Ranking the NFL’s top 32 linebackers entering 2024 season

Azeez Al-Shaair knew after a breakout season with the Tennessee Titans that a reunion was in store with DeMeco Ryans. It was always the Houston Texans or bust for the former San Francisco 49ers star.

I’m glad he’s on our team,” Texans safety JalenPitre said of Al-Shaair, who inked a three-year, $34 million contract this offseason. “He’s a guy who knows the system very well and is going to help us a lot.”

Not every path to stardom begins with first-team reps. Al-Shaair, an undrafted free agent in 2019 out of Florida Atlantic, might be the poster child for living up to the expectations when given the chance. As a subpackage linebacker, Al-Shaair played a potent role in three-tandem sets and as a rotational player.

Last season, he signed a one-year deal worth $5 million with Tennessee to prove his numbers could expand. In a sense, Al-Shaair bet on himself. His outcome? A top-five finish in tackles (163) to match nine tackles for loss and a pair of sacks.

Al-Shaair will command the middle as the new leader of Ryans’ defense, but the Texans expect promising numbers from third-year pro Christian Harris. Among dominant campaigns from Derek Stingley Jr. and Will Anderson Jr., Harris, a fellow Alabama grad, became one of the better weakside off-ball backers in Ryans’ scheme, totaling 101 tackles and two sacks.

The linebacker room is balanced entering the final days of voluntary OTAs, but where does Al-Shaair rank among the greats? How about Harris? Is he a top-32 player at the position?

Here’s Texans Wire’s top 32 off-ball linebackers entering June.

1

Fred Warner – San Francisco 49ers

Dec 17, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (54) celebrates a play against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

2

Roquan Smith – Baltimore Ravens

Dec 10, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith (0) takes the field before a game against the Los Angeles Rams at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports

3

Demario Davis – New Orleans Saints

Jan 8, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) reacts to making a tackle against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

4

Matt Milano – Buffalo Bills

Bills Matt Milano (58) celebrates a fourth down stop against Washington.

5

C.J. Mosley - New York Jets

Sep 8, 2019; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets inside linebacker C.J. Mosley (57) celebrates after a fumble recovery during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

6

Lavonte David - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Nov 5, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) tackles Houston Texans running back Devin Singletary (26) on a play during the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

7

Bobby Wagner - Washington Commanders

Oct 25, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) before a fourth quarter field goal attempt by the New Orleans Saints at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

8

Quincy Williams - New York Jets

Bob Levey/Getty Images

9

Dre Greelaw - San Francisco 49ers

Jan 22, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (54) and linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) celebrate after a stop during the first quarter of a NFC divisional round game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

10

Frankie Luvu - Washington Commanders

(Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports)

11

Patrick Queen - Pittsburgh Steelers

(Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports)

12

T.J. Edwards - Chicago Bears

Dec 31, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards (53) celebrates after intercepting an Atlanta Falcons pass in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

13

Bobby Okereke - New York Giants

Dec 31, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) celebrates his sack against the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

14

Foye Oluokun - Jacksonville Jaguars

Dec 22, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (23) forces a fumble by New York Jets quarterback Chris Streveler (15) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

15

Nick Bolton - Kansas City Chiefs

Dec 25, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) is introduced against the Las Vegas Raiders prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

16

Tremaine Edmunds - Chicago Bears

Oct 22, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) celebrates after making an interception in the second quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

17

Logan Wilson - Cincinnati Bengals

Oct 1, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson (55) and linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) warm up before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

18

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah - Cleveland Browns

Dec 28, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) celebrates after a tackle against the New York Jets during the first half at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

19

Azeez Al-Shaair - Houston Texans

(Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports)

20

Blake Cashman - Minnesota Vikings

(Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)

21

Ernest Jones - Los Angeles Rams

Dec 17, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones (53) reacts after a defensive play against the Washington Commanders during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

22

Alex Anzalone - Detriot Lions

Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone celebrates a play in the first quarter of the NFC championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024.

23

Jordan Hicks - Cleveland Browns

Oct 1, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) reacts in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

24

Zaire Franklin - Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) lines up on the line of scrimmage Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, during a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

25

Eric Kendricks - Dallas Cowboys

Oct 29, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Eric Kendricks (6) enters the field before the game against the Chicago Bears at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

26

Tyrel Dodson - Seattle Seahawks

Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Tyrel Dodson (25) against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

27

Kaden Elliss - Atlanta Falcons

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) is down short of the goal line against Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) in the second half at State Farm Stadium on Nov. 12, 2023, in Glendale.

28

De'Vondre Campbell - San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver David Moore (19) breaks away from Green Bay Packers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell (59) for a 52-yard touchdown reception during their football game Sunday, December 17, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.

29

Ivan Pace Jr - Minnesota Vikings

Dec 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (40) during the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

30

Ja’Whaun Bentley - New England Patriots

Dec 3, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley (8) reacts after his tackle against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

31

Devin Lloyd - Jacksonville Jaguars

Dec 10, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (33) returns a fumble during the first half against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

32

Josey Jewell - Carolina Panthers

(Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)