5 Bold Takes at Linebacker

The 2024 season is almost upon us, so it's time for bold takes.

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We asked the Footballguys staff to give their ride-or-die takes for this season. Here's what they said.

A Bold Take from Joseph Haggan

Josey Jewell will be a top-12 linebacker.

Jewell has had his issues staying healthy and a slew of defensive coordinators to start his career. Yet, he has still been productive. Since becoming a full-time linebacker in 2020, Jewell has averaged 8.5 tackles per game. He has also been a playmaker. Over that same span, he has had two or more sacks in each season outside of 2021, where he played two games. Jewell was just awarded a 3-year, $18.75 million contract with $10 million guaranteed. Who is his defensive coordinator? Ejiro Evero. Evero was Jewell's defensive coordinator in Denver in 2022. Jewell posted a 128-tackle, two-and-a-half-sack, four passes defended, two interceptions, two forced fumble, and a two fumble recovery season in 2022. The Panthers' best linebacker outside of Jewell is Shaq Thompson, who has been solid yet unspectacular for his career. With Jewell and Evero reunited, Jewell should be very productive. The Defense may be spending plenty of time on the field with the state of their offense. Volume, consistent system, and skill equals production. 

A Bold Take from Gary Davenport

Jack Campbell of the Detroit Lions will explode into IDP stardom and finish as a fantasy LB1

Campbell was regarded by many last year as the No. 1 off-ball linebacker prospect. But his first-year production was modest, largely because the former Iowa standout was on the field for less than 60 percent of Detroit’s defensive snaps.

Now, with a year’s experience under his belt, Campbell’s situation is vastly different. The youngster has drawn raves from coaches and teammates alike over the summer. As a matter of fact, Campbell has been so impressive that defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has entrusted him with the “green dot” helmet communicator, which means that he won’t be leaving the field much in 2024.

Campbell’s per-snap production as a rookie was quietly impressive—he logged 95 total tackles in just 639 snaps in 2023. Meanwhile, Alex Anzalone led Lions linebackers in both tackles (129) and snaps (1,007). If Campbell can maintain his per-snap tackle numbers over an increased workload, he will flirt with 150 total stops. Come close to Anzalone’s solo-to-assist ratio, and 100 solos would be well within reach.

Toss in a few big plays, and you have a top-12 fantasy linebacker.