It would be nice if he can get consistent help from Randy Gregory on the other side. 2021 stats: 3 interceptions, 16 passes defended, 81 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, sack, forced fumble, 18. Nick Bosa. The defensive backfield is special. A top-five finisher in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting seven consecutive seasons, Donald also already has a Super Bowl championship -- along with 6.5 sacks and 17 quarterback hits in 10 postseason games. The 1-2 pass defense punch of him and Alexander might be the ticket for a Packers Super Bowl. 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. He completed 60.9% of his passes which has drawn criticism from NFL Draft 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 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). However, with the loss of D.J. Which NFL D-LInemen do you love? Only thing slowing down Trey Flowers is his injuries after appearing in just 14 total games over the past two seasons. Emerging as one of the best pass-rushing tackles in the league, Hargrave notched career-highs in pressures (58), quarterback hits (18), tackles for loss (nine), and sacks (7.5) in earning his first Pro Bowl selection. Eight years, 76.5 total sacks later, Khalil Mack continues to dominate on the defensive side of the football. Whenever two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Tre'Davious White, who went down with a torn ACL in November, makes his way back onto the field, it will be, well, everything for this defense. His 217 pressures trail only Aaron Donald for the most in the NFL while his 37.5 sacks in that span are fourth in the league. Though some folks certainly enjoyed it more than others Adam Schein spotlights the winners and losers of Saturday and Sunday. Hendrickson has paid off big-time after cashing on his breakout season with the Saints. 9:51 am ET. He also excels at tackling and making big plays on the ball when teams decide to test him too much. Jordan was one of the best run stoppers in the NFL, finishing tied for first in run stops with 43 and recording a 5.9% missed tackle rate. Mack is 31 and coming off a final injury-marred season in Chicago. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Jordan continues to be one of the most consistent pass rushers in the league, playing at a high level into his 30s. And don't forget about linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, one of three rookies last season (with the Cowboys' Micah Parsons and the Raiders' Nate Hobbs) to notch 70-plus tackles and four-plus QB hits. He was the only defensive tackle with double-digit sacks in 2021, while also ranking first amongst interior linemen in tackles, tackles for loss, and second in quarterback hits. #1. With the Cleveland Brown's new emphasis on the defensive side of the ball and Garrett taking on his role of leadership, many expect to see a career season from Garrett. Bosa finished fourth in the league in sacks and third in quarterback hits, while his four forced fumbles were tied for seventh. With that in mind, Adam Schein spotlights nine star players who need help from the 2023 NFL Draft. 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). The word elite doesn't do Aaron Donald justice at this point. He also had two forced fumbles and 13 tackles for loss. Miller brings it all together -- the two-time Super Bowl champ will show the Bills the way. Aidan A First Team All-Pro for the second consecutive season, Garrett has four consecutive double-digit sack seasons on his resume -- the second-longest streak in the NFL. Dennis Allen was promoted to replace Sean Payton as head coach after coaxing the defense to four consecutive top-15 finishes as coordinator, including two straight in the top seven. 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. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Myles Garrett, EDGE, Browns (6-4, 272 pounds). Finishing with his fourth Pro Bowl appearance in five years (third consecutive), Bosa finished with 10.5 sacks, 20 quarterback hits, 61 pressures and seven forced fumbles -- more than he had in his first five seasons in the league. Crosby lived up to his first name and had maximum effect on a defense that is well short on reliable pieces. Pass Rush of the Day: Speed Club Rip transition Chop Counter Spin by Frank Clark #DLIsBringingTheEnergy pic.twitter.com/UU0n5JYCOA. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The most unthinkable walk-off win in recent memory. There have only been three games where a defense did not blitz in the Next Gen Stats era (since 2016), and all three have been the Bills under Sean McDermott: Week 6, 2020 vs KC Week 5, 2021 vs KC Week 1, 2022 vs LAR#BillsMafia. Despite the numbers not showing up like we are used to from the Kansas City Chiefs defensive end, Frank Clark continues to be one of the best defensive players at his position year in and year out. Despite the changes, one of the most impactful positions on the defensive side of the ball is the defensive end position. Still one of the best edge defenders in the game, Miller can still get to the quarterback in his 30s. What's the definition of a "indispensable defensive player" in the NFL? Hendrickson recorded 3.5 sacks in four games including sacks against Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford and Derek Carr. In 2021, he Here are my top defenses heading into the 2022 NFL season, Schein Nine-style: Nick Bosa, who received my vote for first-team All-Pro last season, is a beast. Who's the more explosive ball-carrier, Justin Fields or Lamar Jackson? DeMeco Ryans' defense has been an overwhelming force through the first four weeks of the 2022 season, limiting opposing offenses to a paltry 11.5 points per game. HONORABLE MENTION: Seattle Seahawks, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns. These was only one player in the NFL with more than 80 pressures last season -- and that honor belonged to Crosby. Jones has improved against the run, solidifying his game as one of the league's best on the interior. All Rights Reserved. NOTE: Defensive line percentiles are based on components measuring each team's pass rush AND run defense. The Next Gen Stats analytics team reveals its ranking of the 10 best edge rushers entering Week 14 of the 2022 NFL season, with the Browns' Myles Garrett leading a list of star defenders. He's already a game-changing pass rusher in the league. 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). Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon (Junior) Thibodeaux is that type of uber-athlete who pops from the first play on tape to the last. The NFL is blessed with a transitional group of defensive linemen in today's era. NFL Which defensive linemen are considered edge rushers and which are interior linemen? Make that three Chargers on the list and a second worthy safety. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Reader on the field over the last two seasons, allowing 0.6 more yards before contact per carry.Reader has generated 10 defensive stops this season, tied for the 2nd-most among IDL.#RuleTheJungle https://t.co/KAh89pVvJl pic.twitter.com/gSfIgxKgoh. Derwin James, S, Chargers (6-2, 215 pounds). Bosa came back strong from his major knee injury (torn ACL) to get into the DPOY conversation in Year 3. Best Players There's no denying Heyward is one of the elite interior linemen in the game. NFL Top 100 Players 2022 He also is better against the run, as his 29 run stops are ranked in the top 25 in the league. Dealt from Chicago to Baltimore, Roquan Smith was one of the biggest names to change teams before the NFL trade deadline. Weight Lbs 254lbs. I remain enamored with the talent up front; former first-rounder Gregory Rousseau is coming of a four-sack debut season, while Ed Oliver put up a career-best 10 tackles for loss and 14 QB hits in '21. 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. DL PJ Mustipher, Penn State DL Jalen Redmond, Oklahoma DL Cory Durden, NC State DL Jerrod Clark, Coastal Carolina LB Ivan Pace, 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. In 11 games last season, Dupree who was in his first season with the Titans posted three sacks and one forced fumble while showing solid speed en route to the quarterback. His 385 tackles and 239 solo tackles are the most at his position since 2016 (Buckner's rookie year), while his 45 sacks are tied for third in that span. The Best Quarterbacks In The NFL Right Now. Adam Schein ranks the top nine QBs worth pursuing this offseason. All Scouts Average Overall Rank 4.1. Simmons is one of the more underrated players in football, as his dominance in the interior isn't as noticed as it should be. Whatever it is, you know indispensable when you see it, from drawing double-teams to making impact plays. The Chiefs have extended him at times to the edge, but he's best anchoring the inside next to Frank Clark. Nick Bosa, EDGE, 49ers (6-4, 266 pounds). 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. 1 overall pick in his first five years in the league. This iteration of San Francisco's defense has playmakers at every level of the field, but the foundation is built in the trenches. It's tough to ignore how good Quinn was in 2021, a bounce-back season for one of the underrated pass rushers of the last decade. 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). 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. April 28, 2023 7:01 am ET. Where does Jets rookie Sauce Gardner land? The Titans defensive tackle was one of the best in the league last year, as Simmons finished with 58 pressures and 8.5 sacks with 16 quarterback hits. Ranking NFL's top defensive linemen of 2022: Aaron NFL Defensive Where does he land in the Next Gen Stats analytics team's ranking of the top 10 off-ball linebackers right now? The stats may not show it, but Vea continues to play at a high level. Poised for an even bigger season in 2022, Hargrave is evolving into one of the best pass-rushing defensive tackles in the league. Adam Schein ranks the 'WOW' moments from a wild Week 15. 1. They needed a veteran to boost the youth up front ahead of a strong back seven. 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. After digging through the 2021 season, we've found five young defensive players who are on the verge of stardom. Fresh off the NFL's Divisional Round, Adam Schein separates fact from fiction. 46. Jason Pierre-Paul is gone, but 2021 first-rounder Joe Tryon-Shoyinka can pick up the pass-rushing slack. First-round pick Kaiir Elam was a great addition to a secondary that also features veteran stalwarts Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde at safety. His tackling needs some work, but Simmons is on his way to becoming one of the top interior linemen in the league. Fan Rankings is a registered trademark of Fan Rankings LLC. 2021 stats: 4 interceptions, 77 total tackles, 9 tackles for loss, QB hit, 16 passes defended, forced fumble, 5. Jordan continues to truck on and has recorded at least 50 pressures in every season since 2015. He was the best defensive lineman in the NFL in 2021 and made the game-winning play in the Super Bowl. Vita Vea matched a career high with 12 QB hits last season and set a personal best in sacks (four) en route to his first Pro Bowl nod. In addition, Hendrickson posted three forced fumbles and 34 total tackles while also showing his play making abilities during the postseason. The weekend portion of NFL Super Wild Card Weekend was exactly that: SUPER. 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). Jones is the most disruptive interior pass-rusher in the NFL outside of Aaron Donald. Let's rank the top 10 edge defenders and interior linemen in the NFL right now, starting with the edge defenders: Barrett certainly has a reputation as one of the best rushers in the NFL, becoming one of the best since he signed with the Buccaneers in 2019. 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. Who are the best defensive linemen of 2022? Jones is a figurehead on the Kansas City defense. 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). The Kentucky gunslinger threw for 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2022. Von Miller's last sack as a Ram pic.twitter.com/NlrWbvFuE0. His peers are the all time greats, like Reggie White and Lawrence Taylor. Taylor is considered the greatest defensive player ever, and he's arguably the greatest outside linebacker in NFL history. 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. This rotation helps keep their pass rushers' legs fresh, an approach which has unleashed veteran offseason addition Von Miller. He also has seven First-Team All-Pro selections in eight seasons and is the only player in the NFL with 400 pressures over the last five years. Best players Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Giants. 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. 17. Watt's greatness deserves more than just a few paragraphs. He was just one of four defensive tackles to finish with 50 tackles, eight sacks, and 15 quarterback hits last season -- joining Donald, Allen, and Hargrave. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Myles Garrett is the best Defensive End in the NFL right now going into the 2022-2023 NFL season. Crosby lacked the sack totals, but the Raiders are hoping the offseason addition of Chandler Jones to bookend their D-line should fix that problem. Parsons' rangy playmaking delivered more than expected as he was deployed well from multiple attack positions. Look what he does to Riley Reiff #OnePride pic.twitter.com/j1qgFO9HH2. The PFF draft board was due for a refresh at the midway point of the 2022 college football season. 2022 NFL 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 | Here are the top edge defenders in the 2022 NFL Draft. The revamped Chargers pass rush started off this season with a bang, pressuring Derek Carr on over half of his dropbacks in Week 1. And don't sleep on the defensive tackle help general manager Tom Telesco brought in to shore up the run defense, which last season pulled a defense that ranked 12th against the pass into the bottom half of the league (23rd) in yards allowed. Ultimately, the 2022 season will really determine whether Bates drops off the NFL top 100 players list or moves up. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Its also a strong class at edge defender, running back, defensive tackle, cornerback and tight end. 2021 stats: 88 tackles, 4 QB hits, 5 interceptions, 13 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, 14. 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. T.J. Watt, EDGE, Steelers (6-4, 252 pounds). With the Los Angeles Rams retooling the roster after suffering a brutal Super Bowl hangover last season, Jalen Ramsey is available for trade. 2021 stats: 6 sacks, 19 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 7 QB hits, 20. 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). Vote up the best defensive linemen in the NFL in 2022, People Who Should Be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, The Greatest Defensive Tackles of All Time, The Longest Player Suspensions In NFL History. Shaquille Leonard, LB, Colts (6-2, 230 pounds). The Eagles piled up a staggering seven such sacks when facing former Philly QB Carson Wentz in Week 3. Through Week 4, Philadelphia leads the NFL with 13 sacks and a 10.7 percent sack rate when not blitzing. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. WebFind NFL Defensive Player stats for weekly and season totals including, tackles, sacks, INTs, forced fumbles, TDs, and more, on LINEUPS. The Steeler edge rusher finished the year with 22.5 sacks, tying the NFL record and earning DPOY honors for his efforts. Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia. 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. Which NFL D-LInemen do you love? A better run stopper than what he showed in 2021, Buckner is still among the best interior linemen in the game. Watt is your Sporting News reigning Defensive Player of the Year after tying Michael Strahan's single-season sack record. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. Top 30 Best Defensive Players In NFL [Latest Updates] - Langley The metric and overall scores draw from each unit's performance in Weeks 1-4. This is a ranking of the best edge defenders and interior linemen right now, not entirely based on past or future success. He averaged 1.5 sacks per game and finished with 12.5 sacks in the second half and overtime -- which also led the league. Yes, please. 1 here. Tennessee's front has been especially successful in getting after quarterbacks before they are able to go through their progressions, with 15 pressures within three seconds of the snap on non-blitzes this season (tied for second-most in NFL). Micah Parsons, LB, Cowboys (6-3, 245 pounds). Coming in at number 10 on the Top 10 NFL Defensive Ends 2021-22 rankings list is the Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson. As the NFL transitions to a more of passing game, it's become important for D-linemen to excel in the pash rush. Starting with the anchor of the reigning Super Bowl champions, here is Sporting News' latest ranking of NFL defenders who stand out a little from the rest: MORE NFL RANKINGS: QBs | RBs | WRs | Coaches. He seems to be everywhere against run and pass as the ultimate rangy modern linebacker. 1. While Cincinnati currently ranks fourth in the NFL by allowing -46 rushing yards over expected this season, Reader leads the team with a 6.8 percent run stuff rate (min. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. NFL Flowers, who was drafted by the New England Patriots during the 2015 NFL draft, joined the Lions after the 2018 NFL season.