There are a lot of linebackers in free agency this year that can have an immediate impact on any team they sign with. You can find many that fit a 3-4 scheme or a 4-3 scheme. It's a deep free agent class at linebacker with a variety of options that can play inside or outside. For teams in need of a linebacker this offseason, they’re in luck.

10. Bruce Carter, Outside Linebacker, Dallas Cowboys

Carter is either average or above average in all aspects except one, his sound tackling. While Carter isn't exceptional in his tackling ability, he does a nice job wrapping up and not whiffing. Carter's kryptonite can be found versus the running where, where he often stays in tight spaces, making it much easier for blockers to engage him.

9. John Abraham, Outside Linebacker, Arizona Cardinals

John Abraham is up there in age and missed almost the entire 2014 season due to injury. He will be motivated in 2015 to show everyone he still has some gas left in the tank, aiming to show he is still a force to be reckoned with when healthy. While he’s lost some of his athleticism as he’s aged, he still has the technical skills to be a very effective pass rusher. However, his struggles against the run prevent him from being more highly coveted in free agency.

8. Geno Hayes, Outside Linebacker, Jacksonville Jaguars

Hayes had trouble in the past against the run and rushing the passer, but stood out in his coverage for the position. In 2014 he improved his pass rush and run defense significantly. He became a much more complete player, showing the league that he can be an every-down linebacker and a foundational piece to any defense.

7. Justin Durant, Outside Linebacker, Dallas Cowboys

Durant was having arguably the best season of his career in 2014 until he tore his bicep in Week 8 and missed the rest of the season. In his limited amount of snaps he was able to record 59 tackles (four for a loss), four passes defended, two quarterback hurries, an interception, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. If Durant can show team doctors his bicep is healed, he will attract plenty of interest on the open market.

6. David Harris, Inside Linebacker, New York Jets

David Harris had a slow start to the season, but really started to heat up towards the end of the year. While he’ll never be considered a “thumper”, he is still athletic enough to make the tackles on the inside and shed blocks to get after the running back. Harris' tackling leaves a little something to be desired as he missed seven tackles this past season, but he remains one of the best inside linebackers on the market.

5. Jerry Hughes, Outside Linebacker, Buffalo Bills

Hughes is an outside linebacker who has built his game around his speed. He is a very good pass rusher and uses his speed well in the run game as well. He isn’t the most physical linebacker, but a lot of offensive linemen have problems with his speed when trying to engage him in a block. Hughes has made the jump as a pass rusher thanks to his speed, footwork and movement skills His pass rush is very good due to his speed, excellent footwork, and his movement in traffic.

4. Jason Worilds, Outside Linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers

Worilds is at his best when he’s rushing the passer. As evidenced by his eight sacks, 16 quarterback hits, and 28 quarterback hurries in 2014. As far as his run-stopping abilities go, he’s average for his position. He is technically sound but lacks the physicality and instincts a good run stopper has. After being tagged last season, Worilds hits the open market in 2015 and is set to cash in.

3. Brandon Marshall, Outside Linebacker, Denver Broncos

Brandon Marshall had the best season of his career this past season, excelling in all areas. His most impressive area was in coverage. His athleticism and awareness allow him to be effective in coverage, something he does very often. While he’s not elite at rushing the passer or stopping the run, he’s certainly above average at both. The Broncos didn’t ask him to rush the passer much (just 45 pass rush snaps on the season) but he was still able to record two sacks, three quarterback hits, and 7 quarterback hurries.

2. Brandon Spikes

Spikes is an excellent middle linebacker, excelling at stopping the run. One of the things that make him so effective against the run is his ability to tackle. Where he becomes a liability is in coverage or on outside runs, because he’s much more of a downhill player and lacks lateral quickness.

1. Brian Orakpo, Outside Linebacker, Washington Redskins

Orakpo doesn’t really have any weaknesses in his game. The biggest knock on him is how injury prone he seems to be. But when he’s on the field, there aren’t many in the NFL that are like him. He can rush the passer better than almost every 3-4 outside linebacker, can drop into coverage (although he isn’t asked to do that often), and can hold the edge against the run. Orakpo is going to be a highly coveted free agent.