2025 Free Agency Preview: Linebackers
February 14, 2025
by Alex Zeese
Current Roster:
Washington made big changes at the linebacker spot in the 2024 season and achieved some major defensive improvements as a result. Outside linebacker Frankie Luvu has become the face of this defensive unit as his high energy attitude, and playmaking abilities allowed him to take over a defensive series. He ended his season with 8 sacks 99 tackles as well as a pick and 2 forced fumbles. As of right now, he’s the only returning starter on the roster for next season. To make things even more interesting they only have one other linebacker signed for the 2025 season, last year’s draft pick Jordan Magee out of Temple, who was injured most of the year and played most of his snaps on special teams when he was healthy.
Current Free Agents from Washington’s 2024 roster:
Washington had several key veterans on 1-year deals at the linebacker position. Bobby Wagner would head the list, of course. He started at MLB for the whole season, and while the 35 year old is starting to slow down a little, he still ended up with 132 tackles and 2 sacks. One guy who outperformed his deal was the 31 year old Dante Fowler, who as a pass-rushing linebacker ended up leading the team with 10.5 sacks. The team also has veteran backups and special teams players Nick Bellore (36) and Mykal Walker (27) hitting free agency.
While I assume that both fans and the team would love to bring back both Fowler and Wagner, starters from last year; however, given that a number of these guys are past the dreaded age of 30, and as the philosopher Homer Simpson once said; “Don’t trust anyone over 30!” The front office also needs to be looking to add some more youth, so I am going to focus on possible free agents under 30 below.
Under 30 Free Agents:
Dre Greenlaw, 28. Will likely be the top free agent target at linebacker. However, he missed most of last year with injury but he had over 120 tackles the prior two seasons.
Tyrel Dodson, 27. Spent most of his career in Buffalo but was in Miami last year. He had over 100 tackles for the 1st time last season, as well as 3 interceptions. Dodson could be a younger free agent linebacker about to come into his prime.
Jerome Baker, 28. Had a down year last year playing for both Seattle and Tennessee. Baker once was a solid starting linebacker and one has to wonder if it just a down year, and could he be worth another look.
Kyzir White, 29. Journeyman linebacker out of West Virginia, who was a starting linebacker for the Cardinals last year. Played 87% of the snaps on defense and ended up with 137 tackles, 3 sacks, and an interception.
Anthony Nelson, 28. Played 573 snaps in Tampa last year and had 4 sacks and 37 tackles. Has spent all of his career in Tampa as a rotational player.
Isaiah Simmons, 27. Simmons has been quite the let down so far in his career. He struggled with the Cardinals and he has been getting little playing time since going to the Giants. Once a top ten pick, now he’s just a backup.
Lorenzo Carter, 29. Rotational starter who played ½ the snaps on defense in Atlanta last season.
Other free agents include:
Khalil Mack, 34
Haason Reddick, 30
Lavonte David, 35
Matt Judon, 32