Ranking the nfc south’s linebackers.

[TheFatboi 24,059]

Falcons ranked #1 

 

https://www.atlantafalcons.com/_mobileview/news/ranking-the-nfc-south-s-linebackers-falcons-panthers-boast-talented-units 

 

Ranking the NFC South’s linebackers: Falcons, Panthers boast talented units

 

Will McFadden

ATLANTAFALCONS.COM

 

 

AP Photos

The NFC South is home to two of the best linebackers in the NFL, and it added a pair of top-tier athletes at the position in this year’s draft.

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Linebackers have become more versatile and athletic as the game has evolved, and that is certainly true within a division that features Deion Jones and Luke Kuechly. With the Buccaneers and Panthers moving towards a 3-4 scheme this offseason, their linebacker units will look slightly different than in recent seasons, but that should only make them more interesting to watch.

As a reminder, for the duration of these NFC South position group rankings I will be rating the groups on a 1-4 scale in five different categories with No. 1 being the best and No. 4 being the worst. For a refresher on what each category means, click here.

 

AP/Bill Feig

T-4. New Orleans Saints

Average score: 3.4

• Top player: Demario Davis
• Drop-off factor: 3
• Group production: 4
• Best player: 4
• Consistency: 2
• Depth: 4

The Saints have some really talented players on their defense, such as Cameron Jordan and Marshon Lattimore, but their linebacker group is a relative weak link. Demario Davis, who had 110 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss and five sacks in 2018, headlines the group, and fellow starters A.J. Klein and Alex Anzalone are back in the fold as well. That trio combined for 239 tackles, 21 tackles for a loss and nine sacks last season, but there is very little depth behind those three.

New Orleans used its final draft pick to select former Idaho linebacker Kaden Elliss, but it’s unlikely he will make a major impact in his first season. Craig Robertson, who had 14 tackles and a sack in 2018, is the primary veteran backup for the moment.

 

AP/Mark Humphrey

T-4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Average score: 3.4

• Top player: Lavonte David
• Drop-off factor: 4
• Group production: 3
• Best player: 3
• Consistency: 4
• Depth: 3

Tampa Bay’s linebacker corps has been fairly underrated for the past few seasons, but many of the players who made it so are gone as the Buccaneers transition to a 3-4 scheme. Lavonte David, the leader of the group is back, but Kwon Alexander and Adarius Taylor, who combined for 105 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles and two sacks, are not. Their absence will be felt, but the Buccaneers are hoping to have found their linebacker of the future in Devin White, the fifth-overall pick in this year’s draft.

Thus far, White has reportedly received rave reviews from his teammates and coaches, and it looks like he’s clearly in line to be a starter on Day 1. The Buccaneers added Shaquil Barrett and Deon Bucannon in free agency, but Bucannon is really a hybrid safety/linebacker whose role decreased last season in Arizona and Barrett is more of a rush specialist than all-around linebacker. Tampa Bay’s transition to a 3-4 makes their group a little tough to evaluate as defensive ends like Noah Spence and Carl Nassib could transition to an outside linebacker role.

 

AP/Phelan M. Ebenhack

2. Carolina Panthers

Average score: 2

• Top player: Luke Kuechly
• Drop-off factor: 2
• Group production: 2
• Best player: 1
• Consistency: 3
• Depth: 2

The Panthers could make a strong claim for the top spot on this list. Not only do they have arguably the best linebacker in the NFL in Luke Kuechly, but they’ve added some quality pieces this offseason as they too start a switch over to a 3-4 scheme. Shaq Thompson returns alongside Kuechly as the Panthers’ primary inside linebackers, and the duo combined for 209 tackles, 24 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. Panthers legend Thomas Davis is no longer with the team after leaving in free agency, and his departure will likely be felt.

But as Carolina transitions its defense to a new scheme, the Panthers have brought in some notable names to play on the outside. Bruce Irvin signed with the team in the offseason, and he seems to be a strong candidate to start at outside linebacker as a pass rusher. The team also used its first pick in the draft to select Brian Burns, an athletic freak out of Florida State who was billed as one of the top prospects in this year’s class. This group will look different than in year’s past, but there is undoubtedly talent there and Kuechly is still a legitimate All-Pro.

 

1. Atlanta Falcons

Average score: 1.2

• Top player: Deion Jones
• Drop-off factor: 1
• Group production: 1
• Best player: 2
• Consistency: 1
• Depth: 1

Losing Deion Jones for much of the 2018 season was perhaps the most significant injury the Falcons suffered last season, which speaks volumes about his importance given who else the team lost. Jones’ range, instincts and tackling ability are simply instrumental in everything the Falcons do defensively. During his Pro Bowl-caliber season in 2017, Jones recorded 138 tackles – fourth most among all NFL linebackers – 10 tackles for a loss, 10 pass defenses and three interceptions.

But what earns the Falcons the top spot on this list is that the guys around Jones are really good, too. De’Vondre Campbell does not get the level of attention he deserves, partially because of who he’s playing next to, and he’s recorded 186 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks and four pass defenses over the last two seasons.

One of the best surprises for Atlanta in 2018 was sixth-round pick Foye Oluokun, a little-known player out of Yale. After Jones went down, Oluokun stepped up in a big way, earning 91 tackles despite starting just seven games. With veteran depth courtesy of Bruce Carter, Duke Riley and Kemal Ishmael behind a very good starting three, the Falcons are in great shape at linebacker.

 

 

[VTCrunkler 3,284]

We had a huge drop off factor last season. 

I agree with the list. 

[gazoo 17,930]

91 tackles with 7 starts for Foye. 

Insanity. I assure you DQ is going to find a way to get this cat on the field a lot this year

 

[NeonDeion 4,996]

Ok we’re 1 in LBs but 2 in WRs? Wut

[Yo_Lover 18,431]

My favorite part about this board is player A can do one thing and be **** on for it but player B do the same thing and get praised for it.

[gazoo 17,930]

42 minutes ago, NeonDeion said:

Ok we’re 1 in LBs but 2 in WRs? Wut

yeah, that's crazy. Julio, Ridley and Sanu….I'm sorry but it jus doesn't get better than that.

[NeonDeion 4,996]

2 minutes ago, gazoo said:

yeah, that's crazy. Julio, Ridley and Sanu….I'm sorry but it jus doesn't get better than that.

I mean if he put Car LBs above us I wouldn’t disagree. But anyone above our wr core in the entire league is plain stupid 

Julio - HOFer

Free - Pro-bowler

Hoop - Pro-bowler 

Ridley - Future Pro-bowl (possible All-Pro)

Sanu - one of the best #2 in the league 

Edited Thursday at 03:56 AM by NeonDeion

[TheFatboi 24,059]

3 hours ago, NeonDeion said:

I mean if he put Car LBs above us I wouldn’t disagree. But anyone above our wr core in the entire league is plain stupid 

Julio - HOFer

Free - Pro-bowler

Hoop - Pro-bowler 

Ridley - Future Pro-owl (possible All-Pro)

Sanu - one of the best #2 in the league 

Free and hoop aren’t wr’s. I guess they’re saying after Ridley it’s just guys. 

[NeonDeion 4,996]

10 minutes ago, TheFatboi said:

Free and hoop aren’t wr’s. I guess they’re saying after Ridley it’s just guys. 

The article included Kamara when they said Saints were #1

[dmo_dlo 2,184]

Homerism

[DawnOfThemBirds 10,959]

1 hour ago, dmo_dlo said:

Homerism

 

Not really.

 

Saints LBs aren't that good. Bucs pretty much have an all new LB unit. Panthers are good at LB, but it isn't what it used to be when Thomas Davis was in his prime to pair with Kuechly.

[WhenFalconsWin 21,612]

I'm a little shocked that we're #1.

[Smiler11 4,447]

There is not a lot of difference between 1, 2 and 3. Saints clearly have the weakest LB unit. 

[UGABOZ 1,297]

cant take this article serious 

[Jpg428gggg 550]

Surprised we are first. The NFC south has some amazing linebackers. Wouldn’t shock me to see Tampa as the top team next year. David and White should be a great combo.

[The Great American 3,418]

2 hours ago, WhenFalconsWin said:

I'm a little shocked that we're #1.

Duke Riley put us on top. 

[WhenFalconsWin 21,612]

Just now, The Great American said:

Duke Riley put us on top. 

[vel 22,494]

But this place kept saying we're ridiculously thin at LB....

[ZoneOne01 1,202]

I’m not getting the skepticism about the linebackers. Riley is the only player that is cheeks and he’s not even going to play that much. 

[DawnOfThemBirds 10,959]

27 minutes ago, vel said:

But this place kept saying we're ridiculously thin at LB....

 

Exactly,

 

The Debo, Campbell, Oluokun trio will be a really good one in 2019.

 

Debo is a top 5 LB. Campbell and Oluokun are both more than capable to have 100+ tackles and hold their own in coverage.

[DawnOfThemBirds 10,959]

1 hour ago, Jpg428gggg said:

Surprised we are first. The NFC south has some amazing linebackers. Wouldn’t shock me to see Tampa as the top team next year. David and White should be a great combo.

 

They also have Deone Buchanan. He has fallen off bit in recent seasons but he could be pretty good for them if he gets it together and put on more weight.

[Atlantafan21 4,439]

6 hours ago, TheFatboi said:

Free and hoop aren’t wr’s. I guess they’re saying after Ridley it’s just guys. 

Well the saints have nobody after Michael Thomas. 

[ATLskinjob 92]

6 hours ago, vel said:

But this place kept saying we're ridiculously thin at LB....

Ok but this is the Atlanta Falcons website doing this ranking. Not exactly unbiased. 

[dmo_dlo 2,184]

We’re talking about Luke freaking Kuechly here!! Even if he had two Duke Rileys next to him, they would still be better than other LB groups in NFC south! 

[mtldirtybird 777]

10 hours ago, WhenFalconsWin said:

I'm a little shocked that we're #1.

same. Bucs seem better