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Linebacker Camp Battles

Pedro Decker
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Key Linebacker Camp Battles You Should Be Paying Attention To

This week all NFL teams are returning to training at full strength for the mandatory camps. Some teams have a clear situation on their linebacker group, while some we will only know during or after the camps. The intent of this article is to list the teams we need to watch closely to better know linebacker situation. Come with me on this journey to understand better the scenarios.

Arizona Cardinals

Krys Barnes vs. Mack Wilson for LB2

Kyzir White worked with the Head Coach and the Defensive Coordinator on the Philadelphia Eagles and signed a two-year contract with the Cardinals, last offseason, and became the clear LB1 in Arizona with the green dot. The situation to watch is for the LB2 spot. Krys Barnes has the early advantage since he has the most experience in this defensive scheme. The Cardinals added Mack Wilson this offseason to be competition for this spot. After a year being the third name in New England, Mack landed in a situation where has a chance to do the next step and become a starter. The dark horse for the spot is Owen Pappoe. The second-year player, started the last preseason games with the green dot, but only saw the field during the last 3 games of the regular season.

My take: Krys Barnes is the favorite to start, but Mack Wilson has the potential to became the guy next to Kyzir White.

Atlanta Falcons

Nate Landman vs. Troy Andersen for LB2

The Falcons have a new coaching staff and no spot is guaranteed. Kaden Elliss seems to be starting the race ahead of the others, since one of his best specialties is the blitz. He recorded 11 sacks in the last two seasons, and Morris used a lot of linebackers to blitz, during his time in Los Angeles. The last coaching staff spent a considerable draft capital on Troy Andersen, who was a rotational player during his first season. In his second season, Andersen got the green dot but tore his pec with a season-ending injury in Week 3. Nate Landman benefited from the injury to Andersen. The undrafted player, from 2022, got the opportunity and took advantage, played really well, recording 110 tackles and 3 forced fumbles last season. That’s why the position remains open.

My take: Nate Landman had a solid performance last season and in my opinion is in the lead over the oft-injured Troy Andersen.

Los Angeles Chargers

Denzel Perryman vs. Nick Niemann vs. Daiyan Henley vs. Junior Colson (rookie)

The Chargers are another team with a new coaching staff and a few new linebackers to the group. Nick Niemann is the oldest one in the franchise, who apparently is a special team player and the dark horse for being the starter. Daiyan Henley was drafted last season in the third round and was only a rotational player. Although, according to the reports, he is getting reps with the first team and using the green dot sometimes. Junior Colson was drafted this year and had the trust of the HC, who worked with him in Michigan. Apparently, Henley and Colson are fighting for one spot now, but in the future maybe they can play together. This is due to the fact that Denzel Perryman is a really experienced linebacker in the league and signed a one-year deal, after a year playing for the Texans recording 76 tackles in 12 games.

My take: Denzel Perryman will start the season being a starter, but won’t finish. My bold take here is that Junior Colson and Daiyan Henley will be the pair at the end of the season.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Cole Holcomb vs. Elandon Roberts vs. Payton Wilson (rookie) for LB2

Patrick Queen was one of the hottest names during free agency and signed a huge deal with the Steelers for three years. Due to this, Queen guaranteed the top linebacker in this defense and leave the MIKE spot for three names. Payton Wilson is coming from the draft and, for some people, the best rookie linebacker. Cole Holcomb started last season on this position, but after 9 games, had a season ending knee injury. The veteran Elandon Roberts took advantage from this injury and recorded 101 tackles, putting his name in the mix for the position.

My take: This is the hardest battle to predict. Elandon Roberts seems to be the starter in Week 1 if Cole Holcomb is not ready.

Tennessee Titans

Jack Gibbens vs. Cedric Gray (rookie) for LB2

The Titans changed their coaching staff and lost their best linebacker via free agency, Azeez Al-Shaair. To replace him, they brought in Kenneth Murray with a two-year deal. Murray had his best statistical year last season, but one point to watch is that he’s never worn the green dot before. It’s possible that safety Amani Hooker could earn the defensive play calling responsibilities. The new Defensive Coordinator came from Baltimore, where the most used formation was 4-2-5 and it appears that they will reproduce this in Tennessee, making the LB2 position open. Cedric Gray and Jack Gibbens are battling for the position. Gray was drafted by this new coaching staff this year and watching his tape, it’s possible to see that he plays really well as WILL, making him a good complement to Murray. Although, you can’t rule out Jack Gibbens. He has two years of NFL experience and had a really good season last year, recording 92 tackles as the Titans LB2. In addition, both players will have to contend with newly-signed safety Jamal Adams if he earns some linebacker snaps in certain formations.

My take: If Cedric Gray gets the playbook fast, he will be the starter. Otherwise, Jack Gibbens will open the season as the second linebacker.

Others Linebacker Situations to Keep an Eye on

– Eagles LB2: Zack Baun vs. Nakobe Dean
– Saints LB2: Willie Gay Jr. vs Pete Werner
– Panthers LB2: Josey Jewell vs Trevin Wallace
– Miami Dolphins green dot: David Long early leader over Jordyn Brooks
– Seattle linebackers returning from injury: Jerome Baker (Seahawks) on PUP list
– Vikings frequency of single-linebacker formations with Ivan Pace and Blake Cashman

Thank you for reading!  Follow me on X at @PBDecker

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