From May 15 to July 3, TDActu presents its Top 50 NFL players. To arrive at this ranking, each member of the editorial staff voted for the 50 players they would like to have on their team to start the coming season. These rankings were then compiled to form the final Top 50. The opportunity to debate, but also to present 50 profiles to those new to the NFL.
Bobby Wagner – Linebacker – Seattle Seahawks
ID card : 30 years – 1.83 cm – 109 kg
Draft : n°47 au 2e tour de la Draft 2012 – Utah State
CV : 1x Super Bowl (2014), 6x All-Pro (2014, 2016 to 2020), 7x Pro Bowl (2014 to 2020), typical team member of the 2010s
Stats 2020 : 16 games, 138 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 11 quarterback hits, 1 covered fumble, 8 defended
Career stats: 135 games, 1,213 tackles, 65 tackles for loss, 22.5 sacks, 75 quarterback hits, 1 safety, 5 forced fumbles, 10 covered fumbles, 10 interceptions, 55 defended passes, 4 touchdowns
Why is he here?
A monster of consistency and durability. Since arriving in 2012, Bobby Wagner has been one of the league’s top defensemen, and the Washington state franchise leader. A tireless linebacker, he has always been ranked among the best in his position in the entire NFL, landing almost every year in the 1re All-pro team and the Pro Bowl. Above all, the number 54 has only missed 8 games in 9 years in the league. A physical phenomenon, with a football IQ well above the average which allows Seattle to maintain a certain defensive footing year after year. If his teammates falter, this is not the case. Faithful to the post, he always responds and fixes the gaps as best he can.
Like a metronome, Wagner has made at least 104 tackles per season, averaging 134 units in this drill. No other player has done better during this period. Not only excellent for stopping ground play, it has become, well before the current trend, a formidable weapon in coverage, capable of following tight ends and runnings backs. The proof, already 10 interceptions including a pick-6 to his credit. He is the very prototype of the linebacker who knows how to do everything but above all who does things very well. A constancy in the very high level rare which places him at the top of the hierarchy.
What objective in 2021?
Very few inside linebackers have enjoyed such consistency for nearly a decade and most of them have already secured a bust in Canton. A new season in his usual standards and the golden jacket is certainly reaching out to him at the end of his career. But until then, he still has a few good years to offer. It’s not Seattle who is going to complain about it because without him, the Seahawks would have a whole different face. Despite the departures of the Legion of Boom year after year, he is the one who kept the ship afloat.
Same story in 2021. Wagner remains the irreplaceable anchor of the defensive squad. Intra-divisive battles are shaping up to be epic and to stay competitive the Seahawks can count on their tireless veteran, one of the most productive and enduring defenders of his generation. But to allow this defense to reach a new level, he cannot do everything alone and needs help to keep the necessary freshness in crucial moments.
Heard in the editorial
“Kuechly’s successor as the league’s best middle linebacker,” Mehdi Jullien.
“More alive and better linebacker than Richard Kennedy”, Alain Mattei.
“The boss of the game as a middle linebacker since Kuechly retired”, Victor Roullier.
“Best linebacker since 2012, because he is also able to stay on the field for more than half a season. Exceptional leader on and off the pitch ”, Clément.
The general classification
24. Nick Bosa – DE, 49ers
25. Chris Jones – DT, Chiefs
26. Tyreek Hill – WR, Chiefs
27. DeForest Buckner – DT, Colts
28. Xavien Howard – CB, Dolphins
29. Trent Williams – OT, 49ers
30. Christian McCaffrey – RB, Panthers
31. Jaire Alexander – CB, Packers
32. Dalvin Cook – RB, Vikings
33. Tyrann Mathieu – S, Chiefs
34. Stephon Gilmore – CB, Patriots
35. Darious Leonard – LB, Colts
36. Tre’Davious White – CB, Bills
37. Joey Bosa – DE, Chargers
38. Mike Evans – WR, Buccaneers
39. Julio Jones – WR, Falcons
40. Justin Simmons – S, Broncos
41. Zack Martin – OG, Cowboys
42. Alvin Kamara – RB, Saints
43. Chandler Jones – DE, Cardinals
44. Jamal Adams – S, Seahawks
45. Chase Young – DE, Football Team
46. Lavonte David – LB, Buccaneers
47. Nick Chubb – RB, Browns
48. Corey Linsley – C, Chargers
49. Lamar Jackson – QB, Ravens
50. Fred Warner – LB, 49ers
