After four pedestrian years in Seattle, Brooks has blossomed into a very good run defender in Miami. He has the combination of instincts and lateral movement skills to sift through the trash and constantly make tackles near or behind the line of scrimmage. The 2025 first-team All-Pro isn't much of a space player and is susceptible to getting beaten in coverage, but he can make up for it when blitzing by being a productive pass-rusher.

Look for Cooper to burst onto the scene as an up-and-coming NFL linebacker this season. Against the run, he has a good combination of instincts, range and athleticism to get to the right spot and make tackles near the line of scrimmage. While the Texas A&M product still has some room for growth when taking on blocks, he's already shown improvement from his college days. Cooper's athletic ability also shows up in his coverage skills. He has the speed and acceleration to click and close, and he's made a handful of plays on the ball with eight passes defended in two seasons. The 2024 third-round pick wasn't as productive and impactful as a pass-rusher this past season, but he did have four sacks as a rookie.

Wagner is toward the end of his career, but make no mistake about it, he's still a top-tier run defender on the second level. He operates like The Terminator pre-snap, constantly scanning the offense and taking in information to consistently be in the right spot and around the ball. Also, the 11-time All-Pro is still an elite tackler with his combination of range and rare misses. In coverage, the 36-year-old's age shows up. He isn't as comfortable operating in space as he used to be and had a few coverage breaks last season. Wagner can provide value in the passing game as a blitzer, though, beating running backs to record 4.5 sacks last season.

Elliss is the pinnacle of what a hybrid linebacker should look like. He's the jack-of-all-trades, Swiss-army knife type of player who uses his athleticism to slip blocks in the running game, click and close or make plays on the ball in coverage, and get after the quarterback as a pass-rusher. The do-it-all backer also has the versatility to line up on the edge and cashed in during the offseason, as the Saints gave him a $33 million contract to return to New Orleans.

Lloyd is an interesting player because he fits into the "jack of all trades, master of none" category. As a run defender, he can attack downhill or make plays sideline to sideline, but doesn't record many tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage. Against the passing game, the 2025 second-team All-Pro can click and close and has good ball skills, but he will get beaten in man coverage and occasionally takes subpar angles in pursuit. If the 27-year-old can put it all together in Carolina, he'll start getting more love as one of the best linebackers in the league.

Baun's game is rooted in instincts and athleticism. Against the run, he's quick to get to the right spot and can use his movement skills to slip blocks. However, Baun does leave something to be desired in terms of his ability to take on and disengage from blocks. In coverage, the two-time Pro Bowler's athletic ability can help him be effective in man coverage and tight ends and running backs, and close in a hurry when playing zone. He also had seven passes defended last year and can be even more productive if his awareness improves.