2011 NFL Free Agents: Outside Linebackers

2011 NFL Free Agent Positions:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K/P | Recap

2011 NFL Free Agency: Star rating is out of five. Age listing as of Sept. 1, 2011.

LaMarr Woodley, DE/OLB, Steelers. Age: 26.
Re-signed with Steelers (6 years, $61.5 million)

One of the top pass-rushers in the NFL, LaMarr Woodley has 35 sacks in the past three years.
Chad Greenway, OLB, Vikings. Age: 28.
Franchised by Vikings

One of the top outside linebackers in the NFL, Chad Greenway could be franchised this offseason. If not – Sidney Rice is Minnesota’s other option – Greenway is going to receive a huge contract from someone.
Kamerion Wimbley, DE/OLB, Raiders. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Raiders (5 years, $48 million; $29 million guaranteed)

Moving from strongside linebacker to defensive end depending on the situation, Kamerion Wimbley totaled 9.5 sacks and really helped shut down the run.
Manny Lawson, OLB, 49ers. Age: 27.
Signed with Bengals (1 year, $3 million)

Manny Lawson isn’t the greatest pass-rusher in the world, but he does so many other things very well. Moving on to a team with a 4-3 defense might be ideal for the former first-rounder.
Rocky McIntosh, OLB, Redskins. Age: 28.
Re-signed with Redskins

A decent weakside linebacker in the 4-3, Rocky McIntosh was one of many Redskins who were lost in the new 3-4 look. McIntosh will have more success next year as long as he stays away from teams running the 3-4.
James Anderson, OLB, Panthers. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Panthers (5 years, $22 million)

James Anderson had a very good year at strongside linebacker, recording 130 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
Stephen Nicholas, OLB, Falcons. Age: 28.
Re-signed with Falcons (5 years, $17.5 million)

Stephen Nicholas took over the starting strongside linebacker job in Week 4 and never looked back. He performed very well playing two downs for Atlanta.
Quincy Black, OLB, Buccaneers. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Buccaneers (5 years, $29 million; $11.5 million guaranteed)

Quincy Black did a great job as Tampa Bay’s two-down strongside linebacker in 2010. He missed the final few weeks with a fractured forearm, which is no big deal.
Matt Roth, DE/OLB, Browns. Age: 28.
Signed with Jaguars (1 year, $3 million)

I’m not sure if Math Roth was hurt or not down the stretch, but he struggled late in the year after starting out really well.
Ben Leber, OLB, Vikings. Age: 32.
Signed with Rams (1 year, $1.25 million)

Ben Leber can still start as a weakside linebacker, but at 32, his best days are behind him.
Tully Banta-Cain, DE/OLB, Patriots. Age: 31.
Tully Banta-Cain has 15 sacks in the past two years, but at 31, he’s a declining rush linebacker who’ll need a very good pass rusher across from him to be effective going forward. He’s still good in run support.
Clint Session, OLB, Colts. Age: 26.
Signed with Jaguars (5 years, $30 million)

The Colts missed Clint Session last year; he played in only five games because of an elbow injury.
Justin Durant, OLB, Jaguars. Age: 25.
Signed with Lions (2 years)

Justin Durant is a quality weakside linebacker, but is frequently injured.
Thomas Howard, OLB, Raiders. Age: 28.
Signed with Bengals (2 years, $6.5 million)

Thomas Howard was the odd man out in a very talented linebacking corps. Despite rotting on Oakland’s bench in 2010, he could start for a new team at weakside linebacker next year.
David Vobora, OLB, Rams. Age: 25.
Signed with Seahawks

David Vobora started the final four games of the season at strongside linebacker and predictably played well. I have no idea why Vobora didn’t start all year.
Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Bills. Age: 23.
Signed with Jets (1 year)

It’s hard to believe that Aaron Maybin was selected with the No. 11 overall pick two years ago. Maybin has no career sacks, but he’s only 23. Perhaps he can live up to expectations in the right system playing for a great defensive coordinator, but that’s highly doubtful.
Pisa Tinoisamoa, OLB, Bears. Age: 30.
Pisa Tinoisamoa missed some time with a knee scope, but otherwise had a pretty solid year as Chicago’s two-down strongside linebacker.
Wesley Woodyard (RFA), OLB, Broncos. Age: 25.
Tendered by Broncos

Wesley Woodyard played well in Mike Shanahan’s 4-3 back in 2008, but was lost in Josh McDaniels’ 3-4 ever since. I’d like to see him get a chance with a Tampa-2 defense next year.
Keith Bulluck, OLB, Giants. Age: 34.
Keith Bulluck bounced back from his knee injury and played well for the Giants this season. However, he’s an aging 34-year-old, two-down linebacker at this point in his career.
Danny Clark, OLB, Saints. Age: 34.
Danny Clark was picked up in early September after being cut by the Texans. He didn’t see much action early, but ended up starting and playing well for the Saints at strongside linebacker.
Mike Peterson, OLB, Falcons. Age: 35.
Re-signed with Falcons

Mike Peterson did a decent job for the Falcons last year at weakside linebacker, but he’ll turn 35 in June.
Brandon Johnson, OLB, Bengals. Age: 28.
Re-signed with Bengals

A very good reserve linebacker who can play multiple positions (primarily the weak side).
Leroy Hill, OLB, Seahawks. Age: 28.
Re-signed with Seahawks

Leroy Hill played really well for Seattle in 2009, but missed all of last year with an Achilles injury. He also got into trouble for marijuana and domestic issues.
Antwan Barnes, DE/OLB, Chargers. Age: 26.
Re-signed with Chargers (2 years, $3.2 million)

Antwan Barnes was signed in October and did a great job as a situational pass-rusher.
Nick Roach, OLB, Bears. Age: 26. — Re-signed with Bears (2 years)
JoLonn Dunbar (RFA), OLB, Saints. Age: 26. — Re-signed with Saints
Jamar Williams, OLB, Panthers. Age: 27.
Brian Iwuh, OLB, Bears. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Bears
Adam Hayward, OLB, Buccaneers. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Buccaneers
Ernie Sims, OLB, Eagles. Age: 26. — Signed with Colts
Zach Diles, OLB, Texans. Age: 26. — Signed with Rams
Tyjuan Hagler, OLB, Colts. Age: 29.
Rashad Jeanty, OLB, Bengals. Age: 28. — Signed with Eagles
Julian Peterson, OLB, Lions. Age: 33.
Landon Johnson, OLB, Lions. Age: 30.
Scott Shanle, OLB, Saints. Age: 31. — Re-signed with Saints
Antwan Applewhite, DE/OLB, Chargers. Age: 25. — Signed with 49ers
Chris Chamberlain (RFA), OLB, Rams. Age: 25. — Tendered by Rams (original pick)
Keith Ellison, OLB, Bills. Age: 27.
Jordon Dizon, OLB, Lions. Age: 25.
Ashlee Palmer, OLB, Lions. Age: 25.
Bobby Carpenter, OLB, Lions. Age: 28. — Re-signed with Lions
Akeem Jordan, OLB, Eagles. Age: 26. — Re-signed with Eagles
David Bowens, DE/OLB, Browns. Age: 34.
Mike Vrabel, DE/OLB, Chiefs. Age: 36. — Announced retirement
Quentin Moses, DE/OLB, Dolphins. Age: 27.
Will Herring, OLB, Seahawks. Age: 28. — Signed with Saints
Zack Follett (ERFA), OLB, Lions. Age: 24. — Tendered by Lions
Brady Poppinga, OLB, Packers. Age: 31. — Signed with Rams
Titus Brown (RFA), DE/OLB, Browns. Age: 25.
Stanley Arnoux, OLB, Saints. Age: 24.
Chris Wilson, DE/OLB, Redskins. Age: 29.
Larry Grant, OLB, Rams. Age: 26. — Signed with 49ers
Ricky Brown, OLB, Raiders. Age: 27.
David Thornton, OLB, Titans. Age: 32. — Announced retirement
Tim Shaw (RFA), OLB, Titans. Age: 27.
Jyles Tucker, DE/OLB, Chargers. Age: 27.
Caleb Campbell (ERFA), OLB, Lions. Age: 26.
Colin Allred, OLB, Titans. Age: 28.
Sam Williams, OLB, Raiders. Age: 31. — Re-signed with Raiders
Prescott Burgess, OLB, Ravens. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Ravens (1 year)
Jamaal Westerman, DE/OLB, Jets. Age: 26.
Jordan Senn (RFA), OLB, Panthers. Age: 27. — Tendered by Panthers
Bryan Smith, DE/OLB, Jaguars. Age: 27.
James Holt (ERFA), OLB, Chargers. Age: 24. — Tendered by Chargers
Brandon Lang, DE/OLB, Chargers. Age: 25.
Jon Alston, OLB, Buccaneers. Age: 28.
Zack Follett, OLB, Lions. Age: 24.
Lance Laury, OLB, Jets. Age: 29.
Darnell Bing, OLB, Texans. Age: 26.
Matt McCoy, OLB, Seahawks. Age: 28. — Re-signed with Seahawks