Best Linebackers in NFL History: Legends Ranked by Stats

Lawrence Taylor is the unanimous greatest linebacker in NFL history as he amasses the highest SB Score of 1.000, the highest SB Market Index of 4.9, and the best industry recognition.

Lawrence Taylor, nicknamed “LT”, revolutionized the linebacker position, as his pass-rushing ability dominated the game and changed pass-blocking schemes forever. The New York Giants’ outside linebacker combined tremendous speed and raw power, so that coaches had to develop two tight end sets to stop him from getting to the quarterback.

Taylor impacted the game possibly more than any offensive player in the 1980s on his way to winning three Defensive Player of the Year awards and an MVP, becoming the last defensive player to win the league MVP in 1986, where he posted 20.5 sacks. “LT” led the Giants' defense in their two Super Bowl triumphs, while he also finished his career with 142 sacks (132.5 official by the NFL).

During his 13 seasons in the league, Taylor set the NFL record with the most Pro Bowls to start a career, having achieved ten of them and eight first-team All-Pro selections. These unmatched achievements rendered him one of just 12 players to earn the honour, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

Ray Lewis comes in at second on this rank as he garners a SB Score of 0.980, a SB Matrix Index of 4.8, and exceptional industry recognition.

Ray Lewis, nicknamed “the Brickwall” or “Raytorious L52”, was debatably the greatest inside linebacker in NFL history. Lewis was the face of the Baltimore Ravens as well as the leader of the 2000 Ravens defense, which is considered one of the greatest defensive units in NFL history, having posted league records in a 16-game season for fewest rushing yards (970), shutouts (4), and points allowed (165).

Lewis is a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2000 and 2003), a two-time Super Bowl champion, and the Super Bowl XXXV MVP. The 2018 Pro Football Hall of Famer is the NFL's all-time leader in combined tackles with 2,059 (tackles started being recorded in 1987), leading the league three times, and is second in solo tackles with 1,568 (started being recorded in 1994).

The Tackling machine is one of just 15 players to be selected to at least 12 Pro Bowls, while also being just one of five linebackers to be selected as a first-team All-Pro seven times, and his 10 total All-Pro selections are a record for an inside linebacker.

Dick Butkus comes in at third after registering an SB Score of 0.950, an SB Matrix Index of 4.7, and considerable industry recognition.

Dick Butkus, nicknamed “the Maestro of Mayhem”, “the Robot of Destruction”, or simply “the Enforcer”, was the epitome of the aggressive, gritty, hard-nosed middle linebacker. In his nine seasons with the Chicago Bears, Butkus claimed back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year in 1969 and 1970.

He was considered one of the most feared players in the league, and possibly the greatest hitter of all time. Once Deacon Jones claimed, “Butkus wasn’t trying to put you in the hospital; he was trying to put you in a funeral”.

The 1979 Pro Football Hall of Famer was selected to the Pro Bowl eight times and was also an eight-time All-Pro selection. Unfortunately, Butkus’ career was cut short by knee injuries, and he was out of football by the age of 31

Mike Singletary comes in at fourth on this rank after accumulating a SB Score of 0.940, a SB Matrix Index of 4.6, and appreciable industry recognition.

Mike Singletary, nicknamed “Samurai Mike” or “Minister of Defense”, was the master and face of Buddy Ryan’s “46” defense in Chicago. The dominating unit was famous for propelling Chicago to an 18-1 record, culminating in a 46-10 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX.

During his 12-year career with the Chicago Bears, Singletary amassed an impressive 1,488 career tackles, 885 of which were solo efforts, while also making seven interceptions and 12 fumble recoveries.

Jack Ham comes in at fifth on this rank after racking up an SB Score of 0.930, a SB Matrix Index of 4.5, and substantial industry recognition.

Jack Ham, nicknamed “the Hammer” or “Dobre Shunka”, was renowned as a formidable and forceful tackler during his time as an outside linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ham was blessed with stupendous quickness, as well as being one of the more intelligent players to ever play that position.

Ham spent his entire 12-year stint in the league with the Steelers, winning four Super Bowl championships, garnering eight Pro Bowl selections, and six First-Team All-Pros. He had 32 interceptions, which ranks him 3rd all-time among linebackers, to go along with 21 fumble recoveries.

Ted Hendricks comes in at sixth on this rank after stockpiling a SB Score of 0.920, a SB Matrix Index of 4.4, and pronounced industry recognition.

Ted Hendricks, nicknamed “The Mad Stork”, is renowned for his longevity and consistency after having played for 15 seasons with the Baltimore Colts, the Green Bay Packers, and the Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders in the NFL. The 1990 Pro Football Hall of Famer won four Super Bowl titles and accumulated eight Pro Bowl selections, coupled with six All-Pro nods.

Hendricks is the all-time kick blocker with 25, had 26 interceptions (including one touchdown return), 16 fumble recoveries, four safeties, and 61 sacks over his career.

Derrick Brooks comes in at seventh on this rank after hoarding up a SB Score of 0.910, a SB Matrix Index of 4.3, and inordinate industry recognition.

Derrick Brooks, nicknamed “The Hamster” or “The Sheriff”, is widely considered one of the best players in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ franchise history and one of the best linebackers in NFL history.

Brooks played 14 years for the Buccaneers, claiming the 2002 Defensive Player of the Year and the franchise's first Super Bowl win in Super Bowl XXXVII. He recorded 1,713 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 25 interceptions, and six touchdowns, which is tied for the most in NFL history by a linebacker. 

Brooks was selected to the Pro Bowl 11 times, including 10 straight, and was an All-Pro nine times.

Chuck Bednarik is eighth on this rank after collecting a SB Score of 0.900, a SB Matrix Index of 4.2, and sizeable industry recognition.

Chuck Bednarik, nicknamed “Concrete Charlie”, was renowned for his toughness and hard-hitting style of play, combined with his off-the-field job of selling concrete. Bednarik played his entire 14-year career with the Philadelphia Eagles and was one of the league's last two-way players, taking the field as a linebacker and center.

Bednarik is rated as one of the hardest-hitting tacklers in NFL history. He is famously credited for “The Hit”, which refers to when he knocked New York Giants star halfback Frank Gifford unconscious with a tackle that was called “professional football's most notorious concussion”.

The 1967 Pro Football Hall of Famer is a two-time NFL champion, eight-time Pro Bowler, and six-time All-Pro.

Jack Lambert comes in at ninth on this rank after mushrooming a SB Score of 0.890, a SB Market Index of 4.1, and illustrious industry recognition.

Jack Lambert, nicknamed “Dracula in Cleats” or “Jack Splat”, is widely considered to be “the greatest linebacker” of his era. Lambert amassed 28 career interceptions, 1,479 career tackles (1,045 solo tackles), and 23.5 sacks (unofficially).

The 1990 Pro Football Hall of Famer won four Super Bowl championships, the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1976, the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1974, nine straight Pro Bowl nods, and eight All-Pro selections.
In his nine-year NFL career, Lambert was the defensive captain of the Steelers’ famous “Steel Curtain” for eight seasons as the starting middle linebacker.

Junior Seau comes in at tenth on this rank after proliferating a SB Score of 0.880, a SB Matrix Index of 4.0, and distinguished industry recognition.

Junior Seau, nicknamed “Tasmanian Devil” or “Buddy Buddy”, is renowned for his passionate play and longevity, having graced the NFL gridiron for 20 seasons. The Chargers’ Legend accumulated 1,847 tackles (1,478 solo tackles), 56.5 sacks, 18 interceptions, 11 forced fumbles, 18 fumble recoveries, and one defensive touchdown.
The 2015 Pro Football Hall of Famer amassed 12 Pro Bowl selections and six First-Team All-Pro nods.