Welcome to my Pre-Draft LB rankings. To be honest there is some serious depth at the linebacker position entering 2015. The linebacker position still remains the cream of the crop in the IDP world, with that I’d still target an elite LB to anchor your defense, especially if you start three or more. Sitting at the top of the rankings is Lavonte Kuechly, I mean Luke David, I mean Lavonte David or Luke Kuechly but it really doesn’t matter honestly. I put Lavonte at the top once again because he brings a little more to the table and can mirror Luke’s tackle numbers. But, debating between Lavonte and Luke for the #1 spot is like debating whether or not iPhone is better than Android. It’s all personal preference; carry on
| RANK | PLAYER | TM | BUZZ |
| 1 | LAVONTE DAVID | TBB | cleary a stud but is the 2nd LB, can outperform Luke |
| 2 | LUKE KUECHLY | CAR | 1B pretty much, nothing else to see here |
| 3 | CJ MOSLEY | BAL | the rising star, superb rookie season to build on should see bottomless amount of tackles for a long time |
| 4 | JAMIE COLLINS | NEP | under the radar to some, legit top LB1 – on the verge of becoming NEP’s top LB if he isn’t already, wait he is – carry on and draft him! |
| 5 | BOBBY WAGNER | SEA | injuries slowed his roll here and there but one of the best run stopping LB’s 110+ tackles easy |
| 6 | NAVORRO BOWMAN | SF | risk/big reward here, been almost 18 months since his horrific knee injury, long as no set backs during camp should return to top LB form |
| 7 | ALEC OGLETREE | STL | has averaged at least 88 solo tackles last 2 years, improves in coverage he’s going to be a star |
| 8 | DEANDRE LEVY | DET | even with Tulloch back, stats won’t drop should remain near the top of the LB’s in 2015 |
| 9 | MYCHAL KENDRICKS | PHI | the best ILB PHI has and is fully healthy, big season up ahead even if he gets traded |
| 10 | TELVIN SMITH | JAC | would be higher if I didn’t like those above him, can make a case to be in the top 5 in the near future |
| 11 | KHALIL MACK | OAK | the tackles are there and already making a name for himself – add in the sacks – look out, low tier LB1 option high end LB2 |
| 12 | DEMARIO DAVIS | NYJ | about to have a career year under Bowles, think Daryl Washington 2012 |
| 13 | NIGEL BRADHAM | BUF | Will thrive with Rex, having a stout line will help him get to the QB |
| 14 | JERRELL FREEMAN | IND | underrated – when healthy one of the better LB’s |
| 15 | KEENAN ROBINSON | WAS | would actually rank him higher but no can do, still a legit under appreciated LB and is on the rise |
| 16 | JUSTIN HOUSTON | KCC | gets better each season now that he got paid what he got for an encore? 25 sacks? |
| 17 | PRESTON BROWN | BUF | he’s climbed up my board big time as I’ve done more study on him, going to be a tackling machine under Rex’s scheme |
| 18 | LAWRENCE TIMMONS | PIT | 2 more good steady years out of him than it’s passed onto the young helm |
| 19 | KIKO ALONSO | PHI | coming off ACL injury and to a team with more talented ILB’s than what he had in BUF, draft with caution or sell while you can |
| 20 | SIO MOORE | OAK | only thing that’ll stop him from reaching top 12 is his hip injury |
| 21 | DANNY TREVATHAN | DEN | has a new knee (what I read this off-season) and clearly the top all-around LB in DEN just needs to stay healthy |
| 22 | RYAN SHAZIER | PIT | lot of buzz on him, he’s definitely capable of unseating Timmons – not this year though – not yet. Dynasty leagues I’d definitely target him though as a LB2 |
| 23 | VON MILLER | DEN | with Wade in town now he moves to OLB in 3-4 scheme, what suits him best and should see 15+ sacks easy and then some |
| 24 | JELANI JENKINS | MIA | flying under the radar but as good as it gets as your LB2, an off-season as a starter this time should definitely help |
| 25 | STEPHONE ANTHONY | NOS | Top 15 ceiling Top 20 Floor – will thrive in NOS and has little to no competition |
| 26 | AVERY WILLIAMSON | TEN | has all the tools to become TEN’s best LB, impressive rookie season now Brown is back Avery can rush the QB more |
| 27 | ERIC KENDRICKS | MIN | landed in a great spot, lot of talent around though but should be the man in 2016 (IDP wise) Top 15 ceiling |
| 28 | PAUL POSLUSZNY | JAC | if he can stay healthy can put together at least 2 more solid years for his IDP owners but there’s definitely a risk to drafting Poz |
| 29 | DERRICK JOHNSON | KCC | another risk/reward LB, no competition for tackles in the middle and can finish in the top 10 at seasons end, good for contending teams |
| 30 | CHRISTIAN JONES | CHI | is about to be the top LB in CHI, all-around talent will be put to use with Fangio |
| 31 | D’QWELL JACKSON | IND | ranking might be a little low but with a healthy Freeman, stats will simmer down a bit |
| 32 | CLAY MATTHEWS | GBP | playing ILB for a little while will boost his tackle numbers but hurt his sacks (slightly) still a solid value right now |
| 33 | VONTAZE BURFICT* | CIN | im shying away from drafting Burfict, way too risky but by all means if you take the chance & he plays – you got yourself a top 5 LB. |
| 34 | ANTHONY BARR | MIN | why does this feel too low for Barr? Either way he’s been a target of mine in any league as my low end LB2 high end LB3 option, looked good prior to injury in 2014. |
| 35 | ZACH BROWN | TEN | coming off injury, ready to roll – draft with confidence he’ll compliment Avery |
| 36 | THOMAS DAVIS | CAR | aging vet still produces but I see a slight decline (not much) with Shaq in town now |
| 37 | JAMES LAURINAITIS | STL | still capable of racking up solo tackles, possibly lost a step but not even 30 yet very servicable |
| 38 | SEAN WEATHERSPOON | ARI | if he can stay healthy this will be a steal for ARI, signed a prove it deal to well, prove it. When healthy he’s a capable LB2 and who will compete for tackles in ARI with him? (nobody) |
| 39 | PERRY RILEY | WAS | still a solid LB to own, especially in tackle heavy leagues, targeting as a LB3 with LB2 value some weeks |
| 40 | DONTA HIGHTOWER | NEP | starting to buy into him but as a LB3, but could prove me wrong |
| 41 | KARLOS DANSBY | CLE | you’re only buying him if you’re contending and need a bunch of tackles, otherwise pass on Dansby as he probably has 1 maybe 2 more years left but torched will be passed to Kirksey |
| 42 | DEVON KENNARD | NYG | BUY NOW! This will be the cheapest you’ll get him |
| 43 | PAUL WORRILOW | ATL | just not a believer, only reason he racks up a bunch of tackles is because lack of competition and lack of competition and … |
| 44 | SEAN LEE | DAL | probably the ultimate risk/reward and if he’s looking good in camp he’s definitely rising in my ranks legit top 5 LB just needs to stay on the damn field |
| 45 | BRANDON MARSHALL | DEN | superb year in 2014 thanks to a bunch of injuries to the Broncos LB unit but Marshall held his own but I’m not buying, you can. Trevantan is a much better LB FYI |
| 46 | CURTIS LOFTON | OAK | short term buy, with Mack and Sio on the field it’ll probably mask his weaknesses will still be servicable for tackles but nothing more buy at your own risk |
| 47 | STEPHON TULLOCH | DET | a top 25 LB when healthy and DET can have 2 top 25 LB’s in Levy and Tulloch as it’s been done before, if I’m contending I’m giving Tulloch a slight look at the right price |
| 48 | JEROD MAYO | NEP | another stud LB that has lost his throne because he just couldn’t stay healthy, Mayo is not even the best LB on his team anymore and could see a reduced role – buyer beware |
| 49 | DAVID HARRIS | NYJ | savvy vet that will still contribute |
| 50 | JERRY HUGHES | BUF | lot of folks shying away from Hughes, not me – you’re drafting Hughes the same reason you’re drafting Von Miller, Aldon Smith and Ryan Kerrigan. He’ll produce, you’ll thank me later |
| 51 | RYAN KERRIGAN | WAS | has become a solid scoring LB, I was waiting too see this consistency career high in sacks in 2014, what will he do for an encore? |
| 52 | DENZEL PERRYMAN | SDC | in prime opportunity to become the leader of the defense early on, Butler has lost a step and Te’o isn’t anything special, Perryman the Thumper will lay the wood on ball carriers, got a feeling he’ll rise in my ranks soon |
| 53 | KJ WRIGHT | SEA | a healthy Wagner and improving Pierre-Louis will eat into his production a little but SEA still thinks highly of him |
| 54 | ALDON SMITH | SF | how will he fare without Justin Smith, because it seems Aldon struggled when Justin was out of games |
| 55 | JT THOMAS | NYG | undervalued right now and can make a case for top 25, opportunity is there and Giants like him a lot |
| 56 | CHRIS KIRKSEY | CLE | first order of business is that he needs to beat out Robertson for the starting ILB job next to Dansby, second order of business would be improving in coverage but he going to be alright nice dynasty grab |
| 57 | BRIAN CUSHING | HOU | deems himself healthy as he’s ever been, this rank seems way too low though what the hell am I doing? |
| 58 | CONNOR BARWIN | PHI | he’ll still get after the QB just this time he’ll have Graham opposite of him beating him to the punch |
| 59 | BUD DUPREE | PIT | if PIT indeed will utilize Bud in a “Jamie Collins type role” he’s going to rise in my ranks and I’ve already targeted him in just about every draft I could, cheap round 4 – well, he was prob a 3rd now? |
| 60 | SHAQ THOMPSON | CAR | can’t deny his talent and will learn with Kuechly and Davis, no better duo to learn from – versatilty is key here and stats will follow |
| 61 | MASON FOSTER | CHI | 2-down thumper will continue to eat up tackles in CHI |
| 62 | ROLANDO MCCLAIN | DAL | suspension kind of hurts but that’s not the worry the worry is can he maintain what he’s done last year because you know he sort of came out of nowhere and started racking up tackles again |
| 63 | BENARDRICK MCKINNEY | HOU | early candidate for a 2-down role, that hurts his value and would need a solid training camp to showcase what he’s capable of still a nice dynasty buy because Cushing can’t stay healthy |
| 64 | GERALD HODGES | MIN | the future is now, bye Greenway hello Hodges (not yet but you get the point) |
| 65 | PAUL DAWSON | CIN | behind on the depth chart (for now) could have mid-season impact ala Avery Williamson type impact |
| 66 | MARIO WILLIAMS | BUF | big play leagues target Mario |
| 67 | BRANDON GRAHAM | PHI | this ranks seem too low for Graham but I like him and he’s going to breakout (finally) entering camp as starter and increased in snaps wouldn’t be surprised if he finished 2015 in top 35 |
| 68 | KWON ALEXANDER | TBB | the future could come quicker than expected, he can definitely beat out Lansanah for the SLB would be ideal to move him to WLB but one Lavonte David sits there so yeah |
| 69 | DARYL SMITH | BAL | another savvy vet who racks up just about the same amount of assisted tackles as solos |
| 70 | KOA MISI | MIA | never bought into the hype but he’s servicable as your LB4/5 or one who you use to spot start while your stud is on bye |
| MANTI TE’O | SDC | will he finally put it all together in 2015, Chargers kind of sort of need him too | |
| 71 | SAM BARRINGTON | GBP | opportunity is there, definitely an upgrade over Brad Jones and AJ Hawk tho |
| 72 | DEMECO RYANS | PHI | Eagles kept him, he’s getting paid a nice chunk of change but will PHI put 3 ILB’s on the field at the same time? Question is how many snaps or what is Ryans role, we go from there |
| 73 | CHAD GREENWAY | MIN | probably the last year Greenway is IDP relevant, thanks for all those tackles |
| 74 | JONATHAN NEWSOME | IND | big play LB on the rise, with increased playing time should see 10-12 sacks |
| 75 | BRUCE CARTER | TBB | Bucs view him as their future MLB I view him as no better than a LB5 option |
| 76 | BRUCE IRVIN | SEA | has his weeks, if you own him hopefully you start him on his big games |
| 77 | JADEVEON CLOWNEY | HOU | off-season reports that his knee is looking good, I know Clowney is a beast but talk about all the setbacks – still worth a shot especially since he’s so damn cheap |
| 78 | DANNY LANSANAH | TBB | next |
| 79 | PERNELL MCPHEE | CHI | how will he do with increased snaps? Could definitely have a career year though |
| 80 | KEVIN MINTER | ARI | is the time now or never? Just never? … ok then worth rostering if you have up to 45 or more roster spots |
| 81 | TAHIR WHITEHEAD | DET | he’s still penciled in as the starter, Van Noy has done nothing to get the SLB position and Whitehead proved what he can do |
| 82 | JAKE RYAN | GBP | eventually he will rise in my rankings, I dig the move to ILB and has the tools to succeed there just the learning process right now will kill his value in 2015, nice stash though |
| 83 | HAU’OLI KIKAHA | NOS | Saints said goodbye to Galette and you should say Aloha to Kikaha, big play LB though so temper expectations |
| 84 | ARTHUR MOATS | PIT | good run stopping OLB, favored to start opposite Harrison but will be in camp battle with Dupree (yikes) |
| 85 | JEREMIAH ATTAOCHU | SDC | remember that game against the Cardinals? He seemed to get to Palmer at will, well he’s legit and if he’s healthy he’s bound to have a big year as Chargers need all the edge rushers they can get |
| 86 | ANTHONY HITCHENS | DAL | McClains suspension definitely opens the door for Hitchens as he should see an increase in snaps early on which would make him a nice buy in deep leagues that start 3 or more LB’s |
| 87 | EMMANUEL LAMUR | CIN | deep league / deep roster worthy – nothing more (sadly) unless he improves his game drastically |
| 88 | DONALD BUTLER | SDC | my oh my how he has fallen, price is cheap enough to hope for a bounceback though |
| 89 | MICHAEL WHILHOITE | SF | taking over for Borland/Willis – did pretty good last year now more responsibility in 2015 I see him no better than a LB4 option tho, limited upside |
| 90 | KEVIN PIERRE-LOUIS | SEA | solid stash if you can for your dynasty team, with Malcolm Smith gone he figures to see his role & he’s much more athletic lot of potential with KPL! |
| 91 | JON BEASON | NYG | the mighty have fallen indeed, Beason was so good before but its ok Beason so many injures and as long as he’s healthy he’s the Giants starting MLB |
| 92 | TERRELL SUGGS | BAL | Ball So Hard University President |
| 93 | PRESTON SMITH | WAS | Preston’s a good fit for WAS opposite Kerrigan, more athletic and better skill-set than Murphy should have no problem getting starting gig |
| 94 | RAMIK WILSON | KCC | got a feeling he’ll end up starting next to Johnson sooner than later, if so he rises in ranks |
| 95 | JUSTIN DURANT | ATL | will contend with Worrilow on tackle opportunities but just a 2-down LB that’s solid vs the run |
| 96 | ELVIS DUMERVIL | BAL | he likes to sack the QB but don’t think he reaches 17 sacks again and that’s pretty much what he offers |
| 97 | ZA’DARIUS SMITH | BAL | the future in BAL still has a learning curve so give him a year |
| 98 | CHRIS MCCAIN | MIA | solid off-season so far, favorite to start at SLB sleeper status esp if Koa struggles |
| 99 | KYLE VAN NOY | DET | has to show he can beat out Whitehead first to get the starting job |
| 100 | BROOKS REED | ATL | could possibly show something in ATL, got to be a deep roster to want him though otherwise waiver wire fodder |
There’s going to be a bunch of shuffling as off-season progresses, from the draft to free agency to injuries which is why I’ll keep this updated as much as I can. Until then, shoot your questions at me via twitter @IDPwithBEE_8o8.
