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.
Yesterday, we ranked the best linebackers. Today, we continue to focus on the front seven by ranking the top edge rushers in a stacked division.
No. 6, Clelin Ferrell, Raiders
After losing defensive end Khalil Mack, the Raiders finished the 2018 season with a league-low 13 sacks. The need for his replacement was atop of coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock’s to-do list. They elected to surprise the majority of the nation with the selection of Ferrell at No. 4 overall.
Ferrell wasn’t viewed as a top-5 selection throughout the pre-draft process, which is why many believed that Oakland could’ve gotten him in a trade back situation. Ferrell, who finished his career with 27 sacks with the Clemson Tigers, should give the Raiders an extra boost up front in the trenches.
No. 5, Frank Clark, Chiefs
The Chiefs were in need of finding a premiere after trading Dee Ford to the 49ers earlier this offseason. They elected to give up a few high draft selections to snag Clark from the Seahawks.
Clark, who was a monster for Seattle, was an ideal fit for what Kansas City wants to do going forward under their new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. He totaled 35 sacks, including a career-high 13 sacks in 2018. Clark added 72 quarterback hits over the past four seasons.
No. 4, Bradley Chubb, Broncos
Chubb entered the 2018 season as the top pass-rusher from last year’s draft class and his play certainly reflected that. He finished with 12 sacks, 2.5 shy of the NFL rookie record held by Jevon Kearse (14.5).
On top of that, he also posted 60 tackles (41 solo), 14 tackles for loss, 21 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Chubb was a problem for opposing offensive tackles by winning with speed-to-power conversion, hand usage and a variety of pass rush moves. Denver’s new coach Vic Fangio’s arrival should only help take his game to another level going forward.
No. 3, Melvin Ingram, Chargers
After signing a four-year contract worth $66 million with $42 million in guaranteed money two seasons ago, the Chargers have been getting their money’s worth with Ingram, who has been a model of consistency.
Ingram has worked every year at continuing to improve his technique to be among the best pass-rushers in the NFL. He is one of the true leaders of Los Angeles. From chasing down plays to the other side of the field, to beating blocks with his savvy counters, he has been lights out.
Even though he didn’t put up his best statistical season as he got the majority of attention with an absent Joey Bosa for half of 2018, he was still a force up front. The 29-year-old OLB finished 2018 with seven sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, three passes defensed, and 43 tackles (28 solo).
No. 2, Joey Bosa, Chargers
Bosa injured his foot during training camp last year and missed the first nine games of the regular season. But despite the games missed, he still returned for the final seven weeks to finish with 23 tackles (18 solo) and 5.5 sacks.
There’s no doubt that he is one of the most prolific edge rushers in the league. He does it all in a variety of ways, including his combative hand usage to get into opposing backfield. Bosa has been extremely productive when healthy, posting 28.5 sacks in 35 career games over three seasons.
Bosa is still only 23 years old as well and will be turning 24 prior to the 2019 season. As long as he can stay healthy and play a full 16-game slate, the chances are high of him being in the running for Defensive Player of the Year.
No. 1, Von Miller, Broncos
Miller is easily the best edge rusher in the division and he might be for the entire league.
The seven-time Pro Bowl edge rusher has posted double-digit sacks in all but one season since entering the league in 2011. Miller has 98 sacks, and he now wants to hit 20 sacks this season to put himself on pace to break the NFL’s all-time sack record of 200, held by the legendary Bruce Smith.
Miller’s game will only improve now that he’s under the direction of first-year coach Vic Fangio. Miller and Bradley Chubb could very well likely end up being the best pass-rushing tandem in the NFL.
