Articles & Features

Linebackers play a pivotal role in the defensive schemes of NFL teams, often serving as the backbone of the defense. We'll take you through the top five linebacker classes in NFL draft history, with a focus on their longevity and overall NFL production. We'll also provide a brief summary of the key achievements. So, get ready to relive some of the most iconic moments in football history as we celebrate the incredible athletes that make up these legendary linebacker classes!

I can think of several off the top of my head right now. Guys who killed it in Indianapolis and GM's running out of the Combine convinced they had found the next NFL superstar. Though the Combine is always fun and a display of the best athletes in the world, if you want a good football player, don't get locked into the numbers without returning to the tape.

The NFC South was an absolute mess last year. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the division with an unimpressive 8-9 record, and the other three teams followed closely behind with a 7-10 record each. None of these teams ever looked even a little bit dangerous in the big picture of the NFC, and the future of these franchises don’t look particularly bright with none of them having a bona fide franchise quarterback.

The AFC South is a tougher one to analyze. The Jaguars are up and coming, but are they actually a force to be reckoned with? The Titans are stuck in some weird NFL purgatory, seemingly destined to be fringe playoff contenders playoff contenders year after year with no real shot at the Super Bowl.

The AFC East is a division that may have gone under the radar this year. Obviously everyone knows that the Bills are really good, but people don’t give enough credit to the other teams in this division. The Dolphins snuck their way into the playoffs despite dealing with major injuries all year, the Patriots fell just one win shy of making the postseason, and the Jets were among the league’s most improved teams, even with horrific quarterback play.

The NFC West holds some of the most intriguing teams in football. The 49ers won the division last year led primarily by rookie quarterback Brock Purdy, who was the last pick in the NFL Draft. The Seahawks took second place, led by veteran Geno Smith, who many wrote off as a career backup or bridge QB after the Russell Wilson trade.

The NFC North has maintained a fairly consistent power dynamic over the past decade or so. The Packers have usually been at the top of the division, followed by the Vikings, then by the Bears and Lions at the bottom of the division.

What a division the NFC East has turned out to be. After being one of the league’s worst just a couple short years ago, they’ve developed into arguably the best in the NFL. Outside of the Commanders, every team made the playoffs and won at least one game. The Eagles lost a close Super-Bowl shootout to the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Cowboys surprisingly boasted one of the best defenses in football.

The AFC West is undoubtedly one of the best divisions in the NFL, with the Chiefs reigning as the Super-Bowl Champions and the Chargers set to be in perennial playoff contention. It could become the undisputed best division in football if a couple of the bottom-feeder teams take a step up for next season, and today, we’ll be looking at needs each team has that they can address to improve for 2023.

The NFL season is drawing to a close, and the spotlight is now turning to the highly anticipated NFL Draft. Guys like Alabama’s Will Anderson and Georgia’s Jalen Carter dominate NFL Draft Coverage, receiving the majority of attention and scrutiny. With hundreds of aspiring football players eagerly awaiting the chance to hear their name called on draft night, the media can only cover a limited number of players.

Here is an overview of the most important NFL dates for the 2023 league year. All times are Eastern and all dates are subject to change.

The Invites have gone out and returned by college seniors and potential NFL prospects. We've got scouting reports and draft profiles along with position rankings for all the players you'll see on the field come February 2023.