You need some good linebackers to keep the ball on your side. It’s a good thing that we know who the best 10 linebackers are in Madden NFL 26.
Often the leader of the defense, a linebacker’s job requires them to be able to stop the run against elite Running Backs, cover Tight Ends in space, and get in on the action when a Kickers or Punters is on the field. Some players made the top 10 without much earlier recognition. While we don’t have extensive details, we can still give you a sense of who they are, and fortunately, their stats are available.
Madden NFL 26 – Best Linebackers
10 – Devin Lloyd
- OVR: 85
- SPD: 84
- STR: 78
- AGI: 79
- COD: 75
- INJ: 92
- AWR: 84
Devin Lloyd was born on September 30, 1998, in Kansas City, Missouri. He is an American professional football player who plays as a linebacker. Lloyd attended college at the University of Utah, where he played football for the Utah Utes from 2017 to 2021.
In the 2022 NFL Draft, he was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars as the 27th overall pick in the first round. During his rookie season in the NFL, Lloyd was named the Defensive Rookie of the Month for September and was also included in the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
9 – Dre Greenlaw
- OVR: 86
- SPD: 85
- STR: 72
- AGI: 81
- COD: 74
- INJ: 86
- AWR: 91
Dre Greenlaw is currently on the Denver Broncos. He wears jersey number 57 and is a force that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Greenlaw is exactly what the Broncos need to make it back to the top. There are more factors to consider, but don’t be surprised if you see Greenlaw in the highlights this season.
8 – Bobby Okereke
- OVR: 86
- SPD: 88
- STR: 73
- AGI: 81
- COD: 76
- INJ: 91
- AWR: 88
Bobby Okereke is a linebacker who played college football for the Stanford Cardinals. He is currently on the New York Giant.
Okereke wears jersey number 58 for the Giants, and keeps the pressure up every week. We’ll see if Okereke can make the Giants rise to the top again.
7 – Foyesade Oluokun
- OVR: 87
- SPD: 87
- STR: 70
- AGI: 84
- COD: 78
- INJ: 89
- AWR: 92
Foyesade Oluokun, born in 1995, is a linebacker and safety for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He had previously played for the Atlanta Falcons.
He attended Yale, where he played for the Yale Bulldogs, and was drafted by the Falcons in 2018. Oluokun is of Nigerian descent and is from St. Louis, where he attended John Burroughs School.
6 – Zack Baun
- OVR: 88
- SPD: 87
- STR: 80
- AGI: 83
- COD: 74
- INJ: 93
- AWR: 87
Zack Baun, born in 1996, is a linebacker now with the Philadelphia Eagles after previously playing for the New Orleans Saints
He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers, where he was named an All-American, and has been selected for the National Conference Pro Bowl. Baun is from Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.
5 – Lavonte David
- OVR: 88
- SPD: 86
- STR: 76
- AGI: 83
- COD: 76
- INJ: 93
- AWR: 97
Lavonte David, born in 1990, is a linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Fort Scott Greyhounds before being drafted by the Buccaneers in 2012.
David was part of the team that won Super Bowl LV and has been named an Unconferenced Pro Bowl player. He is from Miami, Florida.
4 – Demario Davis
- OVR: 90
- SPD: 88
- STR: 85
- AGI: 78
- COD: 72
- INJ: 98
- AWR: 96
Demario Davis, born in 1989, is a linebacker for the New Orleans Saints. He played college football for the Arkansas State Red Wolves and has also been with the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets.
Davis is a National Conference Pro Bowl player and earned it through his hard work. He is from Mississippi, specifically Brandon and Collins.
3 – Bobby Wagner
- OVR: 91
- SPD: 84
- STR: 78
- AGI: 80
- COD: 70
- INJ: 97
- AWR: 97
Bobby Wagner, born on June 27, 1990, in Los Angeles, California, is a linebacker now with the Washington Commanders. He previously played for the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams.
Wagner was a second-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft after playing college football at Utah State and attending Howard University. He has been selected to the National Conference Pro Bowl and is also recognized as an Unconferenced Pro Bowl player. Additionally, Wagner is a minority owner of the Seattle Storm WNBA team.
2 – Roquan Smith
- OVR: 94
- SPD: 86
- STR: 80
- AGI: 87
- COD: 82
- INJ: 95
- AWR: 91
Roquan Smith is a linebacker currently playing for the Baltimore Ravens. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs at the University of Georgia and won the Butkus Award in 2017.
He does well enough for the Ravens to be listed at number 2. We’ll likely see more good from him soon.
1 – Fred Warner
- OVR: 97
- SPD: 88
- STR: 80
- AGI: 83
- COD: 82
- INJ: 96
- AWR: 99
Fred Warner, born in 1996, is a linebacker who plays for the San Francisco 49ers. He played college football for the BYU Cougars and was drafted by the 49ers in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Warner has been named to the National Conference Pro Bowl and is known for his Mexican and Panamanian heritage as well as being a Mormon athlete. He is originally from San Marcos, California, in San Diego County, and is a crucial part of the 49ers’ defense. He’s the top LB to look out for in Madden NFL 26.
