{"id":291589,"date":"2026-07-21T12:00:06","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T16:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=291589"},"modified":"2026-07-21T08:21:47","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T12:21:47","slug":"nfc-west-linebackers-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/07\/21\/nfc-west-linebackers-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Ranking the Top NFC West Linebackers For 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Linebackers are critical for any defense to succeed, and thirty-one linebackers are enshrined in the <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.profootballhof.com\/hall-of-famers\/positions\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pro Football Hall of Fame. <\/a>From Butkus to Nitschke to Taylor, linebackers have quarterbacked their defenses and put pressure on the quarterbacks. In 2026, the NFC West Linebackers stand out as a top position group for sure.<\/p>\n<p>The top three in the NFC West are clearly head and shoulders above the rest. In fact, this group of five has a good chance of netting at least one future Hall of Famer. Read on to learn more about the Top NFC West Linebackers for 2026.<\/p>\n<h2>The Best NFC West Linebackers For 2026<\/h2>\n<h3>NFC West Linebackers #5. Mack Wilson Sr., Arizona Cardinals<span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Wilson Sr. transitioned naturally into the Cardinals&#8217; defensive quarterback this season, the play-calling inside linebacker that was on track for possible All-Pro honors before suffering a rib injury. Wilson was headed for a career-best season,<a  href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/W\/WilsMa03.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> nabbing 60 tackles in 8 games.<\/a> The seven-year veteran is a solid leader in the clubhouse and is being counted on to return to being the leader on defense this season for Arizona.\u00a0<em>Hall of Fame chances: Marginal. Late bloomer.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/07\/USATSI_27497542.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"4521\" height=\"3012\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-293127\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/07\/USATSI_27497542.webp 4521w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/07\/USATSI_27497542-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/07\/USATSI_27497542-600x400.webp 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/07\/USATSI_27497542-1200x800.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4521px) 100vw, 4521px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>NFC West Linebackers #4. Drake Thomas, Seattle Seahawks<span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Thomas raised his level of play last season, coming at the perfect time, as he combined with Ernest Jones IV to give Seattle a powerful 1-2 punch in the middle of the field. A reserve for his first two seasons in the league. <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/T\/ThomDr00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Thomas burst onto the scene in 2026 with 96 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks<\/a>. Thomas and Jones complement each other very well and give Seattle a solid linebacking corps that will be tough for offenses to figure out. <em>Hall of Fame chances:<\/em>\u00a0 Marginal. Thomas is a late bloomer.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Friendly reminder the Raiders cut Seahawks Linebacker Drake Thomas <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Ro5lztQipH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/Ro5lztQipH<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; ShifftttyyyQB1\u271e\ud83c\udff4\u200d\u2620\ufe0f (@raiders1022) <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/raiders1022\/status\/2007653982353928591?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 4, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>NFC West Linebackers #3. Byron Young, Los Angeles Rams<span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/04\/17\/byron-young-nfl-draft-profile-team-fits\/\" target=\"_self\">Young<\/a> has <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/Y\/YounBy01.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">collected 27.5 sacks over his three seasons in the league,<\/a> and in 2026, he recorded a career-high 12 sacks. Young has one Pro Bowl berth and another All-Pro selection, with more likely to come. The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/06\/05\/the-ripple-effect-who-benefits-the-most-from-the-rams-trading-for-myles-garrett\/\" target=\"_self\">Rams&#8217; acquisition of sack machine Myles Garrett<\/a> will directly benefit Young more than any player.\u00a0 Teams will have nightmares about how to block Garrett and Young, with one of them receiving one-on-one matchups on every play.<\/p>\n<p>Young would be the best linebacker in some other divisions if it weren&#8217;t for two of the game&#8217;s best at the top. <em>Hall of Fame chances:<\/em> TBD. Young&#8217;s career is just getting started, but the signs are looking good. <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/Y\/YounBy01.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">12 sacks in Young&#8217;s third season and 27.5<\/a> for his career have Young poised for a possible HOF berth down the road.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"max-width: px\"><smartframe-embed class=\"smartframe_wp_element\" customer-id=\"b0c95bc04383cef69c6b47df872135cf\" image-id=\"WmOBTOfnLfLW\" style=\"width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 3072px; aspect-ratio: 3072\/2071;\" ><\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/NFL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#NFL<\/a><\/p>\n<p>No. 84 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026\u2026<a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RamsNFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@RamsNFL<\/a> LB Byron Young! <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/NFLFilms?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@NFLFilms<\/a><a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/TrustWithAPlus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#TrustWithAPlus<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/bdcZKhcA6a\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/bdcZKhcA6a<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; \u30b7\u30c3\u30af\u30b9\u30fb\u30b3\u30ca\u30fc (@Conner6Jamal) <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Conner6Jamal\/status\/2074951437822378486?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 8, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>NFC West Linebackers #2. Ernest Jones IV, Seattle Seahawks<\/h3>\n<p>Jones is so good, it might be more accurate to have him ranked as #1B, not number two. Jones came over in a trade with the Tennessee Titans two seasons ago, and then he blossomed in his fifth season in the league. <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/J\/JoneEr01.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jones collected five interceptions and earned All-Pro honors,<\/a> and was instrumental in returning Seattle&#8217;s defense to one of the league&#8217;s most dominant units. Jones once again is the leader of the vaunted Seahawks defense.\u00a0 He will give offensive coordinators reason to gameplan all week long for where he will be, a truly disruptive force. <em>Hall of Fame chances: TBD. Jones bloomed late and would need many more seasons at the top.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Ernest Jones doing some off-field training with former Seahawks LB Bobby Wagner <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/z4rTplaNmI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/z4rTplaNmI<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; 12 AS ONE (@12ASONE24) <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/12ASONE24\/status\/2074944709752140064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 8, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>NFC West Linebackers #1. Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers<span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Warner enters his ninth season aiming to prove to the league he is still a top-25 talent. He was limited to just six games last season after suffering a broken and dislocated ankle, ending his season after just six games. Warner has four Pro Bowl berths and four All-Pro seasons to his name. <em>Hall of Fame chances: Warner has the best chances of the group to someday earn a Canton berth. Recovering from his season-ending injury and returning to form will position Warner for a berth in the HOF someday.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">An inside look at the NFL\u2019s best with Fred Warner \ud83d\udcaf<\/p>\n<p>Welcome to the all new show, <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RealOnesGFS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@RealOnesGFS<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/3C6xz9VxPl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/3C6xz9VxPl<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; GOAT Farm Network (@GOATfarmmedia) <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/GOATfarmmedia\/status\/1989492241656942651?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">November 15, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In 2026, the NFC West Linebackers stand out as a top position group in the NFL. This group of five has a good chance of netting at least one future Hall of Famer. Here are the rankings for the Top NFC West Linebackers for 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4925,"featured_media":293128,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[36,6431,33916],"tags":[9895,35034,35033,4190,35032],"class_list":["post-291589","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl-news","category-nfl-teams","category-power-rankings","tag-byron-young","tag-drake-thomas","tag-ernest-jones-iv","tag-fred-warner","tag-mack-wilson-sr"],"modified_by":"Sue Levine","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/291589","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4925"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=291589"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/291589\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":293129,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/291589\/revisions\/293129"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/293128"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=291589"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=291589"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=291589"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}