Today is where it gets a little interesting as defensive scheme (4-3 or 3-4) will play a role in the rankings. Linebackers are up and we will be looking at the three on each team that have responsibilities other than just getting to the QB. Outside linebackers who are primarily rushers will be ranked with the edges tomorrow.
4. Buffalo Bills - Jatavis Brown, Devin Bush, Zach Cunningham. Linebackers were a tough rating because they are asked to do so much and as a result have their strengths and weaknesses impact the game more. A true complete linebacker is hard to find and when you get one, you better lock him up. The Bills hope Bush is that guy moving forward and said so by taking him number 10 overall. He is going to get to play right away and will be asked to captain this group as a rookie. He can fly all over the place and will be a true three down backer. However, because we don't know who he is in the NFL just yet, the Bills land at number 4 on our list. Cunningham and Brown are both solid starters in the league but we consider them slightly above average and that's it. Buffalo will likely need to retool at outside linebacker in next years draft.
3. New York Jets - Avery Williamson, Darron Lee, Jamie Collins. Williamson is the strength of this group and should transition nicely to Gregg Williams new 3-4 hybrid defensive scheme. He is athletic, can cover ground and is excellent against the run. Darron Lee has never quite lived up to his first round draft status but will look to change that this year. Our big question for this team is Jamie Collins. He was never quite the player in Cleveland he was in New England and he now has the same defensive coordinator he had during those years with the Browns. Maybe the 3-4 will suit him better than the 4-3 he played last year, but we think his better days are in the rearview mirror.
2. Miami Dolphins - Raekwon McMillan, Jerome Baker, Shaquil Barrett. We like the addition of Barrett to the roster as he immediately becomes the best in the group. The Dolphins will be using him in a variety of ways in their 3-4 including asking him to rush the passer more than he may have in Denver. Baker is very athletic and uses that to make up for his lack of size. He gives Miami a linebacker who can cover, but we are not sure they will ask him to do this much. We expect him to continue his growth and believe his career trajectory is up. McMillan is fantastic on run defense and look for him to be used mainly in this way as his coverage skills are lacking. Overall a solid group if Miami designs a defense around their strengths.
1. New England Patriots - Danny Trevathan, Demario Davis, Joe Shobert. By far the group with the fewest holes. Each one of these players is solid in their own right. Shobert is an excellent coverage backer that gives New England's D more teeth in stopping the throw. Davis compliments nicely with his ability to stop the run. Trevathan is balanced and can do a bit of both. Pro Football Focus had all three of these players in their top 21 linebackers and while we know the Pats GM is not a fan of PFF and their analytics, we doubt he would disagree with their take this time.
We will be assigning cumulative points to these rankings to determine the best overall team in the 3GML.
Buffalo - 24
New England - 24
Miami - 18
New York - 14
