As the New York Giants continue to reshape their defense following the 2023 season, inside linebacker Bobby Okereke has maintained his position as a cornerstone of their lineup. Pro Football Focus analyst Mason Cameron placed Okereke at No. 6 among the NFL’s top linebackers going into the 2025 campaign, highlighting his consistent performance despite recent challenges. This ranking showcases Bobby Okereke top NFL linebackers ranking at a significant level within the league.
Consistency and Impact Amid Linebacker Stability
While the Giants have revamped their defensive line and secondary over the past two offseasons, the starting linebackers have remained largely unchanged, largely due to Okereke’s dependable play. Cameron noted that perceptions of Okereke’s performance in Shane Bowen’s defensive system last season might be misleading. Even though Okereke suffered a herniated disc that cut his season short after 12 games, his overall metrics continued to impress.
Despite some perception that Okereke had an off year in Shane Bowen’s system this past season, his metrics tell a much different story,
Cameron wrote.
Okereke still finished with the 12th-highest PFF overall grade of 74.9 among qualifying linebackers—a testament to his resilience and skill despite injury. Cameron added,
Having posted three straight seasons eclipsing a 73.0 PFF overall grade, Okereke is a model of consistency at one of the most volatile positions in the game, and will be again should his recovery go well.
Okereke’s Performance and Partnership in Giants Defense
During his 12 starts last season, Okereke made 93 tackles, including 47 solo stops, added two sacks, six tackles for loss, and two quarterback hits. His disruptive presence was further felt through three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and three defended passes. This followed a career-best 2023 season, where he set highs in sacks (2.5), forced fumbles (four), passes defensed (10), tackles for loss (11), and quarterback hits (six), narrowly missing his top tackle total by just two.
Alongside Okereke, Micah McFadden has emerged as a key partner in the middle of the Giants defense. In 2024, McFadden posted career-high tackles with 107 and added three sacks, starting all 14 games he appeared in, showcasing the strength of the Giants’ linebacker unit.
Top 10 Linebackers as Ranked by PFF for 2025 Season
The full list of PFF’s top 10 linebackers entering the upcoming season highlights the elite talent in the NFL at this position, with Bobby Okereke firmly near the top:
1. [Player name not provided]
2. [Player name not provided]
3. [Player name not provided]
4. [Player name not provided]
5. [Player name not provided]
6. Bobby Okereke
7. [Player name not provided]
8. [Player name not provided]
9. [Player name not provided]
10. [Player name not provided]
Looking Ahead: Okereke’s Role and Recovery
With his consistent grades and strong performance despite injury, Bobby Okereke remains an important figure for the Giants as they prepare for the 2025 season. His ongoing recovery will be key to maintaining his standing among the top NFL linebackers, and alongside teammates like Micah McFadden, the Giants’ linebacker group looks poised to continue providing stability and impact within their defense.