2022 NFL free agents: Linebacker

With the NFL's franchise-tag deadline in the past, attention moves to the opening of the league's free-agent negotiating window March 14.

These are the best linebackers slated to hit the market.

By position
QB | RB | WR | TE | OL
DL | ED | LB | CB | S
Top 100

1. Bobby Wagner

The Seahawks released Wagner as they enter an apparent rebuild, but the eight-time Pro Bowler's gas tank hasn't hit empty. In fact, the 31-year-old is still one of the NFL's most physical and well-rounded linebackers, and he can be a true tone-setter.

2. De'Vondre Campbell

Campbell is in line for a payday after having an out-of-nowhere All-Pro season for the Packers. He's always been a good tackler, but the other parts of his game came together in Green Bay.

3. Dont'a Hightower

Hightower is one of the best run-stopping linebackers of his era. However, the other parts of his game have diminished as he's gotten older.

4. Leighton Vander Esch

After a promising start to his career, Vander Esch came back down to earth. Injuries are a major concern, so a one-year "prove-it" deal likely awaits the linebacker.

5. Foyesade Oluokun

Thanks to his speed and relentless pursuit of the ball, Oluokun led the NFL with 192 tackles last season. He's eclipsed 100 tackles in back-to-back years and has five picks over that span.

6. Kyle Van Noy

Van Noy is still productive and can do a little bit of everything, even though he's become a cap casualty in back-to-back offseasons.

7. Anthony Barr

A slew of injuries limited Barr to 13 games the last two seasons. However, the jack-of-all-trades linebacker still produced 72 tackles and three interceptions in 2021.

8. Alexander Johnson

Johnson has been one of the top run-stopping linebackers in recent seasons, but he's already 30, and teams don't value run defense as much as they once did.