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The pantheon of NFL linebackers boasts legendary figures whose impact transcends statistics. From Lawrence Taylor’s disruptive force to Ray Lewis’s leadership, these icons redefined defensive play. Dick Butkus’s ferocity, Derrick Thomas’s speed, and Mike Singletary’s intensity cement their status. Their legacy endures as the epitome of linebacker excellence in football history.
30. Randy Gradishar
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Throughout the 1970s, Gradishar epitomized the essence of Denver’s defense — amassing an impressive seven Pro Bowl selections and securing the NFL Defensive Player of the Year honor in 1978. Renowned for his sharp intellect, instincts, and tenacity on the field, he stood as one of the era’s most formidable linebackers. His leadership, both in-game and beyond, established a benchmark for excellence within the Broncos’ franchise. Long overdue, Gradishar will enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2024.
29. Fred Warner
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Fred Warner has rapidly emerged as one of the NFL’s most elite linebackers. Drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2018, Warner’s impact was immediate, showcasing exceptional instincts, athleticism, and leadership on the field. His ability to read plays, cover ground, and make tackles has solidified him as a cornerstone of the 49ers’ defense. Through the 2023 season, Warner is a three-time All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowler and is arguably the best linebacker in football.
28. Patrick Willis
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Drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2007, Willis wasted no time establishing himself as one of the league’s premier linebackers. Throughout his eight-year career, he earned seven Pro Bowl selections and five First-Team All-Pro honors. Known for his exceptional speed, tackling ability, and football IQ, Willis was a defensive powerhouse, consistently leading his team in tackles and setting a high standard for his peers. Despite retiring relatively early in 2015 due to persistent injuries, Willis did enough to earn a spot in Canton — Willis will join the Hall of Fame in 2024.
27. Zach Thomas
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Thomas was a fire hydrant of a football player. He didn’t have the ideal size for the linebacker position. Generously listed at 5-foot-11, Thomas made up for his lack of size with raw passion. He threw himself into virtually every single tackle with elite amounts of physicality and enthusiasm. It’s a reason why Thomas became one of the most prolific linebackers from the period of the late ’90s to the early 2000s. You often hear about players playing with a proverbial chip on their shoulder. Thomas embodied that premise as well as anyone.
26. Chuck Bednarik
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The Bednarik Award is named after the former defensive stud. It’s given annually to the best defensive player in college football. This speaks to how good Bednarik truly was as a player. Playing his entire career with the Eagles, Bednarik was a freak of nature during the 1950s. He made the Pro Bowl eight times during his professional career (in addition to winning two NFL titles). Making Bednarik more special was the fact that he was bigger than most linemen playing the linebacker position (at 6-foot-3 and over 230 pounds).
25. Dave Wilcox
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Wilcox is widely regarded as one of the best players in the history of the San Francisco 49ers franchise. Considering the players who’ve performed in the Bay Area for the team, that’s surely saying something. Wilcox was known for having a very dominant personality. He loved to physically impose himself on the opponent. This sort of persona grew to the point where he earned the moniker “The Intimidator.” The seven-time Pro Bowler earned four All-Pro honors during his career in the NFL.
24. Rickey Jackson
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Before the days of DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller, we had Rickey Jackson. The Florida native was one of the inventive defenders who played the hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end role at an extremely high level. The six-time Pro Bowler was an absolute monster when attacking quarterbacks off the edge. He registered a whopping 128.0 sacks throughout his entire career — including five Second-Team All-Pro honors. Relentless in nature, Jackson’s style of play turned out to be quite transcendent as well.
23. T.J. Watt
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T.J. Watt has exceeded many expectations in the NFL. Drafted 30th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft, the former Wisconsin Badger quickly showcased his potential. Although he showed glimpses of brilliance in his rookie season, it was in his sophomore year of 2018 that he truly emerged, amassing 13.0 sacks and earning a Pro Bowl selection. From 2019 to 2021, Watt was dominant — finishing third, then second, and ultimately first in Defensive Player of the Year voting, accumulating an impressive 52.0 sacks and forcing 15 fumbles across 46 games. In 2023, Watt was once again the runner-up for DPoY.
22. Robert Brazile
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“Dr. Doom” had a rather fitting nickname. Similar to Jackson, Brazile was said to be a pioneer in the movement to make an outside linebacker equally as threatening as a pseudo-defensive end rushing opposing passers. A former first-round pick out of Jackson State, Brazile spent his entire 10-year career with the Houston Oilers. During this 10-year run, Brazile made seven Pro Bowl appearances, won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award, and was a 5-time First Team All-Pro member. Among his many impressive skills, Brazile had a tremendous nose for the football. He pursued ball carriers like a predator going after its prey in the wild.
21. James Harrison
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James Harrison got every ounce of ability out of his body. The decks were stacked against Harrison from the jump. Undrafted out of Kent State, scouts thought he was too small to play along the defensive line and too slow to play linebacker. After short stints in Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and NFL Europe, Harrison eventually earned a spot with the Steelers. Not only did he help the franchise win two Super Bowls, but he developed into arguably the most feared defensive player in the league. Harrison is known for his brilliance in the weight room — though he’s also renowned for his ability to take care of his body. It allowed Harrison to mitigate size issues and instead, dominate the opposition with sheer force. He is one of the most prolific defensive players to ever play for the Steelers’ franchise.
20. Khalil Mack
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Drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Mack quickly established himself as one of the premier defensive players in the league. His combination of speed, strength, and agility made him a force to be reckoned with on the field. As a Raider, Mack was a three-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro, and won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2016. Mack was the runner-up for the award in 2018 as a member of the Chicago Bears, as well. With the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023, Mack set a career-high with 17.0 sacks.
19. Mike Singletary
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Undersized and feisty, Singletary made the most of his career as an integral member of the Chicago Bears. During the height of its defensive prowess, Chicago relied heavily on Singletary for energy, leadership, and accountability. He knew how to line teammates up before the play was launched. Additionally, he exploded towards ball carriers with a tremendous burst. Singletary’s value crested when he was able to pin his ears back and aggressively attack the line of scrimmage. He made 10 Pro Bowls before later entering the realm of coaching.
18. Bobby Wagner
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Bobby Wagner is one of the few players on this list still actively competing in the league. At 33 years old, the Los Angeles native has already accomplished quite a bit. Wagner has been named as a First-Team All-Pro on six separate occasions. He’s notched at least 104 tackles in every single year of his career. Wagner has supreme anticipatory skills. Seattle gives Wagner the ability to roam freely simply based on the responsible nature of his game. He’s seemingly always around the ball (which isn’t by coincidence). Once his career is finished, Wagner is a stone-cold lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 2023, Wagner posted a career-high 183 tackles.
17. DeMarcus Ware
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DeMarcus Ware was one of those physical marvels that rarely comes around. Built like a defensive end, Ware primarily played outside linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys. The former No. 11 Overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft dominated the competition both with his hand in the dirt and when standing up as an edge rusher. The nine-time Pro Bowler was one of the NFL’s very best sack artists for nearly a decade. To this day, Ware ranks No. 13 all-time in career sacks (138.5).
16. Jack Ham
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Ham teamed with Jack Lambert to form a very potent one-two punch behind the defensive group known as ‘The Steel Curtain.’ While Lambert brought the physical component of the duo, Ham was buoyed by ridiculous speed and the ability to process things on the field virtually faster than anyone else. Ham was quite gifted in diagnosing the play before it unfolded. It made his world-class speed that much more sudden when exploding into the backfield for big plays — or when tracking runners downfield. Ham helped Pittsburgh win four Super Bowls. He also played in eight Pro Bowls before retiring in 1983.
15. Von Miller
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Miller will certainly enter the Hall of Fame one day. Nearing the end of his career, Miller has earned eight Pro Bowl nods to go along with two Super Bowl rings — he was Super Bowl 50 MVP — and a Defensive Rookie of the Year award. At his peak, Miller’s pursuit of quarterbacks off the edge was unmatched by his peers. A player reliant upon leverage and agility, Miller is one of the most technically gifted rushers we’ve seen in recent memory.
14. Junior Seau
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Junior Seau was the heart and soul of the San Diego Chargers for over a decade. It was fitting he ended up with his hometown team, as the Oceanside native played his college ball at USC before heading back down south. At 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, Seau represented the prototype middle linebacker. Aside from being immensely strong, he was also quick — whether dropping in coverage or crashing down in run lanes. He made 12 Pro Bowls and 10 All-Pro teams during his illustrious career.
13. Kevin Greene
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Greene had a very successful professional career which saw him play for the Los Angeles Rams, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Carolina Panthers. Formerly a walk-on at Auburn, Greene kept that underdog mindset for the bulk of his career. He was a player who relied on physicality, preparation, and mental acuity rather than solely on athleticism. In the end, Greene finished his career with 160.0 sacks (which ranks him No. 4 all-time behind only Bruce Smith, Reggie White, and Deacon Jones). After spending six years coaching NFL linebackers, Greene sadly passed away in 2020 at the age of 58.
12. Brian Urlacher
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Urlacher was unique as a football player. Originally a safety, he bulked up and became a highly athletic linebacker at New Mexico. The Bears recognized his talents — and selected him No. 9 Overall in the 2000 NFL Draft. From Day 1, Urlacher immediately flashed as a legitimate talent. Playing both inside and outside linebacker, Urlacher quickly established himself. He led the team in tackles as a rookie (124) and only got better as the years went on. There was even a season in which a 24-year-old Urlacher finished with 153 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and 19 tackles-for-loss. The former Rookie of the Year/Defensive Player of the Year finished his career with eight Pro Bowl appearances in 13 years.
11. Joe Schmidt
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Joe Schmidt was the reason behind the Lions winning two NFL titles in the 1950s. The fierce linebacker out of Pittsburgh was one of those players who outperformed their expected level. Formerly a seventh-round pick, Schmidt quickly proved to be a hidden gem of a player. He made 10 Pro Bowls throughout his career and often relied upon a dogged determination when bringing ball carriers to the ground.
10. Bobby Bell
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In the earlier iterations of American Football, Bobby Bell was among the very best when it came to rushing the passer. After dominating play collegiately at Minnesota, Bell flourished during his 12-year career with the Kansas Chiefs (both in the NFL and the AFL). A player with a real nose for the ball, Bell scored nine total defensive touchdowns throughout his career. His athletic ability, coupled with his versatility as a player, allowed Bell to line up all over the field.
9. Bill George
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Bill George was one tough son of a gun. He wasn’t flashy nor did he seek the constant publicity. Instead, George went out and did his business in a very workmanlike manner. As some have mentioned, typical schemes back in the ’30s and ’40s often had a five-man front with two linebackers behind the line. George had been a lineman initially — though dropped in coverage upon seeing some sort of schematic advantage during a game one afternoon. By doing so, he not only created the patented 4-3, but he also created the middle linebacker position. George’s proclivity for dropping in coverage enabled him to both knock down passes at the line of scrimmage and also intercept passes at a high clip. By the time his career ended, George had eight Pro Bowl appearances and eight First-Team All-Pro honors to his name.
8. Luke Kuechly
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Some people might be surprised to see Luke Kuechly inside the top 10. He called it quits on his professional career at the age of 28 (due to concussion issues). However, Kuechly was one special athlete. As a rookie, he notched 164 tackles and 12.0 TFL. From there, he enjoyed seven straight seasons with Pro Bowl appearances. The run included one Defensive Player of the Year Award and seven All-Pro mentions (five First-Team and two Second-Team). When breaking it down, seven of Kuechly’s eight years in the league were considered to be elite. Fast, aggressive, and immensely smart, it’s a shame his career ended so quickly.
7. Ted Hendricks
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Few players in the history of the NFL have been as unique as Hendricks. Aside from being the first player ever to have been born in Guatemala, Hendricks played the OLB position standing at 6-foot-7. Even in today’s NFL, you don’t see players that tall operating at a position where constant knee bend, short-area quickness, and change-of-direction skills are needed. Hendricks ticked every one of those boxes with flying colors. As the defensive anchor, he helped the then-Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders win three Super Bowls (he also won a ring with the Baltimore Colts). Hendricks was highly productive when it came to knocking down passes at the line of scrimmage. When looking back at the history of the Raiders franchise, Hendricks is right up there among the best to ever don the silver and black.
6. Derrick Brooks
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The vaunted ‘Tampa 2’ defensive scheme is completely due to Brooks and his ability to cover in space. The speedy linebacker had the versatility to be a beast when stopping the run. Additionally, Brooks offered enough speed and athleticism to drop in coverage for obvious passing situations. No one else during the late ’90s/early 2000s had a player possessing this skill set. With a smaller yet quicker frame, it allowed Brooks to also track running backs and receivers off the line of scrimmage. In total, the Florida native racked up 11 Pro Bowl appearances. He also was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame a short time after Brooks had retired.
5. Jack Lambert
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Playing right behind the vaunted ‘Steel Curtain’ was linebacker Jack Lambert. Prowling on the second level like a tiger, Lambert was often tasked with cleaning up the play should a running back escape from Pittsburgh’s elite defensive line group. Lambert was gigantic for the middle linebacker spot (6-foot-4). However, he was far from a lumbering athlete. He’d chase down running backs, tight ends, and even receivers when pursuing the ball. Aside from making eight All-Pro teams and nine Pro Bowls, Lambert was an integral member of the Pittsburgh dynasty which hoisted four Super Bowl trophies.
4. Derrick Thomas
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The late Derrick Thomas took the mantle from Lawrence Taylor as being the next premier linebacker for essentially the entire decade of the 1990s. Starring for the Kansas City Chiefs, Thomas terrified the opposition from his right outside linebacker spot. He accrued 10.0 sacks as a rookie — followed by 20.0 sacks as a second-year player. Thomas averaged 11.5 sacks per year for his entire 11-year career. Had a car accident not taken his life, Thomas likely would’ve continued to perform at a very high level. Even then, he set several Kansas City records during his time as a player.
3. Dick Butkus
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Butkus was an absolute monster during his playing days. A physically intimidating player, he knocked players around for fun during his lengthy career with the Bears. Upon entering the NFL from Illinois, Butkus immediately became one of the better players in the league. He’d seek out contact when destroying people from the middle linebacker spot. Not only was he excellent against the run, but Butkus also had the athletic ability to rush the passer with terrific effectiveness. The eight-time Pro Bowler made six First-Team All-Pro teams. He also was a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
2. Ray Lewis
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The most inspirational leader in the history of American professional sports finds himself as the No. 2 linebacker of all-time. Lewis was a human magnet. Teammates and coaches alike were enthralled by the Florida native. He knew exactly which buttons to push when wanting to extract the best out of his teammates. As a player on the field, Lewis was a complete player. He paired elite quickness with violent aggression and a nuanced ability to read the play before reacting. He’s exactly the type of player you’d want to build your defense around.
1. Lawrence Taylor
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It would be easy to rattle off a list of accomplishments, achievements, and statistics as they pertain to Lawrence Taylor. Simply put, there’s never been a more disruptive player — regardless of position — in the history of the NFL. He was far too quick for offensive tackles to deal with. Not only that, but Taylor was stronger than most of them, too. Forget trying to have a tight end chip him at the line of scrimmage. Taylor would shuck tight ends out of the way as if they were 10-pound bags of flour. Taylor was dominant to the point that NFL teams had to scheme their game plans completely around him. Taylor’s best statistical season came in 1986. He accrued 20.5 sacks as an outside linebacker.
