NBA Best Bets of the Day (12/2)
Alex Christenson
The NFL season is flying by, so it is time to take a step back and evaluate some of the teams from now on to maximize our ability to win in fantasy. Every offseason at FTN, we look at each unit for every NFL team. Now seems like an appropriate time to re-evaluate these rankings.
So far we have focused on the trenches, updating the offensive line and defensive line rankings. This time we will focus on updating the linebacker groups for each team in the NFL.
Below you’ll find a comprehensive update of every team’s depth chart and performance up to this point. If you want to view the original rankings, check them out here.
2024 Linebacker Unit Midseason Rankings
1. New York Giants (3-4)
OLB: Brian Burns (INJ), ILB: Bobby Okereke, ILB: Micah McFadden, OLB: Azeez Ojulari
Preseason Rank: 7
The offseason acquisition of Brian Burns (85.8 PFF grade) has paid immediate dividends for the Giants. Burns is second on the team in pressures (27) and third in sacks (4). The loss of Kayvon Thibodeaux (16 pressures and two sacks) has been mitigated by the strong play of Azeez Ojulari (15 pressures and five sacks).
The off-ball linebacker combination of Bobby Okereke (67.9 PFF grade) and Micah McFadden (70.1 PFF grade) has also been formidable. The duo have combined for 83 tackles, 3.0 sacks and two forced fumbles.
FTN Stat to Know: Quarterbacks have the 11th-worst clean pocket rate against the Giants this year (65.4%).
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-4)
OLB: T.J. Watt, ILB: Payton Wilson, ILB: Patrick Queen, OLB: Alex Highsmith
Preseason Rank: 1
T.J. Watt (93.1 PFF grade) is the face of this defense, but the Steelers may have uncovered good complementary pass rushers (if they can stay healthy). Alex Highsmith (165 snaps) is having another solid season with a 74.3 PFF grade, 79.9 run defense grade, and 68.9 pass rush grade. Nick Herbig has played exceptionally well as a situational pass rusher as well, generating nine pressures and four sacks on just 79 pass rushes.
Pittsburgh isn’t getting many impact plays from their off-ball linebackers, but they are cleaning up well on the second level. Patrick Queen (47) and rookie Payton Wilson (36) are third and fourth respectively in tackles on the team this season.
FTN Stat to Know: Quarterbacks have the fifth lowest time to pressure against Pittsburgh (2.2 seconds).
3. Minnesota Vikings (3-4)
OLB: Jonathan Greenard, ILB: Blake Cashman, ILB: Ivan Pace Jr., OLB: Andrew Van Ginkel
Preseason Rank: 2
The Vikings have been able to attack quarterbacks on the edges with a combination of Jonathan Greenard (38 pressures and 5.0 sacks), Andrew Van Ginkel (18 pressures and 5.0 sacks) Pat Jones II (11 pressures and 5.0 sacks) this season. Van Ginkel has also added two interceptions and a touchdown. All three have logged over 200 snaps on defense, allowing the team to bring 2024 first-round pick Dallas Turner (three pressures and one sack) along slowly.
Blake Cashman (75.6 PFF grade) has been battling an injury but has been a difference-maker when healthy. He leads the team in tackles (40) and has added a sack and five passes defended. Ivan Pace Jr. is in the midst of a strong second season with 31 tackles, 2.0 sacks, a fumble recovery, and a touchdown.
FTN Stat to Know: Minnesota leads in defensive DVOA (-30.1%), over 10 points higher than the next closest team.
4. Cleveland Browns (4-3)
WLB: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, MLB: Jordan Hicks, SLB: Devin Bush
Preseason Rank: 18
Cleveland’s linebackers are the first 4-3 team on this list thanks to the exceptional play of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. The fourth-year linebacker has an 86.6 PFF grade, 92.4 run defense grade and 77.7 pass rush grade through seven games. He leads the team in tackles (54) and interceptions (1). He’s also third in pressures (11), sacks (2.0) and passes defended (3).
The team is also getting strong play from Jordan Hicks (68.2 PFF grade) and Devin Bush (72.3 PFF grade) in more limited snaps this season. Collectively this is a solid group of players that is achieving big things thanks to Owusu-Koramoah’s jack-of-all-trades ability.
FTN Stat to Know: Cleveland is fifth in blitz rate this season (38.9%).
5. Los Angeles Chargers (3-4)
OLB: Joey Bosa (INJ), ILB: Daiyan Henley, ILB: Denzel Perryman, OLB: Khalil Mack
Preseason Rank: 3
Khalil Mack continues to be a force of nature on the edge in his 11th season. Mack has a 90.2 PFF grade this season and leads the Chargers in pressures (18) and sacks (2.5). A nagging hip injury has limited Joey Bosa to just 56 snaps this season. Tuli Tuipulotu (65.8 PFF grade) is a solid replacement but doesn’t offer Bosa’s ceiling.
The combination of Daiyan Henley (69.7 PFF grade) and Denzel Perryman (57.0 PFF grade) have done their job cleaning up tackles on the second level. The duo have combined for 75 tackles on the season and have played well enough to keep 2024 third-round pick Junior Colson (41.9 PFF grade) on the bench.
FTN Stat to Know: The Chargers defense is fifth in defensive DVOA (-13.6%).
6. New York Jets (4-3)
WLB: Quincy Williams, MLB: C.J. Mosley, SLB: Jamien Sherwood
Preseason Rank: 4
The Jets have gotten a high level of play from all three of their off-ball linebackers despite C.J. Mosley struggling with injuries in 2024. All three players have logged at least 110 snaps with PFF grades and run defense grades above 74.0. Quincy Williams and Jamien Sherwood also have coverage grades above 72.0.
It will be especially hard to justify benching Sherwood with Mosley returning to full strength. He leads the team in tackles (62) and is third in tackles for loss (3). No matter who is on the field for the Jets at linebacker, the team knows they will get dependable play.
FTN Stat to Know: Running backs have the seventh-lowest juke rate against the Jets (1.1%).
7. Baltimore Ravens (3-4)
OLB: Kyle Van Noy, ILB: Roquan Smith, ILB: Trenton Simpson, OLB: Odafe Oweh
Preseason Rank: 8
Kyle Van Noy has continued his stellar 2023 season in Baltimore into 2024. The veteran edge rusher leads the team in sacks (6.0) and is second in pressures (18). Odafe Oweh (76.7 PFF grade) has developed nicely into an edge rusher as well, racking up 15 pressures and 3.5 sacks on 166 pass rush snaps this season.
Roquan Smith’s play has taken a slight step back this season, but he’s still making a consistent impact as a tackler (56 total tackles) and in the passing game (three passes defended and one interception). Trenton Simpson has proven to be a solid linebacker in his second season with a 65.2 PFF grade and 30 tackles.
FTN Stat to Know: Baltimore is fifth in QB hit rate this season (18.3%).
8. Washington Commanders (4-3)
WLB: Frankie Luvu, MLB: Bobby Wagner
Preseason Rank: 13
Bobby Wagner is the ageless wonder. Wagner has an 84.9 PFF grade, 91.6 run defense grade, 80.1 tackling grade and an 86.7 pass rush on 400 snaps played in 2024. He leads Washington in total tackles (62) and is tied for first in tackles for loss (6). He’s also got 2.0 sacks, one pass defended and a forced fumble this season.
His strong play has overshadowed another fantastic season from Frankie Luvu. The veteran linebacker is making a big impact all over the field in his first year with Washington. He’s second on the team in tackles (43) and sacks (4.0). He’s generated 18 pressures, has five quarterback hits, four tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.
Wagner’s football IQ and Luvu’s athletic ability make this one of the best linebacker airings in the NFL today.
FTN Stat to Know: Washington is seventh in blitz rate (34.3%).
9. Cincinnati Bengals (4-3)
WLB: Germaine Pratt, MLB: Logan Wilson, SLB: Akeem Davis-Gaither
Preseason Rank: 29
Germaine Pratt and Logan Wilson have done everything to show that 2023’s rough season was an exception and not the rule. The linebackers each have a PFF grade above 62.0 and a run defense grade above 75.0. They’ve already combined for 142 tackles (83 solo), two tackles for loss and seven quarterback hits. The duo have forced three fumbles, recovered two fumbles, and generated an interception.
Akeem Davis-Gaither (76.0 PFF grade) has also been effective on a limited basis, racking up 17 tackles and an interception on 102 snaps this season.
FTN Stat to Know: Running backs have the 12th-lowest avoided tackle rate against Cincinnati (17.8%)
10. Chicago Bears (4-3)
WLB: T.J. Edwards, MLB: Tremaine Edmunds
Preseason Rank: 17
The combination of T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds continues to provide solid, all-around play on the second level for Chicago. Both players have a PFF grade above 62.0, a run defense grade above 57.0, a tackling grade above 64.0 and coverage grades above 65.0. They’ve combined for 81 tackles, five tackles for loss, four passes defended, two forced fumbles, a sack and an interception.
Both players are sure tacklers who are as comfortable getting downhill in run defense and dropping back into coverage. Their steady play is more than enough to make them a top-10 pairing in 2024.
FTN Stat to Know: Running backs have the eighth-lowest success rate against Chicago (37.7%).
11. Houston Texans (4-3)
WLB: Henry To’oTo’o, MLB: Azeez Al-Shaair
Preseason Rank: 32
Azeez Al-Shaair has been excellent in replacing Blake Cashman, proving his strong first season as a full-time player in 2023 wasn’t a fluke. He has racked up 40 tackles, 13 pressures, six quarterback hits, four tackles for loss and a sack this season. Henry To’oTo’o bounced back from an inconsistent rookie season and has developed into a reliable run defender for Houston. He leads the team in tackles (46) but offers little in coverage.
FTN Stat to Know: Houston ranks second in defensive DVOA (-17.4%).
12. Kansas City Chiefs (4-3)
WLB: Drue Tranquill, MLB: Nick Bolton, SLB: Leo Chenal
Preseason Rank: 6
Nick Bolton is developing into one of the best two-way linebackers in the NFL. He has a 73.4 run defense grade and a 78.3 coverage grade this season per PFF. The fourth-year veteran has 44 tackles, seven tackles for loss and three passes defended. Leo Chenal (84.4 PFF grade) continues to impress in a limited role on defense (183 snaps played). He has 23 tackles, three passes defended and two forced fumbles this year.
The Chiefs need Drue Tranquill to return to his usual form as one of the top coverage linebackers in the NFL. Tranquill has 32 tackles this season but is posting a career-worst PFF coverage grade (35.4) in his second season with the team.
FTN Stat to Know: Running backs are averaging the second-lowest yards after contact against Kansas City (2.0).
13. Las Vegas Raiders (4-2-5)
WLB: Divine Deablo, MLB: Robert Spillane
Preseason Rank: 14
Robert Spillane has been the most consistent defensive player for Las Vegas outside of Maxx Crosby. Spillane (68.8 PFF grade) leads the team in defensive plays (438) and has a modest 8.5% missed tackle rate this season. He leads the team with 67 total tackles and is second in tackles for loss (5). He’s also added a sack, four passes defended and an interception.
Divine Deablo has struggled with injuries this season, playing just 198 snaps. He’s been a solid contributor when healthy (19 tackles) but has a 28% missed tackle rate this season.
FTN Stat to Know: The Raiders are allowing the most yards after contact in 2024 (3.1).
14. Tennessee Titans (3-4)
OLB: Harold Landry III, ILB: Ernest Jones IV, ILB: Kenneth Murray, OLB: Arden Key
Preseason Rank: 27
The combination of Harold Landry III (14 pressures and four sacks) and Arden Key (10 pressures and one sack) have done fine attacking quarterbacks off the edge this season. What they lack in explosiveness as pass rushers they make up for in willingness to work in the run game as well.
The Ernest Jones IV trade this offseason has been helpful for the Titans given Kenneth Murray’s inconsistent play. Jones has 44 tackles this season with a modest 7% missed tackle rate. Meanwhile, Murray leads the team in tackles (46) but has logged a 20% missed tackle rate.
Tennessee’s linebacking group isn’t the most talented, but they get the most out of what they have.
FTN Stat to Know: Running backs are averaging the second-lowest yards after contact against Tennessee (2.0).
15. Detroit Lions (4-3)
WLB: Alex Anzalone, MLB: Jack Campbell, SLB: Malcolm Rodriguez
Preseason Rank: 30
Detroit is finally starting to see Jack Campbell’s athleticism translate to the football field in his second year. Campbell has a 74.1 PFF grade, 71.2 run defense grade and 72.8 coverage grade in his second season. The linebacker leads the team in tackles (38) and has four tackles for loss, one sack and a forced fumble.
Both Alex Anzalone (69.0 PFF grade on 319 snaps) and Malcolm Rodriguez (69.4 PFF grade on 180 snaps) have also done their jobs on the second level. Anzalone remains one of the better coverage linebackers in the NFL while Rodriguez is a reliable tackler on early downs.
FTN Stat to Know: Running backs have the fifth-lowest juke rate against the Lions (1.0%).
16. Denver Broncos (3-4)
OLB: Baron Browning, ILB: Cody Barton, ILB: Justin Strnad, OLB: Jonathon Cooper
Preseason Rank: 21
Denver has been without Baron Browning (61.7 PFF grade) for most of the season, which put second-year edge rusher Nik Bonitto in an expanded role. He was up to the challenge as a pure pass rusher (19 pressures and five sacks) but had a 47.4% missed tackle rate. Jonathan Cooper has been much more reliable on the edge, posting a 76.8 PFF grade with 29 pressures and 4.5 sacks.
Cody Barton has continued to provide consistency as a tackler on the second level despite splitting time with an injured Alex Singleton (62.9 PFF grade on 190 snaps) and an inexperienced fourth-year linebacker (Justin Strnad). Strnad has been impressive in his first extended look, posting an 82.7 PFF grade and racking up 31 tackles and three sacks.
FTN Stat to Know: Running backs have the seventh-worst success rate against Denver this year (37.5%).
17. San Francisco 49ers (4-3)
WLB: De’Vondre Campbell, MLB: Fred Warner
Preseason Rank: 12
Fred Warner is the best off-ball linebacker in football. Warner has a 91.8 PFF grade, a 78.2 run defense grade and a 91.9 coverage grade on 396 snaps this season. He has 58 tackles, five passes defended, four forced fumbles, two interceptions and a touchdown to start the year.
The 49ers would rank higher if De’Vondre Campbell could provide half the production of Dre Greenlaw (Achilles). Campbell has a 50.0 PFF grade with just 38 tackles thanks to a 17.4% missed tackle rate.
FTN Stat to Know: San Francisco ranks seventh in defensive DVOA (-10.8%)
18. Seattle Seahawks (3-4)
OLB: Derick Hall, ILB: Jerome Baker, ILB: Tyrel Dodson, OLB: Dre’Mont Jones
Preseason Rank: 9
Seattle lost Uchenna Nwosu after just 20 plays this season but has gotten excellent contributions off the edge from Boye Mafe (24 pressures and 4.0 sacks) and Derick Hall (24 pressures and 5.0 sacks) this season. Dre’Mont Jones has struggled with consistency this season but is still third in pressures (22) and sacks (3.0).
The combination of Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson has been solid for Seattle in 2024, but don’t offer much outside of sound tackling in the run game. They have 92 combined tackles, with seven coming in the backfield.
FTN Stat to Know: Seattle has the sixth-highest pressure rate (33.5%).
19. Miami Dolphins (3-4)
OLB: Chop Robinson, ILB: Jordyn Brooks, ILB: David Long Jr., OLB: Emmanuel Ogbah (INJ)
Preseason Rank: 11
The Dolphins started the season without Bradley Chubb (ACL) and Jaelan Phillips working his way back from an Achilles injury. Phillips lasted just four games and 134 snaps before tearing his ACL again.
That has left the team leaning on a raw rookie (Chop Robinson) and a veteran (Emmanuel Ogbah) to be their primary pass rushers. The results have been okay. Robinson has a 64.9 PFF grade on 169 snaps with eight pressures. Ogbah has a 63.4 PFF grade with 10 pressures and two sacks. Neither has been as reliable as the player they have replaced.
Jordyn Brooks has provided stable play in his first season with the team (46 tackles, three passes defended and one sack), but David Long Jr.‘s best days are seemingly behind him (42.2 PFF grade).
FTN Stat to Know: Miami has the second-highest pressure rate in 2024 (37.3%) but is 19th in sack rate (6.3%).
20. Indianapolis Colts (4-3)
WLB: E.J. Speed, MLB: Zaire Franklin, SLB: Jaylon Carlies
Preseason Rank: 26
The Colts’ linebacking corps has been great at racking up tackles this season but doesn’t do much else to impact the game. Zaire Franklin and E.J. Speed have combined for 136 combined tackles this season with just one pass defended and two forced fumbles. Franklin is as reliable as they come as a linebacker, but Speed needs to clean up his tackling this season (19.7% missed tackle rate).
FTN Stat to Know: Running backs have the ninth-worst success rate against the Colts this season (38.1%).
21. Arizona Cardinals (3-4)
OLB: Zaven Collins, ILB: Kyzir White (INJ), ILB: Mack Wilson, OLB: Dennis Gardeck
Preseason Rank: 28
The little pass rush that Arizona has been able to generate has come from Zaven Collins and Dennis Gardeck on the edge. They have combined for 17 of Arizona’s 79 pressures and four of the team’s 11 sacks. Arizona is getting good play from Mack Wilson (79.0 run defense grade) and Kyzir White (69.7 run defense grade), but both players have struggled with consistent tackling (12.0% or higher missed tackle rate for each).
FTN Stat to Know: Arizona has the second-worst pressure rate in 2024 (16.0%).
22. Green Bay Packers (4-2-5)
WLB: Quay Walker, MLB: Isaiah McDuffie
Preseason Rank: 16
The Packers have utilized a three-man linebacker rotation this season with Quay Walker (48.7 PFF grade) and Isaiah McDuffie (52.3 PFF grade) taking the lead roles. The duo has been largely unremarkable, combining for 94 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks.
2024 second-round pick Edgerrin Cooper is a player to watch as he continues to see more work on defense. Cooper has a 66.3 PFF grade on 166 snaps, racking up 29 tackles, four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in his limited role.
FTN Stat to Know: Running backs have the 11th-best success rate against Green Bay this season (43.4%).
23. Los Angeles Rams (3-4)
OLB: Jared Verse, ILB: Troy Reeder, ILB: Christian Rozeboom, OLB: Byron Young
Preseason Rank: 22
Jared Verse isn’t getting enough respect for his rookie season on a bad Rams team. Verse has a 79.6 PFF grade, a 74.9 run defense grade and a 73.8 pass rush grade through his first six games. He leads the team in pressures (27). He just needs to convert more of those into sacks (1.0).
On the other edge, Byron Young is struggling to match his rookie-year production. He does have 19 pressures and is second on the team in sacks (2.0), but he has still seen a dip in his PFF grade (53.5) and run defense (50.0) grades this year.
The combination of Troy Reeder (46 tackles) and Christian Rozeboom (48 tackles) are fine as linebackers, but they offer almost zero pass-game presence in coverage.
FTN Stat to Know: The Rams are 28th in defensive DVOA this season (10.3%).
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4)
OLB: Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, ILB: Lavonte David, ILB: K.J. Britt, OLB: Yaya Diaby
Preseason Rank: 15
Yaya Diaby has taken a massive step as a pass-rushing talent in his second season. Diaby has a 75.9 PFF grade and a team-leading 26 pressures this season. He’s converted just one of them into a sack. Unfortunately, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (11 pressures and one sack) has yet to take the same step.
Lavonte David (67.4 PFF grade) has lost a step but is still an effective three-down linebacker. He leads the team in tackles (46) and sacks (3.0) and is third in pressures (12). K.J. Britt has offered nothing of substance in his fourth season (37.7 PFF grade).
FTN Stat to Know: Tampa Bay has the seventh-worst pressure rate this season (23.7%).
25. Philadelphia Eagles (3-4)
OLB: Bryce Huff, ILB: Nakobe Dean, ILB: Zack Baun, OLB: Josh Sweat
Preseason Rank: 10
The Eagles need more from their edge rushers given how much they have spent building the group in free agency and the draft.
Eagles have just two players with more than 10 pressures generated this season (Jalen Carter and Josh Sweat). Sweat and Carter also lead the team in sacks (3.0), which isn’t great considering the money and draft capital the Eagles have dumped into their edge rushers.
Bryce Huff’s first season with Philadelphia has been bad. The veteran edge rusher has a pedestrian 60.0 PFF grade and has just nine pressures and one sack on 110 pass-rush snaps.
Conversely, the team has gotten a fantastic return from free agent Zack Baun. After spending his time as a rotational edge player in New Orleans, Baun has found a home at an off-ball linebacker. He leads Philadelphia in tackles (57) and has two sacks. Nakobe Dean is also finding his stride as a professional (49 tackles and 2.0 sacks).
FTN Stat to Know: Quarterbacks have the 11th-highest clean pocket rate against the Eagles (70.4%).
26. Buffalo Bills (4-2-5)
WLB: Dorian Williams, MLB: Terrel Bernard
Preseason Rank: 19
The Bills certainly miss Matt Milano’s presence in the passing attack after the veteran linebacker suffered another significant injury in the preseason. Thankfully for Buffalo, they have two of the better run-stopping linebackers in the NFL to try and mitigate the loss.
Both Dorian Williams and Terrel Bernard have run defense grades above 71.0 this season. Williams has been a machine as a tackler, racking up 70 total tackles with one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. Bernard has been a steady tackler (32) with a presence in the passing attack (one interception).
Neither player is a star, but both play within the defense and allow the talented defensive line in front of them to get after the passer.
FTN Stat to Know: Running backs have the 11th-worst success rate against Buffalo (38.4%).
27. New Orleans Saints (4-3)
WLB: Pete Werner, MLB: Demario Davis, SLB: Willie Gay
Preseason Rank 23
Demario Davis might finally be slowing down in his 13thseason in the league (the lack of defensive line presence in front of him certainly doesn’t help. Davis is on pace to have his first PFF grade below 73.0 since 2017 (59.0). He’s tied for second on the team in tackles (42) and has just one pass defended.
Pete Werner continues to be one of the best coverage linebackers in the NFL (72.1 coverage grade) but has struggled through injuries this season. The Willie Gay signing hasn’t provided much run support. The veteran linebacker has a 48.2 PFF grade and has missed 15.4% of his tackles this season.
FTN Stat to Know: Running backs have the second-highest success rate against New Orleans (48.9%).
28. Dallas Cowboys (4-3)
SLB: DeMarvion Overshown, MLB: Eric Kendricks (INJ), SLB: Marist Liufau
Preseason Rank: 24
Dallas has played four different linebackers over 130 snaps this season trying to find the right combination. Eric Kendricks (64.9 PFF grade) has been the most successful, leading the team in tackles (52) despite missing a game. He’s also added two sacks, two passes defended, a forced fumble and an interception.
DeMarvion Overshown has also looked good at times after missing his rookie season with a knee injury. He’s second on the team in tackles (41) but has a 16.3% missed tackle rate. Damone Clark (76.5 PFF grade) and Marist Liufau (53.9 PFF grade) have split time as rotational pieces.
FTN Stat to Know: Running backs average the ninth most yards after contact against Dallas (2.6).
29. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-3)
WLB: Devin Lloyd, MLB: Ventrell Miller, SLB: Chad Muma
Preseason Rank: 5
The massive discrepancy between Jacksonville’s preseason ranking to the current ranking comes from the fact that the Jaguars have shifted to a 4-3 defense, which means they lose the production from Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker.
As a pure 4-3 defense, the linebacker group leaves much to be desired.
Devin Lloyd continues to grow into the player Jacksonville drafted with a first-round pick in 2022. He has a 73.3 PFF grade, an 84.5 run defense grade and a 90.2 tackling grade. He also makes an impact in the passing game with a 64.5 pass-rush grade and a 63.6 coverage grade. Most importantly, he’s cut his missed tackle rate from 11.5% in his career to just 2.3% in his third season.
Neither Ventrell Miller (55.5 PFF grade) nor Chad Muma (60.0 PFF grade) have been able to fill the void left behind by Foyesade Oluokun’s injury. The veteran was playing excellent football when he got hurt (22 tackles in 146 snaps) and should return from his foot surgery before the end of the season.
FTN Stat to Know: Jacksonville is 11th in run defense DVOA (-11.1%).
30. New England Patriots (3-4)
OLB: Anfernee Jennings, ILB: Jahlani Tavai, ILB: Raekwon McMillan, OLB: Joshua Uche
Preseason Rank: 20
There aren’t many positives regarding New England’s linebacking corps.
Anfernee Jennings has been strong as a run defender on the edge (73.6 run defense grade) but isn’t generating a consistent pass rush. Josh Uche (13 pressures and two sacks) has been fine in a situational pass-rush role but isn’t getting consistent time on the field.
The off-ball combination of Jahlani Tavai and Raekwon McMillan has a PFF grade below 43.0 this season. Both players have a missed tackle rate above 14% and have limitations in coverage.
The Patriots have an underwhelming linebacking corps with very few options to improve the group midseason.
FTN Stat to Know: New England has the eighth lowest pressure rate (24.1%).
31. Atlanta Falcons
OLB: Matthew Judon, ILB: Kaden Elliss, ILB: Troy Andersen, OLB: Lorenzo Carter
Preseason Rank: 31
Atlanta hoped that trading for Matthew Judon would fortify their pass rush this season. Unfortunately, the veteran edge rusher has managed just 12 pressures and two sacks on 145 pass-rushing snaps. Second-year edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie (12 pressures) should start seeing more snaps over Lorenzo Carter (39.2 PFF grade) soon.
Atlanta is in a much better place at off-ball linebacker when healthy. Troy Andersen has been limited to just 229 snaps this season but is third on the team in tackles (44) and accounts for the team’s lone defensive touchdown on an interception. Kaden Elliss leads the team in tackles (53) in his second season as a full-time starter. Nate Landman (91.0 PFF grade) has been effective during his 149 snaps.
Turning to Ebiketie on the edge and getting more consistent play from Matthew Judon could make a big difference for this group.
FTN Stat to Know: Atlanta has the lowest adjusted sack rate (2.6%).
32. Carolina Panthers (3-4)
OLB: Jadeveon Clowney (INJ), ILB: Trevin Wallace, ILB: Josey Jewell (INJ), OLB: Charles Harris
Preseason Rank: 25
It was a stretch to believe that Carolina’s linebacking group would be good coming into 2024, but injuries have decimated an already bad unit.
The combination of Jadeveon Clowney and Charles Harris have combined for 26 pressures and just three sacks. Both players have a PFF grade below 57.0 and a pass rush grade below 55.0. Clowney has been good as a run defender (68.0 grade), so hopefully, his injury timeline is short.
Carolina lost Shaq Thompson (67.4 PFF grade) with an Achilles tear after four games and free agent Josey Jewell (58.8 PFF grade) has been limited with a hamstring injury. That has put a lot of pressure on 2024 third-round pick Trevin Wallace (56.5 PFF grade) and 2023 UDFA Claudin Cherelus. The results haven’t been great.
FTN Stats to Know: Quarterbacks have the highest clean pocket rate against Carolina (84.5%).
