2. 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. He completed 60.9% of his passes which has drawn criticism from NFL Draft pundits. Which NFL D-LInemen do you love? Bradley Chubb, EDGE, Broncos (6-4, 275 pounds. Hargrave had his best season in 2021, the first in Jonathan Gannon's defense. As the NFL transitions to a more of passing game, it's become important for D-linemen to excel in the pash rush. 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. NFL 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 He's building a Hall of Fame resume as one of best edge defenders of his era. Best In addition, Clowney ranked among the top defensive edge players ranked by PFF. Who are the best defensive linemen of 2022? He leads all interior linemen in tackles for loss (59) and is third in quarterback hits (99). He's is one of just five players with multiple seasons of 18-plus sacks (the NFL started recording sacks as an official stat in 1982). 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 But does it still hold true in this era of high-flying offense? He'll raise his game with Mack playing off him now. Rashan Gary, EDGE, Packers (6-5, 277 pounds). His peers are the all time greats, like Reggie White and Lawrence Taylor. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Despite the changes, one of the most impactful positions on the defensive side of the ball is the defensive end position. In 35 career games, he's compiled 24.5 sacks, including 15.5 in 2021, good for fourth in the NFL. 2021 stats: 3 passes defended, interception, 13 total tackles, 19. Xavien Howard, CB, Dolphins (6-1, 203 pounds). Bosa was dominant in his first season back from a torn ACL, emerging as a defensive player of the year candidate. See where they land in the Next Gen Stats analytics team's ranking of the top 10 most explosive rushers right now. The 49ers pressured Matthew Stafford on 23 dropbacks in their Week 4 win, the 2nd-most pressures allowed by the Rams in a game under Sean McVay.Nick Bosa generated a career-high 12 QB pressures and now leads the NFL with 22 QBP this season.#LARvsSF | #FTTB pic.twitter.com/NGafrcMGkh. 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). Now, let's get to 2021 -- another dominant year for Donald. 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). The only other interior defensive lineman with a pass-rush win rate over 16% in that six-year stretch is Donald (23.3%). This is even more impressive when you consider that Sean McDermott and Leslie Frazier rarely send any extra bodies -- the Bills have blitzed on just 11 percent of dropbacks this season, the only defense with a blitz rate under 16 percent. There's no way to sugarcoat it. Reggie White, Michael Strahan,DeMarcus Ware, andJ.J. Wattare the others. Heyward and Watt give Pittsburgh a dynamic duo, too. In addition, his play making abilities were on full display during the NFL playoffs where he recorded 4.5 sacks while leading the 49ers to the NFC Championship game. How do guys like Lamar Jackson, Bryce Young and Aaron Rodgers stack up against each other? Detroit Lions NFL Draft picks 2023: Grades, fits and scouting reports 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. At 33, Heyward looks revitalized coming off his second career double-digit sack season. Big corner with the chops to excel in press coverage or zone. Which matchup NEEDS to kick off the 2023 season? His 49.5 sacks since 2016 trail only Donald amongst defensive tackles. He led the NFL with 92 pressures in 2021, 15 more than Aaron Donald (who finished with 77). Heyward's 43 sacks over the past five years trail only Donald. Terrell, CB, Falcons (6-1, 195 pounds). 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. If the sack and pressure numbers go up, Wilkens will be in the conversation among the league's best. 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. Wilkins finished with 89 tackles, which tiedCameron Heyward for tops among all defensive linemen. Myles Garrett, EDGE, Browns (6-4, 272 pounds). 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). New off-ball LB additions Foyesade Oluokun and Devin Lloyd have complemented the Jags' defensive line to form a formidable front seven. 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. The Eagles have been thriving on pass defense, allowing only 179.6 passing yards per game (best). Jalen Ramsey, CB, Rams (6-1, 208 pounds). With the Los Angeles Rams retooling the roster after suffering a brutal Super Bowl hangover last season, Jalen Ramsey is available for trade. He averaged 1.5 sacks per game and finished with 12.5 sacks in the second half and overtime -- which also led the league. Clark deserves more recognition for the position he plays, as it's difficult for a nose tackle to put up stats. The long time New Orleans Saints star, Cameron Jordan continues to be a menace to opposing quarterbacks something he has been since his second season in the NFL. Not a bad weekend of football, eh? There are a lot of great NFL defensive linemen right now, such as Aaron Donald, J.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, and Chris Jones. 2021 stats: 22.5 sacks, 64 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 39 QB hits, 5 forced fumbles, 7 passes defended, 4. 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. How would you rank these Defensive Ends going into the 2022-2023 NFL season? 1. 1 CB Joey Porter Jr. USA Today Sports School: Penn State Who is he? 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. First-round pick Patrick Surtain II, meanwhile, had more interceptions (four) than any Broncos rookie since Steve Foley also recorded four in 1976. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon (Junior) Thibodeaux is that type of uber-athlete who pops from the first play on tape to the last. Von Miller (Bills) Von Miller. With more help arriving in the form of Khalil Mack not to mention Sebastian Joseph-Day and Austin Johnson inside we might see a career year from Bosa in 2022. Who are the best defensive linemen of 2022? 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. 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). Barrett is still one of the best pass rushers in the game, showcasing then his 2019 season (when he recorded a league-leading 19.5 sacks) wasn't a fluke. Make that three Chargers on the list and a second worthy safety. Forget being ranked No. Nick Bosa. Buffalo's depth along the defensive front is a testament to the organization's roster construction and player development. Like many teams on this list, the Titans have been able to create havoc while relying on a four-man rush, which they use on 73 percent of dropbacks (third-highest rate in the NFL). 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. As the NFL transitions to a more of passing game, it's become important for D-linemen to excel in the pash rush. 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. The Next Gen Stats analytics team provides a ranking of the top 10 players at the position in 2022, with some names that could surprise you. 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. These big-bodied stars clog up the middle in the run game, too: Allen leads his position in run stuffs (9) and is tied with New Orleans' Shy Tuttle for the most defensive stops (17), while Payne is right behind with 14 defensive stops of his own. 80 pass rushes), has teamed with interior DL Quinnen Williams to give the Jets a powerful 1-2 punch in the trenches. 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. But they still have a great opportunity to make a legitimate Super Bowl run this season. It certainly helps having the NFL pressure (22) and sack (6) leader in Nick Bosa too. the illegal contact rule was introduced in 1978. Carl Lawson, who ranks second in the NFL behind Nick Bosa with a 17.3 QB pressure percentage (min. Where does Jets rookie Sauce Gardner land? 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. Who is the best defensive lineman in the NFL in 2022? See where he lands in the Next Gen Stats analytics team's ranking of the top 10 slot receivers right now. 2021 stats: 6 sacks, 19 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 7 QB hits, 20. WebThe Eagles' defense has been paving the way for the team, as they rank second-best in the NFL with 301.4 total yards ceded per game. Entering his sixth season in the NFL, defensive end Myles Garrett has drastically improved every single season in the league. NFL's highest-paid players on defense in 2022 by salary, We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. He was the best defensive lineman in the NFL in 2021 and made the game-winning play in the Super Bowl. Vea is joined on the Bucs' mammoth line by veteran Akiem Hicks, whose signing in free agency was a top-notch move. We'll also use success over the past few seasons and future projections to help weigh the ranking, but 2021 performance is the key equation in the formula. 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. Through three seasons, Bosa has lived up to the hype of a No. First-Team Defense. Poised for an even bigger season in 2022, Hargrave is evolving into one of the best pass-rushing defensive tackles in the league. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. In the wake of Kansas City's thrilling triumph over Philadelphia in Super Bowl LVII, Adam Schein is overflowing with takes. It's a familiar refrain. He still needs to improve as a pass rusher, but had his best season under defensive coordinator Josh Boyer. 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.. Making his money in the postseason, Miller finished with 14 tackles, four sacks, six quarterback hits, and a forced fumble. 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. 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. 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: 2021 stats (with Patriots): 8 interceptions, 58 combined tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 23 passes defended, forced fumble, 10. Cameron Jordan : 2 tackles, a sack & a forced fumbleDavid Onyemata : No tackles & a fumble recovery pic.twitter.com/Ypjpco3Y5R. Miller has at least one more big season left in him with good potential for double-digit sacks for the first time since 2018. Not only did Bosa lead all edge defenders in forced fumbles, he's one of only three defensive linemen with 10 sacks and five forced fumbles last year (T.J. Watt and Chandler Jones are the others). The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Mack, who spent his first four seasons with the Oakland Raiders before joining the Chicago Bears, has been ranked as one of the highest edge players year in and year out by PFF. Crosby earned Second Team All-Pro honors as a result of his breakout season, emerging as one of the top edge rushers in the game. Miller finished with 50 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 17 quarterback hits, and a forced fumble in the regular season -- along with 55 pressures and 47 hurries (seventh in NFL). Vea needed a few seasons to get into the maximum shape with his massive frame, but he's now at the level of an elite run-stuffing linchpin with some scary inside pass-rush pop, too. Consistency is the name of the game for the Jets up front, as they've proven equally effective against both the pass and rush. 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. 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. 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 | Taylor is considered the greatest defensive player ever, and he's arguably the greatest outside linebacker in NFL history. There's more athletic defensive linemen - ends and edge rushers- these days than ever such as Nick Bosa, Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, and Robert Quinn. Only Bobby Wagner has more tackles than Lavonte David (1,220) since David entered the league in 2012. 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). 2022 NFL season's early top-10 defensive lines: Nick He seems to be everywhere against run and pass as the ultimate rangy modern linebacker. 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. 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. 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! The stats may not show it, but Vea continues to play at a high level. Two of RotoBaller's lead fantasy football analysts - Pierre Camus and Chris Gregory - have put together their individual 2022 IDP rankings, which we have Bosa has been one of the most dominant edge rushers in recent seasons, posting three consecutive 90.0-plus PFF pass-rushing grades. He's still performing at an All-Pro level into his 30s. The Packers are back in the mix! 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. His blend of explosiveness, bend and length at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds is tailor-made to win off the edge in the NFL. NFL's top nine defenses in 2022: 49ers, Bills stand tall; So, who are the top dogs at the position in the early goings of the 2022 season? best defensive His 58 sacks since 2016 (his rookie season) are sixth in the NFL and his 129 quarterback hits are fifth in the league. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2023 season! NFL big board for Round 2: These are the best available players The metric and overall scores draw from each unit's performance in Weeks 1-4. 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. The Commanders have spent four of their last seven first-round picks on defensive linemen, and the investment has paid off handsomely. 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. 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. Not only was Simmons excellent at getting to the quarterback, but his 40 run stops were fifth in the league. Also where Nick Bosa, Khalil Mack, and more rank By Fan Simmons' ability to play inside and outside played a role in helping him earn All-Pro honors for the first time. Ranking the NFL's most indispensable defensive players 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. Bosa finished fourth in the league in sacks and third in quarterback hits, while his four forced fumbles were tied for seventh. 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. Mack is 31 and coming off a final injury-marred season in Chicago. 1 overall to the Panthers? 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). However, with the loss of D.J. Now after signing with the Los Angeles Chargers, Mack is still deserving of a top five spot on the Top 10 NFL Defensive Ends 2021-2022 rankings list. With New Year's fast approaching, the NFL playoffs are just around the corner. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. Buckner had a down year in 2021, yet is still one of the best interior linemen in the game. Khalil Mack, EDGE, Chargers (6-3, 267 pounds). defensive players in NFL NFL defensive player rankings 2022. Jones recorded a 17.8% pass-rush win rate since he was drafted in 2016. 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. Jalen Ramsey -- who, along with Donald, made the list of players I think should be in the "Madden 99 Club" -- is the best corner in the game. This iteration of San Francisco's defense has playmakers at every level of the field, but the foundation is built in the trenches. Rank below to be added in the Power Rankings. 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). NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. J.C. Jackson, CB, Chargers (6-1, 198 pounds). Players can see the top 10 defensive linemen in Madden 23 below and the rest of the ratings on EA's website.
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