The latest set of position rankings from ESPN’s Mike Clay features the linebackers. It’s a position group that the Detroit Lions have steadily improved over the past couple of seasons after years of scraping the bottom of the league ratings.
The Lions predominately play with two linebackers on the field. Last year those off-ball backers were Alex Anzalone and Derrick Barnes, with a healthy dose of first-round rookie Jack Campbell injected in with them as well. All three are back, and Campbell is challenging Barnes for a starting role. There could be more instances where the Lions have all three on the field.
Malcolm Rodriguez has proven to be an effective between-the-tackles reserve in sub-packages. He and veteran Jalen Reeves-Maybin provide excellent depth at LB and also thrive on special teams, where Reeves-Maybin earned a Pro Bowl berth in 2023.
The Lions don’t (yet) have much star power at the position, which saddles their overall rating in the middle of the league in these rankings. In looking at the off-ball depth, Detroit stacks up incredibly well with any of the teams above them, however.
32. Tennessee Titans
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Kenneth Murray, Jack Gibbens, Cedric Gray, Otis Reese, Garret Wallow
31. Los Angeles Chargers
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Denzel Perryman, Nick Niemann, Daiyan Henley, Junior Colson, Troy Dye
30. Philadelphia Eagles
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Devin White, Nakobe Dean, Oren Burks, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Ben VanSumeren
29. Green Bay Packers
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Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty’Ron Hopper, Eric Wilson
28. Arizona Cardinals
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Kyzir White, Krys Barnes, Mack Wilson, Owen Pappoe, Markus Bailey
27. Indianapolis Colts
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Zaire Franklin, E.J. Speed, Segun Olubi, Grant Stuard, Jaylon Carlies
26. Denver Broncos
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Alex Singleton, Cody Barton, Jonas Griffith, Justin Strnad, Durell Nchami
25. Dallas Cowboys
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Eric Kendricks, Damone Clark, Markquese Bell, DeMarvion Overshown, Marist Liufau
24. Minnesota Vikings
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Ivan Pace Jr., Blake Cashman, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Brian Asamoah, Abraham Beauplan
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Lavonte David, K.J. Britt, SirVocea Dennis, J.J. Russell, Vi Jones
22. Los Angeles Rams
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Ernest Jones, Christian Rozeboom, Troy Reeder, Jake Hummel, Olakunle Fatukasi
21. Houston Texans
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Azeez Al-Shaair, Christian Harris, Henry To’oTo’o, Jake Hansen, Jamal Hill, Neville Hewitt
20. Las Vegas Raiders
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Robert Spillane, Divine Deablo, Luke Masterson, Amari Burney, Tommy Eichenberg
19. Atlanta Falcons
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Kaden Elliss, Troy Andersen, Nate Landman, JD Bertrand, Milo Eifler
18. New York Giants
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Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden, Isaiah Simmons, Matthew Adams, Darius Muasau
17. Miami Dolphins
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Jordyn Brooks, David Long Jr., Duke Riley, Anthony Walker, Channing Tindall
16. Detroit Lions
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Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Jalen Reeves-Maybin
15. Baltimore Ravens
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Roquan Smith, Malik Harrison, Trenton Simpson, Chris Board, Josh Ross
14. Seattle Seahawks
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Jerome Baker, Tyrel Dodson, Tyrice Knight, Jon Rhattigan, Drake Thomas
13. Pittsburgh Steelers
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Patrick Queen, Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts, Payton Wilson, Mark Robinson
12. New England Patriots
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Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Sione Takitaki, Christian Elliss, Joe Giles-Harris
11. Kansas Ciry Chiefs
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Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, Leo Chenal, Jack Cochrane, Cam Jones
10. Cincinnati Bengals
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Logan Wilson, Germaine Pratt, Akeem Davis-Gaither, Joe Bachie, Devin Harper
9. Carolina Panthers
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Shaq Thompson, Josey Jewell, Trevin Wallace, Chandler Wooten, Tae Davis
8. Buffalo Bills
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Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard, Nicholas Morrow, Deion Jones, Dorian Williams
7. Cleveland Browns
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Jordan Hicks, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Devin Bush, Tony Fields II, Nathaniel Watson
6. New Orleans Saints
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Demario Davis, Pete Werner, Willie Gay Jr., Khaleke Hudson, Jaylan Ford
5. Chicago Bears
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T.J. Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds, Jack Sanborn, Noah Sewell, Micah Baskerville
4. New York Jets
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C.J. Mosley, Quincy Williams, Jamien Sherwood, Chazz Surratt, Marcelino McCrary-Ball
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
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Foye Oluokun, Devin Lloyd, Chad Muma, Ventrell Miller, Caleb Johnson
2. San Francisco 49ers
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Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, De’Vondre Campbell, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Dee Winters
1. Washington Commanders
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Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu, Jamin Davis, Mykal Walker, Jordan Magee