2026 Free Agent Linebackers the Commanders Should Consider

With free agency just around the corner, time is running out to work through all the new talent the Commanders will need to retool the defense to implement an aggressive, attacking scheme under incoming defensive coordinator Daronte Jones.

Of course, we don’t really know the details of the new-look defense. But it is a good bet that it will draw heavily from Brian Flores’ defense in Minnesota, where Daronte served as Pass Game Coordinator, and unofficially as Flores’ right-hand man.

The Vikings’ defense

is predicated on keeping opposing QBs under constant pressure. The pass rush is heavily reliant on blitzing linebackers, with players who don’t rush the passer dropping into zone or zone-match coverage. To disguise pressure, Edge Defenders (ED) frequently drop into coverage, with blitzing linebackers taking their place in the pass rush.

If Daronte Jones is planning to implement a similar zone blitz scheme in Washington, he will need athletic off-ball linebackers with the ability to rush the passer and play in coverage, in addition to stopping the run.

In previous articles, I have had a look at free agent CBs, and EDs who might suit a Flores-derived scheme. In the final instalment, I took a look at off-ball LBs who meet the specs and are either young, to provide medium to long-term solutions at the position, or who might be able to provide short-term solution at cap-friendly prices for a variety of reasons.

LB Performance Metrics

To identify candidates for further consideration, I screened the available FA linebackers with advanced metrics for performance in run defense, pass rush and coverage, as explained in my previous articles on CBs (Y/Cov Snap) and EDs (Run Stop Rate, Pressure Rate). Players were ranked among 96 LBs who played a minimum of 225 defensive snaps in 2025.

Since these metrics may be less familiar to readers than conventional stats, I summarized the range of values in the sample of 96 players in the following tables. They may be useful to get a better feel for what the numbers mean.

Run Defense – Run Stop Rate

Run Stop Rate is the percentage of running downs on which a tackle by the defender caused the offensive play to fail.

Pass Rush – Pressure Rate

Pressure Rate is simply the percentage of pass rush attempts that generated pressure. Pressure Rates for blitzing LBs are generally higher than those for EDs, so the numbers are not comparable across position groups.

Coverage – Yards per Coverage Snap

Rate of yardage allowed in coverage (Y/Cov Snap) measures the overall outcome of a player’s performance in coverage across their entire body of work in a season, and is adjusted for playing time to permit meaningful comparisons across players. As such, it provides a better measure of coverage performance than reception rate, total yardage allowed or opposing QB Passer Rating, all of which only measure what happens after the defender has allowed a target, and completely ignore prevention of targets. The values for LBs are lower than for CBs, because of their coverage assignments, not because they are better in coverage.

Scoring yardage allowed in coverage carries a big element of subjectivity, which can result in differences between stats services. In the CBs roundup, I reported figures from PFF and PFR, which was a ton of work. In this article, I mainly reported figures from PFF. However, when there were big differences, I reported figures from both sources.

Free Agent Linebackers to Fit a Zone-Blitz Defense

The following players suit the defensive scheme that Daronte Jones worked with in Minnesota, and represent good value at their projected contract figures. They are listed in order of valuations, not preference.

Devin Lloyd, Jaguars

6-3 | 235 lbs | RAS 9.58 | Age 27

Market Valuation (AAV): Spotrac $20.1M, OTC $8.2M

2025 Stats: 16 Starts | 87 Comb Tkl | 25 Stops | 1.5 Sacks | 10 QB Hits | 0 FF | 5 INT | 1 TD | 7 PD

Run Stop Rate: 5.3% (rk 74)

Pressure Rate: 27.2% (rk 12)

Y/Cov Snp: PFF 1.24 (rk 82); PFR 0.92

Confession, Devin Lloyd was a player I really wanted the Commanders to draft in 2022. Lloyd earned an AP-2 nomination in 2025 as a result of generating big plays, including a 99 yd pick 6, and 5 total interceptions. However, he is not strong in run defense.

Lloyd provides a good illustration of how yardage allowed in coverage can tell a different story than big plays in pass defense. While the interception total would suggest that he was the second best LB in coverage, his rate of yardage allowed – which provides a better measure of coverage performance on a down to down basis – paints a different picture. According to PFF, he was around the 15^th percentile of LBs at containing receivers in coverage. According to PFR, he was right around middle of the pack.

One area where Lloyd excelled last season was generating pressure on blitzes. However, his 2025 numbers were the outlier of his career to date.

Lloyd’s ability to make big plays in pass defense and in the pass rush could make him a weapon in Daronte Jones’ defense. But he is not without limitations in run defense and coverage. Not surprisingly then, there is a wide discrepancy between valuations. If his price tag gets anywhere near Spotrac’s number, he could be overvalued. But he would be hard to pass up if AP can sign him for closer to OTC’s number. However, there might be better options available for less money.

Devin Bush, Browns

5-11 | 235 lbs | RAS 9.32 | Age 28

Market Valuation (AAV): Spotrac $8.9M, OTC $14.7M

2025 Stats: 17 Starts | 125 Comb Tkl | 24 Stops | 2 Sacks | 4 QB Hits | 2 FF | 3 INT | 2 TD | 8 PD

Run Stop Rate: 7.2% (rk 40)

Pressure Rate: 17.4% (rk 60)

Y/Cov Snp: 0.61 (rk 8)

Bush has had ups and downs throughout his seven year career. He peaked as an impact defender in 2025, with a league high two pick-sixes and 164 return yards highlighting a list of big plays.

He was an effective run stopper and mid-level blitzer. What might make him a great fit for a zone-blitzing defense is that he was one of the best LBs in the league in coverage as rated by yardage allowed as well as ball production. The caveat is that it was by far his best season in coverage since 2020.

There are concerns about consistency. But if Bush can come close to his 2025 performance, he could be a great value addition for the Commanders.

Nakobe Dean, Eagles

5-11 | 231 lbs | Age 25

Market Valuation (AAV): Spotrac $7.9M, OTC $1.9M

Run Stop Rate: 5.6% (rk 66)

Pressure Rate: 34.3% (rk 6)

Y/Cov Snp: PFF 0.85 (rk 34), PFR 0.61

Dean has struggled with injuries throughout his career, including a torn patellar tendon that caused him to miss the first four games of last season, a Lisfranc injury in 2023 and a pectoral injury in 2022.

When healthy, he is an impact defender. In 2025 he was one of the best blitzing linebackers in the league. He is prone to occasional lapses in coverage, but his overall rate of yardage allowed in ranked placed him at the 72^nd percentile of LBs according to PFF’s figures. He was even better according to PFR.

Dean was just below average at stopping the run in 2025. But his run defense numbers have varied from season to season. In 2024, he posted a 13% Run Stop Rate, which was the second highest figure at his position.

Dean is a significant injury risk, which depresses his valuations. If he can stay healthy, he could be a perfect fit for the new-look defense. He would be worth a gamble if they can sign him for under $7.9M AAV. But he is not a player you want to count on as your primary starter for the season.

Leo Chenal, Chiefs

6-3 | 250 lbs | RAS 9.99 | Age 26

Market Valuation (AAV): Spotrac $4.6M, OTC $2.5M

Run Stop Rate: 7.6% (rk 33)

Pressure Rate: 10.2% (rk 87)

Y/Cov Snp: PFF 0.98 (rk 58), PFR 0.71

Chenal is a young, athletic LB, which should be music to Commanders’ fans’ ears. In fact, he is so athletic that the Chiefs used him as a kick returner in the 2023 Wild Card playoff win over the Dolphins.

At linebacker he is a quality run defender. His Run Stop Rate was a little lower in 2025 than previous seasons, but still placed him at the 73^rd percentile of LBs.

PFF and PFR differed on his coverage numbers. According to PFF, he was below average in 2025. PFR’s numbers, on the other hand, place him in the top 25% of linebackers.

The weakest part of his game is rushing the passer, where he is well below average. That has been consistent throughout his career, aside from his sophomore season, when he achieved a 23.2% pressure

Chenal’s best use for the Commanders might be as a rotational player on early downs. If the valuations are accurate, he could be a good value in that role.

Justin Strnad, Broncos

6-3 | 235 lbs | RAS 3.83 | Age 30

Market Valuation (AAV): Spotrac $3.8M, OTC $4.9

Run Stop Rate: 6.9% (rk 46)

Pressure Rate: 20.2% (rk 41)

Y/Cov Snp: PFF 0.78 (rk 25), PFR 0.38

Strnad will hit 30 this season. He’s the only player in this roundup with a RAS under 9.0 coming out of college, and he was way under. But he’s got enough left in the tank to make him worth a look. And he won’t break the bank.

Strnad is coming off the best season of his career, and was an important contributor to the Broncos’ top-5 defense. In 2025, he was a solid all-round linebacker with good production in the pass rush. Despite his athletic testing numbers, he was very good (PFF) to outstanding (PFR) at containing receivers in coverage.

He could be a good option to shore up the position on a cheap, short-term contract to give Adam Peters flexibility in the draft.

E.J. Speed, Texans

6-4 | 227 lbs | RAS 9.18 | Age 31

Market Valuation (AAV): Spotrac $4.8M, OTC $2.3M

2025 Stats: 9 Starts | 62 Comb Tkl | 25 Stops | 2 QB Hits | 1 PD

Run Stop Rate: 9.6% (rk 5)

Pressure Rate: 21.9% (rk 33)

Y/Cov Snp: 0.64 (rk 10)

Speed may be getting on in the years, which might not be popular, but I just couldn’t look past the advanced metrics at such a low asking price.

Last season, at the age of 30, he had the fifth highest run stop rate among LBs. He was at the 92^nd percentile for yardage allowed in coverage, and the 72^nd percentile for pressuring the QB in the pass rush.

He could be a good value on a one year contract for under $5m.

Players on Injury Discount

Micah McFadden, Giants

6-2 | 232 lbs | RAS 9.46 | Age 26

Market Valuation (AAV): Spotrac $2.4M, OTC $582K

2024 Run Stop Rate: 8.5% (equiv rk 17)

2024 Pressure Rate: 29.7% (equiv rk 8)

2024 Y/Cov Snp: PFF 1.00 (equiv rk 60), PFR 1.12

McFadden missed the 2025 season with a Lisfranc injury suffered early in game 1. Recovery time is 6 to 12 months to return to competitive play, so he should be good to go for 2026.

McFadden tested in the elite range in speed and agility drills at the 2022 Combine. He developed into a strong player as a blitzer and in run defense during his rookie contract.

According to PFF he was below average in coverage when he was last healthy, while PFR rates him closer to the bottom 25% of LBs. He also needs to cut down on the missed tackles.

McFadden has enough of the right skills to be a backup or rotational contributor in a zone blitzing defense.

Malcolm Rodriguez

5-11 | 230 lbs | RAS 9.48 | Age 27

Market Valuation (AAV): Spotrac no valuation, OTC $227K

2024 Run Stop Rate: 12.8% (equiv rk 1)

2024 Pressure Rate: 5.9% (equiv rk 92)

2024 Y/Cov Snp: 0.73 (equiv rk 20)

Rodriguez suffered an ACL tear in the 2024 Thanksgiving game, and had a difficult recovery requiring two surgeries. He returned to play in Week 12 of the 2025 season, but was not back to his pre-injury form. Stats are provided from the 9 games he played in 2024.

Rodriguez was a quality rotational contributor and occasional starter at MLB prior to his injury. In 2024, he excelled in run defense and coverage. His Pressure Rate as a blitzer was low, but two of three total pressures were sacks.

He has the right skillset to play in a zone blitzing scheme if his medicals check out. I interpret OTC’s valuation to mean that they project him as a practice squad edition. He is a player the Commanders could bring to camp on a vet minimum contract. If the valuations mean anything, there is nothing to lose.

One Player to Avoid

Quay Walker, Packers

6-4 | 241 lbs | RAS 9.63 | Age 26

Market Valuation (AAV): Spotrac $8.3M, OTC $4.2M

Run Stop Rate: 7.8% (rk 26)

Pressure Rate: 14.6% (rk 72)

Y/Cov Snp: 1.29 (rk 86)

Quay Walker is another player I really liked for the Commanders in the 2022 draft. He is also one of the most polarizing players in free agency. Quite a few analysts rank him among the top 10 LBs available. While others rate him as I have.

Coming out of college, Walker was a super athletic specimen with sideline to sideline speed for the next level. Unfortunately, he never played up to the level of his athletic skills as a pro.

Walker has always been a good run defender in the box and a great tackler. His issues are that he is well below average pass rusher (25^th percentile) and a liability in coverage (10^th percentile). But worst of all, he peaked as a rookie and has been getting worse every year. At just 26 years of age, he is where Bobby Wagner was last year, but not as good in coverage.

He might have value to a team with a need for a two-down run stopper. But he is not a fit for the Commanders if the new defensive scheme is anything like Minnesota’s.