With some downtime before training camp, we will be ranking each positional group in the AFC West entering the 2019 season to gear you up for the upcoming campaign.
We last ranked the best edge rushers. Today, we finish the front seven by ranking the top interior defenders in the division.
No. 5, Johnathan Hankins, Raiders
Heading into the 2019 league year, Hankins was originally slated to be an unrestricted free agent but signed a deal for two years and $8.5 million dollars with $5.4 million guaranteed after joining the team earlier in 2018.
Hankins spent 2018 as a key cog along the Raiders’ defensive line, notching 36 tackles and four tackles for loss across 14 starts. Having him back will give Oakland the big run-stuffer up front to try to improve from finishing No. 30 in the league last year.
No. 4, Derek Wolfe, Broncos
Wolfe will be entering Year 7 with the Broncos. He’s failed to receive much attention from around the league, but he is indeed one of the more underrated interior defenders.
Wolfe has 26 sacks in his career along with two fumble recoveries and an interception. But he is the type of player that does it all from batting balls down at the line of scrimmage to playing great run defense, making him one of the team’s best all-around defenders.
No. 3, Jerry Tillery, Chargers
The Chargers took one of the top interior defenders with the No. 28 overall selection in the 2019 NFL draft in defensive tackle Jerry Tillery. Even though he has yet to take a professional snap, his college tape reflects a player that should have a lot of success early on.
Tillery owns all the tools needed to be impactful. He moves like a defensive end and displays the strength of a nose tackle. The former Notre Dame product’s physical and explosive presence will be welcoming inside of defensive ends Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram.
No. 2, Maurice Hurst, Raiders
Hurst only has one year under his belt as a professional, but he has already shown to wreak havoc. On a defense with little pass rush, Hurst had four of them and was in on 31 tackles in 2018 in only 13 games played.
According to Pro Football Focus, Hurst was Oakland’s highest-graded tackler, and ranked No. 6 across the league among all interior defenders. PFF gave him high grades as both a pass rusher (72.4) and run defender (65.5).
No. 1, Chris Jones, Chiefs
Jones made Second-Team All-Pro last season and has emerged as one of the best defensive tackles not only in the division, but in the NFL today. He had a big year, leading the Chiefs and finishing third in the league with 15.5 sacks.
Jones is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and has made it clear that he wants an extension. When he signs, it is likely that he will be paid like one of the top defensive tackles in the league because of his efforts for Kansas City the past few seasons.
