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Big fan of Atlanta football? Then check out this list of Atlanta Falcons linebackers with photos and seasons as starters.&nbsp;It includes every starting linebacker from throughout <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-atlanta-falcons-of-all-time/ranker-nfl?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Atlanta Falcons history</a>, including current linebackers and past ones. An important part of the Atlanta defense, the LB position includes middle or inside linebackers and outside (strong side or weakside) linebackers. Featuring some of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-25-greatest-linebackers-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">greatest NFL linebackers</a> of all time,&nbsp;the best Falcons&nbsp;LBs include Keith Brooking, John Rade, Jessie Tuggle, and Tommy Nobis.In the 2017-18 NFL season, the current Atlanta Falcons starting LBs and backup LBs are Vic Beasley, De'Vondre Campbell, Deion Jones, LaRoy Reynolds, and Duke Riley.&nbsp; Who are the best linebackers in Atlanta Falcons history? Here is every player who has ever held the position of Atlanta Falcons&nbsp;starting linebacker.

List of All Atlanta Falcons Linebackers, Ranked Best to Worst

The Best Atlanta Falcons Linebackers of All Time

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Jessie Tuggle

Jessie Floyd Tuggle, III (born April 4, 1965) is a former professional American football linebacker who played for the Atlanta Falcons his entire career from 1987 to 2000. He graduated from Valdosta State College in Valdosta, Georgia. He appeared in the Pro Bowl five times, and  played in Super Bowl XXXIII. His nickname is "The Hammer," because of the impact of his tackles.



Tommy Nobis

Thomas Henry Nobis Jr. (September 20, 1943 – December 13, 2017) was an American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for eleven seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.  He played college football at the University of Texas and was the first overall selection in the 1966 NFL draft.

Deion Jones

Keith Brooking

Keith Howard Brooking (born October 30, 1975) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft and also played for the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos. He played college football at Georgia Tech. Brooking was a five-time Pro Bowl selection with the Falcons.

Curtis Lofton

Curtis Tremayne Lofton (born June 2, 1986) is a former American football inside linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Oklahoma, and earned All-American honors. Lofton was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He also played for the New Orleans Saints and Oakland Raiders.

Buddy Curry

George Jessel "Buddy" Curry (born June 4, 1958) is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons from 1980 to 1987. He played college football for the University of North Carolina A second-round pick in the 1980 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, he was selected as the 1980 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and was a All-Pro selection in 1980 and 1982.
He is currently the head master trainer for USA Football's "Heads Up Football Program", which teaches youth athletes proper tackling techniques.

Cornelius Bennett

Cornelius O'Landa Bennett (born August 25, 1965) is a former American football linebacker who played for the Buffalo Bills from 1987 to 1995, Atlanta Falcons from 1996 to 1998, and the Indianapolis Colts from 1999 to 2000. Bennett was a five-time Pro Bowler, being elected in 1988, and 1990–1993, and won the AFC Defensive Player of the Year award twice (1988 and 1991).

Sean Weatherspoon

Franklin De'Sean "Sean" Weatherspoon (born December 29, 1987), is a former American football linebacker. He played college football at the University of Missouri, and was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons with the 19th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. He has also played for the Arizona Cardinals.

De'Vondre Campbell

Clay Matthews, Jr.

William Clay Matthews Jr. (born March 15, 1956) is a former American football linebacker who played for the Cleveland Browns and the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He was the first round draft pick of the Browns and played in 278 games over 19 NFL seasons, the 17th most appearances in league history (and most playing linebacker). Matthews had 1,561 tackles in his career, the third most in NFL history.He is the father of Clay Matthews III, an All-Pro linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams, and brother of Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews.

Fulton Kuykendall

Fulton Kuykendall (born June 10, 1953) is a former NFL football player. He is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles who played pro football from 1975–1985 for the Atlanta Falcons. The lanky 6-4 225 lb Kuykendall started primarily at inside linebacker for the Falcons from 1975–1983, making the Pro Football Weekly All-NFC Team in 1978. Nicknamed "Kaptain Krazy" by his teammates, he was known for his apparent disregard for his body, launching himself into opposing blockers and ball carriers with fervor.
A Member of the 1977 Atlanta Falcons "Gritz Blitz" defense. Noted for fewest points in a season 129. Also known as one of the top 10 NFL Defenses of All-Time.

Paul Worrilow

Paul Eric Worrilow is an American football linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He played college football for the University of Delaware where he was recognized as an All-American, and became one of the program's most decorated athletes. The Falcons signed Worrilow as an undrafted free agent following the 2013 NFL Draft.

Joel Williams

Joel Williams may refer to:

Joel Williams (linebacker) (born 1956), American football player
Joel Williams (offensive lineman) (1926–1997), American football player
Joel Williams (tight end) (born 1965), American football player
Joel Richard Williams (born 1990), football coach

Don Hansen

Donald Ray Hansen, (born August 20, 1944, in Millersburg, Indiana) is a former professional American football linebacker in the NFL from 1966 to 1977. He was known as an extremely hard hitter and an underrated as well as overachieving linebacker.
He was a member of FJ Reitz High School's mythical 1961 State Champion football team; he was also a member of the 1964 Rose Bowl Champion Fighting Illini.

Tim Green

Timothy John Green  (born December 16, 1963) is a retired professional American football player, a radio and television personality, and a best-selling author. He was a  linebacker and defensive end with the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League, a commentator for National Public Radio, and the former host of the 2005 revival of A Current Affair on Fox. In November 2018, Green announced that he was diagnosed with ALS.

Greg Brezina

Gregory Brezina (born January 7, 1946) is a former American football linebacker who played twelve seasons in the National Football League for the Atlanta Falcons. He made 12 interceptions and 14 fumble recoveries.Greg Brezina was raised in Louise, Texas and played football at the University of Houston. He and his five brothers all played football at the University of Houston, an NCAA Division I Record. His brother Bobby Brezina played for the Houston Oilers of the American Football League.

John Rade

John Anthony Rade (born August 31, 1960) is a former American football player, a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) from 1983 to 1991 with the Atlanta Falcons. 
Born in Ceres, California, Rade graduated from Buena High School in Sierra Vista, Arizona. He attended Modesto Junior College and transferred to Boise State University and played for the Broncos in 1981 and 1982. He was an eighth-round draft choice in 1983, 215th overall. In 1988, Rade led Atlanta in tackles with 137 for the second straight year. He had four 100-plus tackle seasons in six years. Rade played for the Atlanta Falcons from 1983 to 1991, posting a career high 145 tackles in 1990.
Rade served as assistant football coach and defensive coordinator at Wood River High School in Hailey, Idaho, with head football coach, Mike Glenn, before taking the job of athletic and activities director in 2007—first working for a year-and-a-half as assistant AD under athletic director Ron Martinez.
He is believed to be one of the longest-serving Wood River High athletic and activity directors, possibly the longest with nine full years on the director job. In 2009, Rade was named 4th District 5A/4A “Athletic Director of the Year.” He submitted his letter of resignation to principal John Pearce on Thursday, July 14. Rade’s resignation was effective July 18.

Demorrio Williams

Demorrio Dwain Williams (born July 6, 1980) is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nebraska.
He has also played for the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Diego Chargers.

John Holecek

John Francis Holecek (born May 7, 1972) is a former professional American football player who played linebacker for eight seasons in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills, the San Diego Chargers, and the Atlanta Falcons. He went to college at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1995, went to the San Diego Chargers in 2001, and last played for the Atlanta Falcons in 2002. Holecek played in the NFL for 8 seasons, and then returned to Chicago area. He currently coaches football at Loyola Academy - who won the 2015 and 2018 Class 8A Illinois Football State Championships. Holecek was a finalist for the 2015 National Coach of the Year award.

Stephen Nicholas

Stephen Leron Nicholas (born May 1, 1983) is an American football coach and former linebacker who is the defensive quality control coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft and played for the team for seven seasons. He played college football at South Florida.

Mike Peterson

Porter Michael Peterson (born June 17, 1976) is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the outside linebackers coach at the University of South Carolina. Peterson played college football at the University of Florida, where he was a member of a national championship team and earned All-American honors.  He was a second-round pick in the 1999 NFL Draft and played professionally for thirteen seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League.

Darryl Talley

Darryl Victor Talley (born July 10, 1960) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for fourteen seasons during the 1980s and 1990s.  He played college football for West Virginia University, and was recognized as an All-American.  Talley played professionally for the Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings of the NFL, and played in four Super Bowls with the Bills.

Michael Boley

Michael Jerome Boley (born August 24, 1982) is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Southern Miss and was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL draft.
Boley was also a member of the New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals.



Robert Pennywell

Robert Pennywell (born November 6, 1954) is a former professional American football player who played linebacker for four seasons for the Atlanta Falcons.



Matt Stewart

Matt Stewart (born August 31, 1979) is a former American football linebacker and long snapper. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Vanderbilt.
Stewart has also been a member of the Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Big fan of Atlanta football? Then check out this list of Atlanta Falcons linebackers with photos and seasons as starters.&nbsp;It includes every starting ...