When it comes to the NFL, the big boys up from can be some of the most important. From stopping the run to disrupting the quarterback, a lot of the championship caliber teams now have a strong defensive lines. Here are the four groups that stand out amongst the rest.
1. Philadelphia Eagles
This is a team that was able to get 70 sacks as a team last year, two short of the record by the 1985 Chicago Bears. They only lost Javon Hargrave to free agency this year. Who Replaced him? Jalen Carter, who was one of the most dominant players in college. Him slipping in the draft to the Eagles was a perfect outcome for them.
This team truly might have one of the deepest defensive lines in the NFL. Bringing back almost everyone from last season and potentially upgrading the one person who left, this could be a dominant unit again. I would not be shocked to see them get similar numbers. They had a pressure rate of 32.6% last year and a sack rate of 11%.
Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Josh Sweat, Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis. I think its safe to say the Eagles defensive line will be good again.
2. San Francisco 49ers
Having the reigning defensive player of the year is a good way to have a strong defense. Nick Bosa won this award last year after a really awesome season. This team also added in Javon Hargrave from the Eagles. He is a huge addition for the team, as he dominated consistently last year. This is another defensive line group that is really deep and is bringing back a lot of the names from last year.
The weakest part of this team is the defensive end on the other side of Bosa. However, Between Samson Ebukam and Drake Jackson. Being tied for third with a quarterback hit rate of 11%, this team looks to dominate like they did last year. My only fear for this unit is the loss of Defensive Coordinator DeMeco Ryans. Other than the loss of their coordinator, I think this unit could dominate again and will have a good season.
3. New York Giants
Now here is where the list gets interesting. I think there are a few defensive lines slightly better at a few spots, but not overall. Dexter Lawrence and Leonard William’s in the middle, with A’shawn Robinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux at the edges. While they may not be as deep as the first two groups, the depth was still productive and one of the main reasons that the Giants were as good as they were last season.
Another thing that helped their line was the blitz. This was a team that blitzed 40% of the time last year. Leaving their good front one on one so often will lead to a lot of success for this team. The only scare for this team is injury, as like said before they are not the deepest group. However, with everyone on the line showing flashes of greatness or being great last year, this is a unit that looks to take another step ahead in year two. The first group is really really good, they just have to stay healthy. Between Lawrence and Thibodeaux, the Giants will have a scary front.
4. New York Jets
Now this is a unit that looks to grow from the success of last year. With arguably one of if not the best interior defensive lineman in Quinnen Williams (13 sacks 52 tackles last year). This is a very good and deep defensive line. The one issue with this team was the issue of fully stopping the run last year, as some games they got ran on. Adding in Al woods from Seattle is their answer to stiffen up their run D.
The one issue that might drop this team a bit lower is the ability to stop the run. This is a really deep defensive line, with names like Carl Lawson, John Franklin-Meyers, Quinton Jefferson, and a few others that are just as good. They will be able to rush and affect the passer, but can they stop the run? If this team is able to handle the run game, then they will be one of the top units for 2023.
Jaden Chandler-Parnell, or “JC” is a Sports & Sports Betting Insider for Stare Down Sports. You can Follow him on twitter @Jaden95Chandler
Follow Stare Down Sports on twitter for all of the latest news and updates @StareDownSports
Leave a Reply