NFC North Linebacker Rankings for 2025
We are back on our quest to rank each position group in the NFC North, and now it’s the turn of the linebackers. For the previous rankings, click the following links: QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, iDL, Edge.
VikingsTerritory gives you NFC North linebacker rankings for the 2025 season.
Linebackers are the heart of the defense, and each team in the division has one that can claim to be top 10 at the position across the league. Another tough group to rank, as there isn’t much separating these groups. Here are my NFC North linebacker rankings for the 2025 season.
1. Minnesota Vikings — Blake Cashman, Ivan Pace, Eric Wilson
The signing of Blake Cashman went slightly under the radar in the shadow of the Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel signings. However, Cashman was a revelation returning to his native state and being the complete “does it all” linebacker, and taking on the role as the team’s chief communicator. The reason the Vikings come out on top in this ranking is because they have the best number two linebacker in Ivan Pace.
An even bigger revelation in his rookie season in 2023, Pace has made a mockery of his undrafted status and is well on his way to being one of the league’s best linebackers. There were some issues with coverage last season that need to be addressed, but he is an excellent pass-rusher and a hard-hitting defender in run defense, despite his smaller stature.
Eric Wilson’s return after four years away has added even more depth with sixth-round rookie Kobie King and Brian Asamoah battling it out to fill out the depth chart.
2. Detroit Lions — Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes
Jack Campbell is excellent in run defense, very good in coverage, and a decent pass rusher. After just two seasons in the league, the former first-round pick has been busy staking a claim to be one of the best linebackers in the league. Alex Anzalone is a good veteran partner for Campbell, but he doesn’t possess the talent and potential of Pace, which is why I have Detroit in second.
The Lions have a solid third linebacker in Derrick Barnes, who excels particularly in run defense. Malcom Rodriguez and Grant Stuard round out the depth chart. A couple more guys who are good at run blocking, in that area of the linebacker position, the Lions reign supreme, but pass-rushing and coverage are just as important, and they aren’t as dominant there.
Ranking the Linebackers of All NFC North Teams
From Detroit to Chicago, counting down the best LB corps in the NFC North.
3. Green Bay Packers —Edgerrin Cooper, Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie
The Packers have used early draft capital on linebackers in recent years on Edgerrin Cooper and Quay Walker. While Walker hasn’t quite lived up to first-round billing, Cooper had an excellent rookie season after being drafted in the second round. Despite a hamstring injury slowing him down, he returned for the last four games and played at an elite level.
Across the season, he was one of just two linebackers to have generated a 74.0-plus PFF grade in all three major defensive facets. Green Bay seems to have found itself a star.
Isaiah McDuffie is the third LB and gives the Packers a solid and youthful trio, but Cooper is miles ahead of the other two. Ty’Ron Hopper, a third-round pick from last year, rounds out the depth chart. Green Bay has a very youthful look at the position, with all four players being 25 or under.
4. Chicago Bears — T.J. Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds, Amen Ogbongbemiga
Last year, the Bears made significant moves to strengthen at linebacker with the signings of T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds. Moves to make the position an area of strength. Neither Edwards nor Edmunds lived up to the billing in their first season in Chicago. Both had average seasons by their standards, but Edwards is still regarded as one of the best linebackers in the league. With the very inexperienced Amen Ogbongbemiga as the third linebacker, Chicago slips to the bottom of these rankings.
A return to form for Edmunds and progression from Ogbongbemiga, who has shown potential from limited exposure, and Chicago can quickly climb this very tightly contested ranking. Fourth-round rookie Ruben Hyppolite II and Noah Sewell make up the rest of the depth chart.
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