At the end of the 2015 NFL season, who was the best 4-3 weak-side linebacker in the game? We're not talking about who made the Pro Bowl or even who got the All-Pro votes. Who was really, truly the best? Forget reputation and how much money each player makes. We want cold, hard analysis that comes from watching the games and grading the players. 

That's what the B/R NFL 1000 is for, and it's back for another year. 

The B/R 1000 metric is based heavily on scouting each player and grading the key criteria for each position. The criteria are weighted according to importance.

Potential and career accomplishments are not taken into consideration.

We judged 4-3 weak-side linebackers on pass rush (20 points), run defense (20), coverage (20), tackling (30) and the overall value of the position relative to the other spots on the field (eight points). The maximum score for this position is 98.

In the case of ties, our analysts asked, "Which player would I rather have on my team?" and set the rankings accordingly.

Subjective? Yes, but ties are no fun.

A team of experienced evaluators (Dan Bazal, Luke Easterling, Cian Fahey, Adam Heisler, Duke Manyweather, Matt Miller and Marshal Miller) scouted each player with these key criteria in mind. The following scouting reports and grades are the work of months of film study. 

Players' heights, weights, seasons played and sack totals from NFL.com. All other statistics from Pro Football Focus.

15. J.T. Thomas, New York Giants

Pass Rush

With his third team in four seasons, J.T. Thomas started 11 games for the Giants in 2015. He had yet to register a single sack in his career prior to last year, and a zero remains in that column. He logged plenty of playing time but was never a threat to get after the passer.

Run Defense

Most teams hope that if he can’t get after the quarterback, a linebacker can at least be a thumper in the run game. Thomas was neither in 2015, much to the Giants' chagrin. He logged 30 solo tackles on 405 snaps last season.

Coverage

Thomas was easily at his best when dropping into coverage, showing decent fluidity in his hips to chase receivers, as well as the ability to come downhill and cut off shorter routes. If he could bring the rest of his game up to the level of his coverage ability, he’d be a quality NFL starter.

Tackling

He may lack the athleticism and instincts to be a big-time playmaker against the run or as a pass-rusher, but Thomas is solid when it comes to his technique and consistency as a tackler. He missed just four tackles last season, a huge improvement over the 14 he whiffed on in 2014.

Position Value

Overall

14. Joplo Bartu, Jacksonville Jaguars

Pass Rush

Due to injuries at the position, Joplo Bartu was one of two undrafted free agents in 2013 to be thrust into the Falcons' starting lineup. Despite two fairly productive seasons in Atlanta, which included 27 starts, he appeared in just seven games for the Falcons in 2015 before he moved on to Jacksonville. In three contests with the Jaguars, he didn’t flash much in the way of pass-rush ability.

Run Defense

Bartu only saw 143 snaps in 2015, and while he was at his best in run support, that’s not saying a lot. He did register 12 solo tackles, flashing some of the ability he showed earlier in his career with Atlanta.

Coverage

At 6'2", 230 pounds, Bartu’s thinner frame might lead some to assume he was better in coverage than in the box, but that wasn’t the case in 2015. His hips were too stiff when he had to flip them and run with a tight end or running back, and he wasn’t fast enough to close down passing lanes in zone coverages.

Tackling

At just 26 years old, there’s still time for Bartu to get his career moving back in the right direction. He did show the ability to be a sound tackler at times last year, missing only two tackles all season.

Position Value

Overall

13. Andrew Gachkar, Dallas Cowboys

Pass Rush

A seventh-round pick out of Missouri in 2011, Andrew Gachkar has been a rotational player throughout his five NFL seasons, as was the case last year in Dallas. He didn’t offer the Cowboys much in terms of pass-rushing ability and only has two career sacks in 79 games.

Run Defense

In his limited opportunities, Gachkar was willing to mix it up in the box against the run—but with varying results. He’s not a plus athlete with great instincts, but he can read and react well at times, which puts him in position to make a play more often than not.

Coverage

Gachkar was about as useful in coverage as he was rushing the passer in 2015, as has been the case throughout his career. He’s only ever been credited with one defensed pass, and it didn’t happen last year. 2015 marked a fifth straight season without a pick for Gachkar.

Tackling

This is Gachkar's strength, which is why he’s most useful on special teams coverage. He displays a solid combination of technique and discipline when breaking down on a ball-carrier, serving as a solid tackler who doesn’t miss often.

Position Value

Overall

12. Philip Wheeler, Atlanta Falcons

Pass Rush

A third-round pick out of Georgia Tech in 2008, Philip Wheeler returned to his home state in 2015 to play for the Falcons after spending the previous seven seasons with four different franchises. He didn’t get much action as a pass-rusher, but he did notch a sack in Week 15 against the Jaguars, giving him 6.5 for his career.

Run Defense

After the 49ers dumped him just prior to the 2015 regular season, the Falcons picked him up about halfway through the year. He jumped right in and played fairly well against the run in his limited action, making the most of his opportunities with 19 solo tackles over nine appearances.

Coverage

A decent cover linebacker in the early years of his career, Wheeler has seen a sharp decline in this department over the last few seasons. His performance in 2015 was an improvement over the last couple of years, but he’s still not the rangy athlete he once was when asked to turn and run in coverage.

Tackling

Wheeler didn’t get a ton of opportunities in 2015, but when he did, he rarely got embarrassed on a tackle attempt. Out of 146 snaps played, he only missed two tackles, showing great discipline and technique.

Position Value

Overall

11. Bruce Carter, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Pass Rush

The Bucs brought in Bruce Carter as a free agent to be their starting middle linebacker, but rookie fourth-rounder Kwon Alexander beat him out in training camp. In his limited work over the 2015 season, Carter flashed some ability as a pass-rusher, tying his career high with a pair of sacks.

Run Defense

At 6’2”, 240 pounds, Carter is big enough to take on blocks successfully in theory, but too often he plays soft at the point of attack and gets overwhelmed by opponents too easily. His instincts looked average at best in 2015, and he was often just a step too slow in reading and reacting to the play.

Coverage

After he picked off five passes for the Cowboys in 2014, most expected Carter to be a perfect fit in former head coach Lovie Smith’s Tampa 2 scheme. That player never seemed to show up in Tampa last year, though, as Carter played just 31.1 percent of the Bucs’ defensive snaps and totaled just two passes defensed and no interceptions.

Tackling

Carter may not have shown the athleticism and instincts to get to the ball in a hurry, but once he did get there, he was fairly consistent in bringing down the ball-carrier without much help. His three missed tackles weren’t awful, and overall, he was a solid technician who won more than he lost in this department last year.

Position Value

Overall

10. Josh Bynes, Detroit Lions

Pass Rush

An undrafted free agent out of Auburn in 2011, Josh Bynes carved out a solid role for the Lions in 2015, playing the most snaps of his five-year NFL career. He’s never been much of a weapon when it comes to rushing the quarterback, as the half-sack he registered last season was the first thing he’s put in that stat column so far in his career.

Run Defense

Bynes made a career-high 11 starts for the Lions in 2015, earning that spot in large part because of his ability to play the run effectively. He built on a solid campaign in that department the year before by making a significant jump this time around, showing the ability to slip past blockers with quickness and finesse.

Coverage

It’s easy to think that all undersized linebackers are automatically capable in coverage, but Bynes is an example of a player who hasn’t quite figured out how to maximize his physical tools. He’s not as quick or explosive as his smaller frame might suggest. At 6’1”, 235 pounds, Bynes needs to learn how to close on the ball and be more fluid when forced to turn and cover in space.

Tackling

Somewhat of a tweener, Bynes has the playing style of a bigger linebacker—a tough, physical defender stuck in the body of a rangy, more athletic player. As a tackler, he can lay the wood every now and then, but he struggles to break down in the open field when forced to win one-on-one against quicker, more agile ball-carriers.

Position Value

Overall

9. Mark Barron, St. Louis Rams

Pass Rush

After the Bucs traded the former top-10 pick to the Rams, Mark Barron resurrected his career after St. Louis moved him down into the box as an outside linebacker from safety. The Rams didn't use Barron much as a pass-rusher in 2015, and though he did post a sack and 11 quarterback hurries, Barron was raw and inconsistent in this area, as should be expected following a position change.

Run Defense

Barron’s move to linebacker had to do with his ability to successfully play the run more so than any other facet of his game. He has above-average instincts and a physical mentality that makes him right at home in the box, where he can sift through the trash and make plays on the other side.

Coverage

On the other side of the coin, Barron’s struggles in coverage led to him failing to meet lofty expectations as a safety in Tampa Bay. Even at his new position, his flaws in this department were evident last year. From his stiff hips to his poor angles, he has plenty to improve on in this area next year.

Tackling

Barron loves to hit, but he was a more consistent and effective tackler in 2015. He more than doubled his tackle total from the previous season, but he only saw his missed tackles go up from nine to 11. He’s a violent hitter who has improved as a technician.

Position Value

Overall

8. Tahir Whitehead, Detroit Lions

Pass Rush

Tahir Whitehead was used sparingly as a pass-rusher in 2015, but he did come up with a few big plays, including a pair of sacks. That said, he didn’t show much in the way of actual pass-rush moves and lacked either the explosiveness or power to be a true, consistent force in that department last year.

Run Defense

He may not have been stellar at getting after the quarterback, but Whitehead was reliable when it came to stopping the run last year. He tallied 41 solo tackles despite playing just over half the Lions’ defensive snaps in 2015, showing both willingness and effectiveness at diagnosing run plays and not letting misdirection and play action beat him consistently.

Coverage

Whitehead showed at times that he’s capable of closing down passing lanes and making plays on the ball through the air, but the big plays were too few and far between. He logged one pick and two defensed passes in 2015, and if he’s going to win a starting spot in 2016, he’ll need to make those kinds of plays happen more frequently.

Tackling

Sure tacklers will always have value in the NFL, and this is probably the biggest reason the Lions opted to bring back Whitehead in free agency this offseason. Though he was only a part-time player for a decent chunk of the 2015 season, he displayed solid technique and a physicality that made him trouble for opposing ball-carriers.

Position Value

Overall

7. Koa Misi, Miami Dolphins

Pass Rush

A second-round pick out of Utah in 2010, Koa Misi has played both the weak- and strong-side linebacker spots for Miami, and he has blossomed with an increased role over the past two seasons. A quick look at the stat sheet shows no sacks in 2015, but Misi still had an impact as a pass-rusher, posting 10 hurries and three quarterback hits despite playing just 75.6 percent of Miami’s defensive snaps.

Run Defense

Misi is a strong, well-built linebacker at 6’3”, 255 pounds, and he puts that solid frame to good use against the run. Opposing blockers didn’t have an easy time tossing him aside in 2015, as he was able to stand his ground, shed blocks with consistency and get to the ball. His instincts and athleticism aren’t elite, but he knows his strengths and maximizes them in this department.

Coverage

His thick frame is helpful when stuffing the run, but it does Misi no favors when it comes time to cover his space. He’s stiff when forced to flip his hips and get depth in zone coverage, and he lacks the athleticism to run with faster backs and tight ends.

Tackling

Again, he’s not the best natural athlete at the position, but Misi uses his size and strength to overpower smaller ball-carriers. He can win one-on-one situations with power if needed, but his lack of fluidity can lead to more agile opponents embarrassing him if they’re able to get him alone in the open field.

Position Value

Overall

6. Telvin Smith, Jacksonville Jaguars

Pass Rush

Some draft analysts thought Telvin Smith would be a tweener at the pro level who might be too small to stick at linebacker and not athletic enough to move to safety. The Florida State product has squelched those doubts in just about every way over his first two NFL seasons, and his pass-rush proficiency was especially impressive in 2015. Smith was an effective blitzer who tallied 2.5 sacks last season.

Run Defense

At 6’3” and just 223 pounds, Smith’s lack of ideal bulk for the linebacker spot may not prevent him from being a willing participant in run support, but it keeps him from being as effective as he’d like to be. His high-cut frame makes it difficult for him to get proper leverage on blockers, which makes him lose the battle before it even starts far too often.

Coverage

Smith’s freakish athleticism flashed throughout the season in coverage, but the next step will be doing it on a consistent basis. His lack of experience was evident on multiple occasions, but he has rare traits that should allow him to blossom in this area over the next few seasons.

Tackling

Again, Smith may lack size, but he doesn’t lack for confidence in any way, including his ability to tackle. His speed and instincts get him to the ball in a hurry, but bigger ball-carriers can too easily overpower him, and he’s too often more interested in the big hit than the sure tackle.

Position Value

Overall

5. Thomas Davis, Carolina Panthers

Pass Rush

If there’s truly a fountain of youth out there somewhere, I’d wager it has Thomas Davis’ fingerprints all over it. Despite multiple knee surgeries over his 10-year career and being 32 years old, Davis turned in one of the best seasons of his career in 2015. Davis was incredibly effective as a pass-rusher, posting a career-high 5.5 sacks and 17 quarterback hurries last season.

Run Defense

The weakest part of Davis’ game last season, his ability to play the run, is impacted by his lack of ideal size—he's 6’1”, 235 pounds—combined with a regression in overall power and strength in his 10th NFL season. He was still willing to mix it up with anyone he came across, but the results varied considerably from play to play.

Coverage

Considering his age and injury history, it was ridiculous how effective Davis was in coverage last season. His experience and instincts were his best tools in this department, as he often knew where opposing quarterbacks were going with the ball before it ever left their fingers. Davis set a career high with four interceptions in 2015.

Tackling

Davis may lack the spring in his step he had as a younger player, but he’s still willing and able to deliver the big hit and make opponents pay for carrying the ball in his vicinity. Missing 14 tackles probably doesn’t sit well with him, but he was well above average in this department.

Position Value

Overall

4. Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Pass Rush

Lavonte David didn’t get too many opportunities to rush the passer in 2015, but he made the most of the ones he did get. He registered three sacks, two additional quarterback hits and nine hurries, using his quickness, athleticism and instincts to time blitzes correctly and get by slower blockers on his way to the passer.

Run Defense

Since before he even entered the league, David’s biggest knock has been his lack of ideal size for the linebacker position at 6’1”, 233 pounds. But his smaller frame didn’t hinder him too much as a run defender in 2015, as he routinely showed the ability to stack and shed blockers. His top-shelf instincts allow him to read and react to the ball quickly, helping him get to the hole before the ball-carrier more often than not.

Coverage

This has always been David’s wheelhouse, and his performance in coverage last season was no different. His rare athleticism for the position gives him arguably the best range of any player in this group, as he closes down passing lanes with lightning quickness and comes up with multiple turnovers.

Tackling

David has the speed, instincts and athletic ability to get to the ball-carrier with ease, but he still has some room for improvement when it comes to finishing the job once he gets there. His lack of bulk doesn’t bite him in this department too often, but he can struggle to bring down bigger backs on his own. Even so, he posted over 100 tackles, just as he’d done in each of his previous three NFL seasons.

Position Value

Overall

3. Alec Ogletree, St. Louis Rams

Pass Rush

A broken leg cost Alec Ogletree all but four games of the 2015 season, which is quite a shame considering how well he played up to that point. In those contests, he totaled two sacks and five hurries and was an all-around effective pass-rusher for the Rams.

Run Defense

At 6’2”, 245 pounds, Ogletree has a packed frame that he put to good use as a run defender in 2015. His combination of strength, explosiveness and instincts made him a productive run-stopper over his four starts last season, as he posted double-digit solo tackles in two of those contests.

Coverage

His athleticism is one of the biggest reasons the Rams made Ogletree one of their two first-round picks in the 2013 draft, and he flashed that athleticism in coverage in his limited action in 2015. That said, he’s better at closing on shorter routes in front of him than he is at flipping his hips and getting depth.

Tackling

Ogletree’s consistency and command of fundamentals made him one of the better tacklers in this group last year. He’s athletic enough to avoid being set up and beaten by shifty ball-carriers, but he's also powerful enough to control opponents on his own and finish what he starts.

Position Value

Overall

2. Jamie Collins, New England Patriots

Pass Rush

A second-round pick out of Southern Mississippi in 2013, Jamie Collins has quickly become the NFL’s best pass-rusher at this position. He topped his four-sack effort in 2014 with 5.5 this past season, using his explosive first step and long arms to beat offensive tackles to the quarterback. Collins is a versatile weapon who can move around and impact the game in many ways, but he's at his best in this department.

Run Defense

Collins struggled in this department over the first couple of weeks of the season, but he showed considerable improvement over the second half of the year. His length makes it difficult for opposing blockers to control him at the point of attack, and his quickness allows him to shed blocks with relative ease.

Coverage

Too often with linebackers, you have to pick and choose whether your want a run-stuffing specialist, an explosive pass-rusher or a rangy, athletic cover man. Collins didn’t force the Pats to make that choice in 2015. He is just as comfortable covering in space as he is with any of his other responsibilities.

Tackling

If there’s a hole to poke in Collins’ game, it’s in this department. He has the frame to be a solid tackler at 6’3”, 250 pounds, but he’s still fairly raw when it comes to being able to throttle down and use proper form to secure the tackle. He’s shown improvement early in his NFL career, but there’s still plenty of room to grow.

Position Value

Overall

1. K.J. Wright, Seattle Seahawks

Pass Rush

A reliable presence on Seattle’s defense over his first four seasons, K.J. Wright took his play to another level in 2015. That said, getting after the passer has never been Wright’s strong suit, and in 2015, it was the area in which he had the smallest impact for the Seahawks.

Run Defense

Wright was a dominant run defender last season, thanks to his keen eye for reading plays and reacting quickly. Misdirection or play action didn't easily fool him, and he showed the ability to flow downhill swiftly and without catching too much traffic. His combination of strength and agility made it tough for opposing blockers to get locked up and stay engaged.

Coverage

One might take a cursory look at the stat sheet and think Wright didn’t make a significant impact in coverage last season, but nothing could be further from the truth. He didn't have an interception, but Wright was a huge pain for opposing quarterbacks, with quick hips to change direction and the speed to close down passing lanes instantly. The ability to cover large amounts of space is a key role at the position, and nobody did it better in 2015 than he did.

Tackling

Linebackers get the most tackle attempts of any other defender, so it’s normal to expect a decent number of missed tackles from any particular player at the position. That’s what makes Wright’s performance in 2015 so impressive. While racking up 111 solo tackles last year (playoffs included), he missed just five and never more than one in any game.

Position Value

Overall