The Greatest Linebackers of All Time Football Players (American)

The Greatest Linebackers of All Time

original ranker Hardtack  2,935 views 29 items 7 followers
The greatest linebackers of all time are not only the best NFL players to ever play the linebacker position but also some of the most respected and most feared football players of all time. These all-time greats have electrified crowds with their energy and leadership and delivered on the field as some of the NFL's best defensive players ever.

It's hard to claim that anyone other than the great Lawrence Taylor is the best linebacker ever. He made an immeasurable impact on the game, changing it for decades to follow and becoming the star of the league which at that time was dominated by quarterbacks. His explosiveness and raw power was in most cases simply unstoppable and easily qualifies him as the best to play the position.

That said, there are plenty of other great linebackers who each had stellar careers of their own. The likes of Dick Butkus, who terrorized offenses during his nine years with the Chicago Bears, Ray Lewis, who served as a perfect combination of talent and heart during his memorable time with the Baltimore Ravens, and Junior Seau, who recorded over 100 tackles for six seasons straight and earned 12 Pro Bowl selections, are all firmly among the best NFL linebackers of all time.

While they don't always get the same level of attention that other positions do, the linebackers are some of the toughest, smartest and most hard working players on any NFL team. Have an NFL linebacker that you adore? Vote for your favorite NFL linebackers below, re-rank this list your way or add any not listed. Then, head over and vote for the greatest tight ends of all time and the greatest NFL punters of all time too!
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Rank     Name
  1. 1
    Up 64
    Down 14
    1959
  2. 2
    Up 56
    Down 15
    1942
  3. 3
    Up 55
    Down 23
    1975
  4. 4
    Up 35
    Down 9

    Jack Lambert

    1952
  5. 5
    Up 32
    Down 16
    1969
  6. 6
    Up 21
    Down 12
    1936
  7. 7
    Up 21
    Down 13
    1948
  8. 8
    Up 26
    Down 8
    1958
  9. 9
    Up 18
    Down 15

    Willie Lanier

    1945
  10. 10
    Up 14
    Down 13
    1940
  11. 11
    Up 15
    Down 8

    Sam Huff

    1934
  12. 12
    Up 14
    Down 11
    1925
  13. 13
    Up 8
    Down 10

    Joe Schmidt

    1932
  14. 14
    Up 22
    Down 13
    1978
  15. 15
    Up 7
    Down 12

    Ted Hendricks

    1947
  16. 16
    Up 4
    Down 11

    Chuck Howley

    1936
  17. 17
    Up 7
    Down 11

    Andre Tippett

    1959
  18. 18
    Up 15
    Down 9
    1967
  19. 19
    Up 10
    Down 5
    1973
    added by: bojanthebest
  20. 20
    Up 3
    Down 11
    1962
  21. 21
    Up 4
    Down 9

    Bill George

    1929
  22. 22
    Up 4
    Down 10

    Randy Gradishar

    1952
  23. 23
    Up 3
    Down 8

    Dave Wilcox

    1942
  24. 24
    Up 11
    Down 9
    1953
  25. 25
    Up 3
    Down 12
    1940
  26. 26
    Up 0
    Down 4

    Pat Swilling

    added by: Veggamattic
  27. 27
    Up 3
    Down 9
    1941
  28. 28
    Up 4
    Down 11

    Joe Fortunato

    1930
  29. 29
    Up 3
    Down 26
    1989
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