The quarterback of the defense sits at the middle linebacker position, and while the Buccaneers have one of the best young players at the position, they aren’t the only one with talent there.
This player has to be able to cover against the pass and support against the run. A lot of exciting plays can come from these players.
Let’s get to the rankings.
Craig Robertson, New Orleans Saints
In his first season with the New Orleans Saints, Craig Robertson started 15 games and totaled 115 tackles including 71 solo.
The Saints defense wasn’t the strong part of their team in 2016, but Robertson may have been a sign of better things to come.
At 29-years old, he isn’t going to be the long-term future at the position, but his steady play can be reliable enough to allow the team to build around him while getting what they expect out of the middle linebacker spot.
Since coming into the league in 2011 as an undrafted free-agent, Robertson carved himself a nice spot with the Browns, starting 37 games in his four years in Cleveland.
The one game he missed last season was against the Buccaneers in Week 14, but in New Orleans’ Week 16 win against Tampa, he chipped in with four tackles.
He’s not a star, but he’s a steady presence on a defense which was starved for consistency last season.
Must Read: Best TEs in Team History
Deion Jones, Atlanta Falcons
LSU could become “Linebacker-U” if this keeps up. Following up on the success of Kwon Alexander, Deion Jones was selected in the 2016 NFL Draft and almost immediately made an impact on Atlanta’s defense.
While it must be fun for the Buccaneers linebacker to watch his close friend find success, I’m sure he’d rather be playing in the Super Bowl himself.
Still, Jones was the one in the big game, and he certainly will be looking to get his teammates back again in 2017-18.
In his rookie season, the former Tigers standout eclipsed 100 tackles and had 75 solo tackles while intercepting three passes and forcing a fumble.
Perhaps the most impressive stat was his two defensive touchdowns scored which only bolstered the Falcons’ scoring power.
If he and Alexander spend their careers in the NFC South, then they’ll ensure the division is respected at the position for the better part of the next decade.
In his two contests against the Buccaneers, Jones had six tackles each. He wasn’t able to victimize Jameis Winston for one of his interceptions, and a matchup against 1st-Round draft pick O.J. Howard is looming.
Kwon Alexander, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
When the Bucs first drafted Kwon out of LSU in 2015, it wasn’t a very ceremonious moment.
The first defensive player drafted following 10 straight offensive picks was billed as a weakside linebacker prospect with special teams possibility.
Little did anyone know in the moment Alexander would become the Buccaneers’ starting middle linebacker that same season.
This player has become quite the fan favorite, and with another good season should start garnering some national attention as well.
In 2016, he led the team with 145 tackles, placing him fourth in the league. He led the league with 108 solo tackles as well.
His three sacks left a little to be desired, but Alexander has shown growth in each of his seasons to this point. Year three could be the biggest jump in ability and production yet.
There’s no doubt the Buccaneers have a real leader at the middle linebacker position, and as he gets smarter about the game and more accustomed to NFL play, he should just get better.
Must Read: Mike Evans the Leader
Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
Coming into 2016 Luke Kuechly would have been the undisputed top middle linebacker in the NFC South.
Following his last two injury shortened seasons though, the Panthers stud may unfortunately be on the decline.
He’s still eclipsed 100 tackles in the past two years, but has never eclipsed his career high three sacks which he reached in 2014 when he won NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
In 2015’s Super Bowl run, Kuechly hauled in four touchdowns and returned one for a touchdown.
Still, the two-straight injury plagued years have to be on the mind of the player, franchise and fan base, and if he can’t complete a third then his reign as the top middle linebacker in the NFC South may come to an end.
His successor certainly looks like he could be playing for the Buccaneers, but there are other challengers to the throne as well.
At the end of the day, Luke Kuechly still holds the crown as the NFC South’s top middle linebacker, but the Buccaneers’ Alexander is closing the gap and Atlanta’s young player had a very impressive opening scene.
2018’s rankings could be different, depending on a multitude of things, but the Panthers take round one.