• Foyesade Oluokun and Roquan Smith continue to lead the way: A history of elite production from these two provides a level of consistency and reliability that can be rare in IDP.
• Allowing projections and usage to fuel the ranks: For such a volume-dependant position, utilizing any edge we have — such as scheme projections and identifying the best/worst performers at the position — helps sort this year’s linebacker tiers.
• Get a head start on fantasy football: Use PFF's fantasy football mock draft simulator to create real live mock draft simulations to get ready for your live draft!
Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes
Breaking fantasy football rankings down into tiers helps fantasy managers better understand what separates each group and how to value players for the upcoming season.
Referenced scoring uses the settings below. Click here for all point leaders from 2022 and 2023 (minimum of 100 defensive snaps).
PFF-Preferred IDP Scoring
| POSITION | SOLO TKLs | ASSISTS | SACKS | TFLs | QB HITS |
| DL | 2.5 | 1.25 | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| LB | 1.5 | 0.75 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| DB | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
Tier 1: The best bets for league-leading production
| Rank | Player | Team |
| 1 | Foyesade Oluokun | JAX |
| 2 | Roquan Smith | BLT |
| 3 | Zaire Franklin | IND |
| 4 | Alex Singleton | DEN |
| 5 | Ernest Jones | LAR |
| 6 | T.J. Edwards | CHI |
When combining the team LB1 projections based on defensive scheme and usage with each player’s production, specifically related to tackles versus expected, these six players form the clear first tier of potential top performers for 2024.
Each of the players averaged at least 15 points per game last year, in large part due to their full-time roles and ability to push for 150-plus tackles in a season. Aside from Ernest Jones, these linebackers cleared that mark in at least each of the past two seasons, making for some of the most consistent and steady options at the position. Also aside from Jones’ Rams, each team’s LB1 role is a projected above-average tackle-producing position based solely on expected defensive scheme. Those five linebackers also ranked in the 80th percentile in tackles versus expected last season.
Jones became a full-time starter last season and delivered a breakout year, averaging 9.7 tackles per game and adding 4.5 sacks. He didn’t quite hit 150 total tackles because he missed two games, but he was well on pace to clear that mark. His 15.6 tackles over expected was a 97th-percentile score for his position, providing optimism that he can deliver in 2024 as the team’s lone full-time linebacker.
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