Fred Warner, Jack Campbell, Zack Baun, Roquan Smith and Foyesade Oluokun make up Tier 1 of the best off-ball linebackers in the NFL through Week 2. Warner remains at the front of the group, while Oluokun is the new arrival after climbing one tier.
This is an in-season ranking based on where the NFL’s off-ball linebackers stand so far this season. Edge rushers are not included. A green arrow means a player moved up from the previous ranking, while a red arrow means he moved down. The number inside the arrow represents exactly how many tiers the player gained or lost.
For the preseason baseline, compare this update with our Best Linebackers in the NFL Today 2026 ranking. For a broader recent-history comparison, see the Best Off-Ball Linebackers in the NFL Since 2020.
Table of Contents
- How We Ranked the Best Linebackers Through Week 2
- Tier 1: Best Linebackers in the NFL Today
- Tier 2: High-End Off-Ball Linebackers
- Tier 3: Strong Starters and Early Risers
- Tier 4: Major Week 2 Movers
- Tier 5: The Fastest-Rising Group
- Tier 6: Risers and One Major Drop
- Tier 7: Linebackers Looking to Climb
- Biggest Linebacker Movers Through Week 2
- Complete Linebacker Tier List
- FAQ
- Related NFL Rankings
How We Ranked the Best Linebackers Through Week 2
This ranking is limited to off-ball linebackers and updates the preseason tiers with current-season performance now included. Coverage, tackling, run defense, range, processing, blitz value and down-to-down consistency all matter.
Week 2 is still early enough that established level matters, but actual performance now has more influence than it did in the preseason projection. That is why several linebackers have already moved multiple tiers.
The movement markers are straightforward. Green means a player climbed, red means he fell, and the number shows how many tiers he moved. Players without an arrow remain in the same tier as the previous update.
Tier 1: Best Linebackers in the NFL Today
Tier 1 features Fred Warner, Jack Campbell, Zack Baun, Roquan Smith and Foyesade Oluokun.
Tier 1 remains led by four familiar names, but Foyesade Oluokun has now joined the top group after moving up one tier.
Fred Warner
Fred Warner remains in Tier 1 with no movement. His range, coverage ability and command of the middle continue to make him the standard against which the rest of the off-ball linebacker group is measured.
Jack Campbell
Jack Campbell stays in Tier 1 through Week 2. His size, tackling and ability to handle a large defensive workload keep him firmly among the highest-ranked linebackers.
Zack Baun
Zack Baun holds his Tier 1 position. His versatility allows him to contribute in coverage, against the run and when attacking the backfield without needing to leave the field.
Roquan Smith
Roquan Smith remains in Tier 1. His speed to the football and ability to handle both run and coverage responsibilities continue to give him a complete off-ball profile.
Foyesade Oluokun
Foyesade Oluokun has climbed one tier and now joins the top group. His move into Tier 1 is the biggest change at the very top of the Week 2 ranking.
Tier 2: High-End Off-Ball Linebackers
Tier 2 features Jordyn Brooks, Carson Schwesinger, Azeez Al-Shaair, Devin Lloyd, Nick Bolton and Blake Cashman.
Tier 2 features two important risers. Nick Bolton moves up one tier, while Blake Cashman makes one of the biggest jumps on the entire board by climbing three tiers.
Jordyn Brooks
Jordyn Brooks remains in Tier 2. His athleticism and tackling range continue to keep him among the stronger linebackers just outside the top group.
Carson Schwesinger
Carson Schwesinger holds his Tier 2 position through Week 2. His early placement reflects how quickly he has established himself within the league’s upper linebacker tiers.
Azeez Al-Shaair
Azeez Al-Shaair remains in Tier 2. His physical tackling style and ability to play downhill continue to give him a strong place in the ranking.
Devin Lloyd
Devin Lloyd stays in Tier 2 with no movement. His length, athleticism and coverage potential give him the tools to affect both the run and passing games.
Nick Bolton
Nick Bolton has moved one tier up into Tier 2. His early-season form has been strong enough to push him closer to the top group.
Blake Cashman
Blake Cashman is one of the biggest risers through Week 2, jumping three tiers into Tier 2. That move puts him among the most significant upward changes anywhere in the ranking.
Tier 3: Strong Starters and Early Risers
Tier 3 features Jihaad Campbell, Drue Tranquill, Devin Bush, Edgerrin Cooper, Kaden Elliss and Ernest Jones IV.
Tier 3 has three upward movers. Drue Tranquill climbs two tiers, Kaden Elliss gains one, while the rest of the group holds steady.
Jihaad Campbell
Jihaad Campbell remains in Tier 3. His combination of athletic traits and versatility continues to give him a strong place among the league’s better off-ball linebackers.
Drue Tranquill
Drue Tranquill has climbed two tiers into Tier 3. His rise is one of the more notable moves in the top half of the ranking.
Devin Bush
Devin Bush remains in Tier 3 with no movement. His speed and ability to close space keep him in the same group through Week 2.
Edgerrin Cooper
Edgerrin Cooper holds his Tier 3 position. His range and athleticism make him one of the more intriguing linebackers in this section of the rankings.
Kaden Elliss
Kaden Elliss has moved one tier up into Tier 3. His ability to contribute in multiple phases has helped him improve his early-season standing.
Ernest Jones IV
Ernest Jones IV remains in Tier 3. He continues to provide a physical presence in the middle without any tier movement through Week 2.
Tier 4: Major Week 2 Movers
Tier 4 features Tremaine Edmunds, Terrel Bernard, Robert Spillane, Cedric Gray, Divine Deablo, Dorian Williams and Demario Davis.
Tier 4 is headlined by significant upward movement. Tremaine Edmunds climbs one tier, Terrel Bernard rises two and Dorian Williams makes a massive four-tier jump.
Tremaine Edmunds
Tremaine Edmunds has climbed one tier into Tier 4. His size and coverage range continue to give him value across different defensive situations.
Terrel Bernard
Terrel Bernard has moved two tiers up into Tier 4. His rise puts him firmly into the middle of the updated linebacker ranking.
Robert Spillane
Robert Spillane remains in Tier 4. His physicality and reliability against the run keep him in the same range as the previous update.
Cedric Gray
Cedric Gray stays in Tier 4 with no movement. His placement remains stable through the first two weeks.
Divine Deablo
Divine Deablo holds his Tier 4 spot. His athletic background continues to give him useful coverage ability alongside his work closer to the line of scrimmage.
Dorian Williams
Dorian Williams has climbed an enormous four tiers, the largest rise shown anywhere in this Week 2 ranking.
That jump into Tier 4 makes Williams the clearest early-season breakout mover among the off-ball linebackers.
Demario Davis
Demario Davis remains in Tier 4. His experience and ability to handle multiple linebacker responsibilities continue to keep him in the middle of the ranking.
Tier 5: The Fastest-Rising Group
Tier 5 features Leo Chenal, Daiyan Henley, Ventrell Miller, Malcolm Rodriguez, Nate Landman, Anthony Hill Jr. and Barrett Carter.
Tier 5 contains four separate three-tier risers. Ventrell Miller, Malcolm Rodriguez, Anthony Hill Jr. and Barrett Carter have all made major jumps through Week 2.
Leo Chenal
Leo Chenal stays in Tier 5. His power and downhill playing style continue to make him an effective piece against the run.
Daiyan Henley
Daiyan Henley remains in Tier 5 with no movement. His athleticism gives him the range needed to contribute in multiple areas.
Ventrell Miller
Ventrell Miller has climbed three tiers into Tier 5. That is one of the largest upward moves in the entire ranking.
Malcolm Rodriguez
Malcolm Rodriguez has also surged three tiers. His early-season performance has pushed him significantly higher than his previous placement.
Nate Landman
Nate Landman remains in Tier 5. His physical run defense keeps him in the same tier through Week 2.
Anthony Hill Jr.
Anthony Hill Jr. has jumped three tiers into Tier 5. The move makes him another major early-season riser in a tier filled with upward momentum.
Barrett Carter
Barrett Carter has also climbed three tiers into Tier 5. His jump gives this tier four different players who have gained three full levels.
Tier 6: Risers and One Major Drop
Tier 6 features Dre Greenlaw, Alex Singleton, Quay Walker, Mack Wilson Sr., Nakobe Dean, Jamien Sherwood and T.J. Edwards.
Tier 6 contains three upward movers and the largest decline on the board. Mack Wilson Sr. gains one tier, Nakobe Dean and Jamien Sherwood each gain two, while T.J. Edwards falls two tiers.
Dre Greenlaw
Dre Greenlaw remains in Tier 6. His speed and physicality remain valuable, but his tier has not changed in this update.
Alex Singleton
Alex Singleton stays in Tier 6. There is no movement attached to his Week 2 position.
Quay Walker
Quay Walker remains in Tier 6. His athletic tools continue to give him upside, but the early-season ranking leaves him in the same tier.
Mack Wilson Sr.
Mack Wilson Sr. has climbed one tier into Tier 6. It is a positive adjustment after the first two weeks.
Nakobe Dean
Nakobe Dean has moved two tiers up into Tier 6. His rise is one of several significant positive changes in the lower half of the rankings.
Jamien Sherwood
Jamien Sherwood has also climbed two tiers into Tier 6. His upward move matches Dean’s and gives the tier another player trending in the right direction.
T.J. Edwards
T.J. Edwards has dropped two tiers into Tier 6, the largest downward move shown in this Week 2 update.
Edwards remains an established linebacker, but his early-season standing has slipped while several players around him have moved sharply upward.
Tier 7: Linebackers Looking to Climb
Tier 7 features Demetrius Knight Jr., Omar Speights, CJ Allen, Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese, Alex Anzalone and Patrick Queen.
Tier 7 has relatively little movement. Omar Speights and Alex Anzalone each fall one tier, while the other five linebackers stay where they were.
Demetrius Knight Jr.
Demetrius Knight Jr. remains in Tier 7. His position is unchanged through Week 2.
Omar Speights
Omar Speights has moved one tier down into Tier 7. The decline is modest, but it moves him into the final group of the updated ranking.
CJ Allen
CJ Allen remains in Tier 7. There is no movement marker attached to his current position.
Sonny Styles
Sonny Styles stays in Tier 7 with no change. His athletic profile still gives him room to climb as the season progresses.
Arvell Reese
Arvell Reese remains in Tier 7. His ranking has not moved through the opening two weeks.
Alex Anzalone
Alex Anzalone has dropped one tier into Tier 7. He joins Speights as the other downward mover in the final group.
Patrick Queen
Patrick Queen closes Tier 7 with no movement. His placement remains unchanged in the Week 2 update.
Biggest Linebacker Movers Through Week 2
Dorian Williams Climbs Four Tiers
Dorian Williams is the biggest riser in the rankings, jumping four tiers into Tier 4. No other linebacker has gained as many tiers through Week 2.
Blake Cashman Jumps Into Tier 2
Blake Cashman has climbed three tiers and now sits in Tier 2. His move is especially significant because it places him immediately below the league’s top linebacker group.
Four Players Rise Three Tiers Into Tier 5
Ventrell Miller, Malcolm Rodriguez, Anthony Hill Jr. and Barrett Carter each climbed three tiers. That makes Tier 5 the most movement-heavy group in the ranking.
Drue Tranquill, Terrel Bernard, Nakobe Dean and Jamien Sherwood Rise Two Tiers
Four additional linebackers gained two tiers. Drue Tranquill reached Tier 3, Terrel Bernard climbed into Tier 4, while Nakobe Dean and Jamien Sherwood moved into Tier 6.
T.J. Edwards Has the Biggest Drop
T.J. Edwards is the largest downward mover through Week 2, falling two tiers into Tier 6. Omar Speights and Alex Anzalone each fall one tier into Tier 7.
Complete Linebacker Tier List Through Week 2
| Tier | Players |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Fred Warner, Jack Campbell, Zack Baun, Roquan Smith, Foyesade Oluokun (up 1 tier) |
| Tier 2 | Jordyn Brooks, Carson Schwesinger, Azeez Al-Shaair, Devin Lloyd, Nick Bolton (up 1), Blake Cashman (up 3) |
| Tier 3 | Jihaad Campbell, Drue Tranquill (up 2), Devin Bush, Edgerrin Cooper, Kaden Elliss (up 1), Ernest Jones IV |
| Tier 4 | Tremaine Edmunds (up 1), Terrel Bernard (up 2), Robert Spillane, Cedric Gray, Divine Deablo, Dorian Williams (up 4), Demario Davis |
| Tier 5 | Leo Chenal, Daiyan Henley, Ventrell Miller (up 3), Malcolm Rodriguez (up 3), Nate Landman, Anthony Hill Jr. (up 3), Barrett Carter (up 3) |
| Tier 6 | Dre Greenlaw, Alex Singleton, Quay Walker, Mack Wilson Sr. (up 1), Nakobe Dean (up 2), Jamien Sherwood (up 2), T.J. Edwards (down 2) |
| Tier 7 | Demetrius Knight Jr., Omar Speights (down 1), CJ Allen, Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese, Alex Anzalone (down 1), Patrick Queen |
FAQ
What do the green and red arrows mean in the linebacker rankings?
A green arrow means a linebacker moved up from the previous ranking, while a red arrow means he moved down. The number inside the arrow shows exactly how many tiers the player gained or lost.
Who moved up the most through Week 2?
Dorian Williams made the biggest jump, climbing four tiers into Tier 4.
Who moved down the most through Week 2?
T.J. Edwards had the largest decline, falling two tiers into Tier 6.
Who moved into Tier 1?
Foyesade Oluokun climbed one tier into Tier 1, joining Fred Warner, Jack Campbell, Zack Baun and Roquan Smith.
Does this ranking include edge rushers?
No. This ranking is limited to off-ball linebackers. Edge rushers are evaluated separately.
Conclusion
Fred Warner remains in the highest linebacker tier through Week 2, while Foyesade Oluokun has joined him after moving up one tier. The bigger story is the amount of movement farther down the rankings, led by Dorian Williams’ four-tier surge and Blake Cashman’s three-tier jump into Tier 2.
With only two weeks reflected in the ranking, these tiers can still change quickly as early performances turn into larger trends.
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