best defensive players in nfl 2022

The Browns are going to need their defense to take over and win games during Deshaun Watson's 11-game suspension, and this unit is capable of doing exactly that. Some of whom are even among the best NFL players of 2022. Chris Jones, DT, Chiefs (6-6, 310 pounds). 2021 stats: 122 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 3 QB hits, 8 forced fumbles, 4 interceptions, 8 passes defended, 3 fumble recoveries, 11. Who are the best defensive linemen of 2022? BUF OLB #40. He averaged 1.5 sacks per game and finished with 12.5 sacks in the second half and overtime -- which also led the league. Its also a strong class at edge defender, running back, defensive tackle, cornerback and tight end. Manage Settings Wilkins had 29 pressures, 4.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hits, and 10 tackles for loss last season. What's scary is Watt can still take another step forward as a run defender. 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). 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. The Packers traded away Davante Adams, one of the best receivers in the game today, this offseason. Heyward and Watt give Pittsburgh a dynamic duo, too. The reputation is still there for Buckner, even if he didn't earn an All-Pro selection for the first time in three years. Some might call it a defensive rating. As Von Miller gets set to move on with a fresh start for the Buffalo Bills, it is hard to look past how good the Texas A&M alum is on the field. 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). All Rights Reserved. He'll raise his game with Mack playing off him now. Quarterback-needy teams, youre in luck: This is one heck of a quarterback class, with five signal-callers making the top 50. If the sack and pressure numbers go up, Wilkens will be in the conversation among the league's best. Forget being ranked No. 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). (And watch out for Javon Kinlaw, whom head coach Kyle Shanahan says "seems more like himself" after having ACL surgery last fall.) 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. Alexander fought through an injury-riddled 2021 season and the Packers will see a big difference with his shutdown coverage skills back for a full season. 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 also has the most sacks by any No. 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. 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. 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. If the sack totals improve, he will find his way toward the elite in the league. 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. Buckner's 40 solo tackles were also tied for first in the league. He anchors a superb front seven, which welcomes Arik Armstead back into the fold after he missed time with a knee injury in camp. In 176 NFL games, Jordan has recorded 107 career sacks to go along with 13 forced fumble and 10 fumble recoveries. Is the Jaguars' decision to make a big investment in Christian Kirk paying off so far? 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). Free-agent tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day earned the best defensive grade from PFF of his career in 2020, when Staley was his coordinator with the Rams. In today's exercise, the formula uses each defensive line's percentile score across a series of key metrics to create one composite score, indicating which units have performed best. 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. The Best Quarterbacks In The NFL Right Now. He's been a top defensive tackle for several years as he heads into his prime. This is a ranking of the best edge defenders and interior linemen right now, not entirely based on past or future success. Now, let's get to 2021 -- another dominant year for Donald. The Steeler edge rusher finished the year with 22.5 sacks, tying the NFL record and earning DPOY honors for his efforts. He has a sharp mind and a loaded team at his disposal. Von Miller (Bills) Von Miller. The Next Gen Stats analytics team uses its newly launched Expected Return Yards model to identify the top 10 returners of the 2022 regular season. Defensive ends and defensive tackles are going by the wayside, especially with linebackers moving to the edge and rushing the passer -- creating a new wrinkle to the ever-changing formula. Heyward is the other excellent defensive lineman on the Steelers roster (yes there are two of them), turning another dominant season into his third First Team All-Pro selection in five years. The likely first-ballot Hall of Famer will be hungry to win another title -- and show Seattle what it will be missing. Finishing his 2021 season with 12.5 sacks (tied for seventh in NFL), Jordan earned his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl selection and his fourth double-digit sack campaign in the last five years. 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). Where the things you see in every game are so absurd that you have to laugh about how opposing offenses game plan for him. 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. 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. As the NFL transitions to a more of passing game, it's become important for D-linemen to excel in the pash rush. Cameron Jordan, EDGE, Saints (6-4, 287 pounds). The Jets are back in the basement. 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. Both groups do move outside and inside at times, but we're going where the majority of their snaps are played in 2021. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Who are the best defensive linemen of 2022? Photo: All Pro Reels / flickr / CC-BY-SA 2.0. 2. What many people look at is sack numbers, because they're awesome, and he's top 5. In fact, the Eagles are the NFL's only team boasting six players with at least eight QB pressures this season (Reddick, Cox, Graham, Javon Hargrave, Josh Sweat and T.J. Edwards). First-round pick Patrick Surtain II, meanwhile, had more interceptions (four) than any Broncos rookie since Steve Foley also recorded four in 1976. So, who are the top dogs at the position in the early goings of the 2022 season? 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. at In the thick of roster-rebuilding season with the 2023 NFL Draft nearly upon us, Adam Schein examines nine burning questions across the league. Bosa came back strong from his major knee injury (torn ACL) to get into the DPOY conversation in Year 3. That would be Quinn, whose 18.5 sacks set a franchise record for sacks in a season. Garrett, who lands at number one on the Top 10 NFL Defensive Ends 2021-22 rankings list, also leads all edge players in the NFL according to PFF based on his 2021 NFL performance. It certainly helps having the NFL pressure (22) and sack (6) leader in Nick Bosa too. 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. 2021 stats: 3 passes defended, interception, 13 total tackles, 19. His 58 sacks since 2016 (his rookie season) are sixth in the NFL and his 129 quarterback hits are fifth in the league. No IDL has heated up opposing quarterbacks more often than Daron Payne this season (14 pressures), and Jonathan Allen also ranks within the top 10 at his position (11 pressures, tied for ninth). In 2021, he 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. The PFF draft board was due for a refresh at the midway point of the 2022 college football season. Aidan 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. HONORABLE MENTION: Seattle Seahawks, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns. Which defensive linemen are considered edge rushers and which are interior linemen? For an optimal experience please rotate your device to portrait mode, Top 10 Outside Linebackers in NFL 2022 Rankings, Top 10 Defensive Tackles in NFL 2022 Rankings, Top 10 Free Safeties in NFL 2022 Rankings. Look what he does to Riley Reiff #OnePride pic.twitter.com/j1qgFO9HH2. NFL Draft Day 2: Best defensive players available. 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. He's really the 2B on this list with Garrett while having a little more help in the Steelers' front seven pass defense. 1 overall pick has emerged as an all-around pass-rushing and run-stopping force. the illegal contact rule was introduced in 1978. He tied T.J. Watt for the NFL lead in tackles for loss last season (21) with 15.5 sacks and 32 quarterback hits. The 1-2 pass defense punch of him and Alexander might be the ticket for a Packers Super Bowl. For an interior lineman, Heyward's tackling prowess is as impressive as occupying blockers. Best remaining NFL free agents at each position, Latest NFL OROY, DROY odds: Bijan Robinson favored, Eagles draft recap: What they definitely got right, NFL schedule release target date, plus 5 things we know, Ex-NFL GM's best picks, hidden gems in 2023 NFL Draft, Ranking NFL's top defensive linemen of 2022, Prisco's draft grades for all 32 teams: Eagles ace it, Best, worst, most interesting pick for all, Winners, losers from the draft: Crafty Colts, Undrafted free agent tracker: Team-by-team list of signings, 10 veteran moves that should happen post-2023 draft, Report: Bucs star Barrett's daughter, 2, drowns in pool, Steelers' draft haul one the team hadn't seen in 38 years. Fresh off the NFL's Divisional Round, Adam Schein separates fact from fiction. Rattling off a career-high 16 sacks and 51 combined tackles in 2021, Garrett is proving himself to be a force on the defensive end. The next step for Quinn? 30 run defense snaps), and the Bengals are currently without both of their starting defensive tackles from last year's AFC championship squad. 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. 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. 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. Flowers, who was drafted by the New England Patriots during the 2015 NFL draft, joined the Lions after the 2018 NFL season. 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. With NFL+, stay connected throughout the rest of the NFL offseason with special content from Training Camp, Hall of Fame, and more! View Profile. Donald has 98 sacks in his career, the most for a defensive tackle after his first eight seasons in NFL history (and fourth-most by any player). Ranking the NFL's most indispensable defensive players for 2022 from 1-25, Bills look Super Bowl-serious at top; 49ers, Broncos, Eagles on the rise. Garrett has established himself as an elite pass rusher, as evidenced by the 16 sacks, 33 quarterback hits, and 75 pressures he put up last season. He uses all of his size, quickness and length to thwart the passing game in multiple capacities. While Bosa takes care of blowing up game plans on the edge, Warner has got the middle covered well against pass and run. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. And the tough D-line was boosted by the addition of D.J. Which matchup NEEDS to kick off the 2023 season? Who's the more explosive ball-carrier, Justin Fields or Lamar Jackson? Like Miller, there's some of that DPOY pop left in him for a contender. Denzel Ward got paid this offseason, and he'll anchor a truly talented defensive backfield filled with playmakers like Greg Newsome II, Greedy Williams and Grant Delpit. A catalyst toward the Bengals' defensive line finishing with 42 sacks, Hendrickson was fourth in the NFL in pressures and eighth in quarterback hits. Where does Jets rookie Sauce Gardner land? 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. 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. 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. Trey Flowers had 47 total snap while this young dog Austin Bryant got 26 snaps and made the best out if it. The Packers are back in the mix! Joey's not the same explosive pass rusher, but he's emerged as a durable player who can be just devastating playing the run. WebFind NFL Defensive Player stats for weekly and season totals including, tackles, sacks, INTs, forced fumbles, TDs, and more, on LINEUPS. Cameron Heyward, DT, Steelers (6-5, 295 pounds). All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. Jones is a figurehead on the Kansas City defense. With the 2023 NFL Draft nearly upon us, Adam Schein provides his nine strongest takes. Hargrave also had 32 run stops on the year despite his struggles in run defense. 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. Neither are the Purple People Eaters, the 2000 Baltimore Ravens or the Legion of Boom. 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). 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. Last season, Crosby was all over the field recording 56 total tackles, eight sacks, seven passes defended and 13.5 stuffs. Scooping up linebacker Bobby Wagner after his release by the Seahawks was a stupendous move. NOTE: Defensive line percentiles are based on components measuring each team's pass rush AND run defense. Where does he land in the Next Gen Stats analytics team's ranking of the top 10 off-ball linebackers right now? Heyward pretty much did everything for the Steelers, finishing with 89 tackles, 17 quarterback hits, 10 sacks and nine passes defensed. Who was second in the NFL to T.J. Watt in sacks? He completed 60.9% of his passes which has drawn criticism from NFL Draft Jalen Ramsey, CB, Rams (6-1, 208 pounds). He also excels at tackling and making big plays on the ball when teams decide to test him too much. Though some folks certainly enjoyed it more than others Adam Schein spotlights the winners and losers of Saturday and Sunday. The Next Gen Stats analytics team provides a ranking of the top 10 shutdown cornerbacks right now. 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. All Scouts Average Overall Rank 4.1. With NFL+, stay connected throughout the rest of the NFL offseason with special content from Training Camp, Hall of Fame, and more! 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. 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. The pass rushers get the early love, but Ramsey had to make the top five because of elite shutdown coverage skills to clean up behind Donald. 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. Here are the latest betting odds for the defensive NFL Rookie of the Year award, courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook: Will Anderson, Jr. (+340) Jalen Carter (+600) At 33, Jordan has developed a sneaky firm case for the Hall of Fame as the leader of New Orleans' front. This iteration of San Francisco's defense has playmakers at every level of the field, but the foundation is built in the trenches. His blend of explosiveness, bend and length at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds is tailor-made to win off the edge in the NFL. 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). He also had 58 pressures and five passes defensed in 14 games. Is Bijan Robinson worth a top-10 pick? How would you rank these Defensive Ends going into the 2022-2023 NFL season? 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). 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 Who are the most impactful tight ends in the NFL right now? The word elite doesn't do Aaron Donald justice at this point. Still, any defensive player 1 defense (in terms of yards allowed) in 2021 was perfect. 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. Jones is the most disruptive interior pass-rusher in the NFL outside of Aaron Donald. All Scouts Average Position Rank 2. 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. Von Miller, EDGE, Bills (6-3, 250 pounds). Marshon Lattimore is a play-making corner -- he leads the NFL in passes defensed (74) since the Saints made him a first-round pick in 2017. With New Year's fast approaching, the NFL playoffs are just around the corner. Traditional fantasy football owners will often scoff at those who play in individual defensive player (IDP) leagues, but rest assured, IDP leagues are still going strong. 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). 2021 stats: 118 total tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, 5 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles, 22. There's no denying Heyward is one of the elite interior linemen in the game. Adam Schein ranks the 'WOW' moments from a wild Week 15. At 26 years old, Garrett is still squarely in his prime. 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. 2021 stats: 10 sacks, 89 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 17 QB hits, 9 passes defended, forced fumble, 9. 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. He's led the team in tackles in each of his four pro seasons thus far, surpassed in that category by only three players (Bobby Wagner, Shaquille Leonard and Roquan Smith) since he joined the NFL in 2018. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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. 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. For new posts and be up to date to win $50 to Fanatics or Amazon. But Jeffery Simmons and Denico Autry have picked up the slack, generating 13 pressures apiece so far this season. He's earned his own tier above at this point. 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. He tied T.J. Watt for the NFL lead in tackles for loss last season (21) too. He also is better against the run, as his 29 run stops are ranked in the top 25 in the league. He changed his NFL name from Darius, but that changes nothing about his terrific all-around game. Mack, who appeared in just seven games last season, recorded six sacks. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. In short, the core is legit. 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). Lukas Van Ness, Iowa. 1. 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. 9:51 am ET. Teaming up four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Joey Bosa with three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Khalil Mack? It is hard to look past Myles Garrett as the best defensive end in all of the NFL. With the Los Angeles Rams retooling the roster after suffering a brutal Super Bowl hangover last season, Jalen Ramsey is available for trade. Jaire Alexander, CB, Packers (5-10, 196 pounds). Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. If Miller is healthy, he's a force to be reckoned with every week. 1 on this list heading into 2022. The main qualification for these rankings is how good the player was in 2021. 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! Hendrickson has paid off big-time after cashing on his breakout season with the Saints. Jones recorded a 17.8% pass-rush win rate since he was drafted in 2016. Since Vea was drafted in 2018, only the New Orleans Saints have had a more efficient run defense by expected points added per play than the Buccaneers. This rotation helps keep their pass rushers' legs fresh, an approach which has unleashed veteran offseason addition Von Miller. 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). Cam Jordan, who has recorded double-digit sacks in four of the past five seasons, is a stud. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. 2021 stats: 9.5 sacks, 47 total tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 28 QB hits, 2 forced fumbles, fumble recovery, 25. Entering his sixth season in the NFL, defensive end Myles Garrett has drastically improved every single season in the league. 2021 stats: 88 tackles, 4 QB hits, 5 interceptions, 13 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, 14. 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. WebDE. He brings it hard as a tackler all the time with a great nose for the ball. Adding J.C. Jackson to a secondary that also features newly extended safety Derwin James and promising youngster Asante Samuel Jr.? Fortunately for the Chargers, a pair of offseason additions have helped the defense stay resilient in the face of roster attrition. 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. The reinforcements have also made a big impact against the run -- the Chargers rank seventh in defensive success rate on run plays this season (64.2 percent) after ranking 31st last season (52.7 percent). Keeping up that same level of production in 2022. In addition, Flowers has a knack to punch the ball out of both running backs and quarterbacks hands, recording 10 forced fumbles since 2016. 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. Alexander will be returning alongside 2021 first-round pick Eric Stokes, who tied for most passes defensed (14) by a rookie last season.

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