Source: Bleacher Report
Summary
Fred Warner, a four-time first-team All-Pro, was ranked among the top linebackers for the 2026 season. The article ranked the 10 best linebackers, with Warner and Jack Campbell receiving first-place votes. Other notable players included Roquan Smith, Shaquil Barrett, and others. The rankings considered tackles, pass coverage, and overall impact. Warner is expected to return from a 2025 ankle injury, and his status as the league’s best linebacker remains under discussion.
Our Reading
This one felt recognizable early.
Fred Warner’s name still leads the list, but the 2025 injury cast a shadow.
Jack Campbell and Roquan Smith are in the mix, but neither has proven they’re the real deal.
Some names are familiar, others are new, but the same old questions linger.
The game’s still about who shows up when it matters, and that’s what fans know by now.
Author: Evan Null
Top 10 Linebackers for 2026
Fred Warner, a four-time first-team All-Pro, is still seen as the best linebacker in the league despite missing most of the 2025 season due to a serious ankle injury. Warner was one of two players to receive first-place votes in the rankings, with Jack Campbell and Roquan Smith also in the conversation.
Other linebackers on the list include Shaquil Barrett, who had a strong 2025 season with 123 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two interceptions. He’s become a key piece for the Eagles under Vic Fangio’s system.
Roquan Smith, a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro, is looking to adapt to a new system under Jesse Minter. He finished 2025 with zero forced fumbles, sacks, or interceptions, and is expected to make a bigger impact this season.
Jack Campbell, the 2023 first-round pick, has shown elite athleticism and versatility, making him a key part of the Lions’ defense. His ability to impact every phase of the game has made him a rising star.
Other names on the list include Chris Jones, who had a career-high 126 combined tackles and five interceptions in 2025, and Eric Kendricks, who has been a consistent presence for the Vikings with 100-plus tackles in four straight seasons.
