Having worked our way through the NFC South’s best quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive linemen and defensive tackles, we are now shifting focus to the defensive end position, where there’s one clear front-runner for the 2019 season.
Falcons fans may not like it, but this particular division rival is in a world of his own when it comes to this list.
Cameron Jordan – Saints
2018 Stats: 49 tackles, 18 TFL, 12 sacks, 21 QB hits, PFF grade: 90
Jordan has been a disruptive force for eight years and has not missed a single game since he was drafted back in 2011. Now 29 years old, Jordan is still a dominant player. He finished last season with 12 sacks on a Saints team that came one no-call from making the Super Bowl. Jordan’s career numbers against division rivals are staggering. He has posted 14 sacks and 28 QB hits against Atlanta, 11.5 sacks and 21 QB hits against Tampa Bay and eight sacks and 16 QB hits against Carolina. He’s easily the best defensive end in the division and possibly on his way to the Hall of Fame.
Mario Addison – Panthers
2018 Stats: 35 tackles, 11 TFL, 9 sacks, 12 QB hits, PFF grade: 69.9
Addison is the type of guy who’s been overlooked every step of the way during his career, but we won’t overlook him today. A former undrafted free agent out of Troy, Addison worked his way up to a starting spot for the Panthers back in 2017, and has became one of the most consistent defensive ends in the entire NFL. Though he’s slightly undersized for the position and going on 32 years old, Addison can hold his own. Over the last three years, Addison has averaged 9.83 sacks and 14 QB hits per season.
Jason Pierre-Paul – Buccaneers
2018 Stats: 58 tackles, 16 TFL, 12.5 sacks, 20 QB hits, PFF grade: 60.1
Pierre-Paul still has elite pass-rush ability but lacks the consistency to be one of the all-time greats. He’s recorded at least 12.5 sacks three different times in his career, including last year. However, JPP has never posted back-to-back seasons with double-digit sacks. His production in 2018 was outstanding though, as he finished with 20 QB hits and 16 tackles for a loss. Going forward, JPP might finally reach 10 sacks two years in a row if he can just manage to avoid getting hurt off the field.
Adrian Clayborn – Falcons
2018 Stats: 11 tackles, 3 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 13 QB hits, PFF grade: 67.7
Clayborn left the Falcons for a one-year, Super Bowl stint with the Patriots in 2018. Even though his sack numbers dipped, Clayborn was one of the most effective pass rushers in football. He didn’t start for New England, but they used him brilliantly as a situational rusher. Clayborn led the NFL with a 17.3 pressure rate last year. Now back in Atlanta where he had a career-best 9.5 sacks in 2017, he should bring some stability to the Falcons’ edge rotation, which hasn’t exactly solidified itself with Vic Beasley’s regression and McKinley still developing. Things are looking up with Clayborn back in the picture, though.
Takk McKinley – Falcons
2018 Stats: 22 tackles, 7 TFL, 7 sacks, 15 QB hits, PFF grade: 62.2
McKinley is an exciting player to watch, even if his sack totals aren’t quite there yet. In 2018, Takk’s pressure rate of 15.6 % was the third best among edge rushers. Entering his third year in the league, Takk needs to take that next step and become a consistent threat to finish plays in the backfield. Atlanta’s defense was decimated by injuries last year but should get a nice boost from the return of Clayborn and the addition of rookie John Cominsky. If McKinley makes the leap, the Falcons’ defensive line could be second-best in the division behind Carolina.
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