NFL Free Agency: Top 5 linebackers

When NFL free agency opens on March 8th, teams will attempt to piece together their roster in hopes of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy Feb. 1 in Arizona.

To hold us over for the next month, here is a list of the top-5 linebackers who make up the 2014 free-agent class. 

Linebackers

While last season's free-agent linebacker class saw a pair of Super Bowl champs sign lucrative deals in Paul Kruger and Dannell Ellerbe, the top-5 of 2014 offers just two players who played playoff football in January. Taking a quick look at last season's two biggest acquisitions prove to prospective teams in this years free-agent window that there's talent on the market if you're willing to pay. 

Kruger headlined last season's group of free-agent linebackers coming off a Super Bowl XLVII win with Baltimore. The 28-year-old cashed in, signing a five-year, $40 million deal with the Cleveland Browns. Kruger provided a boost to the Browns defense and finished second in team sacks with 4.5. 

Much like Kruger, Ellerbe benefited from his success with the Ravens when he signed a five-year, $42.5 million deal with Miami. The loss of Ellerbe was a huge blow to the Ravens, who tried to make re-signing him a high priority. The 28-year-old went on to set career-highs in games played (15) and tackles (101) in his first season with the Fins. 

Here's how the 2014 free-agent linebackers rank:

1: Brian Orakpo

A year removed from missing all but two games due to a torn pectoral muscle, Brian Orakpo put up his third Pro Bowl earning season in 2013. 

Despite Washington's lackluster defense, the star pass rusher combined with Ryan Kerrigan to form one of the top linebacker pairs in the NFL, as Orakpo finished with 10 sacks, ranking him sixth among NFL linebackers.

The 27-year-old is expected to get a significant raise from the $5.1 million he earned last season in the final year of his rookie contract. Similar top-end pass rushers like DeMarcus Ware and Clay Matthews average $11 million per season, so Orakpo will be in search for a similar deal. 

Washington is likely to try and retain the former first-round pick, with Orakpo a strong candidate for the team's franchise tag. 

2: Donald Butler

The San Diego Chargers are hoping to get a deal done before their defensive co-captain lands on the open market next month. 

The 25-year-old is coming off another solid season and his leadership - that included helping Manti Te'o with his rookie season - has been an integral part of San Diego's defense for the past three seasons. 

ESPN's Eric D. Williams reported that the Chargers have the option of using the franchise tag on Butler. However, as Williams points out, with the team's limited cap space and the projected middle linebacker tag to be more than $10 million, the team might have to do some additional work to get a deal done. 

3: Karlos Dansby

After being cut by Miami prior to last season, Karlos Dansby put up a Pro Bowl caliber season after being reunited with the team that drafted him, signing a one-year deal with Arizona. 

The 32-year-old led the Cardinals in tackles, passes defensed and interceptions last season, in addition to collecting 6.5 sacks. 

Despite leaving Arizona in 2010 to sign a five-year, $43 million deal with the Dolphins, Dansby told NFL Radio last week that he "definitely expects to be an Arizona Cardinal next year."

4: Brandon Spikes

Brandon Spikes' four-year run in New England appears to be over as numerous reports state that the Patriots are not interested in re-signing the 26-year-old, which is good news for teams looking to improve their run defense. 

The gritty Spikes has proven to be one of the best linebackers in the NFL against the run, evidenced by the Patriots' ability to remain solid defensively last season after Vince Wilfork and Tommy Kelly went down.

With the emergence of Jamie Collins, the Patriots don't have the need to re-sign Spikes for a deal in the $6-7 million annual range. 

Despite finishing the season on injured reserve with a knee injury, Spikes didn't need surgery and is expected to be healthy to start next season. 

5: Jason Worilds

Jason Worilds stepped up when LaMarr Woodley went down with a calf injury in December and now the Pittsburgh Steelers will likely have to choose between the two heading into next season. 

Worilds led the Steelers with eight sacks last season, finishing second with 29 quarterback pressures and 63 tackles in 11 starts. With Woodley having already signed to a six-year, $61.5 million contract in 2011, the team might have to let Worilds walk. 

While he told ESPN he'd be open to staying in Pittsburgh, Worilds noted that it would have to be in a starting role. 

Honorable Mentions

Shaun Phillips, Daryl Smith, Jon Beason