Sig Stats: Tackling Efficiency, LBs

Our Signature Stat section is loaded with unique measures of player ability, perhaps none simpler than our Tackling Efficiency stat. While the main pages will show missed tackles, the signature stat page puts them into context against the rest of the league. While scouts will often cite poor tackling technique or laud the ability of “sure tacklers,” nothing gets to the heart of it like an actual on-field measure of tackling. It’s pretty self-explanatory but here’s more information about Tackling Efficiency and a look at the best tackling linebackers in 2014.

Top Inside Linebackers

While he didn’t have a great year from a grade standpoint (-8.9), James Laurinaitis proved to be a sure tackler missing just one out of every 27.3 attempts. Jasper Brinkley added his usual fine work in the running game to go with his strong tackling while rookie fifth-round pick Avery Williamson was a nice find for the Titans. He didn’t miss a tackle in coverage all season.

Bottom Inside Linebackers

Larry Foote was active in Arizona’s 3-4 scheme, but unfortunately he was unable to complete a number of plays including missing one out of every 5.4 tackle attempts. A surprising name on the list is that of Brandon Spikes who seemed to be a fixture among the top tacklers in the league when he was in New England but he missed one of every 7.3 attempts in his first year with the Bills. Curtis Lofton led all ILBs with 22 missed tackles including missing one of every 7.5 attempts to tie for ninth-worst in the league.

Rookie Watch

Williamson had a nice season while Browns LB Chris Kirksey was right behind him, missing one of every 18.8 tackles. The only other rookie with significant playing time was Ravens LB C.J. Mosley who had an excellent first season coming in third in our Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. He made plays all over the field, but his tackling efficiency landed in the middle of the pack with one miss in every 10.1 attempts.

Top 4-3 Outside Linebackers

A breakout season for Brandon Marshall was highlighted by ranking in the top spot among 4-3 outside linebackers in the tackling department. He got in on 110 total tackles with only four misses. A pair of rookies took up the No. 3 and No. 4 spots in Preston Brown and Christian Jones. Defensive Player of the Year third runner up, Von Miller, ranked fifth as he proved a sure tackler in addition to his usual pass rushing and run stopping acumen.

Bottom 4-3 Outside Linebackers

Despite a strong debut for Vikings rookie LB Anthony Barr, he struggled in space at times in his new role as a traditional linebacker and missed one of every 4.5 tackle attempts including a league-high 16 in coverage. Second-year LB Alec Ogletree is another player that flashed his potential throughout the season but poor tackling held him to a -3.9 overall grade as he missed 10 tackles in the run game and 10 in the passing game.

Rookie Watch

Aside from Barr’s struggles, the rookies fared well as Brown and Jones ranked near the top and defensive rookie of the year runner-up Khalil Mack fell right in the middle with one miss every 8.9 attempts. Though he didn’t have enough snaps to qualify for the list, Giants rookie LB Devon Kennard missed only one tackle in 39 attempts while Falcons LB Prince Shembo missed one of every 26 attempts, both marks that would have ranked among the best with enough snaps.

Follow Steve on Twitter.