2024 NFL Linebacker Rankings: The Most Dominant Defensive Playmakers

In today’s evolving NFL, 2024 NFL Linebacker Rankings must be versatile enough to stop the run, cover elite tight ends, and pressure quarterbacks. This 2,500-word expert analysis ranks all 32 NFL linebacker units for the 2024 season, featuring:

✔ Top 5 elite LB corps that will dominate all phases
✔ Most improved groups after offseason moves
✔ Teams with concerning weaknesses in the middle
✔ Breakdown of each unit’s scheme fit and strengths
✔ Fantasy football implications for IDP leagues

Section 1: The Elite – Top 5 Linebacker Units

1. San Francisco 49ers

Projected Starters:

• Fred Warner (All-Pro)

• Dre Greenlaw

• Oren Burks

Why They Rank #1:

• Best coverage LB in football (Warner allowed just 5.8 yards per target)

• Greenlaw’s physical run defense (87 tackles in 12 games)

• Perfect fit for Steve Wilks’ system

2023 Stats:

• Allowed NFL-low 3.4 yards per carry

• Combined 5 INTs, 16 PDs

2. Baltimore Ravens

Terrifying Trio:

• Roquan Smith (All-Pro)

• Patrick Queen

• Trenton Simpson

X-Factor:
Smith’s sideline-to-sideline range transforms defense

Section 2: Most Improved LB Groups

1. Chicago Bears

Key Additions:

• Tremaine Edmunds (Pro Bowl talent)

• T.J. Edwards (144 tackles in 2023)

• Went from 28th to top-10 potential

Impact:
Transforms one of Chicago’s weakest positions

2. Houston Texans

New Faces:

• Azeez Al-Shaair (Free agent)

• Christian Harris (Breakout candidate)

• Demeco Ryans’ system maximizes LB play

Section 3: Teams With LB Concerns

1. Las Vegas Raiders

Problems:

• Lost Denzel Perryman

• Divine Deablo unproven as leader

• Facing elite AFC West RBs

Projection: Will struggle against run 2024 NFL Linebacker Rankings

2. Arizona Cardinals

Issues:

• Kyzir White coming off injury

• No proven coverage LBs

• Facing Kittle, Hockenson twice each

Section 4: Positional Dominance

Best Coverage LBs

1. Fred Warner (49ers)

2. Roquan Smith (Ravens)

3. Matt Milano (Bills)

Breakout Candidate: Christian Harris (Texans)

Best Pass-Rushing LBs

1. Micah Parsons (Cowboys)

2. T.J. Watt (Steelers)

3. Haason Reddick (Eagles)

Section 5: Fantasy Football Impact

IDP Targets

• Roquan Smith (Tackle machine)

• Foyesade Oluokun (Jaguars – 180+ tackles)

Matchups to Exploit

• RBs vs Raiders (Weak run defense)

• TEs vs Cardinals (LB coverage issues)

Read More: 2024 NFL Wide Receiver Rankings: The Most Explosive Offensive Weapons

Final Rankings: 1-32

For daily NFL linebacker analysis, visit NFL NewsZ – your #1 source for defensive breakdowns and IDP insights.