What a difference one year makes for Commanders' linebackers

Off-ball linebackers are very mobile these days.

They don't simply rush the quarterback; they have to cover running backs and tight ends and plug the run. So, ESPN surveyed NFL executives, coaches, and scouts to rank the top 10 off-ball linebackers heading into the 2026 season.

Frankie Luvu was our best free agent acquisition over the offseason #RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/suMyjYcTxz

— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) October 6, 2024

Two linebackers, Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner, who played for the Washington Commanders in 2025, received votes. Frankly, it's surprising that Wagner still received votes. He had a great career and will be in the Hall of Fame one day, but his 2025 season in Washington was one where he was repeatedly taken advantage of in pass coverage.

• 1. Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers: How good is Warner? He only played six games in 2025, and the NFL personnel surveyed kept him at No. 1 again. Commanders have to face Warner in Week 6 on the road. Washington hopes it has found its version of Warner in Sonny Styles.
• 2. Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens: Smith is one of two players to record at least 130 tackles in each of the past six seasons, along with Bobby Wagner.
• 3. Carson Schwesinger, Cleveland Browns: Having only one season of NFL experience, and already being voted No. 3 is quite impressive. He was one of three players with at least two sacks, two interceptions and 10 tackles for loss.
• 4. Zach Baun, Philadelphia Eagles: Baun was one of two linebackers to appear on every top-10 ballot. Commanders have to face him twice each season in the NFC East.
• 5. Jack Campbell, Detroit Lions: Campbell has been a steady climber in the linebacker pantheon, vaulting into the top 10 after a 176-tackle season -- the most for a Lions player since Chris Spielman in 1994.
• 6. Azeez Al-Shaair, Houston Texans: Al-Shaair's nine passes defended last season were the most for a Texans player with 100 tackles since Brian Cushing had 10 in 2009.
• 7. Jordyn Brooks, Miami Dolphins: A first-team All-Pro, his 5.9% run stop percentage topped all off-ball linebackers, and his 13 tackles for loss ranked second at his position last season.
• 8. Nick Bolton, Kansas City Chiefs: His 4.6% career run stop percentage leads all linebackers since he entered the NFL in 2021.
• 9. Edgerrin Cooper, Green Bay Packers: Cooper's 17 career tackles for loss are the most for a Packers player over their first two seasons since Clay Matthews III had 35 in 2009-10
• 10. Devin Lloyd, Carolina Panthers: He was the only NFL player with five interceptions and five tackles for loss last season.

Washington revamped its linebackers this offseason, with free-agent addition Leo Chenal joining Styles as newcomers to play alongside Luvu.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: What a difference one year makes for Commanders' linebackers