In football, it is widely accepted that the core of a football team, the position a team cannot live without, is the quarterback. Don’t get it twisted, this is true. However, an unsung position whose importance isn’t talked about enough is linebacker. Oftentimes, these players are in close communication with the defensive coordinator, calling out the plays for the defense. The AFC East linebackers feature some highly talented players. Let’s see where these players rank amongst each other in the AFC East linebackers edition of the LWOS “Best Of” series!
The Best AFC East Linebackers for 2026
5. Tyrel Dodson, Miami Dolphins
The fifth entrant on the AFC East linebackers rankings is Tyrel Dodson. This spot was close between Dodson and Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard, but Dodson narrowly took it. Bernard is definitely the more well-known player as he plays for a contender and just inked a large extension with Buffalo last offseason. However, Dodson is underrated. In the last three seasons, Dodson has produced for multiple teams (Buffalo, Seattle, Miami). He’s racked up 232 tackles, 10 sacks, three forced fumbles, and four interceptions. He also has a missed tackle rate of 9.6% in each of the last two seasons.
The reason he doesn’t get higher than the 5th spot is just due to the sheer talent within the division. However, it’s still to be determined if he will continue to rise on this list. The Dolphins invested heavily in LB in the NFL draft, selecting both Jacob Rodriguez and Kyle Louis, two highly coveted talents. That specific position group is one to watch for the next couple of years.
4. Jamien Sherwood, New York Jets
The next entrant on the AFC East linebackers rankings is Jamien Sherwood. Many fans and analysts would’ve thought Sherwood would have been higher on this list after he inked his long-term extension with New York last offseason, but unfortunately, he had a down year in the new Aaron Glenn system. From a production standpoint, not much changed. In 2025, he had 110 tackles with a 6.3% missed tackle rating, both of which are career highs as a starter. However, his coverage, which was a strength of his in 2024 under Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich, was lacking in 2025. According to PFF, he allowed four touchdowns in coverage last season after only allowing 1 across his first four seasons.
The reason Sherwood edges out Dodson for the 4th spot is due to his athleticism and football IQ. He’s a converted safety, so although he is a little light, he exhibits phenomenal sideline-to-sideline speed. He is also incredibly smart, with multiple players and coaches raving about this quality since he entered the NFL. As Jamien Sherwood continues to iron out the wrinkles of his game in Aaron Glenn’s system, his ceiling remains high.
3. Robert Spillane, New England Patriots
At the #3 spot in the AFC East linebackers rankings is Robert Spillane. Spillane is a model for the position as he’s a physical tackler, a turnover machine, and a great leader. Since 2023, Spillane has racked up 271 tackles, 7.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, and eight interceptions. His specialty is run defense, though. In that same three-year period, he has only 11 missed tackles on run plays, including only 1 last season. His presence as a team captain in his first year as a Patriot was a great boon for their run that put them back on the map. As great as Spillane is, though, the last two spots are reserved for two of the best in football, so he sticks at #3.
2. Demario Davis, New York Jets
Coming in at #2 in the AFC East linebackers rankings is the ageless Demario Davis. Davis has been in the league since 2012 and has been a force at the position ever since. In his long career, featuring time with the Saints, Browns, and Jets, he has racked up 1,088 tackles, 51 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, and 4 interceptions. He is also a multiple-time All-Pro. A true model of consistency in the NFL for linebackers. Fast-forward to 2026, and he’s making a return to the team that drafted him – the New York Jets. He’ll look to help a disastrous Jets defense right the ship from 2025, as well as help the previously mentioned Jamien Sherwood hone his skills for the future.
The reason the #1 spot eludes him is by no fault of his own. He is more than talented enough to warrant being in that spot. However, the next entrant on this list was a First-Team All-Pro just last season, which means something. So, for now, Davis is at #2.
1. Jordyn Brooks, Miami Dolphins
The final spot, and title of best AFC East linebacker, goes to Miami’s Jordyn Brooks. A former first-round pick of the Seahawks, Brooks is a prototype for the position, standing at 6’1″,245 lbs. He was a good player in Seattle, posting multiple seasons of 100+ tackles with low missed tackle rates, but tore his ACL in 2022 and wasn’t the same in 2023. He left Seattle following that season and signed with Miami, and instantly got back on track. Across the last two seasons, Brooks has racked up 233 tackles, 7.0 sacks, and one forced fumble. In his All-Pro season in 2025, he had a missed tackle rate of just 4.3%, which was the best in the NFL out of eligible linebackers.
No. 67 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026…@MiamiDolphins LB Jordyn Brooks! @NFLFilms pic.twitter.com/s7Bk6NXWWz
— NFL (@NFL) July 14, 2026
Although Miami is staring down the barrel of a rough season, this position group is one to be proud of. Combine Brooks with the previously mentioned Dodson, Rodriguez, and Louis, and the Dolphins have one of the highest potential linebacking corps in football. As for Brooks individually, he figures to headline the AFC East linebackers rankings for the foreseeable future.
