2012 NFL Free Agents: Outside Linebackers

2012 NFL Free Agent Positions:
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2012 NFL Free Agency: Star rating is out of five. Age listing as of Sept. 1, 2012.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

  1. Jarret Johnson, DE/OLB, Ravens. Age: 31.
    Signed with Chargers (4 years)

    Jarret Johnson doesn’t rush the passer well despite playing outside linebacker in a 3-4. He’s amazing in all other facets of the game, however. He’s one of the most underrated players in the NFL.

  2. Ahmad Brooks, DE/OLB, 49ers. Age: 28.
    Re-signed with 49ers (6 years, $44.5 million; $17.5 million guaranteed)

    Ahmad Brooks has developed into a potent pass-rusher. He had seven sacks in 2011, but could have had a few more, as he was unlucky in certain situations.



  3. Erin Henderson, OLB, Vikings. Age: 26.
    Re-signed with Vikings (1 year, $2 million)

    Erin Henderson had a solid year at weakside linebacker for the Vikings. At just 26, he has a bright future ahead of him.

  4. Leroy Hill, OLB, Seahawks. Age: 29.
    Re-signed with Seahawks (1 year)

    Leroy Hill, bastard of Lannisport, is a three-down weakside linebacker with no liabilities, save for health. He was always injury-prone, but made it through unscathed in 2011. He’ll be 30 on Sept. 14.

  5. Manny Lawson, OLB, Bengals. Age: 28.
    Re-signed with Bengals

    As expected, Manny Lawson thrived in the 4-3. He was a stout run defender as a two-down strongside linebacker in Cincinnati’s stop unit.



  6. Rocky McIntosh, OLB, Redskins. Age: 29.
    Signed with Rams

    I called Rocky McIntosh an idiot for re-signing with the Redskins last offseason. He’s not a good fit in the 3-4. I don’t get how he didn’t understand that. Maybe he’ll learn his lesson and sign on with a 4-3 team.

  7. Phillip Wheeler, OLB, Colts. Age: 27.
    Signed with Raiders (1 year)

    Phillip Wheeler is a pretty solid two-down weakside linebacker who thrives in run support. The Colts should re-sign him.

  8. Wesley Woodyard, OLB, Broncos. Age: 26.
    Re-signed with Broncos (2 years)

    Wesley Woodyard could be a starting weakside linebacker somewhere, but didn’t get the opportunity to play at that position this past year because of D.J. Williams.

  9. Aaron Maybin (RFA), DE/OLB, Jets. Age: 24.
    Re-signed with Jets (1 year, $1.26 million)

    Aaron Maybin notched six sacks with the Jets last year, but had none in his final four games. It seemed like teams caught on to him.

  10. Chris Chamberlain, OLB, Rams. Age: 26.
    Signed with Saints (3 years)

    Chris Chamberlain is a special teams ace and a solid reserve/two-down spot starter at linebacker. He plays well against the run, but gets lost in coverage.

  11. Russell Allen (RFA), OLB, Jaguars. Age: 26.
    Re-signed with Jaguars (3 years, $6 million)

    Russell Allen stepped in for an injured Clint Session at weakside linebacker toward the end of last season, and did a solid job.



  12. Bobby Carpenter, OLB, Lions. Age: 29. — Signed with Patriots
  13. Brandon Johnson, OLB, Bengals. Age: 29. — Signed with Steelers
  14. Mario Haggan, OLB, Broncos. Age: 32. — Signed with Rams
  15. Gary Guyton, OLB, Patriots. Age: 26. — Signed with Dolphins
  16. Erik Walden, DE/OLB, Packers. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Packers
  17. Geno Hayes, OLB, Buccaneers. Age: 25. — Signed with Bears
  18. Brady Poppinga, OLB, Rams. Age: 32.
  19. Kenny Onatolu (RFA), OLB, Vikings. Age: 29. — Signed with Panthers (3 years)
  20. Ernie Sims, OLB, Colts. Age: 27.
  21. Jamaal Westerman (RFA), DE/OLB, Jets. Age: 27. — Signed with Dolphins
  22. Clark Haggans, DE/OLB, Cardinals. Age: 35. — Re-signed with Cardinals
  23. Jo-Lonn Dunbar, OLB, Saints. Age: 27. — Signed with Rams
  24. Travis LaBoy, DE/OLB, Chargers. Age: 31.
  25. Mike Peterson, OLB, Falcons. Age: 36. — Re-signed with Falcons
  26. Thomas Williams, OLB, Panthers. Age: 27. — Signed with Buccaneers
  27. Dan Skuta (RFA), OLB, Bengals. Age: 26. — Re-signed with Bengals (1 year, $1.26 million)
  28. Ashlee Palmer (RFA), OLB, Lions. Age: 26. — Re-signed with Lions (1 year)
  29. David Vobora, OLB, Seahawks. Age: 26.
  30. Tracy White, OLB, Patriots. Age: 31. — Re-signed with Patriots (1 year)
  31. Bryan Kehl, OLB, Rams. Age: 28. — Signed with Redskins
  32. Isaiah Ekejiuba, OLB, Lions. Age: 30.
  33. Joey Porter, DE/OLB, Cardinals. Age: 35.
  34. Omar Gaither, OLB, Panthers. Age: 28.
  35. Jason Phillips (RFA), OLB, Panthers. Age: 26. — Re-signed with Panthers (1 year)
  36. Xavier Adibi, OLB, Vikings. Age: 27.
  37. Patrick Bailey, OLB, Titans. Age: 26.
  38. Edgar Jones, DE/OLB, Ravens. Age: 27.


2012 NFL Free Agent Positions:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K/P | FA Grades | FA Mock




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