2023-09-02 16:00:11
1 – San Francisco 49ers
Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Dr. Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga, Charvarius Ward, Javon Hargrave… San Francisco’s defense is full of high-sounding names. This squad, recognized as the best in the league in 2022, should be able to continue at the same level in 2023.
Two question marks all the same. Firstly, there is still a blur around the contractual situation of Nick Bosa. The 2022 defender of the year has been in negotiations for several weeks, and still hasn’t trained as the season draws near. Second, the departure of the leader of this defense, DeMeco Ryans, logically rewarded with a position as head coach in Houston. Steve Wilks is a recognized defensive coordinator and should know how to handle this talented group.
2 – Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia, or the art of defending against the pass. No team has collected fewer yards in the air than the Eagles in 2022. A performance achieved in part thanks to the ability of this squad to sacking the opposing quarterback: 70 last season, 15 more than the Chiefs , second.
Jonathan Gannon left for the Cardinals, it is Sean Desai who will take over to manage a very deep defense in (almost) all positions. With a menacing defensive line, a very effective cornerback duo, and a large number of young players from the Georgia school, the Philadelphia defense will once again help the whole team in its quest for the Holy Grail.
3 – New York Jets
Fewer high-sounding names, but quality to spare. Behind the figureheads Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams and CJ Mosley, the players who make up the Jets’ defense are much less recognized in the NFL than among the 49ers, the Eagles or the Cowboys, for example.
Under the leadership of Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich, however, this set works perfectly. Youth, experience, quality against the pass and against the run, all coached masterfully: the recipe for a defense that worked in 2022 and should do so again in 2023.
4 – Dallas Cowboys
Is Dan Quinn the best defensive coordinator in the NFL? It’s possible. Is Micah Parsons the best defender in the NFL? Not yet, but it’s not far off. Such a coach-leader duo, all accompanied by a host of stars, should make the Cowboys’ defense a permanent threat.
If the recurring problem of the second cornerback has been solved with the arrival of Stephon Gilmore, there are still two small gray areas: the inside of the line, where the rookie Mazi Smith will quickly have to win, and the position of middle linebacker, where behind Leighton Vander Esch the whole seems weak. But other than that, this squad is scary, in a good way.
5 – Pittsburgh Steelers
It’s probably way too unjustified, but we don’t talk enough about the quality of this Steelers defense. It suffered more than expected last year following the absence of TJ Watt, but a rebound is expected in 2023.
With the spectacular outbreak of Alex Highsmith, the presence of veterans Cameron Heyward and Patrick Peterson, still as effective, and the dominance of Minkah Fitzpatrick in his position, the Steelers can still rely on an iron defense. There are certainly gray areas, but the whole is far too coherent to miss.
6 – New England Patriots
Even though the light has been on Tom Brady for 20 years, the bedrock of Bill Belichick’s teams still has defense. There’s something in the air of New England that makes the lesser average player incredibly effective.
Matthew Judon was stagnant with the Ravens, but since joining the Patriots, he’s become one of the best pass rushers in the league. Behind his leadership, a host of players have proven their worth under inexpensive contracts, a classic Belichick. They will soon sign in another franchise for a big pile of tickets, surely in Las Vegas if Josh McDaniels is still there, before failing like many before them.
7 – Baltimore Ravens
The story is the same since the inception of the franchise. Every year, the Ravens are in the top 10 NFL defenses. While this team’s face is on the other side of the ball, the main strength in Baltimore is defense.
However, the start of the 2022 season has been chaotic. But since the arrival of Roquan Smith in the middle of the year, this defense has recovered. With the best safety duo in the league, a top cornerback in Marlon Humphrey and a good number of talented young players, this squad has what it takes to perform. It may lack a real leader on the pass rush, but the whole is very interesting.
8 – Washington Commanders
Every year it’s the same story: the hype around Washington’s defense is high, we’re a little disappointed at the start of the season, and finally, we realize that it’s really not that bad.
Their defensive line is close to the best in the NFL. Already formidable last year, it should once again turn a corner with the long-awaited return of Chase Young. Behind, Kamren Curl has been impressive in 2022, and rookie Emmanuel Forbes will bring a touch of playmaking to a still limited group of cornerbacks. Whatever happens, it is in defense that there will be entertainment in the capital.
9 – Miami Dolphins
In just a few months, the Dolphins signed Bradley Chubb, Jalen Ramsey and Vic Fangio, and their defensive face changed. From a question mark last year, defense has become a strong point.
Unfortunately, Jalen Ramsey was seriously injured and is expected to miss a good part of the regular season. The debut of his long-awaited duet with Xavien Howard will unfortunately have to wait. But there are still plenty of grounds for hope, including youngsters Jaelan Phillips and Jevon Holland, who continue to impress.
10 – Buffalo Bills
This place may seem severe as there is talent in this defense. The safety duo is lethal, Matt Milano is a very high level linebacker, Tre’Davious White is an excellent cornerback, and there are a lot of good people on the line.
However, two essential losses could weaken this defense in comparison to 2022. Von Miller, first of all, who is still not recovered from his injury, will miss the start of the season, and will not get any younger. Then, Tremaine Edmunds, who left for the Bears, and whose role in this defense was very undervalued, as he brought to the collective. But there are still plenty of positives that could well lift the Bills up this ranking.
11 – Cleveland Browns
If Myles Garrett has still not been voted defender of the year, it is not because of his performances, which are always excellent, but because of the other pass rushers in the league, who also perform at a high level. . Nevertheless, the duo he will form with Za’Darius Smith has something to thrill the quarterbacks of AFC North. With the addition of a group of talented defensive backs and interesting linebackers, this defense is to be followed. There remains the question around the run stop, especially inside the line.
12 – Denver Broncos
The Broncos defenders had to bite their cheeks not to insult the offense last year, as they carried the team at arm’s length. Pat Surtain and Justin Simmons are superstars in this league, and the somewhat overlooked signing of Zach Allen will add a lot to the line. But the loss of Ejiro Evero, who left for the Panthers, will hurt, despite the recruitment of the ghost Vance Joseph to replace him.
13 – New Orleans Saints
Cameron Jordan, Demario Davis, Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye: all in their thirties, and all still going strong. The fountain of youth would therefore be in Louisiana. If these players are likely to decline one day, it does not seem like it will be for now. With around them young players of the future, like the rookies Bryan Bresee and Isaiah Foskey, it will be necessary to follow the defense of the Saints.
14 – Cincinnati Bengals
As for the Chiefs, our eyes are so drawn to the attack of the Bengals that we come to forget the talent of this defense. Admittedly, the losses of Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates will be difficult to make up for, but this squad has very good arguments, starting with Trey Hendrickson, who we forget far too quickly when we talk about excellent pass rushers.
15 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Clearly, the season should not be fun offensively in Tampa Bay. So the defense will have to lead by example. This should not be enough to get the playoffs, but this group could at least allow the Bucs to get some victories, with talented players like Lavonte David, Shaq Barrett, Jamel Dean or Vita Vea.
16 – Los Angeles Chargers
If we just focus on the names, the Chargers defense should be much higher. Only Joey Bosa and Derwin James are injured too regularly, Khalil Mack and Eric Kendricks are aging, and JC Jackson has underperformed for the price the Chargers paid him. And we’re going to have to settle the account of the person who told the leaders of Los Angeles that it was forbidden to improve at the position of defensive tackle, because this story has been going on since the San Diego days.
17 – Carolina Panthers
What if Ejiro Evero was the Panthers’ best rookie? The defensive coordinator is coming off an impressive season in Denver, where his squad carried an entire team at arm’s length. In Carolina, he finds a young and talented group (Brian Burns, Jaycee Horn, Derrick Brown) surrounded by recognized veterans like Vonn Bell, Shaq Thompson or Justin Houston. The rebuilding of the Panthers’ defense is ahead of the offense, and it’s on track.
18 – Kansas City Chiefs
How is the defense of the defending champions not higher? First of all, contrary to the adage, it was the offense that won the championship for the Chiefs. Then, because Frank Clark and Juan Thornhill packed their bags during the offseason. Finally, because Chris Jones seems determined not to play until he has been paid. That’s a lot there, isn’t it? There are still reasons for satisfaction, in particular the young Nick Bolton, George Karlaftis or Trent McDuffie.
19 – Green Bay Packers
The front seven is among the most attractive in the entire league. With Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary, De’Vondre Campbell, Devonte Wyatt, Preston Smith and the arrival of rookie Lukas Van Ness, this squad is not lacking in talent. But behind, the presence of the fantastic Jaire Alexander cannot hide the weakness of the defensive backfield. What’s the point of putting pressure on the quarterback if the back lines aren’t doing their job?
20 – Tennessee Titans
This offseason, all the spotlight was on the Titans offense, for good reason. On the defense side, we bet on continuity with the continued leadership of Jeffery Simmons and Kevin Bayard, two of the most underrated players in their position. The low-key additions of Azeez Al-Shair and Sean Murphy-Bunting are very interesting.
21 – Seattle Seahawks
Riq Woolen (call him that now) was one of the sensations of the 2022 season. The draft selection of Devon Witherspoon with the 5th pick announces happy days at the position of cornerback. Also note the return of Seattle’s darling, Bobby Wagner, who comes to offer his last drops of football to his favorite franchise. Unfortunately, all these beautiful people can not hide the recurring problem of the Seahawks: their total inability to stop the running game.
22 – New York Giants
The Giants defense led by Wink Martindale has undeniable fun potential. Players like Dexter Lawrence, Azeez Ojulari, Kayvon Thibodeaux or Xavier McKinney are entertaining to watch, as much as they are effective. However, a weak point remains: the absence of a real leader at the cornerback position. Difficult to hope for miracles with a duo of rookies.
23 – Detroit Lions
The Lions have gone all out to improve the main defect of their defense in 2022: the backfield. The recruitments of CJ Gardner-Johnson, Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley go in this direction. This improved point is now the front seven which looks gloomy, especially among linebackers. Aidan Hutchinson will try to float, he who was so convincing during his rookie season.
24 – Atlanta Falcons
This Atlanta defense is probably the hardest to classify. In difficulty in 2022, it intelligently strengthened during the off-season. Calais Campbell, David Onyemata, Bud Dupree, Jeff Okudah and especially Jessie Bates arrived to change the face of the squad. With the already confirmed AJ Terrell and Grady Jarrett, whether the mayonnaise will take with so many changes remains to be seen. If so, then the Falcons will have their card to play in NFC South.
25 – Jacksonville Jaguars
It is certainly no longer Sacksonville, but this defense has undeniable advantages. Josh Allen is an established player, Tyson Campbell was a positive surprise last year and rookies Devin Lloyd and Travon Walker showed great things in their first season. There are still points for improvement, but the construction is consistent.
26 – Houston Texans
The revival in Houston is called Will Anderson. The Texans gave the Cardinals a lot to move up to No. 3 in the draft and pick Alabama’s pass rusher. With this choice, DeMeco Ryans probably hopes to have found the equivalent of what he had in Nick Bosa at the Niners. Around, there are interesting players, especially in the defensive backfield. Reconstruction is underway in Houston.
27 – Indianapolis Colts
A well-coached defense, with an interesting front seven carried by DeForest Buckner and Shaquille Leonard and a simple but effective system from Gus Bradley. That sounds rather reassuring. But when you see the weakness of their defensive backfield following the loss of Stephon Gilmore and Isaiah Rodgers, there is really something to worry about.
28 – Minnesota Vikings
Despite the arrival of Brian Flores as defensive coordinator, it is difficult to bounce back when you have lost in the same offseason Za’Darius Smith, Eric Kendricks, Dalvin Tomlinson and Patrick Peterson. The arrivals of Marcus Davenport and Byron Murphy don’t even come close to consolation prize status. This defense has lost its luster.
29 – Chicago Bears
No one conceded more points last season than the Bears. So we made investments during the offseason in Chicago. The arrivals of TJ Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds and Yannick Ngakoue should take Chicago out of last place in this ranking, but the whole thing remains very weak, especially on the defensive line.
30 – Las Vegas Raiders
Maxx Crosby and studs. This may sound harsh, but hard to find highlights outside of the rusher pass. Chandler Jones was very disappointing in 2022, Marcus Peters arrived as the savior of the cornerback position without having played a full season for 5 years, and there is no top linebacker. To see what the highly anticipated Tyree Wilson will give in this squad.
31 – Arizona Cardinals
A defensive coordinator arrived as head coach, and as a gift, he was entitled to … absolutely nothing. Poor Budda Baker is going to feel horribly alone in a defense full of players who haven’t yet proven much. Strength to him.
32 – Los Angeles Rams
Aaron Donald and who else? If the defensive tackle is in the discussion for one of the top 3 best defenders in NFL history, the cast around him is at least worrying. No established player, questions at each position, in short, nothing reassuring. Recent injuries and rumors of retirement around Donald do nothing to improve the picture.
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