Next up in our NFC West player rankings are the edge defenders. For the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams, they are outside linebackers. For the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers, they are defensive ends.
The division added a pair of highly-touted pass rushers as well. Nick Bosa was selected second overall by the Niners and L.J. Collier was selected by the Seahawks in the first round.
Because we haven’t seen them play in the NFL yet, they are not yet included in these rankings, although they might already be in the top six.
Who are the top six edge defenders in the division and how many Cardinals make the list?
No. 6: Dante Fowler, Rams
The Rams re-signed Fowler after acquiring him last year from the Jaguars, where he was mostly a disappointment. He had eight sacks in 2017 but a combined eight the rest of his career. He played well in the Rams’ 3-4 scheme.
No. 5: Clay Matthews, Rams
Matthews is a new addition to the Rams and brings a decade of production. He has not had double-digit sacks since 2014. He still plays well and will improve the Rams edge presence, but he doesn’t get ranked higher than No. 5 here.
No. 4: Terrell Suggs, Cardinals
Suggs, entering Year 17 in the NFL, is still a very productive force. He had 7.5 sacks a season ago and very well could have more as a Cardinal. He will have Chandler Jones on the other side to draw attention from opposing offensive lines.
No. 3: Dee Ford, 49ers
Before 2018, Ford had been a bit disappointing as a pass rusher. Then he exploded with 18 sacks in 2018. Now he changes defensive schemes and now will play defensive end. However, the talent is there and, combined with rookie Nick Bosa, the Niners will be good off the edge.
No. 2: Ziggy Ansah, Seahawks
His placement at No. 2 is coming with a caveat. He has to be healthy. When healthy, he is better than the aforementioned players on this list. He is very disruptive. There is only one player who is better when healthy. You all probably know who that is at this point.
No. 1: Chandler Jones, Cardinals
Jones doesn’t get the credit he deserves nationally, but regionally he is well known. No one has more sacks in the last three years than Jones. He led the NFL in sacks, tackles for loss and QB hits in 2017. As the only pass-rushing threat in a 4-3 scheme last year, he still had 13 sacks. Now he gets to play OLB with Terrell Suggs on the other side. 20 sacks is a real possibility.
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