In previous eras of professional football, linebacker responsibilities were more specific and fragmented. A middle linebacker was primarily responsible for taking on running plays, while outside linebackers flared out into coverage. The rise of Tampa-2 concepts in the early 2000s forced changes in thinking — especially regarding coverage abilities of middle linebackers — but it wasn’t until recently when the demands of the linebacker position changed altogether.

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With NFL teams playing nickel and dime defenses upward of 70% of the time, the distinctions between positions are pretty much gone. Now, linebackers are quicker and lighter for the most part, because they have become half-field intermediate defenders who must do everything from challenging run fits to taking receivers up the seam.

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These new responsibilities have created an entirely new linebacker prototype for the modern era. Here are the 11 players who best meet those challenges coming into the 2019 season.

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11. Joe Schobert, Cleveland Browns

Baker Mayfield was the big story in Cleveland last season, but when looking at the factors that could make the Browns a true contender in 2019, don’t overlook a defense that showed improvement at several positions and should continue to ascend. Schobert has been a big part of that process. Last season, he amassed 73 tackles, 13 assists, 32 stops, two forced fumbles and 20 receptions on 33 targets for one touchdown, one interception, three pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 72.4 — a very good number for a guy who was charged with defending short, easy passes a lot of the time.

A technically proficient and efficiently violent tackler, Schobert also excels when defending the pass because he’s very aware of spacing and coverage concepts, and he has the closing speed to careen in on receivers to limit big plays. The shot-caller on Cleveland’s defense, Schobert’s value is absolute.