Ranking The Top Three Defensive Lines In The NFL

Sep 8, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (98) on the field before the game. The Seahawks defeated the Panthers 12-7 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The offseason in the NFL is a magical time, where every franchise can “start over” in their quest for the Lombardi Trophy. Coaching changes, free agency moves, and the NFL Draft can, and will, drastically change the makeup of the upcoming season. Last season, the Kansas City Chiefs went from worst to (nearly) first in the AFC. The year before, the Peyton-less Colts snagged Andrew Luck with the No.1 overall pick, and skyrocketed into the playoffs, eventually re-taking the reins in the AFC South. Who will it be this year? No one knows.

While final records and “sleeper teams” might be difficult to predict, there are some, more specific, items that are more apparent. Glancing over the new rosters in the NFL, one could reasonably rank the top offensive passing units, and likely “hit” on the vast majority of their selections. The same could be said for some individual units, like NFL linebacking groups, where the 49ers have undoubtedly manned the top corps in the league for the last three seasons.

So, in the spirit of way-too-early rankings, we wanted to take attempt to rank the Top 3 defensive line units in the NFL. To preface the rankings, the entire defensive line on each individual team will be evaluated, not just the starting cast. Without wasting anymore time…

3. New York Jets

One could argue that the New York Jets defensive line was the sole unit that made the team respectable last season, especially with Geno Smith and his no-name cast of receivers manning the offense. Sheldon Richardson was the easy selection for Defensive Rookie of the Year, finishing the season graded as the 5th-best 3-4 defensive end in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. Sacks are the “sexy” statistic, something Richardson did not accumulate. However, his 60+ tackles and 41 defensive stops ranks him as one of the top front line defenders in the NFL.

If Richardson is the rock for the Jets, Damon Harrison was the “hard place,” posting the highest run blocking grade among all interior defensive linemen last season. In only 510 snaps, Harrison managed 50+ tackles and 39 defensive stops.

Then you have Muhammad Wilkerson; the “heat” of the starting trio. Wilkerson ended the season with 52 total quarterback disruptions on the year, including 11 sacks, while still managing an impressively-high 50+ tackles and 40 defensive stops opposite of Richardson. The trio was easily tops among 3-4 base defensive lines, but still rank only third in our ranks duo to limited production in the pass rush and, more importantly, limited depth. Leger Douzable was effective in limited reps at defensive end and Kendrick Ellis played admirably in relieving Harrison in the middle. However, outside of those five, no other player took a snap on the defensive line for New York last season. Moreover, the Jets did nothing to add to their talent in the offseason or in the Draft, not taking a flyer on a defensive lineman until the 6th round.

2. Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers had one the most productive defensive end duos in the NFL last season, posting 147 combined quarterback disruptions last season between Charles Johnson and Pro Bowler, Greg Hardy. The latter of the bunch graded out 2nd overall among 4-3 defensive ends last season, trailing on the Professional Football Writers of America’s Defensive Player of the Year, Robert Quinn.

Push into the interior of the defensive line and you’ll only find more dominating figures. Star Lotulelei was a strong candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year, posting Top 5 figures in defensive stops, and grading out Top 5 among 4-3 defensive tackles against the run last season. Kawann Short was equally as impressive, ranking 14th overall among interior lineman after a solid, all-around performance in 2013. The duo provided the ultimate two-man “plug” in the middle of the defense, allowing Hardy and Johnson to rush off the end with ease, and keeping blockers off Luke Kueckly, helping him “earn” the crown as Associated Press’ Defensive Player of the Year.

The one knock against the unit might be their depth last season, which took a significant drop-off once the starters were removed from the field. To help with that issue, the Panther stole Mizzou’s stud defensive end, Kony Ealy, with the No.60 pick in the 2014 Draft. The almost NFL-ready prospect is a significant upgrade to their defensive line, and almost set them atop our list, but…

1. St. Louis Rams

The Rams should be the consensus favorite for “top defensive line” headed into the 2014 season. This unit has led all defensive line groupings in sack in each of the last two season, including managing 46.0 last season (more than 25 total combined defensive units in 2013). Robert Quinn was arguably the best defensive player in the NFL last season, tallying 19.0 sacks and 91 total quarterback disruptions. The PWRA Defensive Player of the Year also graded out Top 3 among 4-3 defensive ends against the run, including 45 defensive stops. Chris Long had a bit of a “down” year last season, but managed 63 quarterback disruptions opposite Quinn on the line. However, despite the slight drop in production, Long still leads all players in pressures over the last four season, and still graded out at the No.7 pass rushing 4-3 defensive end in the NFL last year. They were also the only defensive end duo in the league to both score a defensive touchdown in 2013.

Head to the “heart” of the Rams defense and you’ll only be more impressed. Michael Brockers and Kendall Langford were the only interior line duo to each tally 5+ sacks and 30+ defensive stops last season. While both players may still be a bit “raw,” their production on the field is nearly unmatched, which is more impressive given that they have to “eat” with Chris Long and Robert Quinn targeting the same quarterback.

However, the biggest strength for the St. Louis Rams is their defensive line depth. William Hayes would be a starter on, at least, 50% of other rosters in the NFL. The rotational stud managed 32 pressures and 19 defensive stops in a mere 354 snaps last season; grading him out as the No.11 overall 4-3 defensive end in the NFL last season (finished No.15 overall in 2012). If that wasn’t enough the Rams made a surprise move in the opening round of the 2014 NFL Draft, taking the consensus top defensive tackle prospect, Aaron Donald, with the No.13 pick. The University of Pittsburgh pass rushing specialist joins an incredible cast of linemen that will be playing for arguably the most aggressive defensive coordinator in the league, Gregg Williams. To put icing on the cake, the Rams also snagging Michael Sam, the co-SEC Defensive Player of the Year, in the final round, adding another playmaker to a unit that was already tops in the league.