INDIANAPOLIS — The ongoing proliferation of offense in the NFL — which is currently being spearheaded by the abundance of athletic, dual-threat quarterbacks who can hurt the opposition with their arm and legs — means that defenses have to adjust. Not only in terms of scheme, but the talent they are sticking on the field.
This is affecting how teams are valuing every defensive position, perhaps none more so than linebackers.
Once thought to be a position where a team could get by with mid-to-late-round draft picks who are smart and tough, these linebackers are now charged with trailing the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson, Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson, and they’re also being asked to cover the wealth of athletic skill players in space.