1. Heyward's nine passes defensed led all interior linemen, and were five more than Donald and Derrick Brown (second on the list). Jason Pierre-Paul is gone, but 2021 first-rounder Joe Tryon-Shoyinka can pick up the pass-rushing slack. Shaquille Leonard, LB, Colts (6-2, 230 pounds). The Next Gen Stats analytics team's top-10 ranking spotlights familiar names, breakout studs and instant-impact rookies. 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. The word elite doesn't do Aaron Donald justice at this point. How do guys like Lamar Jackson, Bryce Young and Aaron Rodgers stack up against each other? 2021 stats: 12.5 sacks, 59 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 22 QB hits, 6 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles. 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. He's already a game-changing pass rusher in the league. 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. Best NFL Defensive 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 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. Whatever it is, you know indispensable when you see it, from drawing double-teams to making impact plays. Simmons' ability to play inside and outside played a role in helping him earn All-Pro honors for the first time. 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 | pic.twitter.com/5CHFDQZa7J. In addition, Clowney ranked among the top defensive edge players ranked by PFF. There's no denying Heyward is one of the elite interior linemen in the game. WebDE. Hendrickson recorded 3.5 sacks in four games including sacks against Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford and Derek Carr. Who is the best defensive lineman in the NFL in 2022? 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. Cam Jordan, who has recorded double-digit sacks in four of the past five seasons, is a stud. Adam Schein reveals the biggest winners and losers from the penultimate Sunday of the 2022 NFL regular season. Also where Nick Bosa, Khalil Mack, and more rank By Fan 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's highest-paid players on defense in 2022 by salary, 2021 stats: 3 passes defended, interception, 13 total tackles, 19. I can't wait to see what Raheem Morris, who is a great defensive coordinator, does in Year 2 with the team. Watt is your Sporting News reigning Defensive Player of the Year after tying Michael Strahan's single-season sack record. Reader (placed on IR after Week 3 with a knee injury), this team could soon be on the outside of this list looking in, given his immense impact on the run game.