The game of football continues to see changes from one season to another with the defensive approach to the game evolving from season to season.

In addition, defenses continue to make changes to adapt to the current style of high-powered offenses around the National Football League as well as game changing quarterbacks who can make plays with both their arm and their legs.

That said the middle linebacker position is a position that not all teams incorporate around the NFL. That said, the NFL has a solid list of top tier middle linebackers all deserving of a spot among the Top 10 NFL Middle Linebackers 2023 rankings list.

Among those ranking among the best middle linebackers in the NFL is the San Francisco 49ers Fred Warner. Since arriving to the San Francisco 49ers during the 2018 NFL Draft, Warner has developed into an all-around great player while taking home multiple First-Team All-Pro selections at the middle linebacker position.

Joining Warner on the list of the best middle linebackers include Bobby Wagner of the Seattle Seahawks, C.J. Mosley of the New York Jets, and Foyesade Oluokun of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Here is a look at the Top 10 NFL Middle Linebackers 2023 rankings list.

Honorable Mention

Cody Barton

Team: Washington Commanders

2022 Stats: 84 Solo, 2 Sacks, 0 FF, 2 INT

Landing just outside of the Top 10 NFL Middle Linebackers 2023 rankings list is the Washington Commanders linebacker Cody Barton.

After a slow start to his career with Bobby Wagner blocking him with the Seattle Seahawks, Barton was able to take on a greater role last season in his final season with the team.

With Wagner in Los Angeles, Barton posted a career high 84 solo tackles and 136 total tackles. The former Utah Utes linebacker also added 6.5 stuffs, six passes defended, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions.

Entering the 2023 NFL season high expectations are set for Barton as he signed a one-year deal to join the Washington Commanders.

Quay Walker

Team: Green Bay Packers

2022 Stats: 84 Solo, 2 Sacks, 0 FF, 2 INT

Entering his rookie season in the NFL during the 2022 NFL schedule, much had been spoken of Quay Walker and his potential as a top tier linebacker from day one.

Nonetheless the former Georgia Bulldogs star outplayed expectations during his rookie season after being drafted during the 2022 NFL Draft.

Walker finished the year leading the Packers in tackles with 121 while also forcing three fumbles and returning a fumble recovery 63 yards.

While there were ups and downs, Walker showed promise in both playing at the line of scrimmage posting six stuffs while also recording seven passes defended. Entering year two, Walker will continue to grow while ranking among the best middle linebackers in the NFL. 

Top 10 Middle Linebackers

10. Logan Wilson

Team: Cincinnati Bengals

2022 Stats: 75 Solo, 1.5 Sacks, 3 FF, 0 INT

Coming in at number 10 on the Top 10 NFL Middle Linebackers 2023 rankings list is the Cincinnati Bengals fourth year linebacker Logan Wilson. Wilson who will be entering year four with the Bengals after posting his best season in the NFL during the 2022 NFL schedule.

The Bengals linebacker is coming off career highs in tackles with 123, sacks with 2.5, and stuffs with seven. In addition, Wilson also recorded one interception, four passes defended, and one forced fumble. His play picked up during the postseason including an iconic forced fumble helping the Bengals move on against division rivals the Baltimore Ravens. 

9. Demario Davis

Team: New Orleans Saints

2022 Stats: 54 Solo, 6.5 Sacks, 0 FF, 1 INT

One of the oldest middle linebackers among the group is Demario Davis of the New Orleans Saints. Davis, who was drafted during the 2012 NFL Draft has spent time with the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns before joining the New Orleans Saints before the 2018 NFL schedule. Davis has posted at least 100 tackles in eight of his 11 NFL seasons including 109 last season.

Meanwhile Davis has shown his ability to get to the quarterback while racking up a career high 6.5 sacks during the 2022 NFL season while also adding one interception, six passes defended, and 10 stuffs. 

8. Nick Bolton

Team: Kansas City Chiefs

2022 Stats: 108 Solo, 2 Sacks, 1 FF, 2 INT

The Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton. Bolton, who is entering third season in the NFL, took a big stride forward during his second season.

Bolton, who played his college football with the Missouri Tigers posted 108 solo tackles to finish 2nd in the NFL while also posting 180 total tackles.

The Chiefs linebacker continues to be a playmaker at or behind the line of scrimmage while recording 12 stuffs, two sacks and a forced fumble. Bolton also showcased his ability to play in coverage, recording three passes defended to go along with two interceptions. 

7. C.J. Mosley

Team: New York Jets

2022 Stats: 99 Solo, 1 Sacks, 0 FF, 1 INT

The former 2014 NFL Draft first round pick continues to play at a high level each year while ranking as one of the NFL’s best middle linebackers.

Mosley, who was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens moved on to the New York Jets during the 2019 NFL offseason. Since arriving in the NFL Mosley has posted five Second-Team All-Pro selections and five Pro Bowl selections including during the 2022 NFL Season.

The Jets linebacker posted 158 total tackles to go along with one sack, one interception, 9.5 stuffs, and seven passes defended. Age hasn’t slowed down Mosley who continues to play well both against the run and against the pass.

6. Tremaine Edmunds

Team: Chicago Bears

2022 Stats: 66 Solo, 1 Sacks, 0 FF, 1 INT

Since being drafted by the Buffalo Bills during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Tremaine Edmunds has been a solid middle linebacker while showing his potential during his rookie season.

In his final season of his rookie deal with the Bills Edmunds continued his previous trend while posting 102 total tackles to go along with one sack, one interceptions and 8.5 stuffs.

In addition, Edmunds was all over the football in coverage while ranking among the best coverage linebackers in the NFL while recording seven passes defended. The big season landed Edmunds a new deal with the Chicago Bears for the upcoming 2023 NFL season.

5. Drue Tranquill

Team: Kansas City Chiefs

2022 Stats: 95 Solo, 5 Sacks, 1 FF, 1 INT

Rounding out the top five middle linebackers on the Top 10 NFL Middle Linebackers 2023 rankings list is the Drue Tranquill of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Tranquill, who the Chiefs acquired during the off-season is coming off a breakout season in his final season with the Los Angeles Chargers.

The former Notre Dame Fighting Irish star posted a career high 95 solo tackles, 146 combined tackles, five sacks, on interception and 12.5 stuffs. Entering his 

4. Bobby Okereke

Team: New York Giants

2022 Stats: 99 Solo, 0 Sacks, 2 FF, 0 INT

The 26-year-old former Stanford Cardinal football player is coming off his best season in the NFL during his fourth NFL season.

Bobby Okereke, who the Indianapolis Colts drafted during the 3rd round of the 2019 NFL Draft set career highs in tackles with 151, fumble recoveries with two, and stuffs with 16.

His performance has continued to grow year over year since his rookie season while landing him a new long-term deal with the New York Giants. 

3. Foyesade Oluokun

Team: Jacksonville Jaguars

2022 Stats: 128 Solo, 2 Sacks, 2 FF, 0 INT

Another middle linebacker who is all around the football while ranking among the best in the NFL is the Jacksonville Jaguars star Foyesade Oluokun.

Oluokun who played his college football at Yale was a former 6th round draft pick of the Atlanta Falcons before joining the Jaguars last season.

In each of the past two NFL seasons Oluokun has led the NFL in tackles while setting the record for most combined tackles during an NFL season with 192 in 2021. In 2022 the Jaguars linebacker posted 184 tackles to go along with two sacks, two forced fumbles, and 18.5 stuffs.

2. Bobby Wagner

Team: Seattle Seahawks

2022 Stats: 81 Solo, 6 Sacks, 0 FF, 2 INT

One of the best linebackers in the NFL since arriving in 2012, Bobby Wagner continued that success in 2023 despite moving onto the Los Angeles Rams.

Despite the change of scenery Wagner recorded another 100 plus tackle season while posting a career high six sacks to go along with two interceptions and five passes defended.

The former Rams linebacker was all around the line of scrimmage posting 16.5 stuffs as well as five passes defended. The 140 tackles marked the fifth time Wagner has reached or exceeded that total.

1. Fred Warner

Team: San Francisco 49ers

2022 Stats: 79 Solo, 2 Sacks, 1 FF, 1 INT

It is not hard to understand why Fred Warner lands at the top of the list among the best middle linebackers in football. Warner, who sits at number one on the Top 10 NFL Middle Linebackers 2023 rankings list continues to be a playmaker for the San Francisco 49ers year in and year out. 

The 49ers linebacker is coming off his fifth straight season recording at least 118 tackles while also registering two sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception. In addition, Warner was all around the ball posting 10 passes defended and eight stuffs at or behind the line of scrimmage.

How would you rank these NFL Middle Linebackers going into the 2023-2024 NFL Season? Rank below to be added in the NFL Power Rankings.

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