Here's a projection for Chubb to have a healthy rebound season to pick up where he left off two seasons ago leading Denver's pass rush in the transition from Miller. He also finished with 55 pressures and had a pressure rate of 11% for the third time in four years. Aaron Hendrickson was one of the best free agent signings in 2021, backing up a strong 2020 season in New Orleans with an even-better first year in Cincinnati. For some, the 6-2, 207-pound cornerback with 4.36-second speed in the 40-yard dash and a proven track record against the premier wide receivers You won't want to miss a moment of the 2023 season! Who are the best defensive linemen of 2022? I can't wait to see what Raheem Morris, who is a great defensive coordinator, does in Year 2 with the team. Tampa Bay has allowed the fewest rushing yards (82.5 per game), fewest yards per carry average (3.72), and fewest rushing touchdowns (32) over the last three years -- a stretch when Vea played 37 games (all starts). Miller showcased he still can be a dominant edge rusher in the postseason, as he played an integral role in getting the Rams to a Super Bowl title. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. But Year 3 the light went on, and now he's the lead pass rusher with support from Preston Smith opposite him minus Za'Darius Smith. The Bills are getting an excellent edge defender in Miller, a player who can carry a pass rush to the Super Bowl -- as he proved with Donald last year. All Scouts Average Position Rank 2. Hunter, who has posted at least 12.5 sacks in three of his first six seasons appeared in just seven contests last season after tearing his pectoral muscle. NFL Draft Day 2: Best defensive players available. This iteration of San Francisco's defense has playmakers at every level of the field, but the foundation is built in the trenches. Rashan Gary, EDGE, Packers (6-5, 277 pounds). He led the NFL with 92 pressures in 2021, 15 more than Aaron Donald (who finished with 77). Will Jalen Carter slide? Safety Justin Simmons has been a prolifically productive defensive back, piling up 331 tackles over the past four seasons, behind only Cincinnati's Jessie Bates in that span. Who is this year's George Pickens? Injuries have been an issue for Jones over the years, yet he's still third among all defensive tackles in sacks (32) and second in quarterback hits (94). Its also a strong class at edge defender, running back, defensive tackle, cornerback and tight end. Hendrickson is already one of the best pass rushers in the league, thriving in Lou Anarumo's scheme with the speciality of going after the quarterback. The Chiefs star forces double teams from the start of the game to the end allowing other members of the defense to get free shots at the quarterback. Let's take a look 1. 1. Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia. When you think of a defensive end, you think of a dynamic freak athlete with excellent size, speed and strength forcing havoc on opposing backfields. College Junior Oregon. Getting pressure with four pass rushers has long been the Eagles' defensive identity, and the start of the 2022 season has been no exception. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. He's earned his own tier above at this point. Alexander will be returning alongside 2021 first-round pick Eric Stokes, who tied for most passes defensed (14) by a rookie last season. Now Hunter will be joined by pass rushing specialist ZaDarius Smith making it nearly impossible for other teams to double team both stars. The defensive backfield is special. Each week of the 2022 NFL season, the Next Gen Stats analytics team will present a different Position Power Ranking, meant to spotlight the top performances among a specific group of players. Denver is on this list even after saying goodbye to Von Miller via midseason trade last year, and that's in large part because of the clutch addition of pass-rushing ace Randy Gregory as a free agent this offseason. At 33, Jordan has developed a sneaky firm case for the Hall of Fame as the leader of New Orleans' front. The veteran David and rising youngster Devin White (fourth in tackles over the past two seasons) form a dynamic linebacking duo. The numbers may not be there for Wilkins -- who was one of the biggest Pro Bowl snubs from last season -- yet he's one of the game's top young tackles. Where the things you see in every game are so absurd that you have to laugh about how opposing offenses game plan for him. Sam Hubbard has pressured opposing quarterbacks on 17 dropbacks this season, trailing only Nick Bosa (22), Von Miller (18) and Josh Allen (18). The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Day 1 was favorable to running backs Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs who heard their names the first 12 picks, and wide receivers wound up having to wait a bit longer than they have in previous drafts. These was only one player in the NFL with more than 80 pressures last season -- and that honor belonged to Crosby. The other Josh Allen is having perhaps his best season yet, currently tied for second in the NFL with 18 QB pressures, behind only Nick Bosa (22). Copyright 2023 FanRankings. NOTE: Defensive line percentiles are based on components measuring each team's pass rush AND run defense. The Next Gen Stats analytics team's top-10 ranking spotlights familiar names, breakout studs and instant-impact rookies. He'll continue to be a problem for opponents. Vita Vea, DT, Buccaneers (6-4, 347 pounds). The Detroit Lions entered the 2023 NFL Draft on April 27 with nine picks over the three-day draft, but that changed after multiple trades on Thursday and Friday nights. The 49ers have ranked in the top 10 in rushing yards allowed per game in each of the last three consecutive seasons. Making his money in the postseason, Miller finished with 14 tackles, four sacks, six quarterback hits, and a forced fumble. Through three seasons, Bosa has lived up to the hype of a No. Watt is your Sporting News reigning Defensive Player of the Year after tying Michael Strahan's single-season sack record. 1 defense (in terms of yards allowed) in 2021 was perfect. These bubbas in the trenches are able to deliver the hardest, snot-rocking hits that close up running lanes and brutalize their quarterbacks. But Jeffery Simmons and Denico Autry have picked up the slack, generating 13 pressures apiece so far this season. 2021 stats: 10 sacks, 89 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 17 QB hits, 9 passes defended, forced fumble, 9. Derwin James, S, Chargers (6-2, 215 pounds). Shaq Barrett has been one of the league's more effective pass rushers, ranking fourth in sacks (37.5) over the past three seasons. Flowers, who was drafted by the New England Patriots during the 2015 NFL draft, joined the Lions after the 2018 NFL season. The ex-Cowboy should help provide room for Bradley Chubb, who was held to zero sacks and limited to seven games last season, to reestablish himself as a top-end pass-rushing threat. What's scary is Watt can still take another step forward as a run defender. There were other Bucs who could have made this list, including Devin White and Antoine Winfield Jr., but the beefy Vea gets the nod as the devastating table-setter for Todd Bowles' front. Mack is 31 and coming off a final injury-marred season in Chicago. Garrett is a top-two edge defender in the league and could remain among the league's best for the next several years. DL PJ Mustipher, Penn State DL Jalen Redmond, Oklahoma DL Cory Durden, NC State DL Jerrod Clark, Coastal Carolina LB Ivan Pace, Buffalo's depth along the defensive front is a testament to the organization's roster construction and player development. After digging through the 2021 season, we've found five young defensive players who are on the verge of stardom. 1 here. He had only 48 pressures, yet ranked in 14th in quarterback hits (22) and third among all defensive linemen in passes defensed (six). The 1-2 pass defense punch of him and Alexander might be the ticket for a Packers Super Bowl. Jackson is a natural ballhawk and might be the addition needed to allow the other Los Angeles team to make a Super Bowl run. Bosa was dominant in his first season back from a torn ACL, emerging as a defensive player of the year candidate. Buckner's 40 solo tackles were also tied for first in the league. He tied Jeffery Simmons for the second-most pressures among defensive tackles and was third in quarterback hits at his position (only Jonathan Allen and Aaron Donald had more). Adam Schein provides his nine favorite landing spots for the Pro Bowl cornerback. For the second straight season, the Bills have at least eight defensive-front players logging between 20 and 60 percent of defensive snaps. 2020 stats: 7.5 sacks, 42 total tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 19 QB hits, forced fumble, Vinnie Iyer is an NFL writer at The Sporting News. It's a familiar refrain. At only 25, Warner has proved to be an absolute steal as a third-round pick from BYU. He sets the tone for Cincinnati's well-rounded defense with his sturdy and often explosive pass rush. Dupree who has recorded as many as 11.5 sacks when healthy, is a menace on the outside and a player opposing teams must account for on every snap. Consistency is the name of the game for the Jets up front, as they've proven equally effective against both the pass and rush. Also excellent against the run, Heyward finished second among interior linemen with 46 run stops and finished with an incredible 3.7% missed tackle rate (which is excellent for any lineman). He finished with 22.5 sacks in 14 games last season -- tying Michael Strahan for the single-season sack record -- so let's start there. Learn more about NFL+. Allen lived up to his massive potential in Year 5, notching a career-high nine sacks in earning his first Pro Bowl selection. While there is still plenty of football left to be played, this would be the second-lowest ppg average in a season since the illegal contact rule was introduced in 1978, trailing only the vaunted 2000 Ravens defense (10.3). He averaged 1.5 sacks per game and finished with 12.5 sacks in the second half and overtime -- which also led the league. Some might call it a defensive rating. https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/draft2023/insider/story/_/id/36296827 It certainly helps having the NFL pressure (22) and sack (6) leader in Nick Bosa too. BUF OLB #40. 2021 stats: 4 sacks, 33 total tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 12 QB hits, 3 passes defended, forced fumble, 23. T.J. Watt, EDGE, Steelers (6-4, 252 pounds). 2 overall pick Chase Young, who's still working back from last season's torn ACL, this defensive front has generated the second-highest pressure rate with a four-man rush in 2022 (34.5 percent). Earning Second Team All-Pro honors for the third time in four years, Jones had nine sacks and 17 quarterback hits despite having only 27 tackles last year. Earning his second Pro Bowl trip in three years, Clark's 22.5 sacks since the start of the 2022 season are the most in the league among nose tackles. The Kentucky gunslinger threw for 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2022. James has had some trouble staying healthy in his career, but he turned the corner there last season to get back into his dominant rookie form, covering like a corner and flying upfield like a linebacker. Another tackle who can stand to improve in the run game, Allen was one of the best pass-rushing interior linemen in the league last year. He's still performing at an All-Pro level into his 30s. In 35 career games, he's compiled 24.5 sacks, including 15.5 in 2021, good for fourth in the NFL. Only White has more sacks (87) over his first 77 games in league history. Donald already has three Defensive Player of the Year awards, tying him withJ.J. Wattand Lawrence Taylor for the most in NFL history. In short, the core is legit. The front seven is strong, with first-round pick Quay Walker joining tackling machine De'Vondre Campbell and veteran pass rushers Rashan Gary and Preston Smith. Donald is 31 and has hinted at retiring soon and almost did so while on top of the world with his first Super Bowl ring. Bosa and Watt were the only two players in the NFL to finish in the top four in sacks, quarterback hits, and tackles for loss on the year. Rank 7 Crosby lived up to his first name and had maximum effect on a defense that is well short on reliable pieces. 2021 stats: 16 sacks, 51 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 33 QB hits, 3 passes defended, forced fumble, 3. 1 position here. But when it comes to the pass rush, the tip of the spear remains the same. Quinn is one of eight active players with 100 career sacks (101), reaching double-digit sack totals five times. The Super Bowl LVII matchup is set, but Chiefs-Eagles isn't the only pressing NFL matter. Some of whom are even among the best NFL players of 2022. 2 draft pick. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and Arizona Cardinals' defensive end J.J. Watt are the only two active players to win NFL DPOY multiple times, with a pic.twitter.com/5CHFDQZa7J. Who is the best defensive lineman in the NFL in 2022? The next step for Quinn? Look for Mack to have a bounce back season during the upcoming 2022 NFL schedule. Philadelphia ranks seventh in the NFL with 20.2 points allowed per contest on the defensive side of the ball. That would be Quinn, whose 18.5 sacks set a franchise record for sacks in a season. Nick Bosa. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Only White (nine), Bruce Smith (seven) and Kevin Greene (six) have more 13-plus sack seasons than Watt -- whose four 13-plus sacks in his first five seasons are tied with White for the most in NFL history. There's a reason the Bills splurged on a 33-year-old Miller coming off a healthy second half run with the Rams that powered that team to a Super Bowl playing off Donald and Ramsey. The Vikings pulled off the biggest comeback in NFL history last week, but the Next Gen Stats analytics team says it wasn't the most improbable comeback of the season. 2021 stats: 15.5 sacks, 52 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 32 QB hits, 4 forced fumbles, pass defensed, 7. He still was tied for fourth in the league at his position in sacks, third in tackles (68), tied for third in tackles for loss (10) and quarterback hits. DeMeco Ryans picked up the defensive coordinator torch last season when Robert Saleh left to coach the Jets, and the brilliant Ryans didn't miss a beat, pushing the defense to its third consecutive top-five finish in yards allowed. Jalen Ramsey, CB, Rams (6-1, 208 pounds). He also has the most sacks by any No. He finished with 77 pressures, 12.5 sacks, 25 quarterback hits, 19 tackles for loss, and a career-high 84 tackles. 2021 stats: 14 sacks, 34 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 27 QB hits, 3 forced fumbles, 16. Here are the best 10 Bears defensive players and what their PFF grades were following the 2022 season. To preview the 2022 NFL season, we surveyed more than 50 league executives, coaches, scouts and players to help us stack the top 10 players at 11 The metric and overall scores draw from each unit's performance in Weeks 1-4. First-round pick Patrick Surtain II, meanwhile, had more interceptions (four) than any Broncos rookie since Steve Foley also recorded four in 1976. With that said, here is our list of the Top 10 NFL Defensive Ends 2021-2022 rankings: Coming in just outside of the Top 10 NFL Defensive Ends 2021-22 rankings list is the Cleveland Browns star Jadeveon Clowney. Jones is a figurehead on the Kansas City defense. His 150 tackles for loss and 226 quarterback hits in his first eight seasons are second-most by a player in NFL history (and most for a defensive tackle). Here are my top defenses heading into the 2022 NFL season, Schein Nine-style: Rank 1 San Francisco 49ers Nick Bosa, who received my vote for first-team All-Pro His 58.5 career sacks were the second most (J.J. Watt, 61) by an active player in his first 68 career games and the fourth most in NFL history, trailing only Thomas (60), Watt (61) and White (77). 1 CB Joey Porter Jr. USA Today Sports School: Penn State Who is he? All Scouts Average Overall Rank 4.1. He also had two forced fumbles and 13 tackles for loss. Vea is emerging into one of the top interior linemen in the league, earning his first Pro Bowl appearance as a result of his production. Make that three Chargers on the list and a second worthy safety. He was the best defensive lineman in the NFL in 2021 and made the game-winning play in the Super Bowl. In addition, Hendrickson posted three forced fumbles and 34 total tackles while also showing his play making abilities during the postseason. Parsons took the league by storm as a special hybrid linebacker, lining up everywhere to stuff the stat sheet as the new heart and soul of Dallas' defense under Dan Quinn. Bosa and Mack, who have both averaged over nine sacks per season in their NFL careers, are one of the most formidable pass-rushing tandems in the league, while Jackson (22 picks over the past three seasons) is the play-making corner this team has craved. Like Miller, there's some of that DPOY pop left in him for a contender. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. While debates could be made whether he is an outside linebacker or defensive end, Miller ranks high at both spots no matter the team or division. Though it's still early, Year 2 of the Robert Saleh tenure is off to a better start than the debut season, when the Jets gave up an NFL-worst 29.6 points per game. Jordan, who the Saints drafted out of California during the 2011 NFL Draft, posted his sixth NFL season with at least double-digit sacks after finishing the 2021 NFL schedule with 12.5 total sacks. Whatever it is, you know indispensable when you see it, from drawing double-teams to making impact plays. Unencumbered by fatigue, Buffalo's pass rush has generated the third-highest pressure rate this season (33.1 percent). The Giants are back in the playoffs! This ranking may be low for Barrett, who finished with 65 pressures (seventh in NFL), 10 sacks (tied for 15th), three forced fumbles, and 22 quarterback hits last year. There's no way to sugarcoat it. 2021 stats: 3 interceptions, 16 passes defended, 81 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, sack, forced fumble, 18. In Dennis Allen's defensive scheme, Jordan has thrived. Jordan continues to truck on and has recorded at least 50 pressures in every season since 2015. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'fanrankings_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_5',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-medrectangle-3-0');As NFL OTAs continue on and training camp is just around the corner, an opportunity to take a look at the top NFL defensive ends in 2022, as well as take a look back at the Top 10 NFL Defensive Ends 2021-22 rankings. Who are the most impactful tight ends in the NFL right now? April 28, 2023 7:01 am ET. Crosby, who joined the Oakland Raiders as a rookie in 2019, was a dominant force for the Las Vegas Raiders last season en route to a playoff appearance. Fred Warner is a special player, earning the fourth-best defensive grade from Pro Football Focus among linebackers last season. The strength of this unit comes from the inside, as the Commanders are the only team to have two interior defensive linemen with double-digit pressures this season. Von Miller, EDGE, Bills (6-3, 250 pounds). Joey's not the same explosive pass rusher, but he's emerged as a durable player who can be just devastating playing the run. Neither are the Purple People Eaters, the 2000 Baltimore Ravens or the Legion of Boom. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Bradley Chubb, EDGE, Broncos (6-4, 275 pounds. 9:51 am ET. This is a ranking of the best edge defenders and interior linemen right now, not entirely based on past or future success. His 49.5 sacks since 2016 trail only Donald amongst defensive tackles. With that in mind, Adam Schein spotlights nine star players who need help from the 2023 NFL Draft. 46. The Cowboys are one of two teams (along with the Eagles) with at least five players owning eight-plus QB pressures (Parsons, Dorance Armstrong, Demarcus Lawrence, Dante Fowler Jr. and Osa Odighizuwa). With NFL+, stay connected throughout the rest of the NFL offseason with special content from Training Camp, Hall of Fame, and more! He has 193 solo tackles since 2017, second only to Buckner amongst interior linemen. It is hard to look past Myles Garrett as the best defensive end in all of the NFL. Scooping up linebacker Bobby Wagner after his release by the Seahawks was a stupendous move. In the thick of roster-rebuilding season with the 2023 NFL Draft nearly upon us, Adam Schein examines nine burning questions across the league. New off-ball LB additions Foyesade Oluokun and Devin Lloyd have complemented the Jags' defensive line to form a formidable front seven. Buckner had a down year in 2021, yet is still one of the best interior linemen in the game. Garrett is one of only four players to have at least 58 sacks and 11 forced fumbles since 2017 (Aaron Donald, T.J. Watt, and Chandler Jones are the others). EDGE Cameron Jordan, New Orleans Saints. While Bosa takes care of blowing up game plans on the edge, Warner has got the middle covered well against pass and run. The Packers traded away Davante Adams, one of the best receivers in the game today, this offseason. Myles Garrett is the best Defensive End in the NFL right now going into the 2022-2023 NFL season. Heyward pretty much did everything for the Steelers, finishing with 89 tackles, 17 quarterback hits, 10 sacks and nine passes defensed. Bosa finished fourth in the league in sacks and third in quarterback hits, while his four forced fumbles were tied for seventh. Wilkins finished with 89 tackles, which tiedCameron Heyward for tops among all defensive linemen. section: | slug: ranking-nfls-top-defensive-linemen-of-2022-aaron-donald-t-j-watt-cream-of-the-crop-on-impressive-list | sport: football | route: article_single.us | Who tops the list? And it's not just because they have a legendary quarterback in Aaron Rodgers -- it's also because they have a lockdown defense. Every snap, these mighty run stuffers must stymie the most athletic skill players, while demolishing any offensive linemen who stand in their way, which sounds easier than it is. He led the NFL with 92 in 2021, which was 15 more than Aaron Donald. The biggest comeback in NFL history. Cameron Heyward, DT, Steelers (6-5, 295 pounds). Miller might be 33, but he still has a ton of gas left in the tank as a pass rusher, judging by his otherworldly playoff performance with the Rams last season (four sacks in four games). Kancey is a polarizing prospect due to his size: at just 61, 281, Kancey is well below typical size thresholds for the NFL. Photo: All Pro Reels / flickr / CC-BY-SA 2.0. Terrell is another unheralded secondary stud as he's put it all together quickly with his size, speed and Clemson coverage pedigree. J.C. Jackson, CB, Chargers (6-1, 198 pounds). If the sack and pressure numbers go up, Wilkens will be in the conversation among the league's best. at Trey Hendrickson, EDGE, Bengals (6-4, 270 pounds). #1. Cameron Jordan, EDGE, Saints (6-4, 287 pounds). 80 pass rushes), has teamed with interior DL Quinnen Williams to give the Jets a powerful 1-2 punch in the trenches. Still one of the best edge defenders in the game, Miller can still get to the quarterback in his 30s. Crosby didn't have the sack totals (eight) to back up his pressure rate, but he did finish fourth in quarterback hits (30) and was third among edge defenders in run stops (41). (And watch out for Javon Kinlaw, whom head coach Kyle Shanahan says "seems more like himself" after having ACL surgery last fall.) Not a bad weekend of football, eh? With the 2023 NFL Draft nearly upon us, Adam Schein provides his nine strongest takes. The evolution of the NFL offense continues to change year in and year out making it nearly impossible for defensive coordinators to be prepared each week. There's a massive burden on the two-time first-team All-Pro to fire up all levels of Cleveland's defense with the big offensive questions looming, none bigger than Deshaun Watson's availability. Vote up the best NFL defensive linemen in 2022, and help decide who are the best rushers and run-stuffers in the NFL right now! Bosa more than lived up to the hype he had coming out of college, and entering his 4th season fully healthy, fans should expect another massive jump in production. The San Francisco 49ers star is coming off a 52 tackle season to go along with 15.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and eight plays stuffed behind the line of scrimmage. The Best Quarterbacks In The NFL Right Now. Which game is featured at the top of NGS's unlikeliest victory rankings? It's simple: That player is a dominant force whose high level of play sets the tone for an entire defense, to the point that defense would struggle in several ways without him. And corner Carlton Davis, who has more passes defensed than anyone in the NFL in the past three seasons despite missing seven games in 2021, will be back, healthy and newly enriched. The Detroit Lions entered the 2023 NFL Draft on April 27 with nine picks over the three-day draft, but that changed after multiple trades on Thursday and Friday nights. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon (Junior) Thibodeaux is that type of uber-athlete who pops from the first play on tape to the last. Which defensive linemen are considered edge rushers and which are interior linemen? Whenever Kansas City has a healthy doing disruptive damage in the middle of its front, it becomes a more active playmaking team behind him, too. The Next Gen Stats analytics team reveals its ranking of the top 10 players at the position entering Week 15. The Cowboys also have a league-high 17 QB pressures coming within three seconds of the snap when using four or fewer pass rushers. He's kept that up minus Hendrickson with help form Marcus Davenport. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Just missed cut: Leonard Williams (Giants), Ed Oliver (Bills), Fletcher Cox (Eagles), Grady Jarrett (Falcons), Dalvin Tomlinson (Vikings), David Onyemata (Saints), Michael Brockers (Lions), Dexter Lawrence (Giants), Poona Ford (Seahawks), Grover Stewart (Colts). Truthfully, though, it's the run defense that has the Jaguars ranked sixth on this list. I love Surtain's upside and talent. Khalil Mack, EDGE, Chargers (6-3, 267 pounds). The NFL's best at every position Jeremy Fowler asked more than 50 NFL execs, coaches, scouts and players to rank every position's top 10 for 2022: Defense: DE/OLB | DT | LB | CB | S Jones recorded a 17.8% pass-rush win rate since he was drafted in 2016. Another All-Pro season appears to be in store. Their 2022 season will be their time to shine The first round of the 2023 NFL Draft has come and gone, and surprises were plentiful. The group of stars headlining the list of the Top 10 NFL Defensive Ends 2021-2022 rankings list, meet that requirement while also ranking as some of the most impactful players on the NFL football field. Edge defenders include defensive ends and pass-rushing linebackers, while interior linemen primary play the interior of the defensive line. Thanks to hybrid defensive fronts and many players possessing the ability to move from the edge to the interior, the league has its most versatile group of defensive linemen in some time. The future Hall of Famer has generated 18 pressures this season (tied for second-most in the NFL), despite having just 78 pass rushes (tied for 94th). Adam Schein ranks the 'WOW' moments from a wild Week 15. Using a combination of power, strength, and brute force, NFL defensive linemen punish elite offenses so the NFL's best defenses can get turnovers and claim glory. Teaming up four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Joey Bosa with three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Khalil Mack? He finished with 33 tackles, 12 quarterback hits, four sacks, thee passes defensed, and 40 pressures. Fortunately for the Chargers, a pair of offseason additions have helped the defense stay resilient in the face of roster attrition. Despite the changes, one of the most impactful positions on the defensive side of the ball is the defensive end position. With NFL+, stay connected throughout the rest of the NFL offseason with special content from Training Camp, Hall of Fame, and more! A massive force on the interior, Vea played a huge role in the Buccaneers finishing with the third-ranked run defense and allowing the fifth-fewest rushing touchdowns in 2021. Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. He's been a top defensive tackle for several years as he heads into his prime. He anchors a superb front seven, which welcomes Arik Armstead back into the fold after he missed time with a knee injury in camp. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Morgan Fox and Khalil Mack have generated 13 pressures each this season, with the former leading all interior defensive linemen with a 15.1 percent pressure rate (min. The Steeler edge rusher finished the year with 22.5 sacks, tying the NFL record and earning DPOY honors for his efforts. His tackling needs some work, but Simmons is on his way to becoming one of the top interior linemen in the league. Is the Jaguars' decision to make a big investment in Christian Kirk paying off so far? IDP: Top 50 DLs, LBs and DBs: Mike Clay: Dynasty & Rookie rankings: Tristan H. Cockcroft: PPR Top 200: Eric Karabell: Superflex Top 200: Cheat Sheets: While he managed to miss all but 2 games during 2020, Bosa exploded onto the scene, accumulating the 4th most sacks of the season with 15.5, and combining to make 52 total tackles.