The league's top prospects stepped into the NFL Photo studio for Draft portraits. 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. 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). High school: Vale High School (Vale, Oregon), Career highlights: Four-time All-Pro (1967, 1971-73), seven-time Pro Bowl (1966, 1968-73), Pro Football Hall of Fame (2000). 15 on the all-time list Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Philadelphia Eagles, 1949-1962 Two-time NFL champion Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Chicago Bears, 1981-1992 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro seven times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Green Bay Packers, 1963-1972; Washington Redskins 1973-1974 Three-time NFL champion Voted to three Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, San Diego Chargers, 1990-2002; Miami Dolphins, 2003-2005; New England Patriots, 2006-2009 Voted to 12 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times Recorded 56.5 career sacks and 1,522 career tackles Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Los Angeles Rams, 1985-1992; Pittsburgh Steelers, 1993-1995; Carolina Panthers, 1996, 1998-1999; San Francisco 49ers, 1997 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Recorded 160 career sacks, which ranks No. Mar 23. No player has been as consistent on the defensive side of the ball, start to finish, as Ray Lewis was in his 17 seasons for the Baltimore Ravens. Not bad for a seventh-round draft pick that the Lions weren't even sure would be able to make their roster. It's actually confounding why more of a Hall of Fame case hasn't been made for Thomas. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. 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). 2-time first-team All-Pro How deep was Nitschke in pop culture during his career? Alongside Hall of Famer Rickey Jackson, Sam Mills and Vaughan Johnson, Swilling wreaked havoc on opposing offenses. Something else inside of Lambert, best defined by the toothless, screaming pictures of him during games when he took out his dentures, made him the toughest. To his teammates, his eyes stood for leadership. In one of the greatest single rounds for any team in NFL draft history, the Rams used their two 1971 first-round picks on Robertson and NFL Hall of Fame defensive lineman Jack Youngblood. 9-time Pro Bowler Robertson's size, speed and athleticism often made the difference in games for the Rams. However, it is often looked past how important the middle linebacker position is to the defensive side of the ball with many teams using this position to help command the defense. Analysis by Sam Fortier. Once drafted, Buoniconti became one of the teams best defensive players despite his lack of size. 1970 Defensive Player of the Year A two-way player who also played center on offense, Bednarik was in the middle of the action on both sides of the ball ask Frank Gifford.9. Williams was the seventh-best linebacker by Brugler and was not on his Top 100. ", 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). Jack Lambert, Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-84)Hall of Fame, Class of 1990 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. 13 on the all-time list Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Keith Brooking was an understated, dominant player for two teams, the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys. Super Bowl XIII champion He was in The Monkees' cult-favorite film "Head" and also in the original "The Longest Yard" starring Burt Reynolds. Analysis: Nothing against this group of . He also is the Bills' career leading tackler. Marshall wasn't just a pass coverage linebacker though,. Lanier was one of two Hall of Famers in the Kansas City linebacker corps during his era, alongside Bobby Bell, but it was Lanier who led the defense from his middle linebacker spot. 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). The 1976 Defensive Player of the Year helped the Steelers win four Super Bowls (IX, X, XIII, XIV). High school: Matoaca High School (Chesterfield, Virginia), Teams:New York Jets (1997-2001), Pittsburgh Steelers (2002-11), Career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (2005, 2008), two-time Pro Bowl (2004, 2008), two-time NFL All-Pro (2004, 2008). Lambert averaged 146 tackles through his first 10 seasons, but only played a handful of games in his 11th season because of a toe injury that led to his retirement. 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. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. That includes Super Bowl wins in 2000 and 2012, with the latter coming in Lewis' final game. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. One of our representatives will be in touch shortly. 8-time Pro Bowler Porter's 40% forced incompletion rate in 2022 led all Power Five cornerbacks. They play fast from sideline to sideline. These are the greatest linebackers in NFL history. Donnie Edwards was an undersized linebacker who made plays all over the field during a 13-year career in the NFL, first for the Kansas City Chiefs, then for his hometown San Diego Chargers. In addition, Lewis was a two time Defensive Player of the Year, seven time First Team All-Pro and a 13 time Pro Bowler. George died in a car accident in 1982, at 53 years old. No questions asked. Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens (1996-2012)2000 Defensive Player of the Year 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. 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). Richter, who died of a brain aneurysm in 2010, had a lengthy career in motorsports after his football career was over and is a member of both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Motorsports Hall of Fame. Renowned for his elite combination of size and speed, Tippett was scary coming off the edge and racked up 100 career sacks, which is still the Patriots' franchise record. The last 60-minute man in NFL history, Chuck Bednarik dominated on both sides of the ball for the Philadelphia Eagles. 5-time first-team All-Pro 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. Like Lewis, Lawrence Taylor is also one of the most feared defenders in NFL history. These all-time greats have electrified crowds with their energy and leadership and delivered on the field as some of the NFL's best defensive players ever. Super Bowl XL champion Pappoe is a well-rounded linebacker whose speed stands out as a major strength of his on tape. The 37 sacks he collected in kelly green puts Joyner atop that list of Eagles' linebackers 1. High school: Vigor High School (Pritchard, Alabama), Career highlights: Seven-time Pro Bowl (1976-82), six-time All-Pro (1976-81), NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1981), NFL 1970s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (2018). He took his skills as a free agent to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he won two Super Bowls. Join the contest by ranking below. But for all his individual success, he never made the playoffs.4. Eight of those he made the All-Pro team and the Pro Bowl, with back-to-back NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards in 1969 and 1970. Edwards' name jumps off the page when you look at the NFL career leaders list for tackles, where he clocks in at No. Talley was on all four of Buffalos AFC title teams that lost in the Super Bowl and finished his career with 1,252 tackles, 38.5 sacks and 29 takeaways. If you want to know where the modern concept of an outside linebacker came from, start with George Connor. 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. Super Bowl XXXV champion Others: Darien Butler, Amari Burney, Kana'i Mauga , Drake Thomas. 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. The race for the best linebacker in NFL history can be narrowed down to five people: the aforementioned Butkus, Lewis, and Singletary, along with Jack Lambert and Willie Lanier. Darryl Talley was a physical and athletic marvel during his playing career, and his consistency was truly something to behold. Arizona had until May 2 to make a final . With this responsibility and how important the game has evolved, the MLB position has produced many great players over the years. 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. The former North Carolina Tar Heel is both a member of the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team and the 100th Anniversary Team. Veteran A.J. 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. Since debates about who is the best linebacker in Bears history are fun, frequent and never-ending, we . Bobby Bell could do it all. A little-known fact about Talley: He's the cousin of Baseball Hall of Famer and Miami Marlins owner Derek Jeter. 9-time Pro Bowler Born: Jan. 25, 1985 (Bruceton, Tennessee), High school: Central High School (Bruceton, Tennessee), Career highlights: Seven-time Pro Bowl (2007-13), six-time All-Pro (2007-12), NFL 2010s All-Decade team, NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2007). High school: Champion High School (Champion Township, Ohio), Career highlights: Seven-time Pro Bowl (1975, 1977-79, 1981-83), six-time All-Pro (1977-81, 1983), seven-time All-AFC (1976-79, 1981-83), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1978). Hardy Nickerson, Pittsburgh Steelers (1987-92), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (93-99), Jacksonville Jaguars (2000-01), Green Bay Packers (02) Nobis was the first overall pick in the 1966 NFL draft and the first player picked by the expansion Atlanta Falcons. 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. If Lawrence Taylor is the Michael Jordan of NFL linebackers, Carson was his Scottie Pippen. Chuck Howley thought his career was over due to a devastating knee injury just three games into the 1959 season with the Chicago Bears. 6-time first-team All-Pro 5 Patrick Willis Patrick L. Willis is a former American football inside linebacker who played his entire eight-year career with the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. ", High school: Miami Northwestern High School (Miami, Florida), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2021), three-time NFL All-Pro (2013, 2016, 2020), Pro Bowl (2015), NFL All-Rookie Team (2012). Hall of Fame, Class of 1982 London Fletcher, St. Louis Rams (1998-2001), Buffalo Bills (02-06), Washington Redskins (07-12) Wilber Marshall was one of the greatest pass coverage linebackers of the modern era. A post shared by BostonPride91 (@bostonpride91). . Samurai Mike had crazy eyes that struck fear into an opposing offense even before he laid the smack down. Not only is Ray Nitschke one of the best LBs in NFL history, he had an act at making something out of nothing. 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). 45:47. Fortunato, who was named one of the Bears 100 Greatest Players, did accomplish one thing that Butkus never would. 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. In his short time in the league, Willis made seven Pro Bowls, six All-Pro teams and banked over $50 million in career earnings. 1972 NFL Man of the Year 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). Its hard to argue with No. 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. 12 on the NFL's all-time list. A notorious freelancer, Seau notched 56.5 sacks, 18 INTs returned for 238 yards, 11 forced fumbles, 18 fumble recoveries and one TD while winning two AFC titles with the 1994 Chargers and 2007 Patriots.8. It's hard to claim that anyone other than the great Lawrence Taylor is the best linebacker ever. 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. He might have been the most intimidating human being to ever step on a football field.