Position Ranking: LB

Analysis
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Next on the list is LBs (excluding pass rush OLBs). Let’s rank em!

1 Erik Kendricks

Stud Middle LB that plays the run well and covers well. Solid on the blitz for the Vikings. Big-time talent.

2a Jamie Collins

Versatile LB than can play inside and out. He is good against the run and coverage and has a knack for getting sacks on the blitz. Lions got a big upgrade here with many productive years.

2b Deion Jones

A good cover LB for the Falcons. Very underrated in the league. Needs a little more work in run defense to move up in rankings.

2c Lavonte David

Another good coverage LB for the Bucs. Had a nice bounce back year in 2019 and ranked 3rd in the league. Has been good all but one year.

3a Demario Davis (Saints)

Had an elite year with two good years prior. Good veteran LB for the Saints.

3b Anthony Barr (Vikings)

Good pass rusher but struggled in run defense and coverage. 1st round pick that have to account for though so he gots bumped in rankings. 56th ranked in 2019 was suprisingly low. Maybe he should be more pure pass rush with Griffen gone

4a Kiko Alonso (Saints)

Good in coverage and above average in run defense. Has some health issues though

4b Shaq Thompson (Panthers)

Carolina 1st round pick that is finally blossoming into a good LB. Has big shoes to fill with Kuechly retired

4c Danny Trevathan (Bears)

Hasn’t lived up to big contract but just got re-signed. Good pass rusher and run defense but average in coverage. 66th ranked in 2019 was not good.

4d Roquan Smith (Bears)

Bears 1st round pick but hasn’t been living up to the hype.

5a Reggie Ragland (Lions)

Good in run defense but struggles in coverage. The former 2nd round pick has bounced to his third team but still has potential

5b Jahlani Tavai (Lions)

Above average as a rookie 2nd round pick in 2019. Better in run defense but average pass rush and coverage

5c Devin White (Bucs)

He did not have a good rookie year despite being hyped. Dealt with injury early. Tampa hopes he makes a big jump

5d Jarrad Davis (Lions)

He can blitz well. Has the speed to cover but just does too much. Overruns gaps but has good years of run defense. Last chance for this 1st round pick as the 5th year option got declined. Collins should help him out with having to do less

5e Zach Baun (Saints)

Saints 3rd round draft pick in 2020 that has potential in run defense and pass rush

6a Foyesde Olukun (Falcons)

Above average all around in 310 snaps.

6b Eric Wilson (Vikings)

Had a nice above average year in his first real action for the Vikings at Will LB.

6c Tahir Whitehead (Panthers)

Average LB that had early promise in Detroit behind Suh/Ngata. Comes from Raiders to Panthers to replace Kuechly. Woof. Good luck with that

6d Alex Anzalone (Saints)

Oft injured but can be solid LB. Above average in 2018 though

7a Christian Kirksey (Packers)

Oft-injured and bad ILB other than early in Cleveland.

7b Oren Burks (Packers)

Injured his rookie year but is a 3rd round pick with potential.

Backups

Jaleen Reeves Mabin is anverage at best and doesn’t fit Lions scheme. Has some coverage skills but is a great ST player. Same with Miles Killebrew for Detroit as both are 4th round picks. Joel Oguneyebe is a 4th round 2018 pick backup ILB for the Bears. Kendell Beckwith 3rd round backup LB from 2017 draft. Mykal Walker is 4th round pick from Falcons this year. Deonne Buchannon is a first round bust the Falcons added cheap as well. Craig Robertson is another veteran for the Saints. Ben Gedeon has been a starter at Will for the Vikings. Cameron Smith is 5th round backup ILB for Minnesota. Ty Summers and Curtis Bolton are the Packers backup ILBs.