There’s already been a look at what teams made the best selections this offseason when it came to obtaining pass-rushing talent from the outside, be it a defensive end in the 4-3 or an outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme.
Here’s a glance at the five best additions in 2023 when it came to the complete linebacker spot. These are the versatile performers who rack up a lot of tackles either patrolling the middle or in pass coverage. It’s less about getting to the opposing quarterback and more about helping their team stopping the run and patrolling the middle.
5. Elandon Roberts, Steelers
New general manager Omar Khan was a busy man this offseason. There was one area of the team that was almost completely overhauled. Gone are inside linebackers Myles Jack, Devin Bush and Robert Spillane. Enter free-agent additions Cole Holcomb, Tanner Muse, Nick Kwiatkoski and Elandon Roberts. The latter and Holcomb are slated to start for a defensive unit that finished ninth in the league in 2022 vs. the run but was inconsistent at best. Roberts led the Dolphins with 104 tackles this past season.
4. Eric Kendricks, Chargers
He was let go by the Vikings this offseason after eight years in the Twin Cities. Linebacker Eric Kendricks led Minnesota in tackles in seven of those seasons and finished second in stops the other year. A year ago, he totaled 137 tackles but for a defense that allowed the second-most total yards and passing yards per game. The Chargers were a playoff team a year ago for the first time since 2018. However, their run defense has been iffy for years and finished 28th in the NFL in 2022. Kendricks should help this unit.
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3. Tremaine Edmunds, Bears
During his tenure with the Buffalo Bills, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds led the team in tackles in each of those five seasons. Now he’s headed to the Windy City and hopes to help that club rebound from a very disappointing season which included a defense that allowed the second-most rushing yards in the league. The former Virginia Teach standout totaled at least 100 stops in each of his five NFL campaigns. He teams with former Eagles’ linebacker T.J. Edwards for Matt Eberflus’ club. Edmunds totaled 102 tackles in 2022.
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2. Cory Littleton, Texans
It’s a team that owns a combined 11-38-1 record the past season. However, there seems to be a lot of optimism surrounding a franchise that hired one-time Texans’ Pro Bowl linebacker DeMeco Ryans to be their head coach this offseason. Once again, there are lots of new faces on the Houston roster. Stopping the run has been a major problem for this club in recent years. Former Pro Bowl linebacker Cory Littleton spent 2022 with the Carolina Panthers and not only contributed on defense but aided the special teams.
1. Bobby Wagner, Seahawks
Pete Carroll’s club was a surprise playoff entry in 2022 and much of the credit must go to NFL Comeback Player of the Year Geno Smith. The Seahawks finished ninth in the league in points scored per game, but allowed nearly as many points (401) as it scored (407). Eight-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro Bobby Wagner spent his first 10 seasons in Seattle, was released a year ago and latched on with the Rams. He led Sean McVay’s club with 140 tackles in 2022. The Seahawks ranked 26th in total defense this past season.