Fred Warner and Roquan Smith have dominated the linebacker position in recent years, establishing themselves as two of the league’s top defenders. However, in 2024, another player unexpectedly claimed the title of best linebacker in the NFL. Few expected him to reach that level before the season began.
PFSN released its list of the top 100 players heading into the 2025 season, and the highest-ranked linebacker landed at No. 14 overall. He enters the new year with star status after a slow start to his career.
Zack Baun Ranked As Best Linebacker In PFSN’s Top 100 NFL Players for 2025
The Philadelphia Eagles were crowned champions in 2024 after a dominant 14-win regular season, a mark that would’ve secured the No. 1 seed in every year since 2015. The defense was one of the main reasons behind the team’s success throughout the year.
In previous seasons, Philadelphia struggled to find a linebacker who could lead the defense and patrol the middle of the field like a modern player should. The signing of Zack Baun in free agency came with low expectations, mainly due to his underwhelming years with the New Orleans Saints.
Reality turned out to be much different. Baun became a disruptive force on the field, starting 16 games and earning First-Team All-Pro honors while posting the best numbers of his career. In his article, Brandon Austin explained how Baun became the best linebacker in the NFL.
Zack Baun interception! #FlyEaglesFly
📺: #SBLIX on FOX
📱: Tubi + NFL app pic.twitter.com/7LPFimMuP8— NFL (@NFL) February 10, 2025
“Baun led the NFL with 151 total tackles and 79 defensive stops, consistently shutting down plays at or near the line of scrimmage. He ranked seventh among linebackers with 16 pressures and ninth in pressure rate, showing his ability to disrupt quarterbacks as a blitzer when called upon,” Austin wrote.
What Makes Baun’s Transformation So Remarkable?
During his four-year rookie contract with the Saints, Baun started just 14 total games and recorded only 88 tackles. This leap in production came as a complete surprise, even though the potential had always been there. He played like someone in Vic Fangio’s system for years, showing great football IQ on the field.
This offseason, Baun signed a three-year, $51 million deal with the Eagles, making him the fourth-highest-paid linebacker in the NFL both in total value and average salary, behind only Smith, Warner, and Tremaine Edmunds.
“Baun is expected to remain a foundational piece for this defense after signing a lucrative contract extension. His tackling efficiency, pass-rush ability, and coverage instincts make him one of the league’s most complete linebackers,” Austin added.
There’s a strong chance the Eagles will return to the Super Bowl in 2025. While much of their success will depend on the offense, the defense must maintain its elite level to give them that shot. Baun now enters with star status, no longer just a bet.
