RANKING NFL DEFENSIVE LINES GOING INTO THE 2024 SEASON

It is difficult to combine the interior and exterior of defensive lines. They both have different jobs, and some teams are taken care of on one but not the other. We will discuss what teams look best and where on the line they do.

Disclaimer: Even if a team sends a linebacker off the edge, I do not consider them a defensive lineman unless their position is listed as so.

32. Arizona Cardinals (LDE Bilal Nichols, NT Roy Lopez, RDE "Darius Robinson")

The high spot of this group is Missouri rookie, Darius Robinson. Lopez has not really done anything special in the league. Nichols has put together a couple of decent years, but again, nothing special.

31. Minnesota Vikings (DE Jonathan Bullard, NT Harrison Phillips, DT Jerry Tillery)

Bullard and Phillips did have career years last season. They were still not good enough to be considered "great." Though, if they stay on the right path, they might be able make a good impact for a line in need of a revive. This is Tillery's third team in 4 years. He has yet to have a breakout season. I would be shocked to see him start now.

30. Denver Broncos (LDE Zach Allen, NT DJ Jones, RDE John Franklin-Meyers)

Allen had a solid year compared to his previous, he is just not quite playing as well as the Broncos paid for him too. Jones had an okay year last year. He forced a career high three turnovers but is still trying to find consistency in his fundamentals. John has put together a couple of good years. The Broncos bet on his upside hoping he turns it his normal play.

29. Carolina Panthers (LDE Derrick Brown, NT Shy Tuttle, RDE A' Shawn Robinson)

Brown is an amazing DE in the run game. Robinson has struggled with consistency throughout his six-year career. While Tuttle has trouble causing disruptions, but is consistent in his tackling.

28. Atlanta Falcons (DE Zach Harrison, NT David Onyemata, DT Grady Jarrett)

Onyemata and Jarrett are both very good players. Harrison put together a solid rookie year. The Falcons are this low due to a lack of depth. Despite their strong LB core, they don't tend to send them off the edge often.

27. Los Angeles Chargers (DE Morgan Fox, NT Poona Ford, DT Otito Ogbonnia)

Fox is good at getting to the QB, but nothing beyond that. I would not be shocked if he is replaced by rookie, Justin Eboigbe as the starter a few weeks into the season. Poona was not horrible, but nothing special. He did not start a game last year after moving from Seattle to Buffalo. He will be a better depth piece than a starter. Ogbonnia has not started much in LA, but I think he could have a breakout season and establish himself at his position.

26. Los Angeles Rams (DE "Braden Fiske," NT Bobby Brown III, DT Kobie Turner)

Turner had a great rookie year. Fiske is a rookie, and Brown was solid in his few starts but will still need some work before securing his spot on the line.

25. Chicago Bears (LDE Montez Sweat, NT Andrew Billings, DT Gervon Dexter Sr., RDE DeMarcus Walker)

Walker played okay last year, but the rumor going around is that rookie, Austin Booker is killing it and might just take Walker's spot on the line to start the season. Which gives optimism for this line. Sweat is an elite DE, as we know. Billings put together a solid few years throughout his career, but did not look great in his first season in Chicago last year. Dexter looked promising in his limited touches last year. I am excited to see how he develops as a starter this year.

24. Tennessee Titans (DE Sebastian Joseph-Day, NT "T'Vondre Sweat," DT Jeffery Simmons)

Simmons is an elite DT. He is being paired with the highest ranked rookie DT in the draft. The Titans hope Sweat can soak up all the knowledge Simmons brings to the field. Sebastian has been inconsistent through his career. Though he has not necessarily had a bad year. He is without a doubt worth the risk. His upside makes him a good pickup for the Titans.

23. Miami Dolphins (LDE Zach Sieler, NT Benito Jones, RDE Calais Campbell)

Sieler is good and can be moved around the line. Miami took him from a benched player to a good starter. Campbell is awesome, but he is 37. he will still provide great play, there just comes a point most players fall off a cliff and I fear Campbell could be near that. Jones is the weaker point of the line. He has not been able to put everything together. He has only played one full season, so maybe with more experience, he can start to.

22. Jacksonville Jaguars (LDE Travon Walker, NT DaVon Hamilton, DT Arik Armstead, RDE Josh Allen-Hines)

Walker has done good getting to the QB, but poor in every other statistic across the board. He has definitely not been worth the first overall pick being spent on him. On the other side of things, Armstead and Allen have been two elite players at their positions. Armstead will really make a difference for this line. Hamilton has been good for the Jaguars. He did face some back injuries last year. So let's hope he can overcome those and play as well as he had.

21. New Orleans Saints (LDE Cameron Jordan, LDT Khalen Saunders, RDT Nathan Shepherd, RDE Carl Granderson)

Jordan's play has gone from elite to great. He has taken a step back. He is still far from bad, but not the player we were used to seeing. Coaching could be part of the issue. Granderson is great at getting pressure but struggles in some other areas. Saunders has put together a couple of great seasons. Last season was his first season starting and he was quite impressive. Shepherd had a career year after his move to New Orleans. They took a bet on his upside, and it paid off greatly. The other big factor of this line is the Saints depth. They have Chase Young, 2nd year hopefuls Bryan Bresee and Payton Turner, as well as rookie Khristian Boyd. This is a line that could spring into the top 10 by mid-season if used right.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (LDE Logan Hall, NT Vita Vea, RDE Calijah Kancey)

Vea is a big-time playmaker. His issue is when he is not making plays, he can be inconsistent at times. It is still too early to really tell what Hall will become. He has been decent but looks like he good be better with time and experience. Kancey made a huge impact his rookie year, playing well enough to be all-pro. He will and will continue to be a game changer on this line.

19. Seattle Seahawks (DE Leonard Williams, NT Johnathan Hankins, DT Jarran Reed, Edge Dre'Mont Jones)

The Seahawks have playmakers staring and sitting. Williams has begun to age. It has affected his play, but again with the depth the Seahawks have, they will be able to use him more situationally. Jones put together a nice year, but still needs some improvements. Hankins and Redd are both aging as well. Reed is still providing consistent production while Hankins is beginning to play against his age. They also have Boye Mafe and rookie Byron Murphy II. These players will allow for the veteran starters to rest more while Mafe and Murphy get reps and learn. With new head coach, Mike MacDonald, the play calling should become more creative. If it shows on the field, this line may jump in the rankings as well.

18. Washington Commanders (LDE Clelin Ferrell, LDT Daron Payne, RDT Jonathan Allen, RDE Dorance Armstrong)

Allen and Payne both had down years last year but should start to trend back towards the top with new HC, Dan Quinn. Dan is a defensive genius, and I have no doubts these two good be back to elite. Armstrong had a good year last year. This will be his first season starting in his 6-year career. He has a chance to prove himself. Farrell can be hot and cold, but last year he had the best year since his rookie season back in 2018. I am not sure he is the long-term answer, but he made a bigger splash than any of us could have expected when he moved last season.

17. Baltimore Ravens (DE Broderick Washington, NT Michael Pierce, DT Justin Madubuike)

Madubuike became a star last season. He gets to the QB and had very few areas that needed any improvement. Pierce provide good size to keep the run from going up the middle much. Washington has felt disappointing but will be given another chance to breakout or he will likely be playing elsewhere next season.

16. Green Bay Packers (LDE Rashan Gary, NT TJ Slaton, DT Kenny Clark, RDE Preston Smith)

Gary is one of the better DEs despite a down season last year. As long as he stays healthy, we should see him return to the player he once was. Smith has been very good for a long time. He brings stability to the right side of the line. Clark is one of the best DT in the league. Bringing consistent, elite production. Slaton could use some work, He played good in his first full season last year, but if he can the next step, this line will be unstoppable. Backing up Smith is Lukas Van Ness who looks like he can be a star in his limited play he got his rookie year.

15. Buffalo Bills (LDE Greg Rousseau, NT Daquan Jones, DT Ed Oliver, RDE AJ Epenesa)

Oliver is a solid DT that just needs work in the run game. Jones is also a fantastic DT. Rousseau is one of the best up and coming DEs. Epenesa will be starting his first season since being drafted by the Bills back in 2020. He seems to be good, but there is not really enough play to tell.

14. New York Giants (DE "Elijah Chatman," NT Dexter Lawrence II, DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches)

Chatman earned a roster spot despite being undrafted. He worked his butt off and was awarded a starting job. He has the heart for the game. We will see how he does when he is thrown out with the big boys. Lawrence is a top 5 DT in the league. Rakeem has not really started a full season. He has been used as a depth piece, and for good reason. He has been unimpressive in his starts. His best years were when he was moved to DE rather than on the interior.

13. Pittsburgh Steelers (DE Larry Ogunjobi, NT Keeanu Benton, DT Cameron Hayward)

Hayward is an elite veteran DT. Ogunjobi provides consistent production. Benton started a partial season last year. He looked fine, but I do not feel comfortable yet determining how good or bad he is.

12. Kansas City Chiefs (LDE George Karlaftis, LDT Chris Jones, RDT Derrick Nnadi, RDE Michael Danna)

Jones is the best DT in the league, no question. Karlaftis showed improvement last season and should continue to trend upward. Nnadi is not a homerun hitter, but he is consistently good. Danna had a breakout season last year and looks to add onto it this year.

11. New England Patriots (DE Keion White, NT Davon Godchaux, DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr.)

White had a very promising rookie year. Godchaux is still an elite NT and produces consistently. This will basically be Pharms first year after being elevated up and playing only 90 snaps last season. I would not hold my breath. Behind White is also Deatrich Wise Jr. Wise is good and will give the Patriots the ability to play 4-3 if need be. Especially without Judon.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (DE Milton Williams, NT Jordan Davis, DT Jalen Carter)

Carter has looked promising but needs to show it consistently. Davis had an underwhelming 2023. It was his first full season. He was not terrible. He just needs to clean up his game a little more. Similarly, Williams has looked quite underwhelming and needs to give more production in order to stay in his role.

9. Houston Texans (LDE Will Anderson Jr., LDT Mario Edwards Jr., RDT Folorunso Fatukasi, RDE Danielle Hunter)

Anderson and Hunter will wreak havoc together. They might be the best edge duo in the league. Fatukasi has not been very good. I will not be shocked if Khalil Davis replaces him on the line. Edwards has not been great either.

8. Detroit Lions (LDE Marcus Davenport, NT DJ Reader, DT Alim McNeill, RDE Aidan Hutchinson)

Hutchinson is one of the premier DEs in the league. He is a superstar. The Lions are hoping Davenport can start to be more consistent after multiple hot and cold years with New Orleans. McNeill has developed well in Detroit thus far. I expect he begins to take the next step to becoming an elite DT. Reader has been fine. He still needs some polishing. I believe he will be a place holder until the Lions feel rookie Mekhi Wingo is ready.

7. Cincinnati Bengals (LDE Sam Hubbard, LDT Sheldon Rankins, RDT BJ Hill, RDE Trey Hendrickson)

Hubbard and Hendrickson are two dominant DEs. Hill has really put the pieces together the last three years. Becoming a very good DT. Rankins has moved around and never really been consistent. The Bengals selected Kris Jenkins Jr. from Michigan with their 2nd round pick. I would not be shocked to see him be thrown in if Rankins is not performing well.

6. Dallas Cowboys (LDE Demarcus Lawrence, NT Mazi Smith, DT Osa Odighizuwa, RDE Micah Parsons)

Parsons MIGHT be the best defensive player in the league. After an embarrassing playoff performance, I expect he comes out the gate angry and playing even more aggressively. Of course, Lawrence is also a superstar and makes offensive lines miserable. Osa looks pretty good, though improvement from him and Mazi Smith is a must this season.

5. Indianapolis Colts (LDE Kwity Paye, NT Grover Stewart, DT Deforest Buckner, RDE Laiatu Latu)

Bucker is a star DT. Kwity Paye has become elite. He gets better and better every year he plays. Stewart was looking as if he was going to have a down year before being suspended due to PED usage. Hopefully in his comeback he begins playing like he was in his 2022 campaign. Latu looks great on paper. I cannot imagine he doesn't fit into this defense well.

4. Las Vegas Raiders (LDE Maxx Crosby, NT John Jenkins, DT Christian Wilkins, RDE Malcolm Koonce)

Crosby and Wilkins are two of the best to play their positions currently. Koonce was fantastic last season. He is not talked about enough due to Crosby being on the other side. Jenkins had a huge breakout season last year. This team could be the best line by the end of the season if everyone stays on track.

3. New York Jets (LDE Jermaine Johnson, LDT Quinnen Williams, RDT Javon Kinlaw, RDE Haason Reddick)

Reddick and Johnson can be one of the best DE duos if Reddick stays in New York. Even if Reddick does not, Will McDonald looked extremely promising last season. The loss of Reddick would knock this team down a couple of notches, but I would still expect a top 10 pass rushing defense. Williams is one of the best linemen in the game. Kinlaw has been so underwhelming. I am hoping he looks better if he gets this full season under his belt.

2. Cleveland Browns (LDE Myles Garrett, LDT Dalvin Tomlinson, RDT Shelby Harris, RDE Za'Darius Smith)

Garrett, Tomlinson, and Smith are all stars. Garrett and Smith both get to the QB and can manage the run game. Harris had a down year with the Browns last year but should improve after a full offseason with the team. The Browns are also this high for their depth. Injuries happen to this team more times than I would like, but they have insured themselves with a mix of rookies and veterans with good upside.

1. San Fransisco 49ers (LDE Nick Bosa, LDT Maliek Collins, RDT Javon Hargrave, RDE Leonard Floyd)

Bosa, possibly the best in the game reached almost 100 QB pressures last year. Hargrave is also one of the best interior linemen. Floyd is good enough to get to the QB when Bosa does not beat him there. Collins has room to improve but is still a great interior piece.

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