PFF ranks Eagles' linebacker unit as top in the NFL

During this time last year, if somebody told you the Eagles would have the highest-rated linebacker room in the NFL, they'd probably look at you funny. 

The room consisted of Nakobe Dean, Zack Baun, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Oren Burks, none of whom had proved they could be reliable NFL linebackers. Dean had just four starts, Baun and Burks were veterans with limited snaps that were signed to one-year deals, while Trotter Jr. was a rookie selected in the fifth round. 

Once again, it looked like linebacker was going to be a weakness for an extremely talented roster. 

That wasn't the case. 

Baun put in an all-pro season and had a case for Defensive Player of the Year. Dean proved he could be a top-end starter, while Burks and Trotter Jr. were solid rotations pieces, filling in for Dean during the playoffs. 

Now, the Eagles linebacker group is the best in the NFL, according the Pro Football Focus' latest ranking.

What a difference a year makes, eh? 

The Eagles hold the top spot, with the Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Commanders rounding out the top five. 

"Philadelphia holds the top spot in these rankings with a stacked linebacker unit that only got better this offseason," PFF's Dalton Wasserman said. "They handed Zack Baun a well-deserved contract extension after he finished 2024 with a league-leading 90.2 PFF overall grade. Nakobe Dean wasn't far behind, placing 11th among qualified linebackers (77.4).

"The team drafted insurance for Dean's postseason injury in Alabama's Jihaad Campbell, who was the 2025 class' best linebacker. Youngsters Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Smael Mondon Jr. also provide quality depth."

For a long time, the Eagles neglected the linebacker position. They rarely used draft capital — not selecting one in the first round from 1979 to 2025 — and never made a big splash in free agency to improve the position. 

In recent years, the Eagles tried finding bargains in the middle of the field. In 2022, T.J. Edwards, an undrafted free agent, developed into one of the best tacklers in the league, while Kyzir White had a solid season on a one-year contract. Both ended up leaving in free agency because the Eagles didn't want to use cap space on them. 

That bargain-hunting continued last offseason by signing Baun and Burks. The Eagles looked like they were stuck in the same cycle. That changed by Baun having the best season of any linebacker in the NFL. Under Vic Fangio's guidance, Baun was a game-wrecker in the middle of the field, accumulating 171 tackles, 3.5 sacks and four interceptions across the entire season. Rather than letting him go in free agency, Howie Roseman, signed him to a three-year, $51 million deal. 

Paying Baun was one thing, but the Eagles also drafted Campbell in the first round. Campbell was rated as a mid-first round pick, but a torn labrum kept him from being selected higher. 

Fangio said the rookie will be out until at least August and with Dean also suffering a torn patellar tendon in January, the Eagles might be a little bit thin at linebacker to start the season. 

But Baun can certainly make up for a lot of holes with his playmaking ability. Trotter Jr. isn't the perfect player, but he wasn't unplayable as a rookie, so he can fill in for now, allowing Campbell ample time to get settled. The rookie could follow a similar trajectory to Cooper DeJean last season. 

The cornerback had a hamstring injury, causing him to miss the start of training camp. With limited reps, he didn't start until Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns - after the bye. Campbell might not start games right away, but his talent is evident and it's going to hard to keep him off the field when he has his legs under him.

Dean's timeline for return is unknown, though when he comes back, pairing him with Baun and Campbell creates a formidable trio. When they're on the field together, it'll be one of the Eagles best group of linebackers in a while, which looked unlikely a year ago.