{"id":16543,"date":"2025-07-15T07:42:48","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T11:42:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/sin-categoria\/nfl-top-10-linebackers-2025-according-to-experts-and-scouts-complete-analysis\/"},"modified":"2025-07-15T07:42:48","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T11:42:48","slug":"nfl-top-10-linebackers-2025-according-to-experts-and-scouts-complete-analysis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/nfl\/nfl-top-10-linebackers-2025-according-to-experts-and-scouts-complete-analysis\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL: Top 10 Linebackers 2025, According to Experts and Scouts. Complete Analysis!"},"content":{"rendered":"
The Best NFL Linebackers for 2025: Expert Analysis and Perspectives<\/h2>\n\nAs the 2025 NFL training camps approach, true league insiders share their opinions. Alofoke Deportes presents an analysis of the best players at the linebacker position, according to a survey of NFL executives, coaches, and scouts. This is the sixth year of these rankings, and as usual, the list presents significant changes.\n\nThe classification process involved voting by experts, who provided their top 10 players in each position. The results were compiled and ranked according to the number of votes, the composite average, and interviews, with the help of NFL analyst from Alofoke Deportes, Matt Bowen. More than 70 voters participated in the evaluation of at least one position, and in many cases, all. Follow-up calls helped break any ties.\n\n\n
Each section includes quotes and comments from voters about each player, including honorable mentions. The goal is to identify the best players for 2025, not a five-year projection or a lifetime achievement award. Who are today’s best players?<\/p>\n\n\nHere is the schedule for the upcoming classifications:\n\n\n
\n
Running backs (July 7)<\/li>\n
Defensive tackles (July 8)<\/li>\n
Edge rushers (July 9)<\/li>\n
Safeties (July 10)<\/li>\n
Tight ends (July 11)<\/li>\n
Interior offensive linemen (July 12)<\/li>\n
Offensive tackles (July 13)<\/li>\n
Quarterbacks (July 14)<\/li>\n
Linebackers (July 15)<\/li>\n
Wide receivers (July 16)<\/li>\n
Cornerbacks (July 17)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\nThe group of linebackers stands out for its lack of consensus and a marked difference in votes.\n\nAlthough three players appeared on at least 70% of the ballots, a considerable number of 32 players received at least one vote. The top of the list remains the same as last year, but the rest of the players have experienced changes, with four new members and a veteran player returning after a few years absent.\n\nThe lack of high-level talent is a key factor. An AFC executive commented: “It’s not an elite group overall. Many of the good players are aging and those coming up aren’t special, in my opinion. Most of them can be grouped together.” This opens the door to surprises and players with a history of injuries, but with undeniable talent.\n\nHere are the best linebackers, analyzed by league executives, coaches, and scouts.\n\n\n
1. Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers<\/h3>\n\n\nHighest position:<\/strong> 1 | Lowest position:<\/strong> 2 \nAge:<\/strong> 28 | Last year’s ranking:<\/strong> 1\n\nWarner, with four selections to the All-Pro first team in five years, dominated the voting with more than 80% of the first-place votes. He stands out for his resilience, having been absent for only one game in his seven-year career. His three consecutive seasons with at least 130 tackles and seven passes defended highlight his ability in the aerial game. He has also recorded forced fumbles in two consecutive years.\n\n\n
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“I think Fred has been much more productive at overcoming central blocks and tackling harder. He has always been the best in the world at the passing game: range, instincts, ball production. But he was incredible last year, and if you add to that forced recoveries, durability and all the other rare intangibles, he is the best”.<\/p>\n\nNFL Coordinator<\/cite>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
2. Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens<\/h3>\n\n\nHighest position:<\/strong> 1 | Lowest position:<\/strong> 10 \nAge:<\/strong> 28 | Last year’s ranking:<\/strong> 2\n\nSmith is a player who influences the game, although his numbers don’t always reflect it. He is not the typical player who accumulates statistics, with a modest production in the passing game and spectacular plays. However, he is perceived by opponents and fans as a leader, with the ability to pressure, good positioning, and a winning mentality.\n\nSmith is coming off his second consecutive season on the All-Pro first team, and his 5.6% career stop percentage was the second-best among linebackers.\n\n\n
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“Roquan isn’t necessarily the most physically talented, but he’s very productive in both phases, he’s the catalyst of their defense in the midfield and a guy you have to account for on plays. When you take all that into account, plus the elite leadership he brings and his team’s attitude, I think he deserves to be up there.”<\/p>\n\nAFC Executive<\/cite>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\nAn NFL defensive assistant suggests that Smith could improve his game by improving his physical condition. Two of his votes placed him at number 10.\n\n\n
3. Zack Baun, Philadelphia Eagles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Highest position:<\/strong> 2 | Lowest position:<\/strong> Unranked \nAge:<\/strong> 25 | Last year’s ranking:<\/strong> N\/A<\/p>\n\n\nBaun is an example of potential in the NFL: a role player earning $3.5 million can land a $51 million contract. His talent combined with opportunity upon joining Philadelphia in 2024. Vic Fangio’s scheme was ideal for Baun, who was previously a rotational linebacker in New Orleans and earned All-Pro honors thanks to 151 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, and 11 tackles for loss.\n\nAlso appeared on almost 90% of the ballots.\n\n\n
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“It finally developed. He’s such a versatile defender that he can affect the game in multiple ways that his strength was potentially preventing him from reaching his ceiling early in his career. Instead [in 2024], he really mastered the stacked ILB and was able to build that base to leverage his athletic ability and play.”<\/p>\n\nNFC Executive<\/cite>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
4. Nick Bolton, Kansas City Chiefs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Highest position:<\/strong> 2 | Lowest position:<\/strong> Unranked \nAge:<\/strong> 25 | Last year’s ranking:<\/strong> 5<\/p>\n\n\nBolton had his most complete season in 2024, with career highs in sacks (3), passes defended (6), and quarterback hits (7). His game is reminiscent of Warner’s, a true leader whose leadership was invaluable to Kansas City, who extended him a three-year, $45 million contract.\n\nCoaches say Bolton is excellent at making adjustments at the line of scrimmage. “He allows [the Chiefs] to make the best calls based on the situation,” said a veteran NFL defensive coach. “He’s like a coach on the field.” Since 2021, Bolton leads all linebackers (minimum 1,000 plays) in stopping opposing runners at or behind the line of scrimmage on 4.7% of their defensive run plays.\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\nAfter a solid first campaign with the Commanders, Frankie Luvu jumped into the top 10 conversation.\n\n\n
5. Frankie Luvu, Washington Commanders<\/h3>\n\n\nHighest position:<\/strong> 5 | Lowest position:<\/strong> Unranked \nAge:<\/strong> 28 | Last year’s ranking:<\/strong> N\/A\n\nLuvu’s first year as Commander propelled him into the top 10 conversation. He received some votes last year, but was largely irrelevant in the voting. But this year he appeared in the top five of many ballots.\n\nWhile some evaluators believe that the number 5 position is high for Luvu, he earned the votes and this is a composite ranking.\n\n\n
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“I have a lot of respect for him: he has been one of the best tone setters in the NFL,” said a veteran NFL defensive coach. “His production in the last three years is as good as anyone’s.”<\/p>\n\nVeteran NFL defensive coach<\/cite>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\nHead coach Dan Quinn uses Luvu similarly to Micah Parsons in Dallas, a hybrid linebacker with edge-rushing ability. Luvu capitalized with 8.0 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and 7 passes defended on his way to second-team All-Pro honors.\n\n“Versatile, making plays in the running game, the passing game, and with pass rush,” said an NFL coordinator. “His style of play is all over the tape.”\n\nAn inconvenience for Luvu: It’s a bit of a scheme fit. “He can’t play in every scheme. He can’t be asked to play man-to-man coverage constantly,” said an NFC executive.\n\n\n
6. Tremaine Edmunds, Chicago Bears<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Highest position:<\/strong> 3 | Lowest position:<\/strong> Unranked \nAge:<\/strong> 27 | Last year’s ranking:<\/strong> 7<\/p>\n\n\nVoters have mixed opinions about Edmunds, whose production doesn’t always match his physical tools. He’s 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, has long arms, and can move. Scouts tend to lean towards him because of his transcendental traits to the scheme.\n\n\n
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“He has the prototypical physique, athletic ability, and speed that are coveted in an ILB in today’s game,” said an NFL personnel director. “He can diagnose playing downhill in the box, he can play sideline to sideline, and he has the coverage ability to match up in zone or man-to-man coverage.”<\/p>\n\nNFL personnel director<\/cite>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\nBut production has been an issue for Edmunds, who hasn’t made the Pro Bowl since 2020 and whose three tackles for loss last season marked a career low, although his eight passes defended were his most since 2019.\n\n\n
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“Smart, but not as instinctive as you’d hope,” said an NFL coordinator. “If you put his skill with the instincts of [his teammate T.J. Edwards], you’d have an All-Pro.”<\/p>\n\nNFL Coordinator<\/cite>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
7. Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/h3>\n\n\nHighest position:<\/strong> 3 | Lowest position:<\/strong> Unranked \nAge:<\/strong> 35 | Last year’s ranking:<\/strong> Honorable mention\n\nDavid outperformed his mid-30s peers with a standout season in Tampa, finishing with 5.5 sacks (his highest total since 2013) and three forced fumbles.\n\n\n
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“He has been resilient, has great instincts, and his physical tools haven’t eroded much with age. A natural phenomenon,” said a senior AFC staffer.<\/p>\n\nAFC Staffer<\/cite>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\nA few years ago, some voters thought David was nearing the end. But he has remained productive and has just re-signed a one-year, $9 million contract with the Buccaneers. He still has the fluidity to handle himself in pass coverage.\n\n\n
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“I think he was finally healthy [last year]: he played with some issues in recent years, but he was free to make plays,” said an NFL offensive coach. “He can still perform at a high level. Very tough.”<\/p>\n\nNFL offensive coach<\/cite>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
8. DeMarvion Overshown, Dallas Cowboys<\/h3>\n\n\nHighest position:<\/strong> 4 | Lowest position:<\/strong> Unranked \nAge:<\/strong> 24 | Last year’s ranking:<\/strong> ineligible (rookie)\n\nOvershown only needed 12 NFL games to convince a considerable number of voters that he is a high-impact linebacker.\n\n\n
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“It’s absolutely incredible,” said an NFL team personnel executive. “Ridiculous.”<\/p>\n\nNFL Personnel Executive<\/cite>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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“One of the most athletic linebackers I’ve seen,” said a veteran NFL defensive coach. “He’s the fastest guy out there. He can completely take over a game and was really starting to understand it.”<\/p>\n\nNFL veteran defensive coach<\/cite>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\nAdded an offensive coach from the NFC: “He’s the second guy you worry about in Dallas, after Micah [Parsons]. Great ability to run and hit, speed on third down to cover.”\n\nAll that admiration comes with a caveat: significant injury issues. Overshown missed his rookie season in 2023 due to a torn ACL in his left knee, then suffered a serious right knee injury in December 2024, tearing three ligaments (ACL, MCL, PCL). He plans to return sometime in the 2025 season, and that’s also Dallas’s hope.\n\nSeveral voters have serious concerns about whether Overshown can maintain a consistent NFL career due to the damage already done. But his work in less than a full NFL season was solid: 90 tackles, 5 sacks, 4 passes defended, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery. He led the top 10 in average distance covered on tackles (18.9 yards).\n\n\n
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“He may be a stud, but he really needs to improve in zone coverage and when he has to disengage from a block,” said a veteran NFL defensive coach. “He can play man-to-man against any running back or tight end in the league, but zone awareness is lacking. He does a great job using his athleticism to slip under blocks, but if they get their hands on him, it’s a problem.”<\/p>\n\nVeteran NFL defensive coach<\/cite>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Typically, a player returning from a season plagued by injuries wouldn’t maintain their ranking. But Greenlaw’s free agency told the story. Several league evaluators said he was the most exciting free agent, despite a torn Achilles tendon in Super Bowl LVIII that cost him all but two games in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\nAnd when the Broncos signed him to a three-year, $31.5 million contract, San Francisco’s feeling of remorse was real. “A million percent,” said a team source.\n\n\n
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“He’s a total savage,” said an NFL coordinator. “A top-five linebacker when healthy.”<\/p>\n\nNFL Coordinator<\/cite>\n\n\nHe showed precisely that in his return from the end of the season against the Rams, accumulating eight tackles in 30 plays while allowing one reception for eight yards in 13 coverage opportunities. The previous year, Greenlaw finished with 120 tackles (5 for loss), 4 passes defended, and 1 sack.\n\n\n
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“He has to stay healthy and prove it again, but he’s a son of a b—-, smart, strong, he’ll take your breath away,” said an NFL defensive coach. “I see how he stays injured so much, because he plays with so much explosion.”<\/p>\n\nNFL Defensive Coach<\/cite>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
10. Quincy Williams, New York Jets<\/h3>\n\n\nHighest position:<\/strong> 2 | Lowest position:<\/strong> Unranked \nAge:<\/strong> 28 | Last year’s ranking:<\/strong> Honorable mention\n\nWilliams backed up an All-Pro season in 2023 with another solid performance, earning several top-three votes. He kept several key competitors at bay, including future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner, for the tenth spot.\n\n\n
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“Closing speed from zero to 100 side to side,” said an NFL defensive coach. “He’ll hit you. Dog.”<\/p>\n\nNFL Defensive Coach<\/cite>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\nWilliams lives in the backfield, combining 41 tackles for loss since 2022. His passes defended decreased from 10 to four from one year to the next.\n\n\n
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“He’s a Pro Bowl caliber player, with elite speed and explosion to close, plays physical and bigger than he is, but to be elite you have to consistently take the ball away and he hasn’t done that,” said a veteran NFL defensive coach.<\/p>\n\nVeteran NFL defensive coach<\/cite>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\nIn that sense, Williams has one interception in his career, which came in 2023. But he forced four fumbles in 2024.\n\n\n
Honorable Mentions<\/h3>\n\n\nJeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Cleveland Browns: He received enough votes for the number 6 linebacker position, but has been declared out for the 2025 season due to a neck injury. “He was among the top three in the league before getting injured. A weapon on [Jim Schwartz]’s defense. TFL machine, super impactful.” – NFL personnel director\n\nBobby Wagner, Washington Commanders: “Physical skills have diminished, but he can compensate with world-class instincts.” – AFC Executive\n“He’s still excellent at anticipating a play, doing everything you want from a LB, smart, instincts, knows what everyone is doing. Pass coverage is where you see a bit of a drop-off, which is to be expected at this stage.” – NFL Personnel Evaluator\n\nPatrick Queen, Pittsburgh Steelers: “He’s always been a little inconsistent. I didn’t think last year was top 10 worthy.” – AFC Executive\n“He’s at his best as a fast-flowing, hitting WILL linebacker. I expect him to be better in his second year in Pittsburgh.” – NFC Scout\n“He has good speed, can close and can blitz, but when he runs through the back door he doesn’t always get there as much as you’d like.” – NFL Personnel Evaluator\n\nDemario Davis, New Orleans Saints: “Extremely physical, get it on the back, win that matchup. Straight line, still great. Pressuring, intelligence, instincts. The problem at this stage is the change of direction.” – NFL Coordinator\n\nMatt Milano, Buffalo Bills: “One of my favorites when he’s healthy. He’s very important to Buffalo. Great communicator, excellent in pass coverage. He just can’t stay on the field.” – NFL Coordinator\n\nLogan Wilson, Cincinnati Bengals: “High-level performance in all facets of the position. I thought their run defense took a step back, but losing [DJ Reader] and their DT play last year hurt them. Better in zone than man-to-man against tight ends and running backs, but his ability to play off the QB and anticipate routes is very good and an effective blitzer when called upon.” – NFC Personnel Evaluator\n\nJack Campbell, Detroit Lions: “Huge and violent. Better in coverage than he’s given credit for, but not great there. A key and diagnostic player. Good fit for Dan Campbell.” – NFL personnel evaluator “He’s an elevator. I’m not sure he’s there yet, but he will be soon. The coverage wasn’t quite ready.” – NFC executive\n\nFoyesade Oluokun, Jacksonville Jaguars: “Solid professional. Tackling machine. Doesn’t have a big play element to his game, but can be schemed as a run stopper on inside pressures.” – NFL personnel evaluator\n\nJamien Sherwood, New York Jets: “Rising player. He’s a bullet. He was one of my favorite [pending] free agents in March.” – NFL personnel evaluator\n\nZaire Franklin, Indianapolis Colts: “Blue collar, the best type of engine that can get a lot of tackles and set a good tone. Not dynamic as far as making plays in the open field or in the backfield.” – NFC Executive\n\nBlake Cashman, Minnesota Vikings: “Extremely intelligent, versatile in the scheme, can use the green dot or shift to WILL, good at aligning people, plays with the right patience and timing, which masks his athleticism, but he is fast and can cover, in addition to adding to the pressure, he has good range. He couldn’t stay healthy in New York, so it took him time to establish himself, but he has found his place and should continue to rise.” – NFC Scout\n\nAlso receiving votes: T.J. Edwards (Chicago Bears), Terrel Bernard (Buffalo Bills), Jordyn Brooks (Miami Dolphins), Daiyan Henley (Los Angeles Chargers), Drue Tranquill (Kansas City Chiefs), Robert Spillane (New England Patriots), Christian Harris (Houston Texans), Pete Werner (New Orleans Saints), Kaden Elliss (Atlanta Falcons), Ernest Jones (Seattle Seahawks), Nakobe Dean (Philadelphia Eagles)","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Best NFL Linebackers for 2025: Expert Analysis and Perspectives As the 2025 NFL training camps approach, true league insiders share their opinions. Alofoke Deportes presents an analysis of the best players at the linebacker position, according to a survey of NFL executives, coaches, and scouts. This is the sixth year of these rankings, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16544,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[81,894,5833,64],"class_list":{"0":"post-16543","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nfl","8":"tag-81","9":"tag-coaches","10":"tag-linebackers","11":"tag-nfl"},"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16543","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16543"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16543\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16544"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16543"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16543"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16543"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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<\/figure>\n\n\nAfter a solid first campaign with the Commanders, Frankie Luvu jumped into the top 10 conversation.\n\n\n