Top 20 Linebackers in the NFL

This is just a list of 20 but not in order, cause Hawk before guys like Zach Thomas, Brooks, Julian Peterson & Cato June? I don't know about that. Demarcus Ware above Adalius Thomas is suspect as well.

Agreed. Hawk should be a little lower, if not out of the top 20. He deserves to be mentioned, but I don't know if he is top 20 caliber quite yet. I'm also going to wait to see if DeMeco Ryans was just a fluke or if he's the real deal.

Hawk really caught on at the end of last year. He's definitely top 20.

Huge Ravens fan but not sure if I would put Ray Lewis that high. There saying he will have a great year but he is getting a little old.
And who do you think has the best team of linebackers?

Best linebacking corps in NFL

1. Seahawks
2. Patriots
3. Steelers

Wheres Denver Williams and gold are great linebakers and no matter who they have at third spot this has to be considered a great lb core

What about Baltimore, which has Ray Lewis, Bart Scott and Terrell Suggs? Also, Bart Scott and Terrell Suggs should both be in the top 20.

I would think that Pisa Tinoisamoa would get an honorable mention. Or LeRoy Hill from the Seahawks. The other Pats LBs Seau, or Bruschi, or Roosevelt Colvin. Or any of the Steelers (Farrior/Foote/Haggens). No mention of Donnie Edwards, either. I don't know about putting these guys ahead of anyone. But, they should at least get some mention. Other than that, this is a pretty solid list.

EJ Henderson is finally starting to show why he was the NCAA Linebacker of the Year (Butkis Award) in 2002. He recorded 110 tackels, 3 sacks, and 2 interceptions last year for the Vikings, and he will most likely improve all those numbers.

yeah right urlacher sucks

Ryans should be ahead of DJ Williams and Peterson.

ryans isnt proven everyone knows dj is an athlete

Sorry guys but Urlacher is not the #1 linebacker.

How is Cato June on there? The guy can't tackle. He gets a lot of tackles, but if I had a dollar for each time he's been ran over, I'd be a very rich man. Brackett doesn't deserve to be an honorable mention. The only Colts' defenders who should be in the top 20 in any position is Bob Sanders and Dwight Freeney. The Bucs are going to find out soon how overrated Cato was. He's still getting noticed because of the 6 picks he had 2 years ago. He's small and got lucky on a few of those INT's. A team with the worst rush defense in NFL history shouldn't have 2 linebackers in the top 26.

Merriman is sittin pretty well in #2....

thats over rating him he need to be around 7 due to his limited versatility and his off field issues

Could somebody tell me why Keith Bulluck isn't on here?

Merriman at 1. No doubt.

Nice list. My opinion is Nick Barnett has to be in the top 15 though. That guy is a monster, he is everything you would want in a line-backer. He puts the fear of god in anyone lining up against him. Other then that, great job. Merriman is way too overrated by everyone. Joey Porter? What is this 2004?

just a question but dont you think derek johnson deserves at least a mention

D.J. WIlliams of Denver leads the AFC in tackles (by linebacker) and Denver sees more passes than rushes this year.

for me lofa tatupu is at the top he can get in there and get to the qb

keith brooking is the best linebacker in the leage and should go the hall of fame when he retires

i think Shawne Merriman is overated he is still good but not that good

shaun phillips..? maybe not a pure LB, but a great pass rusher and game changer.. if merrimans on the list, then SP's on there with him

Keith bullock should definitly be in the top 10