NFL 2023: Five Best Linebackers Still Available In Free Agency

In the coming weeks, NFL teams will not only be busy with the draft but could be kicking the tires on some veteran players that are still on the open market. Clubs could certainly use some experience on defense in a league where the offensive numbers continue to stand out.

That’s not just in reference to the passing game. A season ago, there was a revival of ground attacks around the league. Clubs could certainly use some help in the middle and/or the outside when it comes to stopping the run. Here are five proven linebackers that could help a defensive unit.

5. OLB Kwon Alexander (New York Jets)

The former fourth-round draft choice of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015 has bounced around the league via trades and free agency over the past four seasons. In 2022, linebacker Kwon Alexander played all 17 games for the New York Jets and made a dozen starts.

He finished sixth on Robert Saleh’s club with 69 stops, six of those for losses, to go along with a forced fumble. It was the first time since his second season in the league that he played in every game. The 28-year-old Alexander could certainly bring some experience to a young linebacking corps.

4. OLB Anthony Barr (Dallas Cowboys)

After eight seasons in the Twin Cities, the Minnesota Vikings decided to let linebacker Anthony Barr test the free-agent market last offseason. A steady performer during his first six seasons with the club, earning four Pro Bowl invitations, the former UCLA standout was limited to a combined 13 contests in 2020-21.

The Cowboys signed Barr a year ago and he finished with 58 tackles, one sack, and a pair of fumble recoveries in 14 regular-season contests (10 starts). He also amassed a combined nine stops in the team’s playoff split with the Buccaneers and 49ers.

3. ILB Deion Jones (Cleveland Browns)

He latched on with the Browns this past season after six years with the Falcons. Deion Jones made his presence felt during his days in Atlanta. He finished with 100-plus tackles five times and was a 16-game starter in four of those seasons. He picked off 11 passes during his days with the Falcons, returning five of those thefts for touchdowns.

Last October, the club dealt Jones to Cleveland, and he wound up playing in 11 games (5 starts) for Kevin Stefanski’s team. He totaled 44 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one interception, a forced fumble, and three passes defensed.

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2. OLB Kyle Van Noy (Los Angeles Chargers)

He earned a pair of Super Bowl rings with the Patriots in 2016 and ’18. Savvy Kyle Van Noy was a second-round pick by the Lions in 2014 and wound up on Bill Belichick’s club via trade in ‘16. He spent three-plus seasons with the Pats, joined Brian Flores’ club in Miami in 2020, and returned to New England a year later.

Last offseason, he signed with the Chargers, played in all 17 regular-season games, and made 13 starts. He totaled 46 stops, five sacks, three passes defensed, and two fumble recoveries. A solid veteran with plenty of playoff experience.

1. ILB Myles Jack (Released by Pittsburgh Steelers)

He led Mike Tomlin’s team in tackles this past season. However, the Pittsburgh Steelers opted to part ways with inside linebacker Myles Jack just one year into a two-year $16 million deal. The team opted to go in a different direction at the inside linebacker spot, and Jack was not the only player at the position who is no longer with the club.

Former first-round pick Devin Bush and Robert Spillane hit free agency and joined the Seahawks and Raiders, respectively. Jack finished with 104 stops in 2022 and somewhat surprisingly remains on the open market.