4 LBs on the All-Opportunity Team

I wrote this piece last year as my debut article after joining the Footballguys team, and I’m stoked to get a chance to write it again. This year, we're going to take a look at four linebackers who have the opportunity to take on their team's lead role and be fantasy values along the way. Two of the players are joining new teams, and the other two are young guns who are entering their pivotal third season. Alright, let’s dive in!

*This ADP is courtesy of The IDP Show and is pulled from paid best ball drafts (40 and counting) that began in January.

Azeez Al-Shaair, Tennessee Titans

Footballguys Consensus Rank - LB20
The IDP Show ADP - LB37

After spending his first four seasons in San Francisco, Azeez Al-Shaair finds himself a new home in Tennesee after signing a one-year $5 million deal during free agency. As a 49er, Al-Shaair mostly served as the team's third linebacker behind Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw. However, during the 2021 season, when Greenlaw was limited to just three games, Al-Shaair stepped up admirably in his place. Al-Shaair started and played in 13 games during that 2021 season, holding an 89% snap share (730 snaps) and compiling 102 tackles (58 solos) and nine tackles for loss. Al-Shaair was a waiver wire wonder for IDP gamers that season and proved he could hold down a full-time role when tasked.

Now in Tennesee, Al-Shaair will have an opportunity to lead the Titan linebacker unit this season. David Long (740 snaps in 2022), the Titans' former lead linebacker when healthy, has moved onto Miami via free agency this offseason. Tennesee didn't address the linebacker position during the draft and also didn't bring in any other significant competition during free agency. Right now, Al-Shaair and Monty Rice are the projected starters, with Al-Shaair being the leader in the clubhouse to support the green dot. This season presents a massive opportunity for Al-Shaair to parlay his one-year prove-it deal into a more lucrative contract next offseason. Coming off the board as LB37, a motivated Al-Shaair is an excellent value in drafts with his new team and opportunity.

Divine Deablo, Las Vegas Raiders

Footballguys Consensus Rank - LB28
The IDP Show ADP - LB40

Divine Deablo was on his way to a breakout 2022 campaign before an arm injury during Week 8 ended his season. During his first seven games (Weeks 1-7), Deablo held a 99.1% snap share and averaged 10.4 tackles per game. The injury was unfortunate as Deablo was emerging as a promising young IDP asset during the start of his second season. After Deoblo went down, the Raiders dealt with a myriad of injuries at the linebacker position. Denzel Perryman was the next most relevant Raider linebacker, appearing in 12 games (555 snaps) and compiling 83 tackles (54 solos). Undrafted rookie Luke Masterson even ended up starting seven games and popped up on the IDP radar.

The Raiders let Perryman walk in free agency and only spent a sixth-round pick on Amari Burney in this year’s draft. However, they did bring in Robert Spillane on a two-year $7 million contract during free agency. Spillane had a nice finish to the end of last year with Pittsburgh, playing every snap in the final four games and compiling 36 tackles (26 solos) over that stretch. During Las Vegas’ minicamp in early June, Deablo was seen rocking the green dot, and Spillane was holding down the other starting spot next to him. Things are trending positively toward Deablo jumping back into the lead role he held before his injury. Entering the third year of his rookie deal, it’s a pivotal year for Deablo to prove he can anchor this defense. Deablo not only has the opportunity to take a big leap in year three but is a fantastic value in drafts (LB40 ADP) with his potential lead role paired with the productive sample size we saw last season.

Jamin Davis, Washington Commanders

Footballguys Consensus Rank - LB33
The IDP Show ADP - LB41

It's been an up-and-down first two seasons for Jamin Davis in Washington. The early expectations were high, given his first-round draft capital (19th overall in 2021). With Cole Holcomb holding down the full-time role, Davis' snap share fluctuated week-to-week. However, when Holcomb went down with a foot injury after Week 7 last season, Davis was forced into more action and stepped up. From Weeks 8-16, Davis held a 99% snap share, which was a big increase from his 70% snap share the previous seven weeks. Davis also upped his tackle output, producing almost eight tackles a game, while also compiling five of his nine tackles for loss during that final stretch.

Cole Holcomb is no longer in town after leaving for Pittsburgh on a three-year deal in free agency. Cody Barton is the main competitor brought in via free agency after signing a one-year $3.5 million deal. Barton is a two-down thumper who doesn't possess the three-down skill set Davis does. Davis has an excellent opportunity to be the anchor in the middle of the defense this season and prove his first-round draft capital was warranted. It's also a pivotal year for Davis as Washington will have to make a decision on his fifth-year option after the season concludes. Davis is set up to make a big jump in year three and is an excellent value at his current ADP of LB41.

Kyzir White, Arizona Cardinals

Footballguys Consensus Rank - LB34
The IDP Show ADP - LB53

There are plenty of questions surrounding the Arizona defense as we head toward training camp. Especially, with the linebacker unit. Zaven Collins, who played 76.6% of his 1,025 snaps in the box last year, is said to be transitioning to playing outside as a pass rusher this year. Isaiah Simmons, who only played 33.1% of his 897 snaps in the box last year, has confirmed he'll be running with the defensive backs this year. There is a clear opportunity at linebacker with all these moving parts.

This is where newly signed Kyzir White comes in, after signing a two-year $10 million deal during free agency. White has familiarity with Arizona's new system, playing under new head coach Jonathan Gannon and new defensive coordinator Nick Rallis in Philadelphia last season. White filled the weakside role in Philadelphia last year, but he's looking like the prime candidate to fill the lead middle spot this upcoming year. The move could help boost White's tackle numbers a bit, as his output dropped to 110 tackles (66 solos) in 2022 after posting a career-high 144 tackles (90 solos) with the Chargers in 2021. It may also help he won't have tackle machine T.J. Edwards (159 tackles in 2022) to contend with this year.

Looking at the current Arizona linebacker depth chart, White is the top option to lead the unit. Kyrs Barnes was brought in this offseason but is more of a two-down thumper type. Owen Pappoe, Arizona's 2023 fifth-round pick, is an intriguing dynasty stash but is a rookie who will likely need time to develop. White has the best skill set to fill the lead three-down role, and his former coach brought him in for a reason. Given his prime opportunity to seize the lead role and current ADP of LB53, White is an excellent late-round target in drafts.

Final Thoughts

These four linebackers are all solid targets to help shape your linebacker unit in drafts. They have the opportunity to see hefty snap shares and provide steady production for IDP gamers at a nice value. The plan is to add two more articles to this series, covering both the defensive line and defensive back positions as well. Stay on the lookout for those upcoming articles, and I hope you enjoyed the first part.

Thanks for taking the time to read my article. Feel free to reach me on Twitter @KBellf54 with any questions or feedback.