NFL free agents: Top five linebackers include Devin Lloyd coming off a career season in Jacksonville

This year’s linebacker class in free agency is deep.

There are good players that didn’t make the top five, like Leo Chenal and Demario Davis. There is a good mix of young players coming off their rookie deals and old veterans who still provide plenty of value to a defense. Teams looking for an upgrade at off-ball linebacker should be able to find it.

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Here are the top five linebackers available in free agency:

1. Devin Lloyd

Lloyd picked a great time to have a breakout. He had been a bit of a disappointment as the 27th pick of the 2022 draft, to the point that the Jaguars declined his fifth-year option. Then, in his fourth season, he took to a new scheme and had his best season, making his first Pro Bowl. That emergence will make him a popular player on the market.

2. Quay Walker

Walker might have been a bit of a disappointment with the Packers after they used a first-round pick on him, especially in coverage, but he is a rangy linebacker who piles up tackles and can also make plays as a blitzer. He’ll be just 26 years old next season, and a team that’s willing to overlook his deficiencies will see value in him.

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3. Devin Bush Jr.

There’s some concern here, because Bush hadn’t played up to his status as the 10th pick of the 2019 NFL Draft until last season. But then, in his seventh season, he broke out with the Browns. He had a career best 125 tackles and three interceptions, after not having a single interception for five straight seasons. Perhaps Bush is just a late bloomer, but there’s some risk involved in signing him.

4. Alex Anzalone

Anzalone mostly overcame the injury-prone label he picked up early in his career, and played at least 16 games in three of the past four seasons. He is a good all-around player, though as he turns 32, there is a concern that he will start to decline.

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5. Bobby Wagner

Wagner can still play. He had 162 tackles and 4.5 sacks last season with the Commanders at age 35. He is slipping in coverage a bit, but is still a productive starter. And with Wagner, a future Hall of Famer, a team is signing one of the best defensive leaders in the NFL.