Now Hunter will be joined by pass rushing specialist ZaDarius Smith making it nearly impossible for other teams to double team both stars. The Steeler edge rusher finished the year with 22.5 sacks, tying the NFL record and earning DPOY honors for his efforts. A.J. 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 Which game is featured at the top of NGS's unlikeliest victory rankings? Not a bad weekend of football, eh? Let's make this as simple as possible. 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). What Watt has been able to accomplish in his first five seasons has been historic, as his 150 quarterback hits over his first 77 games trail only his brother J.J. Watt for the most in league history. While Bosa takes care of blowing up game plans on the edge, Warner has got the middle covered well against pass and run. Von Miller (Bills) Von Miller. I love coordinator Leslie Frazier's ability to coach up this unit. Aaron Donald, DT, Rams (6-1, 280) Donald is 31 and has hinted at retiring soon and almost did so while on top of the world with his first Super 2. New off-ball LB additions Foyesade Oluokun and Devin Lloyd have complemented the Jags' defensive line to form a formidable front seven. He tied T.J. Watt for the NFL lead in tackles for loss last season (21) with 15.5 sacks and 32 quarterback hits. Vea provides speed, strength, and elite athleticism at the nose tackle position and his elite production on the interior defense is a primary reason the Bucs stay one of the best D-lines in the NFL. Jones remains one of the elite pass rushers at his position, dominating the interior of the line once the Chiefs moved him back inside in the second half of 2021. 1. NFL's highest-paid players on defense in 2022 by salary, 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. 49 votes. 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. 1 CB Joey Porter Jr. USA Today Sports School: Penn State Who is he? Round 2 NFL mock draft 2023: Best available prospects, predictions But Jeffery Simmons and Denico Autry have picked up the slack, generating 13 pressures apiece so far this season. The Commanders have spent four of their last seven first-round picks on defensive linemen, and the investment has paid off handsomely. 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. His 16.6% pressure rate was also the highest among defensive linemen in the league. Are the two home teams -- Kansas City and Philadelphia -- clear favorites on Championship Sunday? 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. Kancey is a polarizing prospect due to his size: at just 61, 281, Kancey is well below typical size thresholds for the NFL. He also excels at tackling and making big plays on the ball when teams decide to test him too much. The biggest comeback in NFL history. Locking up James, who will hope to build on his 2021 season after missing all of 2020 and much of 2019 with injury, was monumentally important for head coach Brandon Staley's Super Bowl-caliber roster. Top 10 Defensive Ends in NFL 2022 Rankings The consistency in the pass rush and the excellence against the run is why Jordan is considered among the best edge defenders in the game. pic.twitter.com/5CHFDQZa7J. He led the NFL with 92 pressures in 2021, 15 more than Aaron Donald (who finished with 77). Franchise cornerstones Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham have proven they can still be productive into their 30s, while new additions like Haason Reddick (who leads the NFL with three turnovers forced by QB pressure) and Jordan Davis have fit seamlessly into the rotation. Make that three Chargers on the list and a second worthy safety. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. 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). But does it still hold true in this era of high-flying offense? Despite the changes, one of the most impactful positions on the defensive side of the ball is the defensive end position. Wilkins finished with 89 tackles, which tiedCameron Heyward for tops among all defensive linemen. 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). Teaming up four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Joey Bosa with three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Khalil Mack? The front seven is reliably difficult to run against, helping New Orleans rank fourth or better in run defense in each of the past four seasons. NFL Draft Day 2: Best defensive players available. 2022 NFL season: Eleven one-year contracts that will pay off, Chargers safety Derwin James signs four-year, $76.5 million extension, Three keys to Eagles meeting lofty expectations; why Ravens' historic preseason win streak matters. He led the NFL with 92 in 2021, which was 15 more than Aaron Donald. And it's not just because they have a legendary quarterback in Aaron Rodgers -- it's also because they have a lockdown defense. PFF50: The 50 best players in the NFL right now Wherever you are, this is how you football! The Packers are back in the mix! It would be nice if he can get consistent help from Randy Gregory on the other side. He sets the tone for Cincinnati's well-rounded defense with his sturdy and often explosive pass rush. The other highest-regarded remaining players include Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer, Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr., Alabama defensive back Brian It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. 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. Hargrave also had 32 run stops on the year despite his struggles in run defense. 1. Ranking the 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Top In a league featuring so much pass-catching talent, what's the pecking order at wide receiver right now? NFL Web50. Alexander will be returning alongside 2021 first-round pick Eric Stokes, who tied for most passes defensed (14) by a rookie last season. 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. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Myles Garrett is the best Defensive End in the NFL right now going into the 2022-2023 NFL season. Let's take a look 1. Clark's 41 quarterback hits are second among all nose tackles since 2017 and his 32 defensive tackles in that span lead his position (sixth in NFL). He tied T.J. Watt for the NFL lead in tackles for loss last season (21) too. 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. 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. 2021 stats: 3 passes defended, interception, 13 total tackles, 19. Flowers posted at least 6.5 sacks in each of his first full seasons while appearing in at least 14 games. With Chandler Jones lined up opposite of Crosby, the stage is set for him to have an even bigger year in 2022. Heyward's nine passes defensed led all interior linemen, and were five more than Donald and Derrick Brown (second on the list). In Dennis Allen's defensive scheme, Jordan has thrived. He remains the unquestioned leader and heart of a talented Indianapolis defense. 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: Copyright 2023 FanRankings. Miller has at least one more big season left in him with good potential for double-digit sacks for the first time since 2018. 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. He averaged 1.5 sacks per game and finished with 12.5 sacks in the second half and overtime -- which also led the league. Like Allen in New Orleans, Todd Bowles was elevated to head coach this offseason after a strong run as the team's defensive coordinator (three straight top-15 finishes). Linebacker Demario Davis is a great leader and tackler. In three seasons, Crosby has recorded 25 total sacks including a career high 10 as a rookie in 2019. He has a sharp mind and a loaded team at his disposal. 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. Often the players closest to the ball are the ones that stand out the most, as players on the defensive line tend to have the most value. NFL Defensive There are a lot of great NFL defensive linemen right now, such as Aaron Donald, J.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, and Chris Jones. He also is better against the run, as his 29 run stops are ranked in the top 25 in the league. Sam Hubbard has pressured opposing quarterbacks on 17 dropbacks this season, trailing only Nick Bosa (22), Von Miller (18) and Josh Allen (18). His tackling needs some work, but Simmons is on his way to becoming one of the top interior linemen in the league. The Cowboys also have a league-high 17 QB pressures coming within three seconds of the snap when using four or fewer pass rushers. 2021 stats: 8 sacks, 56 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 30 QB hits, 7 passes defended, NFL POWER RANKINGS: Bills look Super Bowl-serious at top; 49ers, Broncos, Eagles on the rise, 8. Who is this year's George Pickens? Jones is a figurehead on the Kansas City defense. 2021 stats: 88 tackles, 4 QB hits, 5 interceptions, 13 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, 14. Some might call it a football version of WAR. (And watch out for Javon Kinlaw, whom head coach Kyle Shanahan says "seems more like himself" after having ACL surgery last fall.) There's no question who's No. Hendrickson recorded 3.5 sacks in four games including sacks against Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford and Derek Carr. College Junior Oregon. NFL's top nine defenses in 2022: 49ers, Bills stand tall; Which defensive linemen are considered edge rushers and which are interior linemen? 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). Clark, who finished last season appearing in 14 games, posted 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. 2022 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. There's a bevy of top-end defensive players sitting atop the draft board Friday night. Heyward's 43 sacks over the past five years trail only Donald. Dealt from Chicago to Baltimore, Roquan Smith was one of the biggest names to change teams before the NFL trade deadline. Not only did he finish fifth in the NFL in sacks with 14, but he also tallied 70 pressures with 27 quarterback hits and three forced fumbles while earning his first Pro Bowl appearance. PFTs NFL 2022 defensive player of the year: Nick Bosa Aaron Donald leads all defensive players with a salary of $31.7 million for the 2022 NFL season. Adding J.C. Jackson to a secondary that also features newly extended safety Derwin James and promising youngster Asante Samuel Jr.? Do the Cowboys have a quarterback problem in Dak Prescott? best defensive But the athleticism ( 9.60 RAS) and production (7.5 sacks, 14.5 TFL in 2022) are impossible to ignore, and hes one of the most fun tape watches in the class. To find out who they are, read on below. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. His 22 pressures trailed onlyAaron Donald(23) and his 16 hurries led all NFL defenders, a critical part in the Rams winning a championship. 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. Brandon Staley needed his version of Ramsey the playmaker for his Chargers' defense to support the pass rush, now with Joey Bosa being boosted by another marquee offseason acquisition, Khalil Mack. 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. the illegal contact rule was introduced in 1978. Donald is making his case as the GOAT of interior defensive linemen. Mack has been one of the best defensive players in the Fred Warner is a special player, earning the fourth-best defensive grade from Pro Football Focus among linebackers last season. 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. Trey Hendrickson has generated the second-most pressures in the NFL (92) since joining the Bengals in 2021, but it's his counterpart on the left side of the line who has dominated this season. The main qualification for these rankings is how good the player was in 2021. 2021 stats: 137 total tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 3 QB hits, half-sack, 4 passes defended, forced fumble, 21. 2021 stats: 118 total tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, 5 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles, 22. Yet he continues to be productive at his position, as his 43 hurries are sixth among all defensive tackles. He is a top-two edge defender in the league and could remain among the league's best for the next several years. Aaron Donald is the best defensive player who has ever walked the face of the Earth. He's building a Hall of Fame resume as one of best edge defenders of his era. He's right up there with Jackson as the premier ballhawk corner. Forty Time Secs 4.58. L.A.'s regular-season defensive rankings -- 17th in yards allowed and 15th in scoring -- might not be much to look at, but Morris and Co. really turned it on during the championship run: The Rams ranked second among playoff teams in yards allowed per game (282.3) and third in points allowed per game (18.8). 2022 NFL Watt's 0.94 sacks-per-game average is the highest in league history, as he and Reggie White are the only players to have 13-plus sacks in four consecutive seasons (has 72 sacks in 77 career games). But they still have a great opportunity to make a legitimate Super Bowl run this season. Chris Jones, DT, Chiefs (6-6, 310 pounds). A better run stopper than what he showed in 2021, Buckner is still among the best interior linemen in the game. NFL Thibodeaux was graded a touch lower than Hutchinson in my scouting gradebook, but it 2. He feels just as comfortable thumping against the run as he does using his nose for the ball in coverage. 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. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. Player Summary T.J. Watt, EDGE, Steelers (6-4, 252 pounds). He's kept that up minus Hendrickson with help form Marcus Davenport. Hendrickson has paid off big-time after cashing on his breakout season with the Saints. 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). 2021 stats: 16 sacks, 51 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 33 QB hits, 3 passes defended, forced fumble, 3. Von Miller, EDGE, Bills (6-3, 250 pounds). 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Here are the best 10 Bears defensive players and what their PFF grades were following the 2022 season. Joey's not the same explosive pass rusher, but he's emerged as a durable player who can be just devastating playing the run. Buckner had a down year in 2021, yet is still one of the best interior linemen in the game. 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. His personality is as dynamic as his nasty game. 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. Garrett is a star, one of just three players (along with Aaron Donald and T.J. Watt) to post double-digit sacks in each of the past four seasons. Detroit Lions NFL Draft picks 2023: Grades, fits and scouting reports He has 193 solo tackles since 2017, second only to Buckner amongst interior linemen. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nfl | pageType: stories | He had only 48 pressures, yet ranked in 14th in quarterback hits (22) and third among all defensive linemen in passes defensed (six). In 35 career games, he's compiled 24.5 sacks, including 15.5 in 2021, good for fourth in the NFL. It's a familiar refrain. Unfortunately, horrible injury luck struck the organization once again when Joey Bosa hurt his groin in Week 3 and was placed on injured reserve. If Miller is healthy, he's a force to be reckoned with every week. In the ground game, the Jets have stopped rushers for no gain or a loss on 24.8 percent of runs this season, the sixth-highest rate in the NFL. While Dallas' run defense has not performed up to the same level, the Cowboys' deep and dangerous pass rush has kept the team afloat with franchise QB Dak Prescott on the shelf.
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