Defense wins championships. While that tenet has waivered against an offensive revolution in the NFL, it’s still vital to a team’s Super Bowl hopes. After all, we just saw the Philadelphia Eagles bully the Kansas City Chiefs into submission in a lopsided Super Bowl 59.
Philadelphia rode a combination of rising stars and established veterans to its second Super Bowl title last winter. However, departures and questions left to be answered keep the Eagles from being the top team in this year’s 2025 NFL defensive rankings. Instead that honor goes to the Denver Broncos — a team that finished third in points allowed last fall before reinforcing that unit with key additions in both free agency and the draft.
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Who comes next? Let’s talk about it, starting at the top. The 2024 ranking refers to the team’s expected points added (EPA) per snap and can be found here.
1. Denver Broncos
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) fumbles a catch as he is wrapped up by Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 17 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Denver Broncos at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. The Bengals took a 30-24 win in overtime to remain in the post season chase.
Key Additions: LB Dre Greenlaw, S Talanoa Hufanga, CB Jahdae Barron
Key Departures: LB Cody Barton
Key Additions: LB EJ Speed, DT Sheldon Rankins, S CJ Gardner-Johnson
Key Departures: S Eric Murray, LB Neville Hewitt, LB Devin White
3. Seattle Seahawks
Key Additions: EDGE Demarcus Lawrence, S Nick Emmanwori, CB Shaquill Griffin
Key Departures: DL Dre’Mont Jones, S Rayshawn Jenkins, DL Roy Robertson-Harris
4. Minnesota Vikings
Jan 5, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) gets tackled by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jonathan Bullard (90) and linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (43) in the first quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Key Additions: DE Jonathan Allen, CB Isaiah Rodgers, CB Jeff Okudah
Key Departures: S Cam Bynum, CB Stephon Gilmore, DT Harrison Phillips
5. Green Bay Packers
Key Additions: CB Nate Hobbs, LB Micah Parsons
Key Departures: DT Tedarrelle Slaton, CB Jaire Alexander, DT Kenny Clark
6. Baltimore Ravens
Key Additions: CB Jaire Alexander, S Malaki Starks, CB Chidobe Awuzie
Key Departures: CB Tre’Davious White, CB Brandon Stephens, LB Malik Harrison
7. Los Angeles Chargers
Key Additions: CB Donte Jackson, DE Da’Shawn Hand, DT Jamaree Caldwell
Key Departures: CB Kristian Fulton, DT Poona Ford, CB Asante Samuel Jr.
8. Detroit Lions
Key Additions: CB DJ Reed, DL Tyleik Williams, DT Roy Lopez
Key Departures: CB Carlton Davis, EDGE Za’Darius Smith, CB Kindle Vildor
9. Philadelphia Eagles
Jan 12, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (27) makes an interception against the Green Bay Packers in an NFC wild card game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Key Additions: LB Jihaad Campbell, S Andrew Mukuba, CB Jakorian Bennett
Key Departures: DT Milton Williams, EDGE Josh Sweat, S CJ Gardner-Johnson
10. Chicago Bears
Key Additions: DT Grady Jarrett, EDGE Dayo Odeyingbo, DL Shemar Turner
Key Departures: DT DeMarcus Walker, EDGE Darrell Taylor, DT Byron Cowart
11. Pittsburgh Steelers
Key Additions: CB Jalen Ramsey, DL Derrick Harmon, CB Darius Slay
Key Departures: S Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB Donte Jackson, DL Larry Ogunjobi
12. Cleveland Browns
Key Additions: DT Mason Graham, LB Carson Schwesinger, LB Jerome Baker
Key Departures: S Rodney McLeod, EDGE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo,
13. New York Giants
Jan 5, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns (0) reacts against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Key Additions: EDGE Abdul Carter, S Jevon Holland, CB Paulson Adebo
Key Departures: S Jason Pinnock, CB Adoree Jackson, EDGE Azeez Ojulari
14. Buffalo Bills
Key Additions: DL Michael Hoecht, EDGE Joey Bosa, CB Maxwell Hairston
Key Departures: CB Rasul Douglas, EDGE Dawuane Smoot, DL Austin Johnson
15. Indianapolis Colts
Key Additions: CB Charvarius Ward, S Cam Bynum, CB Xavien Howard
Key Departures: S Julian Blackmon, LB EJ Speed, EDGE Dayo Odeyingbo
16. Las Vegas Raiders
Key Additions: LB Germaine Pratt, DL Thomas Booker, CB Eric Stokes
Key Departures: S Tre’Von Moehrig, LB Robert Spillane, CB Jack Jones
17. Atlanta Falcons
Aug 8, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons linebacker Jalon Walker (11) in action against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Key Additions: EDGE/LB Jalon Walker, EDGE James Pearce, EDGE Leonard Floyd
Key Departures: DL Grady Jarrett, EDGE Matthew Judon, S Justin Simmons
18. New England Patriots
Key Additions: DT Milton Williams, CB Carlton Davis, EDGE Harold Landry
Key Departures: DT Daniel Ekuale, CB Jonathan Jones, DT Davon Godchaux
19. Kansas City Chiefs
Key Additions: CB Kristian Fulton, DT Omarr Norman-Lott, EDGE Ashton GIllotte
Key Departures: S Justin Reid, DT Tershawn Wharton, EDGE Josh Uche
20. Arizona Cardinals
Key Additions: EDGE Josh Sweat, LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, DL Calais Campbell
Key Departures: LB Kyzir White, EDGE Dennis Gardeck, EDGE Julian Okwara
21. Miami Dolphins
Sep 8, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips (15) sacks Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Key Additions: S Minkah Fitzpatrick, DT Kenneth Grant, CB Jack Jones
Key Departures: CB Jalen Ramsey, S Jevon Holland, S Jordan Poyer
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Key Additions: EDGE Haason Reddick, CB Benjamin Morrison, CB Jacob Parrish
Key Departures: LB KJ Britt, EDGE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, LB JJ Russell
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23. Los Angeles Rams
Key Additions: DT Poona Ford, LB Nate Landman, LB Josaiah Stewart
Key Departures: LB Christian Rozeboom, DT Bobby Brown, EDGE Michael Hoecht
24. New York Jets
Key Additions: CB Brandon Stephens, DT Harrison Phillips, S Andre Cisco
Key Departures: CB DJ Reed, DL Javon Kinlaw, S Chuck Clark
25. Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil (0) celebrates an interception against Detroit Lions during the first half of the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.
Key Additions: CB Trey Amos, EDGE Von Miller, DL Javon Kinlaw
Key Departures: S Jeremy Chinn, CB Benjamin St. Juste, EDGE Dante Fowler Jr.
26. San Francisco 49ers
Key Additions: EDGE Mykel Williams, EDGE Bryce Huff, S Jason Pinnock
Key Departures: LB Dre Greenlaw, CB Charvarius Ward, S Talanoa Hufanga, EDGE Leonard Floyd
27. New Orleans Saints
Key Additions: S Justin Reid, S Julian Blackmon, DT Davon Godchaux
Key Departures: S Tyrann Mathieu, S Will Harris, CB Paulson Adebo
28. Tennessee Titans
Key Additions: LB Cody Barton, S Xavier Woods, EDGE Oluwafemi Oladejo
Key Departures: EDGE Harold Landry, LB Kenneth Murray, LB Jerome Baker
29. Jacksonville Jaguars![Tennessee Titans quarterback Mason Rudolph (11) is pressured by Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) during the second quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://www.rawchili.com/nfl/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/46cd10ad149bb3c28051b34a3ea3ea7d.jpeg)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Mason Rudolph (11) is pressured by Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) during the second quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Key Additions: CB Travis Hunter, S Eric Murray, EDGE Emmanuel Ogbah
Key Departures: S Andre Cisco, CB Ronald Darby, DT Jeremiah Ledbetter
30. Carolina Panthers
Key Additions: S Tre’von Moehrig, LB Christian Rozeboom, EDGE Patrick Jones II
Key Departures: LB Josey Jewell, EDGE Jadeveon Clowney, S Jordan Fuller
31. Dallas Cowboys
Key Additions: DT Solomon Thomas, DT Kenny Clark, EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku
Key Departures: LB Eric Kendricks, CB Jourdan Lewis, EDGE Chauncey Golston, LB Micah Parsons
32. Cincinnati Bengals
Key Additions: DT Tedarrelle Slaton, EDGE Shemar Stewart, LB Demetrius Knight Jr.
Key Departures: LB Germaine Pratt, CB Mike Hilton, S Vonn Bell
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Ranking the NFL’s top defenses in 2025, from the Broncos to the ???