The linebacker position isn't exactly a strength in the NFC East. If you were to rank all of the position groups in the division, it would probably finish last.

But since I'm ranking the Cowboys, Eagles, Giants and Redskins at every position, this is the next installment.

Here's how I currently rank the four teams at linebacker.

1.) Dallas Cowboys. Even with Rolando McClain suspended for the first 10 games, the Cowboys still get the top spot. Why? One player: Sean Lee. Lee is unquestionably the best linebacker in the East. If he can stay on the field for 16 games, he alone makes the Cowboys linebackers the best in this group. Anthony Hitchens will likely take on a much larger role in McClain's absence. Over his first two seasons in the league, Hitchens has 142 tackles. Veterans Andrew Gachkar and Kyle Wilber should also contribute on a regular basis. This group will be much better than expected if they can get solid production from either of their second-year players, Damien Wilson and Mark Nzeocha.

2.) Philadelphia Eagles. If Nigel Bradham can play like he did in 2014, this group could give the Cowboys a run for their money. That season, the former fourth-round pick had 104 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception. Mychal Kendricks and Jordan Hicks are the other two notable players at the position. Kendricks, a second-round pick in 2012, had a breakout season in 2013 (106 tackles, 4 sacks, 3 interceptions), but he's had trouble staying healthy ever since. Hicks was very impressive when healthy last year. In eight games, the rookie out of Texas had 50 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and two interceptions. In two games against the Cowboys, Hicks had 14 tackles, a sack and an INT he returned for a touchdown. He was also the player who tackled Tony Romo when the Cowboys QB fractured his collarbone in Week 2.

3.) Washington Redskins. This ranking does not include the pass rushing outside linebackers like Ryan Kerrigan and Preston Smith. They were included in the defensive line rankings. The key guys at inside linebacker in Washington's 3-4 scheme are Will Compton, Perry Riley and Mason Foster. Compton led the team's linebackers in tackles last year with 96. The wild card at the position is rookie Su'a Cravens. The second-round pick is viewed by many as a safety. But the Redskins plan to start him out at linebacker. Last season at USC, Cravens totaled 86 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and 2 interceptions.

4.) New York Giants. The significant upgrading of the defense this offseason didn't include the linebacker position. Fourth-round pick B.J. Goodson out of Clemson was the most noteworthy addition. Jasper Brinkley, Devon Kennard, J.T. Thomas, Keenan Robinson and Jonathan Casillas round out the names-to-know at the position. Robinson had a 100-tackle season two years ago in Washington. Casillas was second on the Giants in tackles last season with 88. Brinkley had 67 tackles and a sack in 15 games last season after he was released by the Cowboys less than a week before they opened the season against the Giants.