While everyone fixates on the cornerba൩cks and pass rushers of an NFL defense, it’s easy to overlook and forget about the linebackers. An underrated part of the defense, linebackers can act as additional people in pass coverage or attempt to help the defensive line apply pressure on the quarterback.
Having strong linebackers can elevate a team’s defense to the next level and that’s certainly the case in 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Madden 24. We take a look at the best 🐟linebackers in the game and how they impact the defense in coverage or 🦋rushing the quarterback.
10 ☂ ꦍ Matthew Judon - 89
After establishing himself as a quality right outside linebacker with the Baltimore Ravens, Matthew Judon signed a lucrative contract with the New England Patriots in 2021. Judon continued his streak of Pro Bowl seleꩵctions💯 and was nominated in 2021 and 2022 behind 120 tackles and 28 sacks.
Judon doesn’t stand ou🌸t in most areas compared to the other top linebackers but he’s an overall above-average defender. He has the necessary skills needed to command the middle of a defense highlighted𝓀 by his speed (85) and strength (86) but is considered the weakest tackler of the group.
9 Bobby Wagn❀er - 89
For the majority of his 11-year career, Bobby Wagner was a valuable piece of the Seattle Seahawks' vaunted Legion of Boom defense. The middle linebacker had unprecedented accolades from 2014 through 2021, as the 33-year-old was selected to eight Pro Bowls and earned six First-Team All-Pro nominations.
In 2022, Wagner joined the division-rival Los Angeles Rams before returning to the Seahawks in the offseason. While Seattle may not have the Legion of Boom anymore, the NFC West team will welcome Wagner 𝕴will open arms. He’s tied with the highest tackle rating (97) and boasts the highest power rating (93), meaning not only does Wagner take down his opposition with ease but he does it with brute force. Surprisingly, he also has the second-highest injury rating (97) so it’ll be a shock if he e⛦ver misses games.
8 🦂 ♋ Haason Reddick - 90
After a brief one-year stint with the Carolina Panthers, Haason Reddick became a key piece of the Philadelphia Eagles' defense that propelled the team to the Super Bowl in 2022. He led the league in forced fumbles (five) on his way to reaching his first career Pro Bowl.
While many linebackers rely on power to take down offensive players, Reddick favors finesse and speed to gain the upper hand. Compared to the 🌱other linebackers featured, Reddick has outstanding speed (86), acceleration (89), and agility (88) to quickly recognize plays (92) and make the proper decision.
7 Demario Davi🦩s - 90
Overall, Demario Davis has experienced a 😼decent career across three different teams, and while he has never been mentioned as the best at his position, he’s always relied upon as being a solid contributor. Then in 2ꦕ022, Davis enjoyed a late breakout season in his long career, generating a career-high 6.5 sacks en route to his first trip to the Pro Bowl.
Davis is one of the most aware (97) linebackers in the game, which helps him in zone coverage (77). He has the second-highest power rating (88) so if he&rsquo🏅;s able to reach the quarterback then there’s a good chance Davis can cause a fumble. If there’s one area Davis excels, he can stay healthy (98). Throughout his 11-year career, Davis has yet to miss a single game.
6 Lavonte David - 91 🅺 🎶
The longtime Tampa Bay 𓃲Buccaneers linebacker has established himself as a rock-solid defensive player over the past decade. While Lavonte David received accolades in the early part of his career and nothing after his fourth season, he is still counted on to deliver solid performanc💃es in the middle of the field.
David is an extremely smart linebacker (98) and recognizes plays (95) a bit easier than others. Compared to others in his position, David tackles (92) the opposition at a higher success rate. At 33 years old, David can surprise teams wit🍷h his speed (🤡85) and acceleration (88) when in pursuit (90).
5 Joey Bosa - 91 𝐆
While Nick Bosa is terrorizing quarterbacks in San Francisco, his older brother is a bit more south commanding the Los Angeles Chargers' defense. Drafted in 2016, Joey Bosa immediately impacted the Chargers’ defense by recording 10.5 sacks and winning Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Bosa’s amazing defense has also netted him three Pro Bowl selections in the last four seasons. Unfortunately, Bosa couldn’t make it four of four as he suffered from a lingering hamstring injury in 2022. But when he’s healthy, Bosa is the strongest (87) linebacker whose full ꦐfocus is attacking the quarterback. The 28-year-old is atrocious in man (26) and zone coverage (37) so don’t expect him to help defend receivers.
4 🐈 Roquan Smith - 92
Although Roquan Smith is among the cream of the crop at the linebacke♚r position, his brief time with the Chicago Bears after being drafted in 2018 ended in disappointment. The team traded the young defensive player to the Baltimore Ravens last season, where Smith experienced his best season as a pro.
Smith was selected to the Pro Bowl and received First-Team All-Pro honors behind three interceptions, 4.5 sacks, and a career-high 169 tackles. While linebackers typically favor power or speed, Smith is a rare player who ut🦹ilizes both traits. He had suitable power (87) to force fumbles but was also the fastest linebacker with high-end speed (87), agility (88), and acceleration (91). He also leads the linebacker group with the highest marks in✱ stamina (98), toughness (95), and tackling (97), making Smith one of the best young linebackers in the game.
3 🥀 ⭕ T.J. Watt - 94
Before his career is over, there’s a pretty good chance that T.J. Watt will be regarded as the best linebacker in the NFL. After a decent rookie season in 2017, Watt has dominated opposing offenses. He’s been selected to five straight Pro Bowls, three First-Team All-Pro nominations, and won Defensive Player of 🦩the Year in 2021, while also finishing in the top three in 2019 and 2020.
Watt led the NFL in sacks in 2020 (15) and 2021 (22.5), as well as tackles for a loss of yards. He’s tied with the highest toughness (95) and pursuit (96) ratings, so even if an offensive player somehow sneaks past him, he’ll hunt them down. Watt isn&rs♐quo;t like other linebackers who can also hold their own in pass coverage, his main focus is getting after the quarterback and disrupting the line of scrimmage.
2 Maxx Crosby - 94 💫
Every season, there’s a team with lofty goals and aspirations, only to fall flat on their face. In♐ 2022, one such team was the Las Vegas Raiders. The AFC West squad had all the makings to challenge the Kansas City Chiefs but finished with an abysmal six wins and thir𝔍d place in the division.
But a lone bright spot on the season was Maxx Crosby. The four-year pro took another step in his development and led the NFL in tackles for a loss of yards and recorded a career-high 12.5 sacks﷽. While his speed (84) and power (80) aren’t attributes to write home about, he’s an alert linebacker who𒐪 recognizes plays (95) early on and maintains high awareness (98).
1 Fred Warner -𝓡 96
Checking in as the best linebacker in Madden 24 is Fred Warner of the San Francisco 49ers. Throughout his five-year career, Warner has not missed a single game and has🌟 received two Pro Bowl and two First-Team All-Pro nominations. While Warner isn’t a sack machine like other linebackers, he’s a monster in the open field and tackles (92) with ease.
With Warner’s high stamina (96), he pursues (96) offensive playmakers intensely. Besides being one of the best tacklers in the league, Warner’s incredibly smart and can quickly recognize plays (99) in the field. His heighte🙈ned awareness (99) keeps him alert at all times and makes him the best linebacker in man (76) and zone coverage (85). When you combine Warner’s tackling skills and his ability to defend in pass coverages, he’s well deserving of holding the top spot in Madden 24.