Ranking the pass-rushing groups of every NFL team

After J.J. Watt's retirement, the Cardinals let Zach Allen follow former defensive coordinator Vance Joseph to Denver. They then passed on Will Anderson Jr. at No. 3, trading the pick to the Texans. Arizona collected a bounty from Houston to pass on the two-time Nagurski award winner, setting up a decent chance at two top-five picks in 2024. For 2023, sacks might be hard to come by. The Cards did use two third-round picks on edge rushers — Myjai Sanders, Cam Thomas — in 2022 and are moving inside linebacker Zaven Collins to the edge. The league's youngest coordinator, 30-year-old Nick Rallis, has much work ahead.

It sure took the Bears a while to hire an edge rusher of note. Yannick Ngakoue is on Team No. 6, not signing until August 3. The $10 million guarantee Ngakoue received topped the one-year pacts given to Leonard Floyd and Frank Clark, showing Chicago's level of interest in a late pass-rushing upgrade. While Ngakoue is the only NFLer riding a streak of at least seven seasons with eight-plus sacks, the Bears are thin beyond him. UFA D-end DeMarcus Walker offers hybrid capabilities, and the team did use two Day 2 picks on DTs (Zacch Pickens, Gervon Dexter) to team with vet Justin Jones. A lot will still be on Ngakoue, though. 

The Texans made the surprising decision to part with their 2024 first-round pick — one that, given their recent performance, could be quite valuable — to move up for Will Anderson Jr. DeMeco Ryans will need a Nick Bosa-like impact from the Alabama alum to justify the trade cost. While the Cardinals could have pilfered a top-five pick in this swap, the Texans do have a pass-rushing anchor — in a player with 27.5 sacks from 2021-22 — for the first time since J.J. Watt's exit. Not too much is around Anderson yet, though Maliek Collins-Sheldon Rankins brings a decent DT duo. But this position group will take another offseason to fix.

Despite his success under Gus Bradley, the Colts let Yannick Ngakoue walk. The nomadic pass rusher led the team with 9.5 sacks last season. While first-rounder Kwity Paye has shown flashes, he has not yet lived up to his draft slot. The Colts need more from Paye and ex-second-rounder Dayo Odeyingbo. Amid this unexpected downturn from a team that was on the 2021 playoff doorstep, DeForest Buckner still anchors this effort. The Pro Bowl D-tackle notched eight sacks and a team-high 22 QB hits last season. With Ngakoue gone, the Colts' rush will rely more on Buckner.

Winning a Super Bowl with Von Miller and Leonard Floyd flanking Aaron Donald, the Rams hounded Joe Burrow to seal their championship. Donald now looks out of place in L.A., DC Raheem Morris has little to work with alongside the all-time great. The Rams cut Floyd and did not attempt to replace him until Round 3 (Byron Young, one of two third-round Byron Youngs in this draft). Under McVay, the Rams had traded for Miller and Dante Fowler. In the wake of the Panthers turning down a two-first-rounder offer for Brian Burns, the Rams feature no proven option at OLB or on the D-line besides Donald. When will the DT icon become a trade chip?

The Vikings ditched a proven edge rusher (Za'Darius Smith) for an inconsistent one, signing Marcus Davenport in free agency. The ex-Saints first-rounder totaled a half-sack in 15 games last season, dimming his market after he fared better in 2021. Smith has three double-digit sack slates on his resume; Davenport has zero. Minnesota resolved to keep Danielle Hunter, who has brought dominance and extended injury absences. OLB D.J. Wonnum does have 12 sacks since 2021, but if Hunter misses more time, this group is in trouble. Not much exists for pass-rushing aid on Minnesota's D-line, either.

The Falcons' 21 sacks ranked as the second-worst last year, but new defensive coordinator. Ryan Nielsen brought D-tackle David Onyemata and linebacker Kaden Elliss with him from New Orleans. And Calais Campbell will play his age-37 season in Atlanta. Despite the Falcons' quick move off the contender tier during Dan Quinn's tenure, Grady Jarrett has remained an upper-crust D-lineman. Atlanta has big questions at edge rusher, however. It will hope ex-T.J. Watt wingman Bud Dupree can shake off three injury-plagued seasons. Elliss is also coming off a low-profile seven-sack season, which could provide occasional aid to the Atlanta rush.

The Ravens have not been particularly deep here since at least Terrell Suggs' 2019 exit. Matt Judon's 2021 departure stripped Baltimore of its best post-Suggs sack artist. After two summer Justin Houston signings, the Ravens have now moved on from the productive veteran. This shines a spotlight on 2021 first-round OLB Odafe Oweh, who has yet to live up to the billing. Jadeveon Clowney follows the likes of Houston, Jason Pierre-Paul and Yannick Ngakoue as emergency Baltimore OLB adds. Even at his best, though, Clowney is not a high-end pass rusher. David Ojabo, a first-round talent who fell to Round 2 due to an injury, looms as a wild card here.

Dismantling the Von Miller-Bradley Chubb duo without seeing it play together much, the Broncos have landed on two vets to prop up their edge rush. Randy Gregory and Frank Clark are each 30, and inconsistency (from Gregory's availability to Clark's production) plagues both. Denver has intriguing backups in converted ILB Baron Browning and second-rounder Nik Bonitto; the starters' injury histories suggest both will be needed. Ex-Vance Joseph Cardinals cog Zach Allen will replace Dre'Mont Jones, but the Broncos' pass rush struggled after the Chubb trade last year. Upside exists here, but the floor is low.

GM Trent Baalke chose Travon Walker's tools ahead of Hutchinson's production. So far, the Georgia alum is losing the race. But it is obviously early. Walker will be needed to provide a steady complementary presence for Josh Allen, who forced four fumbles last year. The Jags let Arden Key walk in free agency and have Dawuane Smoot coming off a Festivus Achilles tear. With K'Lavon Chaisson a bust and Allen in a contract year, the Jags need Walker to hit big. Jacksonville's set of OLBs also does not look to have enough help from its D-line, and no Jags D-lineman tallied more than three sacks last year. 

As inconsistent as he was, the Saints will still miss Davenport because 2021 first-rounder Payton Turner has not become the quality Cam Jordan sidekick the team envisioned. The Saints did attack this in the draft, using a first-round pick on D-tackle Bryan Bresee and a second-rounder on DE Isaiah Foskey (two 10-plus-sack seasons at Notre Dame), but in losing Davenport and Onyemata, New Orleans is still Jordan-dependent. The potential Hall of Famer has 115.5 sacks (the team's official record) in 12 seasons and has next to no injury history, but the Saints staple is 34. Can ageless ILB Demario Davis (22.5 sacks in five Saints years) keep providing auxiliary aid?

Sauce Gardner ran away with the Defensive Rookie of the Year honor, but the Lions still saw promising contributions from their rookie defenders. Detroit featured the top two rookie-year sack totals, with Aidan Hutchinson collecting 9.5 and UDFA James Houston coming from nowhere to somehow record eight sacks despite debuting on Thanksgiving. Detroit also rosters second-round Josh Paschal and will hope Romeo Okwara can shake off two seasons effectively lost to injury. The Lions are a bit light on defensive tackle rush support, but Okwara bouncing back would provide a deep set of edges. 

No Buccaneer paid to produce sacks registered more than six last season, one impacted heavily by the midyear loss of Shaq Barrett. The Bucs are still Barrett-dependent; the former Super Bowl ace is 31 and coming off an Achilles tear. Barrett's return will help first-rounder Joe Tryon-Shoyinka's development, which has not taken off just yet, and Vita Vea's imposing inside presence benefits all Bucs rushers. Vea and polarizing freelancer Devin White also aid this rush, combining for 12 QB drops last year. The Bucs used a first-round pick on D-lineman Calijah Kancey, a Pitt alum who received Aaron Donald comps. He looks like the team's top pass-rushing variable.

The Raiders' $17 million-per-year Chandler Jones bet produced next to nothing for months last season, and the team is preparing for a post-Jones 2024 quick. Tyree Wilson is now around as Maxx Crosby's (hopeful) long-term sidekick, though the top-10 pick has not been cleared from a November 2022 foot injury. Crosby covers for some of the questions here, with the ex-fourth-rounder residing as probably the best Jon Gruden-era move for the Raiders. Still, Las Vegas does not have much supplementing this trio inside. The team did use a third-round pick on the draft's other Byron Young, a D-tackle, however. 

The Panthers erred by both letting Haason Reddick walk last year and not making a better effort to replace him. Brian Burns still produced a 12.5-sack season and earned his first Pro Bowl nod. Carolina recently signed Justin Houston, guaranteeing him $6 million in hopes he can sustain his Ravens-years success at 34. That should help Burns and put less on hybrid performer Frankie Luvu's plate. Luvu produced a throwback season, finishing with seven sacks and 111 tackles. More from former top-10 D-tackle Derrick Brown (six sacks in three seasons) will be a bonus for a deeper Panther pass rush.

Uchenna Nwosu delivered on a "prove it" Seahawks contract. Following a season in which the ex-Charger totaled 9.5 sacks and 15 QB knockdowns (12th in the NFL), the Seahawks gave their top rusher a raise. They also made the rare move to pay for D-line help, giving steady inside rusher Dre'Mont Jones $17 million annually. Darrell Taylor also came on for Seattle last year, finishing with nine sacks (though, he lagged well behind Nwosu in QB hits). The Seahawks also have Boye Mafe as an interesting second-stringer, and a reunion with formerly productive D-tackle Jarran Reed also commenced. This could be the best Seattle pass rush in several years.

Deficient for years post-Jason Pierre-Paul, the Giants pass rush is fairly well-equipped now. Kayvon Thibodeaux showed early signs of being the cornerstone pass rusher the team has lacked, and he will again benefit from one of the NFL's best (and its highest-paid) D-tackle duos (Leonard Williams-Dexter Lawrence). Williams has not matched his year on the franchise tag (11.5 sacks, 30 QB hits), and it is worth wondering if that was a fluke. But the ex-Jet remains in his 20s and observed a Lawrence breakout year in 2022. Azeez Ojulari (13.5 sacks in two years) has also produced when healthy. Big Blue's OLB2 has provided underrated work thus far.

The Chiefs (55 sacks last year) have relied on Chris Jones to cover up inconsistencies elsewhere. Frank Clark did not deliver on his big-ticket contract, playoff success aside, and Kansas City's All-Pro defensive tackle now knows the team will depend on him to cover for two young D-ends (George Karlaftis, Felix Anudike-Uzomah) post-Clark. Jones has two 15.5-sack seasons on his resume and finished the year with a legit claim to Aaron Donald's long-held D-tackle throne. The Chiefs may need a rental-type vet (Carlos Dunlap again?), with the young rushers developing and UFA signing Charles Omenihu banned for six games.

The "if healthy" caveat applies to the Chargers as a whole, but it can be specifically attached here. Joey Bosa is one of the NFL's best defenders, but he is coming off another year that featured an extended absence. Khalil Mack helped the cause with a 17-game season, but the ex-Raiders and Bears dynamo missed 10 games in 2021. If Bosa can stay on the field, this ranking is too low. The Bolts also drafted Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Tuli Tuipulotu and re-signed Morgan Fox (two six-sack seasons under Brandon Staley). But their viability as a high-end pass rush will obviously come down to Bosa and Mack.

The Bengals' rush struggled to get home last season; its 30 sacks ranked 29th. But Trey Hendrickson has been a revelation since his 2021 signing, showing his Saints contract year was far from a fluke. The Bengals have both him and top complement Sam Hubbard signed beyond 2023. The team, which saw some promise from backup Joseph Ossai (prior to the infamous Patrick Mahomes shove), also drafted Myles Murphy in Round 1. The potential Hubbard replacement now looms as an intriguing rotational option. B.J. Hill gives the team a decent interior rusher as well. Not an elite group, but a very good one.

If Rashan Gary will soon be all systems go after ACL rehab, the Packers boast both depth and proven sack talent. Gary broke through for a depleted Packers team in 2021, and Preston Smith remains in place as a quality OLB2 presence. Kenny Clark remains one of the NFL's better interior D-linemen as well, and the Packers letting Dean Lowry leave effectively removed Devonte Wyatt's redshirt. The X-factor here: Lukas Van Ness, the latest in a long line of Green Bay Round 1 defenders. Famous for being a college backup-turned-first-rounder, Van Ness excelled as an inside and outside rusher at Iowa, giving the Packers options.

The Bills boast the personnel to make a leap. Leonard Floyd shook off an underwhelming Chicago tenure to shine in L.A., and his production after Aaron Donald's ankle sprain last year encouraged. Floyd rejoins Von Miller, this era's best edge rusher. Miller now has two ACL tears on his medical sheet and is now 34. But the ex-Bronco superstar showed he still had juice last season. Greg Rousseau also took a step forward alongside Miller, though Buffalo has not seen enough from its other homegrown edges. Ed Oliver has been a steadier pressure threat (28 QB hits since 2021) in recent years; another jump could still be in store from the now-paid DT. 

Less visually distinctive than Matt Judon due to his lack of red-sleeve commitment, Josh Uche moved himself onto the radar for a big 2024 payday with an 11.5-sack season. The former second-round pick still profiles as Judon's depute, with the former Raven outplaying his 2021 contract. Judon has taken big steps post-Baltimore, combining for 28 sacks as a Patriot. Christian Barmore's presence helps this outside tandem, and the Patriots now have second-round D-end Keion White supplementing it. Super Bowl-years backup Deatrich Wise also quietly accumulated a career-best 7.5 sacks last season. Another top-five defense is in play for Bill Belichick.

One of the many Titans to go down last year, Harold Landry missed the entire season due to a late-summer ACL tear. Landry had kept the Titans' edge rush afloat amid a run of free agency misfires. His return gives Tennessee one of the best inside-outside duos, with Jeffery Simmons since following his edge-rushing teammate by committing to the Titans long term. Joining the two-time All-Pro and Landry will be Arden Key, an ex-Raider castoff who resurrected his career, with Denico Autry being one of ousted GM Jon Robinson's better pickups. Autry's versatility has also covered for various Titan defenders' unavailability. 

As Belichick elevates Patriots defenders annually, Vic Fangio is positioned to do the same in Miami. The Dolphins gave the acclaimed defensive coach more than $4.5 million per year, and the new DC has a number of pieces to deploy. After Fangio kept seeing Bradley Chubb and Von Miller go down in Denver, he has Chubb, Jaelan Phillips and Emmanuel Ogbah in place at defensive end. Jerome Baker (16.5 sacks in the 2020s) also makes regular Demario Davis-like contributions from his off-ball LB post. DTs Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler represent solid inside contributors to the cause as well. The Dolphins should be poised for a Fangio-driven bump.

After Year 2 with Jadeveon Clowney busted, the Browns made a bigger commitment to staffing Myles Garrett's supporting cast. Adding Obo Okoronkwo in free agency, Cleveland only needed to make a pick swap to pry Za'Darius Smith from Minnesota. Smith resurfaced after a 2021 back injury took him off the radar, leading to 10 sacks and 24 QB hits last year. The Browns also just added Shelby Harris, a plus inside rusher to whom Pro Football Focus assigned a top-20 2022 grade, to go with big-ticket DT addition Dalvin Tomlinson. After the Browns skimped on their D-line last year, Garrett has plenty of help for 2023.

This vintage pic (from the Washington Football Team days) is appropriate, considering the Commanders have their core four healthy again. After seeing an ACL tear and patellar tendon rupture sidetrack his career, Chase Young is knee brace-free and ready to play for a contract (or 2024 franchise tag). While Young was away, Daron Payne put together a dominant contract year alongside the consistent Jonathan Allen. Montez Sweat is also gunning for big money, compiling eight sacks and 28 QB hits last year. Re-signing Payne will also allow Washington to ease 2022 second-round DT Phidarian Mathis — a third Alabama DT on this roster — into action after a Week 1 ACL tear.

While Jets hype might be a bit out of control, their defense did leap from 32nd in 2021 to fourth last season. More than just Sauce Gardner riding to the rescue, the Jets finished last season with 45 sacks (seventh). Quinnen Williams, ex-GM Mike Maccagnan's parting gift, completed his delayed breakout with 12 sacks, and Carl Lawson should be in better form two years after his Achilles tear. Williams, Lawson and ex-waiver claim John Franklin-Myers each reached 20 QB hits last season. And the team has kept investing at DE. Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald contributions make this a scary setup for a Jets team that failed for years to develop edge rushers.

Rostering the NFL's most dominant defensive end (Nick Bosa) and longtime starter Arik Armstead, the 49ers took advantage of Brock Purdy's rookie contract by splurging for Javon Hargrave. The ex-Steeler draftee morphed into a relentless inside rusher with the Eagles, helping the NFC champs chase a 39-year-old sack record. While the 49ers lost Bosa henchmen Charles Omenihu and Samson Ebukam, the Hargrave addition (and Bosa, obviously) will give second-rounder Drake Jackson favorable rush opportunities. Can D-line coach Kris Kocurek resurrect another ex-Raider's career? Clelin Ferrell will be part of this rotation, which still houses Kerry Hyder as well.

Micah Parsons' transformation from hybrid defender to terrifying edge presence led to another dominant season and the rapidly ascending rusher's second first-team All-Pro nod. With Parsons still rising, the Cowboys defense has levels to unlock. Dan Quinn and a deep D-end cast will help him. All-around edge cog DeMarcus Lawrence is readying for Year 10, and Dorance Armstrong resides as one of the NFL's best backups. This group makes Dante Fowler a luxury, with second-rounder Sam Williams' development also worth monitoring. The Cowboys using a first-round pick on DT Mazi Smith will also help in an NFC East arms race.

Although the Eagles pushed the Steelers off their five-year perch as the NFL's sack kingpins, last season doubled as an Alex Highsmith showcase. The former third-round pick led the league with five forced fumbles, to go along with 14.5 sacks, and earned an extension to play alongside T.J. Watt to start his prime. Watt's $28 million-per-year contract has proven well worth it for Pittsburgh, as the second Canton-caliber Watt holds a piece of the official sack record. Cam Heyward is still going, at 34, totaling a quiet 10.5 sacks in 2022 to continue his Canton push. To complement their big three, the Steelers re-signed Larry Ogunjobi and added Markus Golden as an overqualified OLB3.

Hargrave's San Francisco defection notwithstanding, the Eagles notched 70 sacks last season. Three of the four players with 10-plus are back, with Brandon Graham re-signing. Haason Reddick has nearly erased the memories of his shaky ILB days in Arizona; his $15 million-per-year contract became a steal for Philly. Could the Eagles also have the better NFC East Sweat? Josh's $13.3M-AAV deal looks good after an 11-sack, 23-QB-hit year. The Eagles' rush is somehow deeper this year, with controversial prospect Jalen Carter and Georgia teammate Nolan Smith — who received Reddick comps — in place. Derek Barnett is also back from an ACL tear. These Cowboys-Eagles matchups look intense.