These are the top five linebackers in free agency this year. Linebackers are one of the most important positions on defense especially in todays game. Middle backers are the quarterbacks of the defense, they bring the plays in and they get the troops ready for battle. A good inside backer is not only a good way to improve your unit on the field, nine times out of ten you’ll get a good leader in the locker room. A good outside backer will do wonders for your team especially with the pass rushers in this free agent pool. With the league as pass heavy as it is now a good pass rusher, pressure on the quarterback is crucial to winning. So its pretty easy to say a good linebacking core can do wonders for your team, and for the teams with the cap room these five guys can instantly make your unit better.
#5 Karlos Dansby, Arizona Cardinals
Dansby is an excellent football player and will bring more to your team than just excellent play. He has been in the league since 2004 and has improved his stats each year. Also in 2013 he had one of the best years he’s had as a pro. With 112 solo tackles this year a career high he proved that at 32 years old he still has a lot to offer. Long story short he’ll make any team better especially a team with young players in need of guidance.
#4 Brian Orakpo, Washington Redskins
Orakpo is a good player but he’s never lived up to the expectations of being the next great pass rusher. A lot of people may have him higher when when it comes to free agents but he’s not young enough to sign him for potential and he’s not a guy like Dansby that will come in and instantly be a leader in the locker room. He’s a good player and a good pro but I don’t see him as elite, he can no doubt help a team I just like other guys and what they bring to the table a little more.
#3 Shaun Phillips, Denver Broncos
Philips stepped in and saved the day this year when Von Miller was suspended and injured. He was crucial on an underrated unit that made it to the Super Bowl after dominating opponents during the regular season. He falls into the same category as Dansby, he’s a good player with a lot of experience in the NFL that is coming off a good year on a really good team. This year as he embraced more of a support role he tallied 10 sacks and was definitely a key leader in that locker room. Any team that can bring in Philips will be getting a proven leader and a player with proven skills.
#2 Jason Worilds, Pittsburgh Steelers
Worilds is a young linebacker that has a lot of potential. He’s only 25 but has four seasons under his belt already, and if you look at his previous season he’s gotten better each year he was in the league, one of the best traits you can have in the NFL. He had his best year this year, in 15 games he tallied a career high 63 total tackles and eight sacks. His progression and young age makes him one of the most enticing targets in free agency this year. A team can bring him in and mold him to what they need at the outside backer position in their scheme. I tell you what the Steelers should do everything they can to keep this young man on the roster.
#1 Brandon Spikes, New England Patriots
Spikes is old school when it comes to football mentality. You gotta love the way he plays the game out there. He’s a hunter out there and he has a mean streak to him that every team wants in their middle backer. He’s a football player plain and simple, he won’t run one of those flashy 40 times or play tight end in the red zone but he’ll lead a winning defense. From Florida to New England he’s a proven winner, and at only 26 he’s got a lot left in the tank. Trust me teams passed on him in the draft because he wasn’t a combine all star, it would be absolutely foolish to make the same mistake a second time around.