Buccaneers Rankings: How the linebackers in the NFC South stack up

Derrick Brooks is one of the best outside linebackers  the NFC South and the Buccaneers have ever seen.  Who lines up as the divisions best exterior backer today though?

Ok, so I thought about doing best weakside and best strongside linebacker, but really there’s no point.

Most NFL teams spend the majority of their time with an extra cover player, meaning only one exterior linebacker stays on the field…usually.

Because of this, I’m going to pick the best outside linebacker from each team, and then rank those to get our second winner.

Dannell Ellerbe, New Orleans Saints Weakside Linebacker

The eight-year pro is entering his ninth season and third with the Saints. However, he’s still looking for his first complete year as he has yet to play in 16 games once in his career.

Actually, he hasn’t played in any more than nine games since the 2013 season. Good news is those nine came last year, so maybe things are looking up.

I’m not going to lie, I like Alex Anzalone best of all the Saints outside linebackers, but it’s hard to rank a guy who hasn’t done anything yet, especially as a starter.

In his nine games in 2016 Ellerbe racked up nearly 50 tackles and four sacks.

Had he played the entire year his numbers project to be pretty solid ones, but there’s those pesky injuries.

Ellerbe faced the Buccaneers just once last season, and he brought down six ball-carriers in the contest. Time will tell if this season can build upon the last, but he’s about the best thing going in New Orleans to this point.

Must Read: CB Battle Taking Shape

Thomas Davis, Carolina Panthers Weakside Linebacker

Thomas Davis made the Pro Bowl in 2016 getting in above both Lavonte David of the Buccaneers and Dannell Ellerbe of the Saints.

He certainly has been an impressive defender in Charlotte despite being 33-years old last season and 34 coming into this one.

More impressive than any stat though is the two game she’s missed since he missed 15 of them in 2011.

Last year, he pulled down 106 runners and also got to the quarterback 2.5 times while intercepting the ball three times.

Davis has to slow down eventually, but with Luke Kuechly battling some injuries, the time isn’t now.

Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Weakside Linebacker

Lavonte David has been the image of consistency for most of his career missing just two games for the Buccaneers since being drafted in 2012 out of Nebraska.

He started every game in his first two seasons and again in the last two. Adding to his consistency, David recorded at least one tackle in every game until Week 2 of the 2016 season against the Arizona Cardinals.

In fact, he had recorded at least two tackles in each game since Tampa’s victory against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 8 of the 2012 season.

Statistically, 2016 was the worst of David’s solid career. Despite getting second-team All-Pro honors, he finished with just 87 tackles making it the first time he failed to eclipse 100.

He did tally five sacks, and then had an interception return for a touchdown to add to it.

There’s no doubt he’s one of the better outside linebackers, and his 2017 campaign should just build upon an already solid first five seasons for the 27-year old.

Must Read: Spence Ready for Pro Bowl?

Vic Beasley, Atlanta Falcons Strongside Linebacker

The lone strongside linebacker in this group, Vic Beasley is also the lone First-Team All-Pro selection on this list.

Leading all linebackers with 15.5 sacks will help garner attention like that, but let’s be honest, Beasley is about as dominant as they come these days.

Beasley came on strong when it counted most and helped his team close out their hold on the NFC South title for 2016.

With six sacks in the final five games of the year, Beasley’s consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks really helped the unit improve entering the post-season where the team made their fantastic Super Bowl run.

He was never able to sack Jameis Winston though, and in two contests against the Buccaneers coming this year, he’ll hope to get one in on him I’m sure.

Vic Beasley may not be the most rounded linebacker in the NFC South, but when it comes to getting to the quarterback, the Falcons have figured out how to get him there.

The Buccaneers again have one of the best young linebackers and his All-Pro selection helped him climb above the well-established Thomas Davis.

New Orleans pulled in the tail end, which shouldn’t come as much of a surprise looking at where the team struggled last year.

Finally, let’s look at the depth players!