As the NFL becomes a more pass-heavy league, edge defenders have become increasingly important. Some of the salaries of the top pass rushers in the league have even started to rival those of franchise quarterbacks.
Today, we’ll continue our series of ranking the top 10 players at each position in the league with edge rushers. Given the number of outstanding talents at this spot, this group was far and away the most difficult to rank of all of them.
10. Nick Bosa
It’s extremely rare for a rookie to burst on the scene the way Bosa did in 2019. During the regular season he tallied nine sacks, 25 quarterback hits and 16 tackles for a loss. For his efforts, Bosa won Defensive Rookie of the Year in a landslide. During the playoffs, he became even more disruptive – totaling four sacks and five QB hits in three games. Bosa has the potential to be at the top of this list some day.
9. DeMarcus Lawrence
Lawrence somehow dropping as low as No. 9 speaks to just how deep this group of 10 is. His numbers took a dip in 2019, as Lawrence managed just five sacks and 16 quarterback hits, down from 10.5 and 23 the previous year. However, a lot of that was due to the double team attention Lawrence received. Dallas loaded up its defensive line this offseason, which should open up things for him again.
8. Von Miller
Miller is no longer the world-wrecking force he used to be when the Broncos beat the Panthers in the Super Bowl. He’s still a dangerous pass rusher, though. Like Lawrence, Miller’s production was a bit off last year. He posted eight sacks, his lowest total since an injury-shortened 2013 season. If the knee injury he played through is healed, Miller should have a chance to push back up this list.
7. Myles Garrett
Garrett’s infamous swing at Mason Rudolph got him suspended for the final six games of the 2019 season. He still had an incredibly productive campaign, posting 10 sacks and 18 quarterback hits in 10 games. Garrett might need a real pass-rushing threat on the other side of Cleveland’s line to unlock his full potential, but his sheer physical talent should keep him among the position’s elites for a long time.
6. Joey Bosa
Impressive as Nick’s rookie season was, he’s not even the best pass rusher in his own family. His older brother Joey has now been in the NFL four seasons. During that time, he’s totaled a remarkable 40 sacks, 82 quarterback hits, 53 tackles for a loss and five forced fumbles despite missing 13 games. Bosa will cash in with an extension soon and rightfully become one of the game’s highest-paid defenders.
5. T.J. Watt
Watt has a high standard to live up to, but he’s quickly becoming one of the most difficult defenders to scheme against in the league. Over the last two seasons, he’s managed 27.5 sacks and 57 quarterback hits to go with a a ridiculous 14 forced fumbles. Last season, Pro Football Focus graded him out at 91.3 overall, which was higher than anyone else in this group.
4. Chandler Jones
Perhaps it’s a product of playing in Arizona, but Jones doesn’t get as much recognition as he should. Over the last five seasons, he hasn’t posted less than 11 sacks or 18 quarterback hits. Even though he’s now 30 years old, Jones doesn’t seem to be slowing down, either. In 2019, he posted 19 sacks and tied T.J. Watt for the league lead with eight forced fumbles.
3. Cameron Jordan
You don’t need to tell the Panthers just how disruptive Jordan can be for your offense. He is the kind of defender fans love to hate. While his game is just a little bit dirty, there’s no denying his ability. Since coming into the league in 2011, Jordan has produced some sensational numbers, including 87 sacks, 168 QB hits, 113 tackles for a loss and 47 pass breakups. He even managed a career-high with 15.5 sacks this past year.
2. J.J. Watt
Before Aaron Donald came along, J.J. Watt was the most accomplished defender of this generation, hands down. Despite missing a total of 32 games over the last four years due to some serious injuries, Watt has somehow thrust himself back into the conversation among the top d-linemen in football. Now 31, Watt is back playing at a high level. PFF gave him an elite 89.6 grade last season.
1. Khalil Mack
Sometimes the numbers just don’t do a player justice and you have to measure a defender’s impact on the game by how much he forces the offense to change what they want to do. In Khalil Mack’s case, he takes the top spot because nobody in the NFL is forced to eat more double and triple teams. Even with all that extra attention, Mack has still totaled 21 sacks and 32 QB hits since coming to Chicago two seasons ago. Getting Akiem Hicks back should lead to an explosion for his 2020 pass-rushing numbers.
