The league's top prospects stepped into the NFL Photo studio for Draft portraits. 7-time first-team All-Pro London Fletcher represents one of the great underdog stories in NFL history. 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. Karlos Dansby was tall for an NFL inside linebacker at 6-foot-4, and he made plays all over the field. 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). Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus is one of those. He registered a league-leading 20.5 sacks en route to winning Defensive Player of the Year, NFL MVP, and Super Bowl XXI. High school: Vocational High School (Chicago), Career highlights: Eight-time Pro Bowl (1965-72), eight-time All-Pro (1965-72), two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1969, 1970), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1983). Kendricks has graded at 91.7 over the last two years according to PFF. They have the ability to rush the passer while also stepping back into coverage and shutting down passing lanes for opposing quarterbacks. He's fifth on the NFL career list with 1,734 tackles to go with 17 interceptions and 17 fumble recoveries. He led the NFL in tackles three times (1997, 1999, 2001) during his 17 years in Baltimore. George was known for his ability to play the defensive line as well as dropping back disrupting the passing lanes of opposing quarterbacks. 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. Samurai Mike had crazy eyes that struck fear into an opposing offense even before he laid the smack down. Mike Singletary, Chicago Bears (1981-92)Hall of Fame, Class of 1998 That didn't matter. High school: Woodlawn High School (Birmingham, Alabama), Teams: Arizona Cardinals (2004-09, 2013, 2017), Miami Dolphins (2010-12), Cleveland Browns (2014-15), Cincinnati Bengals (2016). No, Sensei Tippett! He also is the Bills' career leading tackler. Hall of Fame, Class of 1973 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. While quarterbacks have their hands on every play on offense to lead their teams to victory, it's much tougher for players to control the game by sheer force of will. If Lawrence Taylor is the Michael Jordan of NFL linebackers, Carson was his Scottie Pippen. 3-time first-team All-Pro Super Bowl XXXV champion He won an NFL championship for Chicago in 1963. 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. Staff writer. 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). 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. He's also the greatest defensive player of all time. The Top 10 NFL Linebackers of All Time - Bleacher Report College Football's Top 50 Linebackers of the BCS Era 1-time first-team All-Pro Richter didn't miss a game in nine seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and made seven All-Pro teams. 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. Top 10 NFL linebackers of all time | The TwinSpires Edge Born: Feb. 4, 1959 (Williamsburg, Virginia), High school: Lafayette High School (Williamsburg, Virginia), Career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl Champion (1986, 1990), NFL Most Valuable Player (1986), 10-time Pro Bowl (1981-90), 10-time All-Pro (1981-90), three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1981, 1982, 1986), NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1981), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1999). He only played on teams with winning records three times in his career and only made two playoff appearances. This list explores these reasons by looking at the three greatest middle linebackers of all time. Paup was a complete linebacker, who was especially great at rushing the passer. 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. He was a two-time NFL Defensive Most Valuable Player, led the Detroit Lions to two NFL championships and made both the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams every year for 10 consecutive years from 1954 to 1963. The 15 Greatest NFL Linebackers of All Time - Sportscasting He's been nothing but consistent since those days of Seahawks dominance in the league. Former VP of Player Personnel Gil Brandt's Top 10 Defensive Tackles of All Time! By Eddie Brown. Born: Feb. 9, 1945 (South Dayton, New York), High school: South Dayton High School (South Dayton, New York), Teams:Cincinnati Bengals (1969-73), Philadelphia Eagles (1974-80), Career highlights:Five-time Pro Bowl (1969, 1974, 1976-78), five-time All-Pro (1974-78). Les Richter was an amazing football player and had size and speed that could have landed him on NFL rosters in any era. Born: Nov. 26, 1953 (Florence, South Carolina), High school: Wilson High School (Florence, South Carolina), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1986), nine-time Pro Bowl (1978, 1979, 1981-87), six-time All-Pro (1978, 1981, 1982, 1984-86), Pro Football Hall of Fame (2006). 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. 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. 2007 Defensive Rookie of the Year But assistant coach Vince Lombardi tracked him down at the airport and convinced him to come back, and defensive coordinator Tom Landry made the decision to move him to middle linebacker. But what sets the great ones apart from the rest of the pack? 8-time Pro Bowler20. He might have been the most intimidating human being to ever step on a football field. 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. 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). 2-time first-team All-Pro For an optimal experience please rotate your device to portrait mode, After being considered by most teams too small, the Boston Patriots selected Nick Buoniconti with the teams 13. round selection. 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). If Bobby Wagner continues a few more years having the career he's had through his first nine seasons, you can start to make some very concrete arguments for him one day being a Hall of Famer. Keeping all aspects of the job in mind, we rank the top 25 greatest middle linebackers in NFL history. Marshall wasn't just a pass coverage linebacker though,. 8-time Pro Bowler 1985 Defensive Player of the Year Lambert's size and speed and ability to control a game from the middle linebacker position made him one of the greatest players of all time. 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. Over his career, Lambert recorded 1,479 career tackles with 28 interceptions and 23.5 career sacks. 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. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. High school: De La Salle High School (Chicago), Career highlights: Five-time All-Pro (1950-53, 1955), four-time Pro Bowl (1950-53), NFL 1940s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1975). 1978 Defensive Player of the Year Hall of Fame, Class of 2011 High school: Washington County High School (Sandersville, Georgia), Teams: Cincinnati Bengals (1998-2002), Buffalo Bills (2003-06), Philadelphia Eagles (2007), San Francisco 49ers (2008-10), San Diego Chargers (2011-12), Career highlights: Two-time Pro Bowl (2003, 2004), NFL All-Pro (2004). Robinson won three consecutive state championships in high school, then repeated a version of that feat in the NFL, winning three consecutive championships with one NFL title and two Super Bowls with the Green Bay Packers. 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. Brugler had both Wisconsin's Nick Herbig and Alabama's Henry To'oTo'o ranked ahead of Williams. That was the first of five consecutive seasons with at least 120 tackles. High school: Farmington High School (Farmington, West Virginia), Teams: New York Giants (1956-63), Washington Football Team (1964-67, 1969), Career highlights: NFL champion (1956), six-time All-Pro (1957-61, 1963), five-time Pro Bowl (1958-61, 1964), NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1982). Over his career, Lanier made a name for himself for his aggressive tackling abilities earning him the nickname Contact. In addition, Seau was named First Team All-Pro in six different seasons including three straight from 1992 to 1994. 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. He was 6-foot-3, 225 pounds and ran a 4.6-second 40-yard dash. It is fair to say that Taylor is perhaps the greatest defensive player ever. Sam Huff almost left his rookie training camp with the New York Giants when coaches couldn't find a position for him. The former Miami Hurricanes star was known for his ability to read defenses and his off the field preparation including studying game film to learn about his opponents. Veteran A.J. For starters, Lewis has the most combined tackles in NFL history (2,059). 16 on the all-time list Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, New York Giants, 1981-1993 Two-time Super Bowl champion Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro eight times Recorded 132.5 career sacks, which ranks No. 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. George realized this allowed the quarterback to easily drop passes right over his head, so he began to try and read the play and react, dropping into coverage at times when he realized it was a pass play. Super Bowl I champion Born: Jan. 9, 1969 (Oceanside, California), Died: May 2, 2012 (age 43, Oceanside, California), High school: Oceanside High School (Oceanside, California), Teams: San Diego Chargers (1990-2002), Miami Dolphins (2003-05), New England Patriots (2006-09), Career highlights: 12-time Pro Bowl (1991-2002), 10-time All-Pro (1991-2000), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1992), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (2015). Chad Brown was the type of player who could do almost anything on the defensive front. Les Richter, Los Angeles Rams (1954-62) There's a lot of reasons to love the way Dave Robinson played football mainly because he was a winner. An important part of the Buffalo defense, the LB position includes middle or inside linebackers and outside (strong side or weakside) linebackers. Bill Forester is one of the greatest examples of Vince Lombardi's genius as a coach. One thing Spikes never did? Born: April 18, 1973 (Pensacola, Florida), High school: Booker T. Washington High School (Pensacola, Florida), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2002), nine-time All-Pro (1997-2005), 11-time Pro Bowl (1997-2006, 2008), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2002), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (2014). 45:47. Ranking the 10 best linebackers in Raiders history The 2023 NFL Draft has arrived! There is a reason why he was a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2018. - http://www.nfl.com/photoessays/0ap3000000816217. Super Bowl XXXVIII champion New Orleans Saints, 1986-1994; Carolina Panthers, 1995-1997 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once Recorded 1,142 career tackles, New Orleans Saints, 1986-1992; Detroit Lions, 1993-1994; Oakland Raiders, 1995-1998 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice Recorded 107.5 career sacks, New York Giants, 1984-1992; Washington Redskins, 1993; Cleveland Browns, 1994-1995 Two-time Super Bowl champion Voted to one Pro Bowl, First Team All-Pro once Recorded 39.5 career sacks and 826 career tackles, Detroit Lions, 1988-1995; Buffalo Bills, 1996-1997 Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once Recorded 1,181 career tackles, Miami Dolphins, 1996-2007; Dallas Cowboys, 2008 Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times Recorded 1,100 career tackles, Los Angeles Rams, 1954-1962 Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Boston Patriots, 1962-1968; Miami Dolphins, 1969-1976 Two-time Super Bowl champion Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Cincinnati Bengals, 1969-1973; Philadelphia Eagles, 1974-1980 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice, Chicago Bears, 1955-1966 One-time NFL champion Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times, St. Louis Rams, 1998-2001; Buffalo Bills, 2002-2006; Washington Redskins, 2007-2013 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to four Pro Bowls Recorded 1,380 career tackles, Washington Redskins, 1965-1978 Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, New York Giants, 1976-1988 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to nine Pro Bowls Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, New York Giants, 1956-1963; Washington Redskins 1964-1969 One-time NFL champion Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Pittsburgh Steelers 2002-2012, 2014-2017; Cincinnati Bengals 2013; New England Patriots 2017 Two-time Super Bowl champion Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice Recorded 84.5 career sacks, 793 tackles, Denver Broncos, 1974-1983 Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1981-1985; Miami Dolphins, 1985-1991 Voted to two Pro Bowls, Dallas Cowboys, 1963-1976 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once, San Francisco 49ers, 2007-2014 Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times Recorded 732 tackles in eight career NFL seasons, New England Patriots, 1982-1993 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Chicago Bears, 1948-1955 Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Dallas Cowboys, 2005-2013; Denver Broncos, 2014-2016 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times Recorded 138.5 career sacks, which ranks No. The NFL's Top 50 Linebackers of the Modern Era Over his career Willis racked up 865 tackles to go with 20.5 sacks, 16 forced fumbles and eight interceptions. The 1976 Defensive Player of the Year helped the Steelers win four Super Bowls (IX, X, XIII, XIV). Who are the best linebackers in New Orleans Saints history? 1 Ray Lewis Lewis is widely considered one of the greatest middle linebackers of all time. Sanders could have the highest ceiling of all the middle linebacker . He returned to play the rest of the season with a specially made helmet because his jaw was wired shut. Willis played just eight seasons in the NFL, but that's kind of misleading. Vince Lombardis leader on defense, Nitschke (No. This stroke of genius created not only the middle linebacker position, but the 4-3 defense. His production would not slow as he helped from the Steelers Steel Curtain defense and helped lead the Steelers to four Super Bowl Championships. NFL.com senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt ranks the greatest linebackers in NFL history. In a 16-season career, he recorded an incredible 1,586 tackles. The quarterback position is long known to be the field general on the offensive side of the ball and the one position that handles the play calling duties. Lee Roy Jordan was undersized, at 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, but made up for it in talent and drive. Behind Lawrence Taylor, Andre Tippett was the most dominant NFL linebacker in the 1980s. All Rights Reserved. 5-time Pro Bowler 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. Bear Bryant called him one of the best players he ever coached at Alabama, where Jordan won a national title in 1961. Top 30 Linebackers in the NFL Since 1970 - The Grueling Truth Much like Chicago Bears linebacker Joe Fortunato, Randy Gradishar doesn't have the legacy he should be because of the player he directly preceded. James Farrior, New York Jets (1997-2001), Pittsburgh Steelers (02-11) 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. And he is the only middle linebacker to win multiple Super Bowls and multiple Defensive Player . 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). London Fletcher, St. Louis Rams (1998-2001), Buffalo Bills (02-06), Washington Redskins (07-12) Seth Joyner's career was a story in resilience. Chuck Bednarik Chuck Bednarik wasn't just one of the best Eagles linebackers he was THE BEST linebacker and one of the best players of all time. The Arizona Cardinals have declined to pick up linebacker Isaiah Simmons' fifth-year contract option, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The two-time Super Bowl champ is one of the greatest overall defenders in NFL history. Chuck Bednarik, Philadelphia Eagles (1949-62)Hall of Fame, Class of 1967 Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. was the top pick for Commanders General Manager Martin Mayhew, left, and . Robinson's name has been somewhat lost to history because he played next to the great Ray Nitschke, on Nitschke's left side. 5-time Pro Bowler15. Super Bowl IX champion That is the highest among all linebackers. Others to know: Rashee Rice (SMU), Jonathan Mingo (Ole Miss), A.T. Perry (Wake Forest) Linebacker. 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. For new posts and be up to date to win $50 to Fanatics or Amazon. The former North Carolina Tar Heel is both a member of the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team and the 100th Anniversary Team. 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. 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. Born: April 6, 1973 (San Diego, California), High school: Chula Vista High School (Chula Vista, California), Teams: Kansas City Chiefs (1996-2001, 2007-08), San Diego Chargers (2002-06), Career highlights: Two-time NFL All-Pro (2002, 2004), Pro Bowl (2002). Lawrence Taylor isn't just the greatest linebacker of all time. Harry Carson's career stats don't jump off the page 11 interceptions, 14 fumbles recovered, eight sacks but he's still one of the greatest NFL linebackers. Lewis recorded 2,059 career tackles, 41.5 sacks, 31 interceptions and forced 17 fumbles. Over his career, Bednarick helped guide the Eagles to two NFL Championships while being named to eight Pro Bowl teams and selected eight times as a First Team All-Pro. Super Bowl XXIX champion22. Few stories rival that of former NFL star Patrick Willis. 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. Then, he starred at the University of Nebraska, before returning to Florida, where he's been one of the best linebackers in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the last decade. 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. Lambert, who the Pittsburgh Steelers selected with the 46. 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. After leaving Chicago, Marshall proved he was elite by winning a Super Bowl and NFL Defensive Player of the Year with the Washington Football Team (then known as the Redskins). The Bears have fielded four of the best middle linebackers in NFL history: Dick Butkus, Bill George, Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher. Before the turn of the century, two of the best middle linebackers of all time were Lawrence Taylor andJack Lambert. 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. Willie Lanier, Kansas City Chiefs (1967-77) 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. The middle linebacker position is the equivalent of the quarterback position on defense. 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. Top 10 Linebackers in Arizona Cardinals History Ranking the top linebackers to ever suit up in the National Football League is far from easy. Here is my ranking of the top 10 Giants linebackers, along with some honorable mentions. Ken Norton Jr., Dallas Cowboys (1988-93), San Francisco 49ers (1994-2000) Fortunato, who was named one of the Bears 100 Greatest Players, did accomplish one thing that Butkus never would. 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. An all-time great Packer/NFL player. 2005, 2006, 2010), eight-time Pro Bowl (2000-03, 2005, 2006, 2010, 20110, NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2000), NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (2018). Featuring 2018-2019 SF 49ers and some of the greatest NFL linebackers of all time, the best 49ers LBs include Mike Walter, Dave Wilcox, Keena Turner, Willie Harper, and Julian Peterson. 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. The most famous member of the No Name Defense, Buoniconti is alleged to be the ringleader of the 1972 Dolphins annual champagne toast when the last undefeated team loses each season.10. Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers (2007-12) Keeping all aspects of the job in mind, we rank the top 25 greatest middle linebackers in NFL history. Top 10 Best NFL Linebackers of All Time - TheTopTens Born: Aug. 13, 1941 (Fort Bragg, North Carolina), High school: Hampton High School (Hampton, Virginia), Team: Washington Football Team (formerly Washington Redskins), Career highlights: Nine-time Pro Bowl (1966-69, 1972-76), six-time All-Pro (1969, 1972-76), Pro Football Hall of Fame (2011). Joe Schmidt, Detroit Lions (1953-65) High school: Pahokee High School (Pahokee, Florida), Teams: New Orleans Saints (1981-93), San Francisco 49ers (1994-95), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1994), six-time Pro Bowl (1983-86, 1992, 1993), five-time All-Pro (1984-86, 1992, 1993), Pro Football Hall of Fame (2010). That includes Super Bowl wins in 2000 and 2012, with the latter coming in Lewis' final game. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 240 pounds, Robert Brazile dominated on the field and had one of the greatest nicknames ever. Hall of Fame, Class of 1986 Bobby Bell could do it all. Who are the best linebackers in San Francisco 49ers history? 1969 Defensive Player of the Year Drew Sanders, Arkansas. Bednarik, who the Philadelphia Eagles selected with the first overall pick in the 1949 NFL Draft, helped build the Eagles into a defensive power house. 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). Wilber Marshall was one of the greatest pass coverage linebackers of the modern era. One of our representatives will be in touch shortly. He led the University of Minnesota to a national title in 1960, then won two AFL championships and a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs. 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.
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