This is the third post in a series that will delve in to each NFL position, ranking the top 12 for all. After each has been dissected, I will give my final top 12 players in the NFL. For the previous post in the series, click here.
Disruptive forces. They can create hell on earth for opposing offenses. Shoving other full grown men onto their backs while chasing down smaller men who are just trying to throw the ball before feeling the weight of a 276 pound man on top of them (or on an unlucky day, 2-3 men that size).
A position that's played on the outside ends of the defensive line, defensive ends were primarily meant to stop the end runs and force the carriers to the inside of any given run play. But with years going by, new formations have been concocted, making coordinators rethink strategies on how to best utilize these strong forces of muscle. Whether 3-4, 4-3 or a different defensive scheme entirely, a great DE is highly sought after, and can act as an anchor for any given defense.
It's hard to rank a position like this when many great DE's don't pile up the conventional stats (tackles, sacks, TFL, etc.) but instead act as disruptive forces of chaos that allow teammates to easily maneuver their way through for the great play. It's these leaders and scary beings that change a game in one single play and half the time no one notices.
I had to make sure I was satisfied with the list as there are many underrated linemen who aren't talked about due to the ones who get all the glory by racking up the sacks.
Here are a few great players that just missed out:
From top left clockwise: Cameron Jordan (#94), Casey Heyward (#97), Michael Bennett (#72)
In case you wonder why a player is on the list or why he is so high, some of these players are where they are based on how I think they will do in 2017 whilst also including past achievements and experience. So if you see someone that surprises you, it could be that I think they are set to explode this upcoming season.
The Top 12 Defensive Ends of 2017
12. Melvin Ingram - LA Chargers
After finally coming into his own in 2016, Ingram is ready to show he is part of the "elite" in 2017. With a chance for a fresh start in LA, Ingram along with stars Joey Bosa, Philip Rivers, Melvin Gordon, Casey Hayward, and Tyrell Williams will give their team hope that they can once again compete.
Ingram is explosive, and finally figured out how to use that explosiveness the last couple seasons, posting 18.5 sacks and 125 total tackles in those two years. The pairing of Ingram and co-DE Bosa will be a scary tandem once both are fully grown and trained (Bosa was only a rookie last year who didn't play a full season).
Ingram was snubbed off the Top 100 Players of 2017 list due in large part that much of the voting is based on one stat and one stat only: wins and losses. Players who were low on the list in past years shot up the list due to an increase in their team's win column (and vice versa when a player's team loses). Proving that an elite player's season performance on a poor team will most likely be over looked vs a player that was solid but whose team made the playoffs and/or won a Super Bowl (see Joe Flacco's high #19 ranking after the Ravens 2012 Super Bowl win).
11. Muhammad Wilkerson - New York Jets
Ah. Let's just take a moment to look at that glorious picture above.
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Got it? Good. It's beautiful ain't it. Moving on though, Wilkerson had a down 2016 year but is still one of the best in the game. Big Mo was at one point arguably the best DE not named JJ Watt, but has slipped down a little bit. He's consistent in that whenever he gives an all-pro season, he follows it up with a so-so season, then bouncing back again which means he's due for another stand out season this fall. Not to mention that if he doesn't give his all in 2017, he will most likely be out the door in NY as it will beg the question: did Wilkerson stop caring after he got the big $$ deal in summer of 2016? He will become expendable if he doesn't play like an elite, as hungry youngster Leonard "Big Cat" Williams is nipping at his heels every day, ready to take on a lead role for NY.
I expect Big Mo to bounce back from what was his worst year as a Jet since his arrival in 2011. He's strong, long, and smart. When he wants it, he's better then anyone else. It's just a matter of how badly he does.
10. Carlos Dunlap - Cincinnati Bengals
He didn't put up the sacks, but his impact was felt as always in 2016, including a ridiculous 15 passes defended which was more than any non-defensive back in the NFL, and eighth overall. He's tall and gets in the way of any QB or linemen. With another eight sacks and a combined 49 tackles, Dunlap must be respected no matter what, at all times during any given game. And while not much stands out besides his incredibly long reach, Dunlap gets the job done, and you gotta admire that.
9. Olivier Vernon - New York Giants
I think we can all agree NY's defense was outstanding last season. In 2015, the Giants D was dead last (out of 32 teams) in points per game allowed (27.6) and in yards per game allowed (a whopping 420.3). Well, they decided to shell out the big bucks, spending around $200 million on defensive players before the 2016 season began. Some were worried if the free agent spending spree would backfire, but we all know now that it didn't in any way. The Big Blue dominated in scoring defense (2nd), TD's allowed (1st), run defense (3rd), red zone defense (1st), interceptions (2nd), and in third down efficiency (2nd).
There are many top tier players on the Giants, but Oliver Vernon stands out, acting as their lead pass rusher. He was worth the money pulled out of the wallet ($85 mil), finishing with a solid 8.5 sacks, 63 tackles, one forced fumble, and an overall presence that was missing since Jason Pierre-Paul's elite days in NY.
Vernon didn't make eyes pop in 2016, but I expect even better things now that he's got a year under his belt in the Giants system.
8. Leonard Williams - New York Jets
Mr. "Big Cat" Williams was agreed upon as the best prospect in the 2015 NFL draft, and somehow he managed to fall right into the Jets lap despite this "fact". In 2015 he was great at getting to QB... *after* he'd thrown the ball. He finished with a third ranked 19 QB hits, and 13th in QB hurries while getting only 3 sacks. Yet nobody was worried. He was a rookie. He had stars Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson to share sacks with. We all knew once it "clicked" those QB hits would turn into sacks and once they did, he would immediately be feared as the Jets leading man on the "Sons of Anarchy" (SoA - the nickname the Jets D-line has been given).
While the SoA were at their best from 2013-2015, the 2016 and onward presents a little less star power for the Jets D-line. NY allowed one of the league's premiere tackles Damon "snacks" Harrison to walk across the hall to the Giants while simultaneously one-hit wonder and sensation Sheldon Richardson trails off due to legal troubles and overall issues in the locker room, giving Williams his chance to shine after a great 2016 season (7 sacks, 25 QB hits, 11 TFL's, Pro Bowl) and also leap frog teammate Muhammad Wilkerson for the teams #1 position on the depth chart.
Known for being humble and willing to be taught, he's also hungry and wants success. He will be scarring offenses all year long in 2017.
7. Brandon Graham - Philadelphia Eagles
A player finally made the Top 100 Players list this year due to overall performance without big numbers - what a great feeling. Graham makes the teammates around him better, giving them many opportunities to shine. He only had 5.5 sacks this year. But he's competitive and his ability to put repeated pressure on QB's was ongoing, as his motor never turned off, never slowing down despite the lack of sacks. PFF ranked Graham as the 9th best defensive player in 2016, thriving under new coordinator Jim Swartz who moved Graham back to DE after being a Linebacker from 2013-15. It was a smart move, with Graham serving as a veteran leader on the team who seemingly has had new life breathed into him.
Graham had a whopping 83 QB pressures in 2016 (second most by any outside defender), and stats show that when a QB is under pressure, their average rating goes from ridiculously high 96.7 to 62.5 - pretty much taking any great quarterback and turning them into an amateur who doesn't have a handle on the situation. Graham shows you don't need the sacks to shake up opposing defenses. How 'bout them apples.
6. Cliff Avril - Seattle Seahawks
Many would not be happy with my exclusion of Seahawks' Michael Bennett on this list, but I think teammate Cliff Avril is the better player. He explodes off the edge, then uses his hands against a tackle, pushes his way around to the QB, and then adds a nice fumble to the play. Epic. He racked up a career high 11.5 sacks in 2016 along with 5 forced fumbles. He's really a lotta fun to watch if you want some good solid football playing.
5. Cameron Wake - Miami Dolphins
Cameron Wake plays with a fierceness in his eyes. He fires up fans and the defense surrounding him. He showed no signs of slowing down in 2016, with 11.5 sacks and 5 forced fumbles, Wake was a force to be reckoned with. He's just one of many talented defensive stars on the Miami Dolphins, but Wake has always been a fan favorite since joining the team in '09. Wake doesn't pile up the tackles, but he makes the big play when it's needed, acting as one of those "watch out for him" when the game begins to tighten up. He's clutch - and will remain one of the league's premiere superstar DE's for a little while longer.
4. Jadeveon Clowney - Houston Texans
There was a massive amount of hype for this 1st overall pick from South Carolina, and he started to worry everyone when he went down with a rookie season ending injury in the opener. He followed that up with a less-than stellar sophomore season. He finally broke out in 2016, and while the stats aren't high, we need to remember stats are just the tip of the ice-berg for what a player can contribute in a football game.
As star JJ Watt was out for pretty much the enitre season, the bulk of the work was left to Clowney, who flourished, being able to switch around and cause havoc among offenses.
Clowney is fast, strong, and holds that "raw" talent that scouts and coaches love, learning how to take it and channel it in the right way, allowing the player to let loose and succeed. Clowney hasn't even come close to tapping into his full potential of raw power; when he finally does and the game all clicks, look out, he may end up being even better then his legendary teammate.
Can you imagine how terrifying the tandem of a healthy Watt and fully learned Clowney would be?
Woah. Das all I can say.
3. Joey Bosa - LA Chargers
I was tempted to place Bosa even higher on the list. I will say I'm definitely buying into this guy - I am on the Bosa bandwagon. He missed the first few games and still piled up the stats. Imagine what kind of numbers this rookie season would've included had he played a full 16 games. He's exactly the type of player that teams can rely on, creating a symbol for the new and revised LA team. Bosa is someone who will jump up this list very quickly as long as he continues to perform at a high level. Offenses will learn that they have to create their whole game plan solely on stopping him if he hones his top shelf talent.
2. Everson Griffen - Minnesota Vikings
Out of all the players on this list, it's possible this choice and placing of Everson Griffen will surprise people the most.
But listen here. This is based much on how I think what Griffen will become in 2017. Having broken out in 2016, Griffen is a monster of an athlete, helping to create one of the NFL's elite defenses last year (my personal favorite). I love watching this guy play, giving his all every snap, moving his way in and out of the backfield, and blowing up opposing offense's schemes. His frame is intimidating, and he bursts across the line pursuing whoever has the ball with everything in him, laser focus. He may be my personal favorite player at the position.
1. J.J. Watt - Houston Texans
C'mon. You saw this coming. Until someone matches this legends play, no one will come close to Watt with his multiple records and achievements that will be basically impossible to reach or break. He can literally change the game all on his own, in one moment, and then proceed to control it, allowing the offense no breathing room.
Watt will inevitably go down as one of the greatest of all time - if not the greatest. Tough, confident but yet humble and wanting to see everyone around him succeed, it's not hard to see why he's one of the most respected players in the league.
