In five years, the players who currently hold the title as the NFL’s best at their position will pass the torch to the bonafide studs, some already in the league, though not all.
Who is the best of the best at their position in the NFL? Sheer dominance is one way to describe what we see from a player like the Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald. An unstoppable force who, by all accounts, is the best player in the NFL today. Few people predicted Donald would hold the title as the best defensive lineman after the Rams drafted him No. 13 overall in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Going position-by-position, though, things are more debatable. Running backs change every year it seems while positions like wide receiver, cornerback and, of course, quarterback, always spark spirited debate. So, admittedly, looking into the crystal ball for five years into the future is a little bit futile — but that’s also what makes it fun.
With many young players with vast potential who could dominate the NFL. However, these are the guys who I think will be the best at their position in five years.
Best NFL Linebacker in five years: Devin White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
To say Devin White will take the title as the NFL’s best linebacker isn’t a stretch. Some may say he’s already taken the crown from a like Bobby Wagner or Fred Warner. White already has the respect of his peers who placed him No. 33 overall on the NFL Top 100 list. The former LSU Tiger dominated the 2020 regular season. He continued his success into the postseason, including an amazing Super Bowl performance where he led all players in tackles.
White’s meteoric rise is similar to arguably the greatest linebacker in NFL history, Ray Lewis. The Raven’s great helped his team win as a rookie. White did so in his sophomore season. They have similar builds, with White (6-0) standing an inch shorter than Lewis and three pounds lighter (237 pounds).
Both play downhill with ferocity, making their presence known when they tackle. The Buccaneers star backer can do it all. He can cover linebackers thanks to his quick feet, 4.4 speed, and movement skills. As a blitzer, he gets skinny, exploits gaps, and displays great timing. Look no further than his nine sacks as proof.
It may not take five years for White to take the top spot as the league’s best linebacker. He may already have that title going into year three.