Top 10 NFL Linebackers Ranked by Execs and Coaches
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- Fred Warner retained the top spot despite missing most of the 2025 season with an ankle injury, earning around 70% of first-place votes from NFL personnel.
- Roquan Smith held firm at No. 2, recognized for his consistency, physicality, and playmaking, with evaluators noting his elite instincts and downhill force.
- Carson Schwesinger debuted at No. 3 after a standout rookie season with the Cleveland Browns, recording 156 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two interceptions to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.
- Zack Baun remained at No. 4 following a second consecutive Pro Bowl season, becoming one of only two linebackers to appear on every top-10 ballot.
- Jack Campbell broke into the top 10 at No. 5 after leading the Lions with 176 tackles and signing a four-year, $81 million contract.
- Azeez Al-Shaair, Jordyn Brooks, Nick Bolton, Edgerrin Cooper, and Devin Lloyd rounded out the list, each earning recognition for breakout or resurgent seasons, with multiple scouts comparing their play to past NFL greats.
Why it matters: The rankings confirm Fred Warner as the position's gold standard despite injury, while five new entrants—including a Defensive Rookie of the Year and four players on new major contracts—signal a shifting hierarchy where production and scheme fit now outweigh longevity alone. For teams, this elevates the value of versatile, instinctive linebackers who can impact both run and pass games.
