Cody Barton has certainly proven himself to be a reliable tackler. However, he saw his missed tackle rate jump to 6.2% this year, although that is only an increase of three missed tackles. He blitzed more this year than in any other season, with 65 snaps. That resulted in a respectable 14 pressures but no sacks. Unfortunately, he has not been much safer in coverage, with three straight years allowing a passer rating of 94.5 or above. In 2024, he allowed an 87.2% completion rate and 11.6 yards per completion. It is hard to imagine teams viewing Barton as a slam-dunk starter — perhaps as more of an early-down option who is not a total liability on passing downs but not a primary option.
Lavonte David continues to impress with his ability to play at a reasonably high level into his mid-30s. There is no denying that the numbers have dropped a little, but he still had 122 tackles and 5.5 sacks while playing a full 17-game season. There is value in that, but how much longer he can maintain that pace is the big question teams will be asking. Intriguingly, the Buccaneers used David more than usual to get after the passer. He blitzed on 80 occasions, finishing with 29 pressures and those 5.5 sacks. Given he now has back-to-back years allowing over a 100 passer rating in coverage and an 84.6% completion rate in 2024, that might be how teams have to use him — more and more on passing downs.
E.J. Speed racked up an impressive 142 tackles in the 2024 season, cementing himself as a key part of the Indianapolis Colts’ defense. Speed saw his coverage numbers take a hit in his first full year as a starter. After allowing a 64.4% completion rate and a 75.9 passer rating while establishing himself in 2023, that dropped to 79% and 95.8, respectively, in 2024. As a pass rusher, Speed was sent on the blitz 46 times but only turned that into eight pressures and did not have any sacks. That is an area he struggled last year, and with the coverage numbers dropping off, it could leave him in limbo as a potential every-down linebacker entering free agency.
Nick Bolton’s numbers from the 2024 season are more than respectable, with 106 tackles, a 17.9% tackle rate on runs, and a 13.7% pressure rate. His coverage numbers fell off in 2024, allowing a 103.6 passer rating and a 79.6% completion rate. That is a big difference from 92.6 in 2022 and 82.3 in 2023. Bolton was used a lot to get after the passer in 2024, finishing with 96 blitzes on 892 defensive snaps. Unfortunately, that only resulted in 13 pressures and three sacks, which is not a great ratio. This was a tough season for Bolton entering free agency, and he may find himself getting treated as a two-down backer by teams on the open market.
Robert Spillane got to the quarterback for a sack twice on those 60 blitzes, and his ability to rush the passer does not make up for the struggles in coverage. Spillane’s numbers from 2023 were similar in terms of completion rate and yards per completion. He finished with a better passer rating allowed, thanks to a third interception and only two touchdowns, compared to four in 2024. It would be risky to invest a long-term, big-money contract in Spillane as a three-down linebacker.
Jamien Sherwood had a breakout year in 2024, finishing with a 19.1% tackle rate and an impressive 158 tackles. However, his credentials as a three-down linebacker are far from ideal. Nine pressures on 28 blitzes is a solid ratio, and getting two sacks is a nice return for not being sent after the quarterback much. He finished by allowing a 107 passer rating, a 76.9% completion rate, two touchdowns, and 8.7 yards per completion. Having only played a total of 117 coverage snaps in the NFL before this year, it was always likely to be a steep learning curve. Sherwood is young and has time to improve, but it will take a brave defensive coordinator to commit to him as a three-down back off the back of his 2024 season.
Ernest Jones has become a solid option as a three-down back. He has been reasonably good in coverage this year, with an 85.3 passer rating allowed. However, Jones’ numbers in coverage are not exceptional, allowing a 72.9% completion rate and 10.3 yards per completion. While the 14.9% pressure rate is fine, only turning that into 0.5 sacks is frustrating. Last year, Jones turned 33 pressures into 4.5 sacks, but that ratio bottomed out with 0.5 sacks on 13 pressures. He is far from a slam-dunk free agent option and is in a tier behind the top two at the position.
Eric Kendricks had a mixed year in 2024. He continued to be an excellent tackler, finishing with career-high numbers against the run (94 tackles) and a 25% tackle rate. However, he struggled against the pass, with just a 10.7% pressure rate and a 101 passer rating allowed. Kendricks allowed a 72.2% completion rate and two touchdown passes. Kendricks has now allowed over a 100 passer rating and a 70% completion rate for four years in a row. He has proven useful in earning sacks, with 6.5 sacks over the past two seasons and 12.5 over the last four years. However, he is a net negative against the pass and is likely reaching the point where he is better suited as a two-down linebacker.
Bobby Wagner just keeps marching on, and he remains among the very best at the middle linebacker position. He finished with a 22% tackle rate on run plays, and no linebacker had more tackles in the run game than his 99. In terms of the passing game, Wagner finished with a 27.4% pressure rate, with two sacks and five QB knockdowns. In coverage, he had an 89.3 passer rating allowed, with just a 65.8% completion rate allowed. He did give up a touchdown in coverage and 8.6 yards per completion, but the numbers were still more than respectable.
Zack Baun was the surprise package of the 2024 season. He took full advantage of an opportunity to transform himself from a special teams player with a small role on defense to a full-time starter at linebacker. He had an impressive 23.8% tackle rate on run plays and finished with 151 total tackles, which was fifth among linebackers. In coverage, Baun was solid, allowing just an 80.5 passer rating against and just 5.6 yards per target. When he did blitz, he had a 19.3% pressure rate and 3.5 sacks. His main impact was certainly felt in the run game, but he was far from a liability in the passing game, either. Baun could easily continue to be an every-down linebacker and should get a multi-year deal in free agency or remain with the Eagles.
