Top 10 NFL Defensive Linemen Rankings (2013)
By: Matt Harmon
August 5, 2013
Administrator’s note: You will undoubtedly find the theme of this section of my rankings to be “the young and the unknown”. You will not find older, once-great players like Jared Allen, Julius Peppers, or Kevin Williams on this list. While these players still have their roles and are still capable of greatness, my list focuses more on current play and most of these younger guys have soared past their older counterparts. Enjoy this list, and feel free to check out some of the guys you have never heard of. I promise you will be impressed.
1) J.J. Watt, DE/DT, Houston Texans
2) Geno Atkins, DT, Cincinnati Bengals
3) Cameron Wake, DE, Miami Dolphins
4) Justin Smith, DE/DT, San Francisco 49ers
5) Demarcus Ware, DE, Dallas Cowboys
6) Vince Wilfork, DT, New England Patriots
7) Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, New York Giants
8) Calais Campbell, DE, Arizona Cardinals
9) Haloti Ngata, DT, Baltimore Ravens
10) Charles Johnson, DE, Carolina Panthers
August 5, 2013
Administrator’s note: You will undoubtedly find the theme of this section of my rankings to be “the young and the unknown”. You will not find older, once-great players like Jared Allen, Julius Peppers, or Kevin Williams on this list. While these players still have their roles and are still capable of greatness, my list focuses more on current play and most of these younger guys have soared past their older counterparts. Enjoy this list, and feel free to check out some of the guys you have never heard of. I promise you will be impressed.
1) J.J. Watt, DE/DT, Houston Texans
- Unquestionably the top defensive linemen in the game today, Watt has a strong argument to be called the top defensive player in the NFL. Defensive ends that play in 3-4 defensive schemes should not produce sacks at an alarming rate like Watt did last year. He is simply a force in all aspects of the game. Watt throws people around in the run and pass game, and this year he earned the nickname J.J. Swatt for his uncanny ability to smack passes down at the line of scrimmage. With Watt in only his second season, watching him grow, as a player will be one of the joys of football fans in this era.
2) Geno Atkins, DT, Cincinnati Bengals
- Atkins is the best player in the NFL that no one as ever heard of. Casual fans likely do not know this guy, but his dominance on the interior of the defensive line is on par with household names like Watt and Justin Smith. Atkins has always exceed expectations after being taken in the fourth round by the Bengals in the 2010 draft, but it was this past year Atkins solidified his elite status. Atkins collected an unreal 13.5 sacks from the defensive position, which is simply unheard of. An ideal three-technique tackle, look for Atkins to get paid big soon.
3) Cameron Wake, DE, Miami Dolphins
- Who would have thought when he came to the Dolphins in 2010 as a 28-year-old CFL player that Wake would someday stake claim to being one of the games top 4-3 defensive ends? The answer is no one. Wake started his NFL career as a 3-4 outside linebacker, and maintained great success there. Many people, myself included, believed his play would drop off with his hand in the ground this year, but that could not be farther from what occurred. Wake actually elevated his game and is a truly dominant and complete player.
4) Justin Smith, DE/DT, San Francisco 49ers
- Everyone knows just how good Justin Smith is. While the 49ers have a collection of special talent on their defense, it is Smith’s presence that really puts them over the top. He is one of the rare cases of a free agent signee who took his game to the next level once he switched teams. Smith’s true impact could be seen when he missed the end of last season and the entire defense, Aldon Smith especially, took a big step back. As he ages, it is important the 49ers begin to form a replacement plan for a likely irreplaceable player.
5) Demarcus Ware, DE, Dallas Cowboys
- Ware is certainly an interesting case in this ranking. He has spent his entire career as an outside linebacker in Dallas’ 3-4 defenses and was long considered one of the best defensive players in the game. However, this year, and for the first time, Ware will put his hand in the dirt and play defensive end in Monte Kiffin’s 4-3 scheme. Ware certainly has the skill set to thrive and dominate, but in his thirties now, it is fair to wonder if you can teach an old dog new tricks. Ware has to be ranked here now that this is his new position, but this is something to watch in the 2013 season.
6) Vince Wilfork, DT, New England Patriots
- Wilfork is the definition of a mountain of a man. Somehow the Patriots have always had him listed at around 325 pounds, which, if you take one look at him, is the biggest “yeah right” statement of all time. The performance of the Patriots defense has been notoriously up and down the last few years, but the play of Wilfork has been the one constant up. He can ruin an opponent’s blocking up front, and is truly an immovable object.
7) Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, New York Giants
- Many point to JPP’s low sack total from last year (6.5 sacks) and say he had a down year. While he certainly fell short of his unbelievable 16.5 sack campaign from the year before, watching Pierre-Paul it was clear to see he is still an elite up-and-comer in the league. He still put plenty of pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and improved as a run defender. His season is all the more impressive when you consider that he has really become the only Giants defensive end that scares opponents anymore. Judging his season off of his low sack total alone is simply inexcusable, lazy analysis.
8) Calais Campbell, DE, Arizona Cardinals
- Another under the radar lineman, Campbell has elevated his game to a very impressive level. Fans know teammate Darnell Dockett because he is a big talker, but it is Campbell’s game that has the bigger bite. A massive man at 6’8 and around 290 pounds, he is a unique physical specimen. He has excelled in Arizona’s 3-4 his entire career, and I am particularly interested to see how he does now that Arizona appears to be shaking things up a bit. Will they cater the scheme to show off his skills as a pass rusher? I sure hope so.
9) Haloti Ngata, DT, Baltimore Ravens
- Ngata’s play slipped ever so slightly last year, but with his impressive standards that still places him well in the top 10 of defensive linemen. When you hear the term “dancing bear” used by scouts and NFL aficionados they are talking about a player like Ngata. What this means is that you have a player who is a giant, Ngata is 6’4 and 345 pounds, but moves with the agility and quickness of a much smaller man. His versatility and skill set provides Baltimore with plenty of options when considering where he plays up front for them. Even though big names departed from the Ravens defense this season, they need not worry; Ngata has already been the best player on that unit for years now.
10) Charles Johnson, DE, Carolina Panthers
- Panic ensued throughout the Carolinas when Julius Peppers finally got his wish to get out of town three years ago. Everyone wondered where the pass rush would come from now that the freakish Peppers would no longer be around. The answer came down with authority, and that answer was Charles Johnson. Merely a decent player before Peppers departed, Johnson has been a force since, piling up 33 sacks since the 2010 season. Many laughed when Carolina signed him to a massive six year, $76 million contract to prevent him from jumping to the rival Atlanta Falcons following his first good season, but it was Johnson who had the last laugh.
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