The player rankings are officially on the defensive side of the ball, and we start with the defensive lines around the league.

1. AFC North

Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers

Looking at sack numbers from last season, the Ravens would not be considered a great defensive line. Still, Nnamdi Madubuike had a breakout season in 2023 with 13 sacks, and the team’s run defense is spectacular. The Ravens always have a solid defensive line, regardless of the players. With their run defense in a league that emphasizes running the ball, the entire defense can play freely and dominate against teams.

The Bengals have been the subject of many news reports this offseason regarding their defensive line. For a year now, star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson has been in contract negotiations with the team, and first-round pick defensive lineman Shemar Stewart has still not signed his contract with the team. If all of these issues can be resolved, and the players are ready to play by the beginning of the season, the Bengals have a formidable defensive line that can be near the top in sack numbers throughout the season.

Having a player that teams need to avoid at all costs can be a difference maker in games, and the Browns have had that since selecting Myles Garrett in the 2017 draft. A player like Garrett will always elevate the success of a defensive line, but the Browns also added defensive tackle Mason Graham in the first round. Cleveland has been unable to build a defense around Garrett, but Graham can be the perfect player to put next to their star edge rusher.

When looking at top defensive lines in the league, there are many factors to consider when making the decision for the top spot, but one team sticks out amongst the rest. With a group led by T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward, the Steelers already had a top-tier defensive line, but now with the addition of rookie DT Derrick Harmon, Pittsburgh should be the best in the NFL.

2. NFC East
Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders

Sometimes, even when a team is exceptional in pass rush, the run defense is a glaring weakness, and this is the case for the Cowboys. Micah Parson is one of the most athletic edge rushers in the game and the Dallas’ defensive tackle room is filled with potential, but the run defense is just such a worry every season, and next year could be the same.

One of the teams that could very well take over the Steelers top defensive line spot is the Giants. Already having Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence, and Kayvon Thibodeaux is a dangerous group, but after selecting top 2025 draft prospect Abdul Carter in the first round, this is the most talented defensive line in the league.

The Eagles have one of the best rosters in the league and that is why they won a Super Bowl in 2025, but the defensive line was what made the difference in the end. This group ruined any offensive plan the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes’ had for the Super Bowl, and even though Josh Sweat and Milton Williams left in free agency, this group is still extremely talented.

While all three of the other three teams have really strong defensive lines, the Commanders have one of the weakest groups in the league. The edge rush group is lackluster, missing overall talent, and lost their top rusher (Dante Fowler Jr. ) in free agency. The defensive tackle group is fine and could be better against the run this year, but there are no guarantees with the current players.

3. AFC East
Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets

The strength of the Buffalo Bills’ defensive line is the overall consistency at every spot, and there is a potential star in the making. In two of his four seasons in the league, Greg Rousseau has reached eight sacks in those respective years, and although time will tell, the young edge rusher should finally have his breakout double digit sack season.

Dolphins rookie Chop Robinson had a really great first year, finishing with six sacks in his season. If he was the only talented player on the defensive line, the Dolphins would be in a bad spot, but Jaelen Phillips and Bradley Chubb are returning from injury and could really make this group dangerous in the league. The only issue is health, and if they can’t return to their previous production, the Dolphins could be looking for improvements in 2026.

After trading Matthew Judon to the Falcons, the Patriots defensive line was in a bad spot last season. There were obvious improvements to be made this offseason, and with a new head coach that values the trenches, moves were going to be made. They made a massive splash by signing defensive tackle Milton Williams, Christian Barmore is set to return from injury, and other veteran edge rushers were added to the roster. New England is still missing that top edge rusher, but this is a good start.

Again in this fourth spot (not planned) is a team that has the weakest defensive line in the division. The New York Jets have an extremely talent defensive tackle in Quinnen Williams, and a really young edge rush group. If all things go to plan next season in a new Aaron Glenn scheme, the overall outlook could be much better.

4. AFC South
Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans

The best defensive line in the division comes from the Houston Texans. A defense commanded by head coach DeMeco Ryans is going to have a dominate defensive line, but with the talent all over that group, his vision can be fully realized.

Another team with massive potential on their defensive line is the Colts. Rookie Laiatu Latu had an fine rookie season, finishing with four sacks, and the their is massive hope that he can improve. If this can happen, the Colts with have a really good edge rush duo in Latu and Kwity Paye, and a dominate defensive tackle duo with Deforest Buckner and Grover Stewart. The potential is there.

The Jaguars defensive line is a bit all over the place. The interior of the defensive line is lacking, but there is so much talent on the edge that should keep this group alive in games. Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker are a scary duo, and although Walker still has not realized his full potential, he has gotten 10 sacks in the past two seasons.

Interestingly, the Titans are in a similar position as the Jaguars, but with opposite parts of the defensive line. Tennessees interior of the defensive line is scary with Jeffrey Simmons leading the group, but their edge rush talent is lacking.

5. NFC North
Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings

With the hiring of Ben Johnson, focusing on the trenches is a extremely important. Obviously, having an offensive HC, the O-line may be what people talk about, but seeing how important a good defensive line is in Detroit, this should be an important aspect of the Bears’ defense. With the addition of Grady Jarrett, the Bears could have a solid line, but the top end talent may still be missing.

Speaking of the Lions, Detroit’s strength on the defense is the line. Aiden Hutchinson was out all season, but he is a dominate force and is one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. On the inside of the defensive line, Alim McNeill has become an amazing defensive tackle in this league. The only issue is the depth past these two players, and if injuries persist with Hutchinson and McNeill, things could get ugly.

The Packers defensive line is not in the greatest spot, and it could honestly get much worse. Kenny Clark and Rashan Gary are great against the run, but the pass production is not good enough. The Packers have also not made enough improvements, and this part of the roster could become a massive issue.

After being signed by the Vikings, Jonathan Greenard had another great season, finishing with 12.5 sacks. His production was vital to the success of the defense, but still, Minnesota is hoping that 2nd year edge rusher Dallas Turner can improve off of a three sack season. If all the potential can be reached, this edge rush duo can be excellent and wreak havoc on offensive lines.

6. AFC West
Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers

One of the surprises last season was the Broncos defensive line. Veteran Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers had career years in sack totals, and the Broncos run defense was near the best in the NFL.

Chris Jones has been one of the best defensive lineman in the NFL, but the rest of the Chiefs defensive line is lackluster to say the least. The edge rush group, led by George Karlaftis only had eight sacks and the rest of the players around him did not do much. This is going to be a weakness of the former Super Bowl champs.

Since coming into the league, Maxx Crosby has destroyed the offensive lines of nearly any team he faces up against. The issue has never been Crosby, but the players around him.

The Chargers are also in a troubling spot regarding their defensive line. Khalil Mack is by far the best pass rusher on the roster, and he had a near career low of six sacks. His run defense is what stays elite and elevates this defensive line, but besides him, the Chargers are missing talent.

7. NFC West
Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks

One of the focuses the Cardinals have had for the past few seasons has been upgrading the defensive line. Even going into this past offseason, they still had work to be done, and on paper, that is what the Cardinals did. Bringing in edge rusher Josh Sweat and selecting defensive tackle Walter Nolen in the draft were massive upgrades for this line, which should be one step closer to making the defensive line a strength of the team.

After future Hall of Famer defensive tackle Aaron Donald retired, the Rams could have been in a horrible position with their defensive line. Instead, they drafted edge rusher Jared Verse, who was defensive rookie of the year, and also selected defensive Braden Fiske, who had a great rookie year. These two players, in addition to already having a good group of defensive lineman, allowed the Rams to fully rebuild that position group in an offseason.

When healthy, Nick Bosa one of the best pass rushers in the league and can easily win defensive player of the year any season. Injuries have been consistent throughout his career, but the 49ers are hoping rookie Mykel Williams can take some of the workload/production away from Bosa and improve the overall defensive line talent.

Last season, defensive lineman Leanord Williams had an amazing 11 sack season and continued being excellent against the run. Like with the 49ers, the other players around their top edge rusher is lackluster and needs improvement. The only difference is that the Seahawks have not invested a first round pick to fix this issue.

8. NFC South
Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Some teams the Rams have done a great job hitting on draft picks and completely rebuilding their defensive line, but other teams around the league struggle in this area. The Falcons have been attempting to build a good defensive line for years, and in this past draft, they invested two first round picks (one aquired by trading a future first) to get 2 rookies that will lead this defensive line rebuild. Time will tell if this works, but rookie edge rushers tend to need time to develop.

At the beginning of free agency, it was reported that the Panthers signed defensive tackle Milton Williams, but that is not what happened. In a strange turn of events, Williams ended up signing with the Patriots instead. This duo with Derrick Brown, who is hoping to return in September from his knee injury, could have been the best pairing in the NFL. Instead, the Panthers are once again going into the season with little help around their star defensive tackle.

Another team that has invested heavily in their defensive line, and have not hit on the picks, is the New Orleans Saints. Sadly, team leader Cam Jordan is nearing the end of his career, the defensive tackle room has not been consistent, and moving to a new 3-4 scheme creates a learning curve for the defensive linemen. Chase Young, Carl Granderson, and Bryan Bresee are the bright spots going into next season, but things can still go very wrong with this defensive line.

With the Buccaneers, this is yet another defensive line in the NFC South with a worrisome group. Vita Vea has been dominate since coming into the league, but just like with the Carolina, Tampa Bay is missing impact players around their best defensive lineman.