Below are the best linebackers of the 2010s based on the votes of our panel and our readership.
We decided to combine the middle and weak-side linebacker positions because many of the nominees have dressed at both positions. Fortunately, things worked out pretty evenly between the two spots.
The player who finished atop the reader ballot has his name marked with an asterisk (*).
Middle/Weak-side Linebacker
Solomon Elimimian*
B.C. Lions (2010-2018)
Saskatchewan Roughriders (2019-present)
133 games, 833 tackles, 33 sacks, nine forced fumbles, eight interceptions
Grey Cup champion (2011)
CFL Most Outstanding Player (2014)
CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player (2014, 2016)
CFL Most Outstanding Rookie (2010)
CFL all-star (2011, 2014, 2016, 2017)
West Division all-star (2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019)
Photo Scott Grant / CFLPhotoArchive.com
Adam Bighill
B.C. Lions (2011-2016)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2018-present)
132 games, 655 tackles, 41 sacks, 14 forced fumbles, 12 interceptions
Grey Cup champion (2011, 2019)
CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player (2015, 2018)
CFL all-star (2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018)
West Division all-star (2012-2016, 2018)
Simoni Lawrence
Photo Scott Grant / CFLPhotoArchive.com
Edmonton Eskimos (2012)
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2013-2019)
128 games, 533 tackles, 26 sacks, 11 interceptions, 10 forced fumbles
East Division Most Outstanding Defensive Player (2015, 2019)
CFL all-star (2015, 2019)
East Division all-star (2014-2016, 2019)
Photo Scott Grant / CFLPhotoArchive.com
J.C. Sherritt
Edmonton Eskimos (2011-2018)
109 games, 507 tackles, 17 forced fumbles, 15 sacks, 14 interceptions
Grey Cup champion (2015)
CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player (2012)
West Division Most Outstanding Rookie (2011)
CFL all-star (2012)
West Division all-star (2012)
Photo Scott Grant / CFLPhotoArchive.com
Henoc Muamba
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2011-2013)
Montreal Alouettes (2015, 2018-2019)
Saskatchewan Roughriders (2016-2017)
108 games, 468 tackles, 14 forced fumbles, 12 sacks, five interceptions
CFL Most Outstanding Canadian (2019)
East Division Most Outstanding Canadian (2013)
CFL all-star (2013, 2019)
East Division all-star (2013, 2018, 2019)
Honourable mentions
1) Juwan Simpson
2) Bear Woods
3) Shea Emry
4) Kyries Hebert
Strong-side linebacker
Photo by Scott Grant / CFLPhotoArchive.com
Chip Cox*
Montreal Alouettes (2010-2018)
695 tackles, 29 sacks, 19 forced fumbles, 16 interceptions
Grey Cup champion (2010)
Most Outstanding Defensive Player (2013)
CFL all-star (2011, 2013)
East Division all-star (2010-2014)
Keon Raymond
Calgary Stampeders (2010-2015)
Toronto Argonauts (2016)
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2016)
111 games, 310 tackles, 25 interceptions, 10 sacks, three forced fumbles
Grey Cup champion (2014)
West Division all-star (2011, 2012)
Honourable mentions
1) Maurice Leggett
2) Korey Banks
3) Rico Murray
4) Abdul Kanneh
Depth chart
With three position groups complete, here’s how our depth chart is shaping up. Check back tomorrow when we add our defensive linemen.
