Adrian Fedkiw
Each day leading up to the official start of the NFL football season, I will be providing you with player rankings, team previews, analysis, predictions, opinions and a whole lot more.
Top 50 NFL 4-3 Outside Linebackers
What I look for in an Inside Linebacker:
Instincts– It’s about recognition, reading the keys, diagnosing the play and get going before the snap of the football. Seeing the whole field, making the calls and adjustments.
Tackling- To secure a tackle you must hit coming up and keep the shoulders square. Having agility, balance, wrapping up and running through the ball carrier. Taking the correct angle and getting downhill quickly.
Leadership- The inside linebackers are the quarterbacks of the defense. They raise the intensity and set the tempo of the defense. Rallying them up and encouraging them in third down situations.
- Luke Kuechly (Car) 9
- NaVarro Bowman (SF) 8.3
- Bobby Wagner (Sea) 8.2
- Derrick Johnson (KC) 8.2
- Jerrell Freeman (Chi) 8
- Dont’a Hightower (NE) 8
- C.J. Mosley (Bal) 7.9
- Danny Trevathan (Chi) 7.9
- Lawrence Timmons (Pit) 7.8
- Brandon Marshall (Den) 7.8
- Brian Cushing (Hou) 7.7
- David Harris (NYJ) 7.7
- Wesley Woodyard (Ten) 7.6
- Deone Bucannon (Ari) 7.6
- Jordan Hicks (Phi) 7.6
- Avery Williamson (Ten) 7.5
- Ryan Shazier (Pit) 7.5
- Rolando McClain (Dal) 7.5
- Brooks Reed (Atl) 7.5
- Preston Brown (Buf) 7.5
- Demario Davis (Cle) 7.5
- Benardrick McKinney (Hou) 7.4
- Rey Maualuga (Cin) 7.4
- D’Qwell Jackson (Ind) 7.4
- Alec Ogletree (LA) 7.4
- Josh Mauga (KC) 7.4
- Vincent Rey (Cin) 7.4
- Paul Posluszny (Jax) 7.4
- Chris Kirksey (Cle) 7.3
- Eric Kendricks (Min) 7.3
- Keenan Robinson (NYG) 7.3
- Vince Williams (Pit) 7.3
- Denzel Perryman (SD) 7.3
- Sio Moore (Ind) 7.3
- James Laurinaitis (NO) 7.3
- Bruce Carter (NYJ) 7.3
- Perry Riley (Was) 7.3
- Christion Jones (Chi) 7.3
- Jake Ryan (GB) 7.3
- Jasper Brinkley (NYG) 7.3
- Ben Heeney (Oak) 7.3
- Darron Lee (NYJ) 7.3
- Mason Foster (Ws) 7.3
- Nate Irving (Den) 7.3
- Kiko Alonso (Mia) 7.2
- Will Compton (Was) 7.2
- Erin Henderson (NYJ) 7.2
- Gerald Hodges (SF) 7.2
- Paul Worrilow (Atl) 7.2
- Manti Te’o (SD) 7.2