, 1991, 1992), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1992). Here's a crazy thing about James Farrior. Here is every player who has ever held the position of New Orleans Saints starting linebacker. Born: Sept. 1, 1965 (Compton, California), High school: Verbum Dei High School (Los Angeles), Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers (1987-92), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1993-99), Jacksonville Jaguars (2000-01), Green Bay Packers (2002), Career highlights: Five-time Pro Bowl (1993, 1996-99), four-time All-Pro (1993, 1996, 1997, 1999), NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. 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. Welcome to draft season! 6. April 19, 2023 5 PM PT. Super Bowl XXXIV champion25. During his AFL career, Buoniconti earned six AFL All-Star honors and five First Team All-AFL. Super Bowl XL champion A post shared by Juan Diaz (@juandiaz0620). Bobby Bell could do it all. Gil Brandt's greatest NFL linebackers of all time Photos Home 100 Greatest Photos Game Galleries Gil Brandt's greatest NFL linebackers of all time NFL.com senior analyst and personnel. Nobis was the first overall pick in the 1966 NFL draft and the first player picked by the expansion Atlanta Falcons. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 240 pounds, Robert Brazile dominated on the field and had one of the greatest nicknames ever. Brooking was incredibly consistent throughout his career. The middle linebacker position is the equivalent of the quarterback position on defense. If you're ever asked what the perfect size, speed and level of skill you would create for an NFL linebacker, Derrick Johnson should come to mind. When most football fans think of the Steelers' defense, they think about. The 37 sacks he collected in kelly green puts Joyner atop that list of Eagles' linebackers 1. Briggs made seven consecutive Pro Bowls while playing for the Chicago Bears alongside another great linebacker, Brian Urlacher. 2-time first-team All-Pro It is hard to look past Jack Lambert as one of the Top 10 Middle Linebackers All-Time based on his career resume and his play on the football field. Born: Jan. 19, 1932 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), High school: Brentwood High School (Brentwood, Pennsylvania), Career highlights: Two-time NFL champion (1953, 1957), 10-time All-Pro (1954-63), 10-time Pro Bowl (1954-63), NFL Defensive Most Valuable Player (1960, 1963), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1973). By the time Tommy Nobis left the University of Texas, he was as famous as any player in the NFL, having already appeared on the cover of Life, Sports Illustrated and Time magazines for his accomplishments. 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. Mecklenburg anchored Denver's defense with safety Steve Atwater and helped lead Denver to three AFC titles, but the Broncos lost all three of those Super Bowls. At 6-foot-3 and 241 pounds, his combination of speed and athleticism would make the Hall of Famer even more valuable in today's league than he was in his era. Born: Nov. 12, 1980 (Los Angeles, California), High school: Elk Grove High School (Elk Grove, California), Career highlights: Three-time NFL All-Pro (2005, 2006, 2009), seven-time Pro Bowl (2005-11). For Fortunato, it was Dick Butkus, and for Gradishar, it was Karl Mecklenburg. In Forester's final five seasons, he made all four of his Pro Bowls, all five of his All-Pro teams and helped lead Green Bay to its first two NFL titles under Lombardi. 1985 Defensive Player of the Year His talent has already made him a rich, rich man. In 11 dominant NFL seasons, Dave Wilcox only missed one game due to injury and confounded opposing offenses with his ability to elude blocks at the most basic level. It's hard to claim that anyone other than the great Lawrence Taylor is the best linebacker ever. Other than having one of the coolest names in NFL history, Takeo Spikes was also one of the most durable linebackers of all time. 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. Tragically, Seau took his own life in 2012, at 43 years old. Be the first one to comment on this story. 2009 NFL Butkus Award winner He also is the Bills' career leading tackler. Fan Rankings is a registered trademark of Fan Rankings LLC. 2020 Stats: 69 Solo, 0 Sacks, 0 FF, 3 INT. Playing defensive tackle/end for the first two seasons of his NFL career, Connor became a linebacker when Bears head coach George Halas wanted to try and find a way to neutralize Philadelphia running back Steve Van Buren, so he had Connor stand up outside of the tight end to check Van Buren. The latest in an historic line of Hall of Fame caliber Bears middle linebackers, Urlacher has produced 41.5 sacks, 22 INTs returned for 324 yards and two TDs, 11 forced fumbles and 15 fumble recoveries returned for 177 yards and one TD during his career. Report: Cardinals decline to pick up Isaiah Simmons' 5th-year option 1-time Pro Bowler His 160 sacks is the most among linebackers. Willie Lanier played in an era of football best defined by his hitting style which mainly consisted of him trying to put the crown of his helmet through your sternum. Hall of Fame, Class of 2006 They often are the quarterbacks of the defense, and many of them possess physical talents few have ever seen on a football field. NFL's best players ever at every defensive position - ESPN He's also the greatest defensive player of all time. Born: Feb. 22, 1991 (Fort Pierce, Florida), High school: Westwood High School (Fort Pierce, Florida), Teams: Oakland Raiders (2014-17), Chicago Bears (2018-present), Career highlights: NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2016), three-time All-Pro (2015, 2016, 2018), five-time Pro Bowl (2014-19), NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. He's also already made six All-Pro teams, six Pro Bowls and banked almost $100 million in career earnings. 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. In addition, Seau was named First Team All-Pro in six different seasons including three straight from 1992 to 1994. Lewis, who was selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the teams 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. The on-field brains behind Mike Ditka and Buddy Ryans famed 1985 Bears defense, Singletary is undeniably one of the greatest to ever play the position.5. Here is every player who has ever held the position of San Francisco 49ers starting linebacker. Tiania Baul "Junior" Seau was a football unicorn a linebacker who played 20 seasons in the NFL and dominated almost every step of the way. The Packers were an unstoppable force on both sides of the ball with the defensive playing a key role in the teams success. Ken Norton Jr., Dallas Cowboys (1988-93), San Francisco 49ers (1994-2000) Over his career, Lambert recorded 1,479 career tackles with 28 interceptions and 23.5 career sacks. He joined the military for two years out of high school before going to play football for the University of North Carolina. The No. 1994 Walter Payton Man of the Year 8 on the all-time list, Atlanta Falcons, 1966-1976 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time, Houston Oilers, 1975-1984 Elected to the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in 2018 Voted to seven Pro Bowls, named First Team All-Pro five times NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1975) NFL 1970s All-Decade Team member Finished career with 48 sacks, 1,281 tackles, and 13 interceptions, Kansas City Chiefs, 1967-1977 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Carolina Panthers 2012-present Voted to Pro Bowl five times, four-time First Team All-Pro NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2013) NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2012) 818 career tackles, 10.5 sacks, 15 interceptions, Buffalo Bills, 1987-1995; Atlanta Falcons, 1996-1998; Indianapolis Colts, 1999-2000 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once Recorded 71.5 career sacks Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, San Francisco 49ers, 1964-1974 Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Pittsburgh Steelers, 1974-1984 Four-time Super Bowl champion Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Chicago Bears, 2000-2012 Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times Recorded 41.5 career sacks and 1,040 career tackles, New Orleans Saints, 1981-1993; San Francisco 49ers 1994-1995 One-time NFL champion Voted to six Pro Bowls Recorded 128 career sacks, which ranks No. Poll : Are these the 3 Greatest Middle Linebackers of All-Time? Raiders post-draft depth chart: Will any of the rookies be Week 1 The big-play machine from Waco, Texas, was one of the greatest linebackers in Longhorns program history. The 1976 Defensive Player of the Year helped the Steelers win four Super Bowls (IX, X, XIII, XIV). Born: June 3, 1959 (Neptune City, New Jersey), Died: April 18, 2005 (age 45, Charlotte, North Carolina), High school: Long Branch High School (Long Branch, New Jersey), Teams: New Orleans Saints (1986-94), Carolina Panthers (1995-97), Career highlights: Five-time Pro Bowl (1987, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1996), three-time All-Pro (1991, 1992, 1996). His production would not slow as he helped from the Steelers Steel Curtain defense and helped lead the Steelers to four Super Bowl Championships. It's on Sean McDermott & Co. to coach up whoever mans the middle. The Best New Orleans Saints Linebackers of All Time - Ranker Introduction David cashed in with a Super Bowl victory following the 2020 season. In a testament to the influence that karate had in the U.S. in the 1980s and what a freak of nature Tippett is he's also a sixth-degree black belt. He returned to play the rest of the season with a specially made helmet because his jaw was wired shut. Bednarik is most famous for his 1960 tackle of Giants running back Frank Gifford, who was knocked unconscious on the play and out of football for almost two years. 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.