Who Will Be the LB1 for 2025?
We asked industry experts to weigh in with their pick for this season's top-scoring LB.
Everyone loves linebackers. It’s one of the most fun positions to talk about and also one of the hardest to project—especially the LB1 in a given season. Before last season, who could have predicted that Zack Baun—a little-known bust with New Orleans—would catapult himself into the LB1 conversation amidst a breakout campaign?
As we look ahead to 2025 and ponder who this season’s LB1 will be, it’s fun to wonder if another Baun is lurking out there (hello, Jack Sanborn), or if this year’s king of LB mountain will be a familiar name (looking at you, Zaire Franklin).
We didn’t try to answer this question alone, though. Along with several members of The IDP Show team, we enlisted help from our friends across the IDP industry to weigh in with their pick for the LB1 in 2025. Let’s see who they picked…
Zaire Franklin, Indianapolis Colts
This is hardly a bold take. Zaire Franklin’s 173 tackles led the entire league last season, hitting the exact number (173) for his average tackles/year over the past three seasons. He also chips in splash plays, hitting double-digit TFLs in two of the last three years (2022 and 2024). IDP scoring can vary, but Franklin has continually been at or near the top of the leaderboard, no matter how you enjoy this beautiful game.
For IDP purposes, we prefer zone over man coverage for our linebackers. New defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo will likely play more man coverage than Gus Bradley did, as he likes to vary his looks. However, he also hinted at leaning into more dime looks this year, which likely leaves Franklin as the lone linebacker patrolling the middle. Franklin also has inexperienced counterparts vying for the Colts’ LB2 gig, with popular breakout candidate Jaylon Carlies, Joe Bachie, and Cameron McGrone. The competence of Indianapolis' quarterback play, Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson, raises questions of how efficient the offense will be at sustaining drives. Franklin and the defense could be busy this season.
Franklin has been a durable, reliable tackling machine since he was given the reins to the Colts’ defense. His situation has changed a bit with a new defensive coordinator, but all things considered, Franklin’s outlook for this coming season remains just as compelling as in previous years. I expect Franklin’s name to sit near the top of the tackle and IDP leaderboard again when all is said and done this upcoming season. And for that reason, Zaire Franklin is my LB1.
Foye Oluokun, Jacksonville Jaguars
I know, last year was a disaster relative to Foye Oluokun’s ADP. But the same can be said for almost any player’s IDP performance on the Jaguars defense. Oluokun was LB1 in 2022 (by Big 3 Scoring) and narrowly finished as LB2 in 2023.
Looking ahead to 2025, Oluokun gets away from the fantasy terrorist of a coordinator that was Ryan Nielsen in Jacksonville last season. No more line changes like it's a hockey game; Foye should be back at 100% snaps, wearing the green dot under new coordinator Anthony Campanile, and continue his heavy tackle production.
Blake Cashman, Minnesota Vikings
This is a spicy one, I’ll admit. It’s a dangerous bet when you’re betting on 17 games from a guy who’s never done that before in his career. But I’m willing to be optimistic about Cashman’s health in early August as he’s out on the practice field picking off J.J. McCarthy. A linebacker needs to clear 17 PPG to finish as the overall LB1 by Big 3 Scoring. Cashman wasn’t too far off from that mark across 14 games in 2024, averaging 16.09 PPG and clocking in as the LB9 in PPG for Weeks 10-18.
Whereas the health concerns are the biggest knock against Cashman, the biggest factor going in his favor is Minnesota’s defense under Brian Flores, which Jon Macri has as the most tackle-friendly scheme for LBs (tied with the Chargers). Even if Cashman’s pass rush snaps tick down a bit (he was 2nd in the NFL last year with 168, behind only Frankie Luvu) due to the emergence of Dallas Turner, it’s reasonable to expect that his tackles per game mark will stick around 8 (he was at 7.92 in 2024), giving him a foothold inside the top 12. Then it’s down to variance to vault himself from the top 6-7 into the #1 overall spot: a forced fumble, an extra sack, a few 10-tackle games, or an INT could be enough to push him over the top.
If I were a betting man, I’d put my money on someone like Zack Baun. But I wanted to go with my heart, offer a bolder take, and celebrate one of my favorite IDPs.
Zaire Franklin, Indianapolis Colts
It's not a hot or sexy pick, but Zaire Franklin will be the top-scoring LB this year. He is fresh off his 3rd consecutive year with at least 168 tackles. His playmaking spiked in those three seasons as well, with 8 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions, and 18 passes defended. They still have not found a consistent running mate for Franklin since Bobby Okereke left for New York. Jaylon Carlies was this year’s darling sleeper, but he is dealing with a nagging injury and is currently listed behind Cameron McGrone on the Colts depth chart. I do not have confidence in either.
I fully expect Franklin to dominate the middle of the Colts defense with safety Nick Cross checking in as the Colts’ second leading tackler. With the current defense, the unknown of the offense, and Franklin's recent dominance, he should reign as king of the proverbial LB mountain.
Foye Oluokun, Jacksonville Jaguars
After a somewhat disappointing 2024 season when he missed Weeks 4-7 due to a foot injury, many expect a return to greatness this season for Foye Oluokun, myself included. Oluokun was the LB1 in both 2021 and 2022 and finished top 10 in most scoring formats for the 2023 season. With seasons of 184, 192, and 173 combined tackles in recent history, Oluokun’s floor for being LB1 is well established.
The playing time will be there; he hasn’t been below 83% of snaps in any game he’s played in (discounting the Buffalo game, where he was injured early and started his four-week absence last season) since Week 17 of the 2022 season (and that game was a blowout win for Jacksonville where he got to rest early). The injury concerns are muted compared to many other linebackers, as beyond the four-game absence last year, he played every single game of the 2021, 2022, and 2023 seasons.
His new defensive coordinator, Anthony Campanile, has a long history of facilitating excellent inside linebacker production with other units he’s coached. And finally, the Jaguars were the worst time-of-possession team in the entire league last year. They’ll likely improve on this ranking with a healthy Trevor Lawrence, but I don’t expect it to be light-years better. Jacksonville tends to spend a ton of time on defense, and that’s yet another helpful factor to get Oluokun to the top of the mountain this season.
If he can stay healthy, I believe that’s exactly where he’ll end up.
Carson Schwesinger, Cleveland Browns
I’ll probably get accused of being a homer, but this isn’t the case. Am I irrationally excited that my favorite IDP rookie got drafted to my home team? Of course. But I can remove the bias. I mean, look, I’ve had good things to say about Pittsburgh and Baltimore players.
It’s been since 2012 since a rookie led the league in tackles (162 for Luke Kuechly), and Darius Leonard was the last rookie to finish as the LB1. A big part of the reason why it’s been so long? It’s been a rarity for the last few years for rookies to play significant snaps. But I believe that changes this year.
Schwesinger got drafted into a perfect spot for dynasty with Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah’s 2025 season over. It became even better after Jordan Hicks retired, as it put Schwesinger’s playing time on the fast track. The coaching staff and his teammates have already praised his smarts, knowledge of the defense, and ability to get everyone into place. Jim Schwartz said he’s already exceeded his expectations. As a rookie, he’s already been bestowed the green dot, which ensures a three-down role; a role many rookie LBs haven’t had in the past.
Schwesinger has the upside and role to be the first rookie to lead the NFL in tackles since Kuechly, and if he adds a few big plays, he could be the LB1.
Zaire Franklin, Indianapolis Colts
One reason I like Zaire Franklin to repeat as LB1 in 2025 is due to his high tackle floor. Franklin has hit 160 or more combined tackles in 3 consecutive seasons, putting him top 5 in that category each of those seasons. His reliable tackle production gives him a safer floor than players who rely on sacks or interceptions.
Another edge for Franklin is the lack of competition in Indianapolis. E.J. Speed finished 2024 with 131 combined tackles but is now a Houston Texan. Jaylon Carlies, everyone’s favorite breakout, has been hampered by a shoulder injury throughout camp, and this has allowed Cameron McGrone, a career special teamer, and Joe Bachie, a free agent brought over from Cincinnati with new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, a chance to claim the starting role. Taking nothing away from these players, but none are anything to write home about. Franklin’s role is secure.
The final reason to like Franklin is his elite usage. The best ability is availability, and Franklin once again checks the box there, easily clearing more than 1,000 snaps in each of the last 3 seasons. Sprinkle in his 3 sacks and 3 forced fumbles that he has averaged during that span, and there should be little doubt that Franklin has all the makings to be the LB1 at the end of the fantasy football season.
Robert Spillane, New England Patriots
I’m going with a darkhorse pick for LB1 this season in Robert Spillane. Initially drafted by the Tennessee Titans in Mike Vrabel’s first season with the team, Spillane did not play outside of special teams. Since becoming a head coach in 2018, Vrabel has had at least 1 LB finish in the top 30 in FPPG in 5 of his 6 seasons.
Robert Spillane has made a name for himself over the last two seasons, racking up over 300 tackles and 5.5 sacks while not missing a game. Spillane signed a 3-year/ $33 million deal with New England to be their defensive leader. Spillane has finished as LB12 (2023) and LB5 (2024) overall and LB13 (2023) and LB9 (2024) in fantasy points per game (by Dynasty Nerds preferred IDP scoring).
I love him playing behind a young, talented defensive line in New England, which brought in Milton Williams and Harold Landry this offseason to help their defense. Spillane should have another high-volume tackling season with the chance to make some impact plays and get him in the conversation for LB1 overall.
T.J. Edwards, Chicago Bears
Linebacker T.J. Edwards of the Chicago Bears is my pick to lead the NFL in tackles in 2025. Edwards finished in the top 20 in combined tackles in 2024 despite being near the bottom of the list in terms of efficiency (Edwards had 1 tackle for every 8.29 snaps compared to Zach Baun, who averaged 6.36 snaps per tackle).
With a missed tackle rate of less than 10% and a tackling grade just shy of 75 (74.9) per PFF, Edwards has the profile for positive regression. The Bears’ schedule features each of the six most run-heavy offenses from 2024, including two games each against division rivals Detroit and Green Bay (3rd and 5th in 2024 team rushing attempts). The tackle opportunities should be plentiful for Edwards, who will only need slight improvement over 2024 to finish as the NFL’s leading tackler in 2025.
Zaire Franklin, Indianapolis Colts
Zaire Franklin is a boring pick, but when there is so much uncertainty, why not pick the #1 LB the last two years to repeat? He's still in the same role, and the Colts are still not going to threaten to control time of possession or otherwise deny the defense opportunities to pad their stats. Just so this isn't a completely boring write-up, my darkhorse to be the LB1 is Robert Spillane (I see you, Jon Glosser!), who has maybe the most fascinating offseason training regimen in the league.
Bobby Okereke, New York Giants
Okereke seemed to struggle under the Giants’ new scheme last year, but now he’s had a full year to learn it and get comfortable. He’s also finally over his back injury. This zone-heavy scheme will help him, as will his D-line.
And a big advantage will come his way via his opponents. The Giants have one of the worst schedules this season, with Vegas pinning them with 5.5 wins, and the heavy favorite is the under. Okereke is healthy, more confident in calling the defense, and should be on the field for a bazillion snaps.
Daiyan Henley, Los Angeles Chargers
As much as it pains me to pass on what could be a very meaningful season for Ernest Jones, my LB1 allegiance lies elsewhere in 2025. In his second season in the NFL, Daiyan Henley took the step we all needed to see: 142 total tackles, including 9 double-digit weeks. While the big plays didn’t come, keep in mind that Henley is a high school quarterback who converted to wide receiver in college before finding a home at linebacker. He knows how to be productive across positions.
With Junior Colson being relegated to playing deep in preseason games, who knows what kind of help Henley will have at LB2. Plain and simple, it’s Henley’s team to guide in 2025. I think we see him take another step forward in 2025.
Zack Baun, Philadelphia Eagles
Scott Bogman, FantasyPros and In This League
The strength the Eagles have up front (Jalen Carter/Jordan Davis) is what won them the Super Bowl, and they clear the path for Zack Baun to stack up tackles. Baun switched from EDGE to LB in his first season in Philadelphia, and he finished as the #2 LB in scoring (both total and PPG) and graded as PFF's best LB. Going into 2024, Baun had played a total of 209 snaps in the box before seeing 649 in with the Eagles in his first season as a starting primary LB. Baun was the highest graded LB in coverage according to PFF as well, and took his 1 interception to the house.
Baun has a high floor, room for growth after his first season as a starter, wears the green dot, was heavily targeted due to game script, and has already shown excellent coverage skills and has already had a high-impact season. Baun did all of this with only the 24th most snaps, as Philadelphia had the highest time of possession in the NFL last season. The Eagles defense being on the field just a little bit more this year should get Baun a few more snaps per game and more opportunities.
All signs are pointing up for Baun, in my opinion.
Foye Oluokun, Jacksonville Jaguars
From 2021 through 2023, Oluokun didn’t just lead the NFL in combined tackles (with 192, 184, and 173, respectively); he finished as fantasy’s overall LB1 in all three seasons. His durability, every-down usage, and unmatched tackle volume made him the gold standard at the position.
In 2024, that dominance was interrupted. An injury cost him a month, and under DC Ryan Nielsen, whose defense ranked among the league’s most man-heavy, his snap share dipped to 88% while being deployed off the edge on over 10% of those snaps. That usage shift pulled him from his most productive spots and suppressed his tackle totals.
With Anthony Campanile now running the defense, the setup for a rebound is ideal. His track record points to significantly more zone coverage in the back seven than Nielsen’s man-heavy approach. Zone is a fantasy-friendly look for linebackers, allowing them to read and react, flow to the ball, close down checkdowns, and patrol the middle of the field where tackle opportunities are highest. Unlike in man coverage, where they can be pulled downfield chasing tight ends or running backs, zone alignment keeps them in prime position to make tackles, boosting efficiency and consistency.
Oluokun is expected to return to a true every-down role under Campanile, restoring his snap share to elite levels and keeping him on the field for virtually every tackle opportunity. In a multiple-front defense tailored to player strengths, he should be stationed near the line of scrimmage, diagnosing plays, and cleaning up everything funneled his way.
Given his proven ability to turn heavy volume into fantasy dominance, plus increased snaps and a more favorable scheme, Oluokun is well-positioned to reclaim his throne as the overall LB1 in 2025.
Ernest Jones, Seattle Seahawks
After signing what is essentially a one-year “prove it” deal this offseason, Ernest Jones will be motivated to perform in the middle of Mike Macdonald’s defense, which has the potential to be among the league’s best. Thankfully for Jones, Seattle has a paper-thin linebacker room, leaving him to only compete with 2024 fourth-round pick Tyrice Knight for tackles in the middle of the field.
In 2024, when Knight played more than 80 percent of defensive snaps as the Seahawks’ LB2, Jones collected 94 combined tackles in 10 games. Projected across 17 games, Jones’ total would have placed him third with 160 tackles.
In 2025, Jones has upside from there. He’ll see more dime subpackages. He’ll play in the middle of a defense that Macdonald can more fully implement in his second season. Jones, himself, will have a better grasp of a scheme that emphasizes assignments and adjustments in real time, as the offense sets up and snaps the ball.
As a result of the unit’s increased effectiveness, Jones will see more opportunities for big plays. And he’ll be able to take advantage of them by reacting more quickly and playing more aggressively. That’s why Jones is my hot take candidate to be 2025’s top fantasy linebacker.
Blake Cashman, Minnesota Vikings
Jason King, Dynasty League Football and The IDP Show
There's no doubt Cashman is a risky pick for overall LB1 given he's never stayed healthy for a full season. But the truth is his reputation as an injury-plagued player is a bit overblown: he's played 14 games in each of the past two seasons, and missing three games a year can happen to any linebacker. If he stays healthy for a full 17 games, I like Cashman's chances of taking the top spot in linebacker rankings in 2025 for multiple reasons:
First, he's a full-time linebacker. In year one with the Vikings, he was on the field for 94% of the team's defensive snaps. And he's pretty good in coverage—at minimum, he's much better than Ivan Pace Jr.—so there's no chance he's getting subbed out on passing downs.
Second, the Vikings employ zone coverage at one of the NFL's highest rates, and zone coverage is advantageous to linebacker tackle efficiency. Savvy IDP managers have been on to this edge for a few seasons thanks to PFF's Jon Macri.
Third, Minnesota's defense under Brian Flores is certified blitz-happy, providing big-play upside for the linebackers and defensive backs. Cashman blitzed on 108 snaps last season, according to Pro Football Reference statistics, and was credited with 4.5 sacks officially. PFF gave him 6.
Though Cashman is a six-year veteran with just two fantasy-relevant seasons on his resume, he checks a lot of boxes I'm looking for in a potential No. 1 overall off-ball linebacker. So if you're putting money on the fantasy LB1, go with the man whose name is money and cash in with Cashman in 2025.
Jack Sanborn, Dallas Cowboys
What a time to be alive. “Special Agent Sanborn” is donning the green dot for the Dallas Cowboys! Who needs Micah Parsons, right? (Just kidding—Jerry Jones, please stop being an idiot.) We’ve gotten three years of a mainly part-time role for Sanborn, and when you dig into it, his totals and efficiency are really impressive.
Sanborn has played 977 total career snaps, which is what you’d expect per season for a 3-down LB (between 900-1,100 snaps). Keep that in mind with these career numbers:
Tackles: 144
Sacks: 4.5
Tackle rate: 14.7% (elite)
Points: 284.6 (would’ve been LB2 in 2024)
Points per snap: 0.291 (elite)
I think it’s fair to expect a season to look like this for Sanborn if he gets a full-time role and manages to stay healthy. Because while we have seen him be a part-time LB so far in his career, we have gotten seven games of Sanborn in a full-time role:
2022:
Week 9: 8.75 points, 7 tackles
Week 10: 34.3 points, 12 tackles, 2 sacks
Week 11: 15.75 points, 9 tackles
Week 12: 21.5 points, 14 tackles
Week 13: 15.75 points, 10 tackles
2023:
Week 9: 14.5 points, 9 tackles
Week 10: 10.75 points, 7 tackles
During that seven-game stretch, Sanborn averaged 17.3 PPG and 9.7 tackles per game. That’ll do, pig! Sanborn is an elite producer and a good enough LB to stick around in the NFL. I was pleasantly surprised at how solid his overall PFF grades were:
63.1 in 2024
67.3 in 2023
64.4 in 2022
Also, don’t forget that Sanborn’s defensive coordinator in Chicago was Matt Eberflus, who is now his DC in Dallas. Add all that together and it’s a recipe for LB1.
Edgerrin Cooper, Green Bay Packers
I’m flouting the rules here. Zaire Franklin leads my LB rankings at DraftSharks.com, and he’s the best bet to lead the position. But writing up last year’s leader wouldn’t be much fun. So I’m turning to a dark horse who rides in with loads of potential.
Cooper spent the first half of his rookie year in a limited role, not logging his first official start until Week 8. He didn’t reach 70% playing time until Week 11, and then a hamstring injury claimed three games. But the second-round pick delivered a scoring average over the final four weeks that would have led the position for the season.
Cooper brings the speed, size, and ability to deliver on the tackle front. But he also sports coverage upside (4 passes defensed as a limited rookie) and can make plays coming forward. Cooper’s 3.5 sacks and 7 QB hits aligned with a final college season that featured 8 sacks and an SEC-leading 17 tackles for loss.
This year promises a full-time role from the start, in an LB corps that has watched Quay Walker disappoint. Even if Cooper falls short of No. 1, you’ll want to be on board.
There you have it: with four votes, Zaire Franklin is the favorite to repeat as LB1 in 2025, with Foye Oluokun close behind with three votes. Blake Cashman was 3rd with two votes, and Zack Baun, Daiyan Henley, Carson Schwesinger, Edgerrin Cooper, Jack Sanborn, Ernest Jones, Bobby Okereke, T.J. Edwards, and Robert Spillane also received votes. Thanks to our friends who made this article possible.
Who is your LB1? Drop it in the comments!
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Love the SANBORN call. I think it’s finally his time to shine with the full snaps!
Great article with actionable intel from great experts! I’ve tried to land as many of these guys as I can. There can only be one #1 though, my money is on Zaire topping this all-star group.