CBS Sports ranks Bobby Okereke in top 10 of 2024 LB rankings
Following a strong 2023 campaign with the Giants, linebacker Bobby Okereke has garnered plenty of praise over the last few months, which continued recently.
CBS Sports' Jordan Dajani ranked the top 20 linebackers in the NFL heading into the 2024 season. The anchor of the Giants defense landed at No. 10.
"Okereke played 100% of defensive snaps in his first season with the Giants, and had a career year with 149 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, 10 passes defensed, 11 tackles for loss and two interceptions," wrote Dajani. "His performance in the Week 6 loss to Buffalo was epic, as he recorded 11 combined tackles, two tackles for loss, two passes defensed and a forced fumble. He also tipped up an interception for teammate Micah McFadden. Giants fans are rightfully very excited for Okereke's future."
Okereke's 149 total tackles last year ranked ninth in the league and the third-most in Giants history. Additionally, his sacks, forced fumbles, tackles for loss, quarterback hits and passes defensed were all new career-highs.
The middle linebacker, along with former Giants safety Xavier McKinney, were the only two defensive players in the league to to be on the field for every defensive snap last season.
As if all of his on-field production wasn't enough, Okereke was also voted a team captain prior to the start of his first season with the Giants, indicative of his leadership within the locker room.
"You go through and you're always evaluating yourself and so I think our free agent process was good," general manager Joe Schoen said following the conclusion of the 2023 campaign. "We brought in guys that fit our culture, they were good guys, they helped elevate their rooms and Bobby O's one of those guys."
Okereke combined with Micah McFadden to create a formidable linebacker duo last season, as the latter set numerous career-highs himself in 2023. McFadden recorded 101 total tackles (63 solo), 12 tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, four fumble recoveries, five passes defensed and an interception, all of which topped his rookie season marks.
"I think we can be as good as we want to be," Okereke said last month about the defense's potential. "We have very talented pieces and we're just working every day to get better."
Here are the top 10 linebackers in CBS Sports' rankings:
1. Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers
2. Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens
3. Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints
4. Quincy Williams, New York Jets
5. Matt Milano, Buffalo Bills
6. C.J. Mosley, New York Jets
7. Nick Bolton, Kansas City Chiefs
8. Patrick Queen, Pittsburgh Steelers
9. Bobby Wagner, Washington Commanders
10. Bobby Okereke, New York Giants
View the top photos of inside linebacker Bobby Okereke's first season with the New York Giants.
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during a week 6 NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, October 15, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
Bobby Okereke
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
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ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58), CB Deonte Banks (25), S Xavier McKinney (29)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
S Xavier McKinney (29), S Jason Pinnock (27), ILB Bobby Okereke (58), CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
S Xavier McKinney (29), S Jason Pinnock (27), ILB Bobby Okereke (58), CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58),
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58), S Jason Pinnock (27)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58), S Jason Pinnock (27)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
Bobby Okereke (58)
Bobby Okereke (58)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during a week 3 NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, September 21, 2023 in Santa Clara, California (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
LB Bobby Okereke (58) high fives fans following training camp practice on August 1, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during training camp practice on August 16,2023 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
LB Bobby Okereke (58) high fives fans following training camp practice on August 1, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during a week 14 NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Monday, December 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during a week 18 NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, January 7, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during a week 16 NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, December 25, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) and Dexter Lawrence (97) during a week 6 NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, October 15, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during a week 16 NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, December 25, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during a week 6 NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, October 15, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during an week 2 NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, September 17, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during a week 6 NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, October 15, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) celebrates a sack during a week 17 NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, December 31, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) and defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (93) sack Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during a week 17 NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, December 31, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) and defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (93) sack Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during a week 17 NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, December 31, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during a week 11 NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, November 19, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) before a week 17 NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, December 31, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) and linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) cause a fumble during a week 11 NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, November 19, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during an week 2 NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, September 17, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during a week 5 NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, October 8, 2023 in Miami, Florida (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) fllexes with New York Giants cornerback Cor'Dale Flott (28) during a week 11 NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, November 19, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during a week 12 NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, November 28, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during a week 5 NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, October 8, 2023 in Miami, Florida (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during a week 11 NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, November 19, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
LB Bobby Okereke (58) during mini camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on June 13, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) thanks the fans after training camp practice on August 5, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during a week 8 NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, October 29, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during an week 1 NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, September 10, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) before a week 8 NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, October 29, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during a week 7 NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, October 22, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during a week 10 NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, November 12, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during an week 1 NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, September 10, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during a week 17 NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, December 31, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during an week 1 NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, September 10, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during a week 17 NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, December 31, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during a week 10 NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, November 12, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during a week 17 NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, December 31, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during a week 17 NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, December 31, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during a week 18 NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, January 7, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during a week 18 NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, January 7, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during a week 3 NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, September 21, 2023 in Santa Clara, California (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58), CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
ILB Bobby Okereke (58)
Take a look through Giants in the "Top 100 Players" over the years.
2011: G Chris Snee (No. 77)
2011: S Antrel Rolle (No. 68)
2011: DE Justin Tuck (No. 60)
2012: WR Hakeem Nicks (No. 90)
2012: DE Justin Tuck (No. 62)
2012: WR Victor Cruz (No. 39)
2012: QB Eli Manning (No. 31)
2012: DE Jason Pierre-Paul (No. 24)
2013: WR Victor Cruz (No. 58)
2013: DE Jason Pierre-Paul (No. 55)
2013: QB Eli Manning (No. 43)
2014: S Antrel Rolle (No. 72)
2015: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (No. 32)
2016: QB Eli Manning (No. 47)
2016: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (No. 10)
2017: DT Damon Harrison (No. 96)
2017: CB Janoris Jenkins (No. 54)
2017: S Landon Collins (No. 28)
2017: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (No. 8)
2018: S Landon Collins (No. 92)
2018: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (No. 77)
2019: RB Saquon Barkley (No. 16)
2020: RB Saquon Barkley (No. 31)
2021: DL Leonard Williams (No. 84)
2021: CB James Bradberry (No. 74)
2022: DL Leonard Williams (No. 97)
2023: RB Saquon Barkley (No. 31)
2023: DL Dexter Lawrence (No. 28)
2024: OLB Brian Burns (No. 55)
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