NFL free agents 2021: Top 10 linebackers
Linebacker is one of the most important positions in the NFL right now. And there's one major reason for that: There's a scarce amount of true three-down LBs across the league.In the modern NFL, linebackers are asked to do a lot in coverage. When they can't, teams need to cycle through rotations or use defensive backs at the position.That's exactly what the Patriots did at the position last year, as safety Adrian Phillips had to play there amid coverage issues there. Bill Belichick has never gone after prototypical coverage linebackers during his career, but could that change? Or will the Patriots consider an old friend on the free-agent market?Here's a look at the top-10 linebacker free agents of the 2021 NFL offseason.
Age: 26
2020 stats: 76 tackles, five TFL, one sack, eight pass defenses, one interception
Brown very much fits the modern linebacker mold. He's a bit small for the position at 6-feet, 226 pounds but he uses that to his advantage in coverage where he is quick and covers ground quickly. With Matt Milano off the free-agent market after signing a four-year deal with the Bills, Brown is the top linebacker available this offseason.
Age: 31
2020 stats: 86 tackles, 11 TFL, two sacks, 10 pass defenses, one interception
Wright has long been an underrated part of the Seahawks defense. A lot of the credit goes to Bobby Wagner, but Wright is a top-tier linebacker in his own right. He performs well in all facets of the game and is a big, physical tackler. The Seahawks are in a bit of a cap crunch and Wright won't take a discount to remain in Seattle. If they can't pay him, any team with available cap space would be ecstatic to land one of the league's best off-ball linebackers.
Age: 29
2020 stats: 124 tackles, four TFL, one sack, two pass defenses
Johnson has come out of nowhere to be a great starting linebacker for the Broncos. He's a strong, downhill playmaker and holds up well in coverage, too. Johnson is a restricted free agent, so Denver will have a chance to keep him around if they so desire, and they should. He has been their top producer at linebacker.
Age: 29
2020 stats: 69 tackles, 10 TFL, six sacks, six pass defenses
Van Noy was released by the Dolphins one year after signing a four-year contract, but it wasn't because his play dropped off. He was still a strong all-around linebacker with a penchant for getting pressure on quarterbacks. He can play as a standup linebacker or as an edge rusher, so his versatility should be appealing to many teams. Could the Patriots be one of them? Van Noy played very well for them in three-and-a-half seasons in New England, so maybe Bill Belichick will try to make a reunion happen. Getting back Hightower and Van Noy would be a massive boost for the Patriots front seven.
Age: 28
2020 stats: 48 tackles, three TFL, one sack, one pass defense
Perryman has long been a solid linebacker for the Chargers. He's very good against the run and while coverage isn't his strong suit, he can get by in that area. Perryman hasn't played a full 16-game slate during his six-year NFL career, but he has missed just five games total the last two years. If he can stay healthy, Perryman can surely be relied on as a solid starter.
Age: 26
2020 stats: 122 tackles, eight TFL, three sacks, eight pass defenses, three interceptions
Wilson played very well for the Vikings last year in his first full-time season as a starter. He benefitted from playing alongside Eric Kendricks, but he still produced at a very high level. Wilson needs to improve his tackling ability a bit, but the coverage skills are there. He should have some suitors early in free agency.
Age: 29
2020 stats: 111 tackles, three TFL, one sack, six pass defenses, one interception
Williamson played for both the Jets and the Steelers last year and all things considered, he fared pretty well. He had minimal help while playing with the Jets and then had to learn the Steelers' defense on the fly midway through the season. Williamson only had one sack last year, so his next team may want to think about using him more as a downhill playmaker as opposed to in coverage, where he was merely decent.
Age: 27
2020 stats: 99 tackles, seven TFL, two sacks, three pass defenses
Campbell hasn't missed a game since his rookie season and has at least 92 tackles in each of the last four seasons. He's at his best when playing downhill and aggressively trying to make plays. He does miss tackles sometimes as a result of his aggressive play and he does have some trouble in coverage, but he's still very solid on the first two downs. If the Patriots go for another role player at the linebacker spot, he could make sense.
Age: 27
2020 stats: 91 tackles, two TFL, 0.5 sacks, six pass defenses, two interceptions
I'm going to let Phil Perry explain why Goodson might be a good fit for the Patriots:
"The opposite of an eye-catching signing, Goodson could still be an effective player for the Patriots in the right role. At 6-foot-1, 241 pounds, he should be able to hold up at the second level as he did for the Browns last season, playing 937 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus."
Goodson may not sound particularly exciting, but he's good in coverage. That's an area that the Patriots could use some help in.
Age: 26
2020 stats: 57 tackles, three TFL, one sack, four pass defenses
Alexander was once given a four-year deal worth $54 million from the 49ers. He didn't make it through two years of that before they traded him to the Saints. Alexander has talent, but he has trouble staying healthy. He has played just 26 of his last 48 games and suffered a torn Achilles in December of 2020. He may have to sign a one-year deal somewhere after the Saints released him, but a team hoping he can regain his 145-tackle form from 2016 may take a flier on him.
