Top 10 off-ball linebackers entering Week 7 of 2023 NFL season: Ravens, Jets each boast two selections

• Tackling score: 95
• Coverage score: 89
• Pass rush score: 65
• OVERALL LB SCORE: 91

As running backs and tight ends have gotten slimmer and faster in the modern NFL, linebackers who possess quality agility and coverage skills have become coveted assets. And no linebacker has heeded the call more than Warner.

Where the two-time first-team All-Pro separates himself from his peers is as a coverage defender. Since 2018, opponents have completed 29.1 fewer passes than expected when targeting Warner as the nearest defender in coverage — the best mark among all players in that span, not just linebackers. The former third-round pick has shown no signs of slowing down in his sixth pro season. Opponents have scored 14.9 fewer points than expected when targeting Warner in coverage, the best mark among linebackers this season.

• Tackling score: 94
• Coverage score: 61
• Pass rush score: 94
• OVERALL LB SCORE: 89

Whereas most linebackers on this list have made their name in pass coverage, it’s Queen’s ability to cause pressure that has catapulted him to No. 2.

Since entering the league in 2020, Queen has generated 47 pressures and 9.5 sacks when aligned as an off-ball linebacker, the second- and third-most in that span, respectively. Despite that output, the Ravens declined his fifth-year option in May. This has prompted Queen to adopt a scorched-earth policy this season, as he’s currently leading all linebackers with 11 pressures and ranking in the top five at his position in stop percentage at 9.7 (min. 100 snaps as a run defender).

• Tackling score: 88
• Coverage score: 89
• Pass rush score: 77
• OVERALL LB SCORE: 89

“Ironman Davis” has built a strong reputation as a premier coverage linebacker over the course of his 12-year career. Dating back to the 2018 season, Davis has allowed a mere 5.4 yards per attempt as the nearest defender in coverage, the second-best mark at his position, behind only Matt Milano (min. 200 targets).

Consistency in coverage leads to long careers in the NFL. Now in his age-34 season, Davis has allowed just 32 receiving yards on 13 targets. His 2.5 yards allowed per attempt when targeted is the second-lowest at his position (min. 10 targets).

• Tackling score: 95
• Coverage score: 76
• Pass rush score: 46
• OVERALL LB SCORE: 86

Mosley came back in 2021 itching to destroy ball-carriers after opting out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Jets linebacker set a career high with 168 tackles in 2021 and racked up 83 run stops — the second-most at his position. Mosley continues to be effective into his 30s, as he’s currently on pace to threaten that career high in tackles. Also, he’s tied for the third-most hustle stops at his position with eight. (A hustle stop is defined as a successful defensive play in which the defender ran 20 or more yards to make a tackle.)

A young man’s motor has aided the 31-year-old Mosley in coverage, as well. OK, his age has shown a bit more in this realm, but he has still allowed 4.4 percent fewer completions than expected when targeted as the nearest defender this season.

• Tackling score: 95
• Coverage score: 57
• Pass rush score: 81
• OVERALL LB SCORE: 86

Many teams don’t have one exceptional off-ball linebacker. The Jets have two.

Williams’ stellar play in run defense and as a pass rusher helped him earn a three-year, $18 million deal to re-up with New York this past offseason. With 34 run stuffs since he joined the Jets in 2021, he’s tied for third among players aligned as off-ball linebackers.

The elephant in the room is his coverage score. Although it is the lowest on this list, there are some positives. He’s the most-targeted off-ball linebacker in the NFL this season, but he’s allowed just the 12th-most yards (161) and has defended five passes, tied for first at his position. The sheer amount of targets is going to lead to more yards allowed and bring his score down. On a per-attempt basis, though, his 4.4 yards per attempt allowed is the ninth-lowest out of 60 off-ball linebackers (min. 10 targets).

• Tackling score: 96
• Coverage score: 61
• Pass rush score: 75
• OVERALL LB SCORE: 86

Oluokun’s 96 tackling score is the highest on this list and propelled him to the No. 6 spot.

Oluokun is a tackling machine, having led the league in the category during each of the past two years. This season, he’s tied for the seventh-most run stops with 37. His tackling aptitude was directly tied to the Jaguars’ 27-point comeback against the Chargers in last year’s Wild Card Round. Oluokun’s game-high 13 tackles led to long-yardage, third-down and fourth-down situations as Los Angeles’ struggles allowed Jacksonville back in the game.

• Tackling score: 93
• Coverage score: 75
• Pass rush score: 51
• OVERALL LB SCORE: 86

After only one season as a Ram, Bobby Wagner is back in Seattle — paving the way for the training wheels to come off Jones in his third season. Jones has allowed just 3.1 yards per attempt when targeted as the nearest defender in coverage this season, fourth-best out of 60 off-ball linebackers (min. 10 targets). His presence has been felt in the run game, as well. Jones’ 63 tackles lead the Rams, and his 10 run stuffs are tied for most on the team with Aaron Donald.

• Tackling score: 95
• Coverage score: 63
• Pass rush score: 72
• OVERALL LB SCORE: 85

Like the Jets, the Ravens also possess two awesome off-ball linebackers on the roster. 

Baltimore acquired Smith from Chicago just before Week 9 of last season, and the change of scenery paid off immediately. Smith channeled the frustration from how his Bears tenure ended into 13 run stuffs from Week 9 on, the third-most at his position in that span. This helped Smith earn a five-year, $100 million extension, the kind of investment his teammate, Patrick Queen, hopes to receive after this contract year.

This season, Smith has picked up where he left off, accumulating the fourth-most tackles in the league (63) while ranking in the top 10 in run stops (30) through Week 6.

• Tackling score: 82
• Coverage score: 82
• Pass rush score: 86
• OVERALL LB SCORE: 85

White’s linebacking partner, Lavonte David, just missed out on this list, but the younger side of Tampa’s off-ball duo comes in at No. 9.

White’s 86 pass-rush score is the second-highest on this list and represents a skill set he’s flexed ever since the Buccaneers drafted him with the No. 5 pick in 2019. White leads all players with 98 pressures when aligned as an off-ball linebacker in that span. His 74 hustle stops are second in the NFL .. behind only David’s 77.

White’s ability in pass coverage is a key component to Tampa’s defense, helping the team stay competitive in its first year after Tom Brady’s retirement. Opponents have caught 23.9 percent fewer passes than expected when targeting White in coverage this season, the third-best rate at his position.

• Tackling score: 92
• Coverage score: 76
• Pass rush score: 45
• OVERALL LB SCORE: 85

Okereke’s positive presence on one of the season’s more disappointing defensive units lands him at No. 10 on the list.

Where Okereke’s 25 run stops are tied for 18th-most in the league, no other member of the Giants’ defense ranks in the top 80. Likewise, you’d have to scroll to No. 153 on the run-stuff leaderboard to locate a Big Blue defender not named Okereke — whom you can find near the top, tied for the eighth-most run stuffs with eight. Only three other Giants have recorded more than one.

The former Colt has also made his presence felt in the passing game, as opposing offenses have completed 14.9 percent fewer passes than expected when targeting Okereke this season, the seventh-best mark at his position (min. 10 targets).