2019 NFL Linebackers

Upside

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Linebacker has always been a relative stronghold for us on the defensive side, and we're still hanging on for the most part, but abrupt retirements by a number of caste busters have really taken some of the air out of the sails. After Brian Urlacher's retirement in 2013, up and comer Colin McCarthy decided to hang them up at 26. As rookies, AJ Tarpley and Chris Borland immediately established themselves as playmakers, only to retire the following year citing concussion concerns. Then in successive seasons we saw the retirements of stars James Laurinaitis, AJ Hawk, Chad Greenway, Paul Posluszny, and Brian Cushing. Before the start of the season, tackling machine Paul Worrilow decided to call it quits after only 5 seasons. And as usual, most of these guys have been replaced with room brightening smiles and magical upside.
Anyway, here's how we're looking in 2019:

NFC Linebackers

Clay Matthews

Bryce Hager
Brooks Reed
Cassius Marsh
Joe Walker
Dennis Gardeck
Ryan Connelly
David Mayo
Jake Carlock
Cole Holcomb
Ryan Kerrigan

Tanner Valejo
Sean Lee
Leighton Vander Esch
Nathan Gerry

Alex Singleton
AJ Klein
Alex Anzalone
Kiko Alonso

Kaden Elliss
Colton Jumper
Ben Gedeon
Cameron Smith
Carl Nassib
Anthony Nelson
Jack Cichy
Blake Martinez
Ty Summers
Brady Sheldon
Kyler Fackrell
Nick Kwiatkoski
Luke Kuechly
Jordan Kunaszyk
Cody Barton
Ben Burr-Kirven

AFC Linebackers

Joe Schobert
TJ Watt

Anthony Chickillo
Tyler Matakevich
Nick Vigil
Drue Tranquill
Nick Dzubnar
Kamalei Correa
Vince Biegel
Mike Hull
Andrew Van Ginkel
Chase Allen
Matt Milano
John Simon

Calvin Munson
Blake Cashman
Josey Jewell
Ben Niemann
Jake Ryan
Dylan Cole

23 total starters.

Personal favorites of mine: the dream of an NFL career may have slipped away for Marcus Rush, Scooby Wright, Riley Bullough, Davis Tull, Ben Boulware, and Porter Gustin; None of whom are currently on a roster.

Though with the Saints for most of the preseason, 3 year starter Will Compton is still a free agent.
 
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