Ranking Every NFL Defense After the 2023 Draft
The old adage that defense wins championships is still true, even in an offensively driven NFL. The formula, however, has changed. A dominant defense alone won't cut it, but combining a potent offense with a unit that can get critical stops and takeaways is a winning formula.
A look at the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs tells the story. Kansas City ranked a modest 16th in points allowed last season. However, the Chiefs also generated 55 sacks and 20 turnovers during the regular season—plus another five takeaways in the playoffs.
Identifying a good defense is a process. Factors like proven production and overall talent are key but coaching, the presence of complementary players and skill sets and familiarity are also important.
The best defenses aren't always the ones with the biggest names or the most capital invested.
So, which teams are heading into training camp with the league's best defenses? Though it hasn't been easy, we've ranked all 32 units following the 2023 NFL draft based on 2022 results and the aforementioned criteria.
32. Arizona Cardinals
1 of 32
2022 Yardage Ranking: 21st
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 31st
Key Additions: LB Kyzir White, LB Krys Barnes, Edge BJ Ojulari,
Key Losses: Edge Zach Allen, CB Byron Murphy Jr., LB Ben Niemann, Edge J.J. Watt (retirement), DT Trysten Hill
Theoretically, the Arizona Cardinals will have a newfound defensive focus under new head coach Jonathan Gannon. The former Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator coached one of the best units in the NFL last season and knows that offense alone won't win games.
The Eagles racked up 417 yards and 35 points in Super Bowl LVII but still lost.
Unfortunately, Gannon inherits a defense that was one of the worst in the league—before losing key players like Zach Allen, Byron Murphy Jr. and J.J. Watt. The Cardinals added a couple of veteran linebackers and used a second-round pick on pass-rusher BJ Ojulari, but this is not a talented overall unit.
With Pro Bowl safety Budda Baker requesting a trade early in the offseason, Gannon might not have a solidified locker room either. Toss in the fact that quarterback Kyler Murray is recovering from a torn ACL—which could make keeping the defense off the field difficult early in the season—and you have a recipe for the worst unit in the league.
31. Los Angeles Rams
2 of 32
2022 Yardage Ranking: 19th
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 21st (tied)
Key Additions: Byron Young, DL Kobie Turner,
Key Losses: CB Jalen Ramsey, Edge Leonard Floyd, LB Bobby Wagner, S Taylor Rapp, S Nick Scott, CB David Long Jr.
Here's the good news for the Los Angeles Rams. They still have superstar defensive tackle, Aaron Donald. The bad news is that many of the key pieces to L.A.'s 2021 championship defense are gone.
Von Miller departed last offseason and the Rams pass rush suffered dramatically—L.A. went from 50 sacks in 2021 to 38 sacks in 2022. The Rams then traded cornerback Jalen Ramsey, released Leonard Floyd and Bobby Wagner (a 2022 offseason addition) and lost Taylor Rapp, Nick Scott and David Long Jr.
General manager Les Snead deserves a little credit for landing Byron Young and Kobie Turner in the third round of the draft, but offseason roster movement yielded a substantial net negative in talent.
Oh, and Donald is 31 and coming off a campaign cut short by an ankle injury; there's no guarantee that he'll play at an elite level this season.
Simply put, the Rams defense is poised to take a big step back this season, and it wasn't particularly good a year ago.
30. Minnesota Vikings
3 of 32
2022 Yardage Ranking: 31st
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 28th (tied)
Key Additions: Edge Marcus Davenport, CB Byron Murphy Jr., CB Mekhi Blackmon, S Jay Ward
Key Losses: DT Dalvin Tomlinson, CB Patrick Peterson, CB Duke Shelley, LB Eric Kendricks
There's a chance that the hiring of seasoned defensive coordinator Brian Flores dramatically improves the Minnesota Vikings defense in 2023. If Flores can't get more out of this unit, though, it's going to be quite bad once again.
Last year, only the Detroit Lions allowed more yards than the Vikings. Only the Cardinals and Chicago Bears surrendered more points.
Minnesota did add a couple of quality starters in Marcus Davenport and Byron Murphy Jr., and it drafted promising young defensive backs Mekhi Blackmon and Jay Ward. However, it also lost proven starters like Dalvin Tomlinson, Patrick Peterson and Eric Kendricks.
The Vikings got a little younger on defense, but only time will tell if they actually got better.
As is the case in Arizona, one of Minnesota's defensive playmakers wants out. Pass-rusher Za'Darius Smith asked for his release in March. While he remains with the team, Smith posted a farewell to Vikings fans on social media.
If Smith, who had 10 sacks and made the Pro Bowl last season, is released or traded, the Vikings defense will be even worse.
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29. Chicago Bears
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 29th
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 32nd
Key Additions: LB T.J. Edwards, LB Tremaine Edmunds, DT Andrew Billings, Edge DeMarcus Walker, DT Gervon Dexter Sr., CB Tyrique Stevenson, DL Zacch Pickens
Key Losses: LB Nicholas Morrow
The Bears might not take a massive step forward defensively this year, but they cannot get any worse. Adding proven veterans like T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds will help immediately, and Chicago continued to rebuild its defense during the draft.
On paper, this is a better unit than it was a year ago, especially after the trade of Roquan Smith. The Bears surrendered an average of 27.3 points on the season and an average of 31.3 points over the final nine games.
The defense will also be aided by a healthy investment in the offense. Players like DJ Moore, D'Onta Foreman, Robert Tonyan, Nate Davis and rookie right tackle Darnell Wright will help Justin Fields and Co. better sustain drives. That's noteworthy because Chicago lost the possession battle by an average of 10 seconds and half a play per drive last season.
The Bears will be better equipped to play complementary football in 2023.
It's going to take time—likely more than one offseason—for Chicago's defense to actually be good, but fans should take solace in the fact that this is a unit on the rise.
28. Las Vegas Raiders
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 28th
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 26th
Key Additions: S Marcus Epps, CB Brandon Facyson, LB Robert Spillane, CB Duke Shelley, CB David Long Jr., Edge Tyree Wilson, Edge Byron Young, CB Jakorian Bennett
Key Losses: CB Rock Ya-Sin, LB Denzel Perryman
The Las Vegas Raiders spent free agency turning over the roster and truly beginning the rebuild under Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler. The defense will feature new veteran faces, though the additions of players like Marcus Epps and David Long Jr. didn't exactly generate offseason headlines.
Where the Raiders really struck gold was in the draft. Ziegler did tremendous work landing Tyree Wilson, Byron Young and Jakorian Bennett, prospects who could develop into foundational pieces on that side of the ball.
Wilson, a versatile defender who can play all over the line, is particularly intriguing. He can be a potent edge-rusher who rotates with Chandler Jones and Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby, and he can kick inside to get all three rushers on the field simultaneously (have fun with that, opposing coordinators.)
The unknown is how soon Wilson can get back to pre-injury (foot) form and how quickly the new pieces can gel under defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. There's potential here, but the Raiders probably won't see a big defensive jump until late in the season and in 2024.
27. Indianapolis Colts
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 15th
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 28th (tied)
Key Additions: Edge Samson Ebukam, DT Taven Bryan, CB Julius Brents
Key Losses: CB Stephon Gilmore, LB Bobby Okereke, CB Brandon Facyson, Edge Yannick Ngakoue
Only the Bears and Cardinals surrendered more points than the Indianapolis Colts in 2022. However, it's worth noting that the defense was severely hamstrung by an inefficient and turnover-prone offense.
The defense did a commendable job of limiting yardage but was frequently stuck protecting a short field by an offense that turned it over 34 times in the regular season. Not having star running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) for six games didn't help matters.
The question, of course, is whether the offense will be any more efficient with Gardner Minshew or rookie Anthony Richardson under center instead of Matt Ryan.
There wasn't a ton of notable roster turnover in Indianapolis, though the Colts did trade Stephon Gilmore and replace him with rookie second-round pick Julius Brents. Bringing back Yannick Ngakoue, who had 9.5 sacks in 2022 and who remains unsigned, would be a smart move.
At least the defense will enjoy some continuity, as new head coach Shane Steichen retained defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. There are some nice pieces on this unit—one that ranked 16th in yards allowed and ninth in points allowed just two years ago. However, a lot will hinge on the quality of the offense.
26. Houston Texans
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 30th
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 27th
Key Additions: DT Sheldon Rankins, S Jimmie Ward, LB Denzel Perryman, Edge Chase Winovich, LB Cory Littleton, DT Hassan Ridgeway, Edge Will Anderson Jr.
Key Losses: Edge Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
The Houston Texans should see progress after fielding one of the league's worst defenses in 2022. New head coach DeMeco Ryans has a defensive background, and Houston added some find defensive pieces in free agency—like safety Jimmie Ward, who played under Ryans with the San Francisco 49ers.
The big roster addition, of course, is rookie pass-rusher and third overall pick Will Anderson Jr. The Alabama product has the potential to be a perennial Pro Bowler and Ryan's new first defensive centerpiece.
Over the past two seasons, Anderson racked up 27.5 sacks and 48 tackles for loss.
Whether it's journeyman Case Keenum or rookie second-overall pick C.J. Stroud at quarterback, Houston should get an upgrade over Davis Mills, who tossed 15 interceptions and posted a 78.8 passer rating in 2022. A boost in offensive efficiency should aid the defense after the Texans lost the 2022 time-of-possession battle by an average of 20 seconds per drive.
The Texans are on the upswing, but it's going to take time for them to produce even an average defense.
25. New York Giants
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 25th
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 17th (tied)
Key Additions: CB Amani Oruwariye, LB Bobby Okereke, S Bobby McCain, DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches, CB Deonte Banks
Key Losses: S Julian Love
The New York Giants overachieved defensively under head coach Brian Daboll and defensive coordinator Don Martindale in 2022. The Giants did a good job of limiting opposing scoring despite being awful against the run and rarely picking off passes.
New York ranked 31st in yards per carry allowed (5.2) and recorded just six interceptions as a team.
While the Giants didn't do a ton to improve their defense in free agency, they snagged cornerback Deonte Banks in the first round of the draft. Banks is the sort of physical perimeter corner that Martindale utilized with the Baltimore Ravens but lacked in New York.
"Banks has great traits to be a man corner," Cory Giddings of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "He has the ability to play from both press and off coverage and has the physicality and temperament to reroute receivers at the line of scrimmage."
The Giants secondary should be better with the addition of Banks. The biggest issue here is that New York largely ignored its run defense after adding Bobby Okereke and Rakeem Nunez-Roches to the front seven.
24. Detroit Lions
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 32nd
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 28th (tied)
Key Additions: S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, CB Cameron Sutton, LB Jack Campbell, S Brian Branch
Key Losses: CB Mike Hughes, CB Jeff Okudah
Statistically, the Lions defense was just plain bad in 2022. Detroit's saving grace was its ability to limit turnovers offensively while generating them defensively.
The Lions were plus-7 in turnover differential last season. Only the 49ers, Eagles and Dallas Cowboys won the turnover battle by a larger margin—and spoiler alert, those three teams rank in our top 10.
To improve the defense, Detroit went with quality over quantity in free agency. The Lions didn't add a lot of players, but they added two very good ones in Cameron Sutton and C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
The new secondary duo combined for 23 passes defended and nine interceptions last season. Sutton allowed an opposing passer rating of only 65.3, while Gardner-Johnson allowed an opposing passer rating of just 78.4.
The Lions also did good work in the draft.
Fans can argue the "value" of drafting an off-ball linebacker in the first round, but Jack Campbell has the potential to be a three-down playmaker in the mold of Bobby Wagner or Fred Warner. Second-round safety Brian Branch was the 30th-ranked prospect on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's draft board and should see the field immediately.
The Lions defense might not be great in 2023, but it will be better. Combined with a prolific offense, that should be enough to put Detroit in the postseason for the first time since 2016.
23. Tennessee Titans
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 23rd
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 14th (tied)
Key Additions: Edge Arden Key, LB Azeez Al-Shaair, CB Sean Murphy-Bunting, LB Ben Niemann
Key Losses: LB David Long Jr., DT DeMarcus Walker, Edge Bud Dupree, LB Zach Cunningham
How, exactly, does one judge a defense that is excellent against the run and an embarrassment against the pass? It's a relevant question here, because that's the best way to describe the Tennessee Titans defense.
Tennessee ranked first in both rushing yards and yards per carry allowed (3.4). However, it also ranked dead-last in passing yards allowed and 27th in yards per attempt (6.6). Adding Sean Murphy-Bunting to the secondary will help, but the Titans didn't do nearly enough to improve their defense this offseason.
To make matters worse, the future of standout safety Kevin Byard appears to be in flux:
Byard has not attended voluntary workouts this offseason, according to Nick Suss of The Tennesseean.
Aside from Murphy-Bunting, Tennessee's notable free-agent additions are direct replacements for departed players. The Titans did literally nothing to improve their defense in the draft, using all of their selection on offensive players.
Tennessee had an average scoring defense a year ago, and the Titans will be hard to run on in 2023. However, it's a passing league, and few teams have a more underwhelming pass defense than Tennessee's.
22. Jacksonville Jaguars
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 24th
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 12th
Key Additions: DL Michael Dogbe, LB Ventrell Miller
Key Losses: Edge Arden Key
The Jacksonville Jaguars gave up a lot of yards in 2022 but did a good job of keeping points off the board. That's a product of having young and opportunistic players, led by standouts like pass-rusher Josh Allen and linebacker Devin Lloyd.
Smart, careful play by quarterback Trevor Lawrence (only eight interceptions) also played a role. The Jaguars were plus-5 in turnover differential last season.
The question is whether Jacksonville can maintain its efficiency on both sides of the ball. The defense ranked 28th in passing yards allowed last season, and if there isn't significant growth from the returning cast, the Jags will walk a razor-thin line between having a close-to-average defense and a bad one.
Jacksonville didn't do much of anything to upgrade its defense in the offseason, so a lot will depend on the continued development of players like Lloyd and 2022 first-overall pick Travon Walker.
The Jaguars need to see more out of Walker, who finished his inaugural campaign with 21 quarterback pressures but only 3.5 sacks. A year-two leap from him would go a long way toward improving a pass rush that generated only 35 sacks in 2022.
21. Atlanta Falcons
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 27th
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 23rd
Key Additions: DL Calais Campbell, S Jessie Bates III, LB Kaden Elliss, DT David Onyemata, Edge Bud Dupree, DL Zach Harrison
Key Losses: CB Isaiah Oliver
This offseason, the Atlanta Falcons put a lot of work into rebuilding a defense that ranked 25th in passing yards allowed, 23rd in rushing yards allowed and 27th in total yards allowed last season.
Players like Jessie Bates III, David Onyemata, Calais Campbell and rookie third-round pick Zach Harrison will make the unit better—though cornerback Isaiah Oliver is a pretty significant loss.
How much better the defense can be will depend on the team's offensive efficiency. Despite having an underwhelming passing attack, Atlanta's run-heavy scheme helped keep the defense off the field—the Falcons lost the time-of-possession battle by only one second per drive. However, Atlanta was also minus-4 in turnover differential.
With second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder now firmly entrenched as the starter, Atlanta should see better results than it did with Marcus Mariota. Adding do-it-all playmaker Bijan Robinson in the draft will certainly help there.
If Ridder can protect the football and the Falcons continue to dominate on the ground, they should have a very good complementary football team in 2023. However, their defense, on paper, still appears to be below-average.
20. Carolina Panthers
13 of 32
2022 Yardage Ranking: 22nd
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 19th
Key Additions: S Vonn Bell, Edge DJ Johnson
Key Losses: LB Cory Littleton
Aside from adding safety Vonn Bell and using a second-round pick on pass-rusher DJ Johnson, the Carolina Panthers didn't do much to upgrade their defense this offseason.
Bringing back defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis, who remains unsigned, would be logical, and Carolina should dive hack into the free-agent pool if at all possible. Maybe Carolina can get a boost from undrafted free agents like Jalen Redmond and Rejzohn Wright.
However, Carolina's biggest defensive boost will likely come from its offense. The trio of Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker wasn't good enough last season, and it put a lot of undue pressure on the defense.
Carolina was minus-4 in turnover differential and lost the possession battle by an average of 13 seconds and a half-play per series. Things should eventually improve with first-overall pick Bryce Young under center.
How quickly that happens, though remains a mystery. The Panthers have some great defensive building blocks—like pass-rusher Brian Burns, cornerback Jaycee Horn and defensive back Jeremy Chinn—but this isn't an elite unit capable of offsetting poor offensive play.
Any chance of Carolina winning the NFC South rests almost entirely on Young.
19. Seattle Seahawks
14 of 32
2022 Yardage Ranking: 26th
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 25th
Key Additions: LB Bobby Wagner, LB Devin Bush, S Julian Love, DT Dre'Mont Jones, DT Jarran Reed, CB Devon Witherspoon, Edge Derick Hall
Key Losses: LB Cody Barton, DT Poona Ford
The Seattle Seahawks defense had some growing pains under new coordinator Clint Hurtt in 2022. Hurtt brought a sizeable shift from a 4-3 to a 3-4 base defense, and not all of the pieces fit perfectly.
Things should be a bit better in Year 2, and the Seahawks put a lot of focus on improving the defense this offseason. Adding veterans like Devin Bush, Dre'Month Jones, Jarran Reed and former Seahawk Bobby Wagner to the front seven should yield early results.
Seattle also added a tremendous piece to its secondary by grabbing cornerback Devon Witherspoon with the fifth pick in the draft. The Illinois product might not be an immediate Pro Bowler, but he has tremendous upside.
"Witherspoon is a high-level development prospect who instantly adds depth to the room he is selected to. It will take a couple seasons for him to adjust before seeing if he is able to take the next step," Giddings wrote.
With an improved roster and another offseason under Hurtt, Seattle's defense will be better. However, the Seahawks will still be carried by Geno Smith and the offense—perhaps just not as frequently.
18. Green Bay Packers
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 17th
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 17th (tied)
Key Additions: S Tarvarius Moore, Edge Lukas Van Ness
Key Departures: LB Krys Barnes, DT Jarran Reed, S Adrian Amos
The Green Bay Packers saw a big defensive decline in 2022 despite having the same key players on that side of the ball. The reason? Less-than-brilliant play from quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
The Packers traded wideout Davante Adams in the offseason, Rodgers struggled to mesh with young receivers like Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs early, and the offense took a step backward.
This was a problem because Green Bay's defense was and is built to play with a lead. The Packers ranked 30th in yards per carry allowed (4.7) during Rodgers' 2021 MVP campaign but finished ninth in total yards allowed and 13th in points allowed that season.
Without a high-flying Packers offense, opponents were able to attack Green Bay on the ground more often in 2022. The big unknown is whether that will change with Rodgers out of town and Jordan Love under center.
This makes Green Bay one of the tougher defenses to rank. Headlined by playmakers like Preston Smith, Darnell Savage, Jaire Alexander and rookie first-round pick Lukas Van Ness, the defensive unit could be a real problem for teams hoping to win through the air. However, Green Bay did very little to address its problematic run defense this offseason.
If Love can't spark the offense, Green Bay will again have an overall defense that is average at best.
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 9th
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 13th
Key Additions: DT Greg Gaines, S Ryan Neal, DL Calijah Kancey, Edge YaYa Diaby
Key Losses: DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DT Akiem Hicks, CB Sean Murphy-Bunting, S Mike Edwards
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a good-not-great defense in 2022, and the unit is poised to take a step back this season, though perhaps not a massive one.
Tampa did lose a few key defenders, but it also did a nice job of retaining players like cornerback Jamel Dean, pass-rusher Anthony Nelson and linebacker Lavonte David. With Greg Gaines, Ryan Neal and rookies Calijah Kancey and YaYa Diaby entering the fold, there shouldn't be a massive dropoff in talent.
Head coach and former defensive coordinator Todd Bowles remains at the helm, so there will at least be continuity on that side of the ball.
However, Tom Brady's retirement will impact the team as a whole. The offensive line is in transition, and quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask cannot be trusted to protect the ball or get it out as quickly as Brady.
Despite frequently being hurried last season, Brady throw only nine interceptions and was only sacked 22 times. Both numbers could be much higher in 2023.
This will place even more pressure on a defense that has been in decline since carrying Tampa to victory in Super Bowl LV. The Bucs defense won't be an embarrassment this season, but it might not take the team back to the playoffs.
16. Los Angeles Chargers
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 20th
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 21st (tied)
Key Additions: LB Eric Kendricks, Edge Tuli Tuipulotu, LB Daiyan Henley
Key Losses: LB Drue Tranquil, LB Kyle Van Noy, S Nasir Adderley (retirement)
There's a lot of potential on the Los Angeles Chargers defense, but potential doesn't win football games. With standouts like Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Derwin James and Asante Samuel Jr. in the lineup, the Chargers could have an elite pass defense.
However, Bosa battled a groin injury in 2022 and missed 12 games. The Chargers defense ranked just 20th in yards per attempt allowed (6.2).
L.A. was even worse against the run, finishing 28th in yards allowed and dead-last in yards per attempt allowed (5.4).
Los Angeles didn't do much to address its run defense, aside from replacing linebackers Drue Tranquill and Kyle Van Noy with Eric Kendricks and rookie third-round pick Daiyan Henley.
The retirement of Nasir Adderley will have an impact, but the Chargers pass defense could improve this season—specifically, if Bosa can stay healthy and prized 2022 free-agent addition J.C. Jackson can live up to his contract.
Jackson allowed an opposing passer rating of 149.3 in coverage before being lost to a ruptured patellar tendon.
The Chargers run defense, though, could still be a major issue.
15. Kansas City Chiefs
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 11th
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 16th
Key Additions: Edge Charles Omenihu, S Mike Edwards, LB Drue Tranquill, Edge Felix Anudike-Uzomah
Key Losses: S Juan Thornhill, DT Khalen Saunders, Edge Frank Clark
The Chiefs defense is far from perfect, but it perfectly complements Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City's high-powered offense.
The strength of the Kansas City defense is the pass rush, led by Chris Jones and George Karlaftis. The Chiefs replace Frank Clark with Charles Omenihu in free agency and added Felix Anudike-Uzomah to the mix on the draft's opening night.
As long as Mahomes and Co. can keep opponents in passing mode, the defense can generate enough disruption to be functional. The problem is that Kansas City isn't particularly stout against the run and ranked a modest 15th in yards per carry allowed (4.4) last season.
The Chiefs also didn't do quite enough to generate turnovers (minus-3 in turnover differential) and were simply awful in the red zone. Only the Colts allowed a higher touchdown rate than Kansas City's (67.3 percent) in 2022.
The Chiefs' goal is to get an early lead and allow the defense to pin its ears back, a tactic the Colts used during the prime years of Peyton Manning. It's a strategy that has gotten Kansas City to three Super Bowls and five consecutive AFC title games since Mahomes became the starter.
Make no mistake, though, the Chiefs defense is more good than great.
14. Miami Dolphins
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 18th
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 24th
Key Additions: CB Jalen Ramsey, LB David Long Jr., CB Cam Smith
Key Losses: LB Elandon Roberts
The whole was not the sum of its parts for the Miami Dolphins defense in 2022. Despite ranking sixth in yards per carry allowed (4.1) and 13th in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.0), Miami ranked in the bottom half of both yards and points allowed.
A big part of the problem was an inability to generate turnovers (14 in the regular season) and defend the red zone. Opponents scored touchdowns on 59.3 percent of their red-zone trips last season, the 10th-highest rate in the NFL.
There are reasons to believe that Miami can be more efficient this season. One of them is the addition of cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
While the 28-year-old might be on the decline, he was still quite good last season, logging four interceptions and allowing an opposing passer rating of 84.5 in coverage—he did surrender 659 yards and five touchdowns, his highest totals since joining the Rams in 2019.
Ramsey and Xavien Howard should be one of the league's better cornerback duos, and Cam Smith is a nice rookie addition to the secondary. A lot will depend on Miami's defensive red-zone efficiency and turnover rate, but this is now a unit that should be average at worst and potentially top-10 at its best.
13. Cleveland Browns
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 14th
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 20th
Key Additions: DT Dalvin Tomlinson, Edge Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, S Juan Thornhill, DT Trysten Hill, DL Siaki Ika, Edge Isaiah McGuire
Key Losses: S John Johnson III, Edge Jadeveon Clowney
After ranking fifth in total defense in 2021, the Cleveland Browns were plagued by two big problems in 2022. Frequent miscommunications in the secondary led to too many busted plays, and the run defense stunk.
Cleveland lacked both talent and depth along the defensive line and sent linebackers Anthony Walker (quadriceps), Jacob Phillips (pectoral tear), Sione Takitaki (torn ACL) and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (foot) to injured reserve. The end result was a defense that ranked 25th in rushing yards and yards per attempt (4.7) allowed.
Things should be more cohesive under new (and seasoned) defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. And while Cleveland can't guarantee its players stay healthy, adding the likes of Dalvin Tomlinson, Trystan Hill and rookie Siaki Ika to the defensive line will help tremendously.
Juan Thornhill should be an upgrade over John Johnson III at safety, and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo should provide more on the edge than Jadeveon Clowney (2 sacks) did last year.
The Browns have one of the better cornerback rooms in the NFL and a perennial Defensive-Player-of-the-Year candidate in Myles Garrett. Like the Dolphins, Cleveland should have a good defense with the potential to be great.
12. Cincinnati Bengals
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 16th
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 6th
Key Additions: S Nick Scott, CB Sidney Jones IV, Edge Myles Murphy, CB DJ Turner II, S Jordan Battle
Key Losses: S Jessie Bates III, S Vonn Bell, CB Eli Apple
The Cincinnati Bengals defense is greater than the sum of its parts. Despite having exactly one Pro Bowler on the defensive roster—pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson—Cincinnati ranked sixth in points allowed.
A lot of the Bengals' success stems from the stellar coaching of coordinator Lou Anarumo. Few hold a candle to Anarumo's ability to make in-game adjustments During the 2022 season, opponents averaged 4.7 yards per play in the first half of games but only 3.7 yards per play in the second half.
It's truly impressive how well Anarumo has gotten his defense to play as a cohesive unit, considering the defense doesn't do any one thing at an elite level except for defending the red zone.
Cincinnati was tied with Dallas with the ninth-best defensive red-zone touchdown rate (52 percent) last season.
The only real question is how Anarumo adapts to losing both starting safeties, Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates III, in free agency. This should again be an above-average unit, and the addition of first-round pick Myles Murphy should improve a pass rush that generated only 30 sacks last season.
11. Denver Broncos
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 7th
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 14th (tied)
Key Additions: DL Zach Allen, LB Drew Sanders, DB Riley Moss
Key Losses: DT Dre'Mont Jones, CB Ronald Darby
The Denver Broncos have a legitimate chance to bound back into having a top-10 defense in 2023. Denver ranked in the top 10 in both yards and points allowed in 2021 before taking a step back last season.
Part of the issue was the inconsistent—and let's be honest, flat-out bad—play of Russell Wilson and the Broncos offense.
The Broncos turned the ball over 24 times last season. This frequently handed opponents scoring opportunities and put the Denver defense back on the field.
Despite this, Denver still ranked top-10 in yards allowed, only minus-1 in turnover differential and seventh in defensive red-zone percentage (51.1).
The Broncos signed pass-rusher Zach Allen to replace Bradley Chubb, who was dealt at the 2022 trade deadline, and added a couple of promising players in Drew Sanders and Riley Moss during the draft.
Stalwarts like Justin Simmons and Pat Surtain II remain, and pass-rusher Randy Gregory should be more of a contributor than he was after missing 11 games with a knee injury last season.
Denver's defense shouldn't be worse in 2023 and could be quite a bit better. A lot will hinge on new head coach Sean Payton and his ability to get more out of Wilson and the offense.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 13th
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 10th
Key Additions: CB Patrick Peterson, LB Elandon Roberts, LB Cole Holcomb, CB Joey Porter Jr., DL Keeanu Benton
Key Losses: LB Robert Spillane, CB Cameron Sutton, S Terrell Edmunds, LB Devin Bush
Last year, the Pittsburgh Steelers had a top-10 defense in the metric that matters most, points allowed. That came despite star pass-rusher T.J. Watt missing seven games with a partially torn pectoral.
The Steelers played complementary football under new coordinator Teryl Austin, and they could be better on that side of the ball in 2023. Pittsburgh did an excellent job of replacing losses in free agency and boosted their talent pool with players like Joey Porter Jr. and Keeanu Benton in the draft.
In several key areas, though, the Steelers were merely average. They tied for 13th with 23 takeaways, ranked 17th in defensive red-zone touchdown rate (55.3 percent) and 18th in defensive third-down conversion rate (39.4 percent).
However, we'd expect continued growth under Austin and a significant boost from a healthy Watt. If incoming players like Patrick Peterson and Porter can bolster a pass defense that ranked 25th in yards per attempt allowed (6.5), the Steelers should have a top-10 unit overall.
9. New Orleans Saints
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 5th
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 9th
Key Additions: DT Khalen Saunders, DT Nathan Shepherd, S Johnathan Abram, DL Bryan Bresee, Edge Isaiah Foskey
Key Losses: Edge Marcus Davenport, DT David Onyemata, S Justin Evans, LB Kaden Elliss
Most of the offseason attention has been focused on the New Orleans Saints' acquisition of quarterback Derek Carr. However, the Saints have also done a fine job of reloading a defense that ranked fifth in yards allowed and ninth in points allowed last season.
New Orleans lost Marcus Davenport, David Onyemata, Justin Evans and Kaden Elliss but replaced them with Khalen Saunders, Nathan Shepherd, Johnathan Abram and rookies Bryan Bresee and Isaiah Foskey.
With stars like Cameron Jordan, Marshon Lattimore, Demario Davis and Tyrann Mathieu returning, the Saints should again have a top-10 overall defense in 2023.
The only real area of concern here is New Orleans' 25th-ranked third-down defense. Opponents converted 41.6 percent of their third-down attempts against the Saints in 2022. That rate must improve dramatically, and the Saints must produce more turnovers if New Orleans hopes to have a truly elite defense this season.
New Orleans logged just seven interceptions, had 14 total takeaways and had the league's second-lowest turnover differential (minus -11) last year.
8. New England Patriots
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 8th
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 11th
Key Additions: CB Christian Gonzalez, Edge Keion White, LB Marte Mapu
Key Losses: S Devin McCourty (retirement)
The New England Patriots had a boom-or-bust defense in 2022, which didn't exactly mesh with an inconsistent offense and the Year-2 struggles of quarterback Mac Jones.
The Patriots were great at generating takeaways—they tied for second in the NFL with 30 of them—and sacks (54). However, they weren't particularly efficient anywhere on the field.
New England ranked 22nd in defensive red-zone touchdown rate (58 percent) and 21st on third down (40.2 percent). That wasn't good enough to offset the league's 26th-ranked offense.
However, New England's defense should get a big boost from draft prospects like Christian Gonzalez—the third-ranked cornerback on the B/R board—pass-rusher Keion White and linebacker Marte Mapu.
The defense should also get more help from the offense with Bill O'Brien coming in as a proven offensive coordinator.
New England lost the 2022 possession battle by an average of 13 seconds and 0.47 plays per drive. This should change with an experienced offensive coach calling the plays and should help the defense be a bit more rested late in games.
7. Dallas Cowboys
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 12th
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 5th
Key Additions: CB Stephon Gilmore, DT Mazi Smith, LB DeMarvion Overshown
Key Losses: CB Anthony Brown
The Cowboys defense was one of the league's most well-rounded units a season ago. It ranked top-10 in both third-down defensive rate (37.7 percent) and red-zone touchdown rate (52 percent), interceptions (16), passing yards allowed and points allowed.
Dallas led the NFL with 33 takeaways in the regular season and tallied 54 sacks.
The only real issue for the Cowboys defense was efficiency against the run. Dallas ranked 22nd in rushing yards allowed and 17th in yards per rush allowed (4.4). Fortunately, the drafting of Mazi Smith and DeMarvion Overshown should help address that—though Smith might not make major contributions early.
"The Wolverine is more traits and tools than a finished project, but it's going to be hard to find more defensive tackles with more potential than he has," Matt Holder of the B/R Scouting Department wrote of Smith.
The Cowboys should be getting a slight upgrade at cornerback too, with trade acquisition and five-time Pro Bowler Stephon Gilmore replacing Anthony Brown.
With defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and stars like Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence and Trevon Diggs back for the 2023 season, Dallas should be just as good defensively. With a few new additions joining the group, it could be even better.
6. Buffalo Bills
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 6th
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 2nd
Key Additions: S Taylor Rapp, DT Poona Ford, LB Dorian Williams
Key Losses: LB Tremaine Edmunds
The Buffalo Bills defense shouldn't look much different than it did in 2022. The Bills replaced linebacker Tremaine Edmunds with rookie third-round pick Dorian Williams, added Taylor Rapp and Poona Ford and retained players like Jordan Poyer and Shaq Lawson.
While Buffalo won't necessarily have a better defense this year, that's OK because the unit was generally solid last season.
The Bills ranked in the top six in both yards and points allowed. They tied for fourth in the NFL with 27 takeaways and had the league's second-best defensive red-zone touchdown rate (44.9 percent). Buffalo also ranked seventh in defensive third-down conversion rate (37.5 percent).
The only real knock on this unit is its lack of reliable pass-rushing depth. Buffalo logged 40 sacks in 2022 but struggled to generate consistent pressure after Von Miller was lost to a torn ACL.
The good news is that Miller expects to be back by training camp.
"They say it’s nine months," Miller told reporters. "... Nine months will put me right at August, right at the beginning of training camp."
Buffalo could have put more of an emphasis on improving the pass rush this offseason, but this should still be one of the top defenses in the conference.
5. Baltimore Ravens
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 9th
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 3rd
Key Additions: CB Rock Ya-Sin, LB Trenton Simpson, Edge Tavius Robinson
Key Losses: DL Calais Campbell, S Chuck Clark, Edge Justin Houston
After registering 48 sacks in 2022, the Baltimore Ravens pass rush might take a step back in 2023. Calais Campbell (5.5 sacks) signed with Atlanta, while Justin Houston (9.5 sacks) remains unsigned.
However, most of Baltimore's defense returns and could even be strengthened by additions like Rock Ya-Sin, rookie third-round pick Trenton Simpson and rookie fourth-round pick Tavius Robinson.
That defense was quite good in 2022, ranking in the top 10 of virtually every key metric. The Ravens tied for eighth with 25 takeaways, ranked fourth in defensive third-down rate (34.9 percent), 11th in defensive red-zone touchdown rate (46.4 percent), fifth in passing touchdowns allowed (20), eighth in rushing touchdowns allowed (11), ninth in yards allowed and third in points allowed.
There's a reason why Baltimore was able to overcome multiple injuries at running back and reach the playoffs with star QB Lamar Jackson on the sideline. The Ravens defense consistently kept games within reach.
Fans should expect more of the same this year from Baltimore, which may be a legitimate title contender with Jackson under contract and receivers like Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers boosting the offense.
4. Washington Commanders
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 3rd
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 7th
Key Additions: LB Cody Barton, CB Emmanuel Forbes, S Jartavius Martin
Key Losses: LB Cole Holcomb, CB Bobby McCain
The Washington Commanders might have reached for 166-pound cornerback Emmanuel Forbes in the first round of last month's draft, but it's not hard to see why. Forbes is a turnover machine who recorded 14 interceptions and six pick-sixes in three years at Mississippi State.
A few more turnovers might be all Washington needs to have the league's best overall defense.
The Commanders recorded only nine interceptions and 18 total takeaways last season. In most other key categories, they were elite. The Commanders logged 43 sacks, ranked third in yards allowed, seventh in points allowed and eighth in defensive red-zone touchdown rate (51.9 percent).
No defense was better than Washington's on third down, as opponents converted just 31.9 percent of their attempts.
Led by arguably the league's best defensive line—Montez Sweat, Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen and Chase Young—Washington is powerful up front and very sound overall. If Forbes and fellow rookie Jartavius Martin help in the turnover department, this will be the sort of unit that keeps opposing coaches up at night.
3. New York Jets
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 4th
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 4th
Key Additions: S Chuck Clark, DT Al Woods, Edge Will McDonald IV
Key Losses: DL Sheldon Rankins
The New York Jets had one of the league's most talented defenses in 2022. Headlined by players like Quinnen Williams, John Franklin-Myers, Jordan Whitehead and reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Sauce Gardner, New York ranked fourth in both yards and points allowed.
The Jets forged an aggressive defensive identity under head coach Robert Saleh, and they could be even better on that side of the ball this year. Former Ravens starting safety Chuck Clark joined the secondary via trade, and New York used its first-round draft pick on pass-rusher Will McDonald IV.
However, the addition of quarterback Aaron Rodgers could help the Jets defense the most.
Bad quarterback play and an inconsistent offense frequently put the defense in tough spots last season. The Jets lost the time-of-possession battle by an average of 15 seconds per drive and were minus-seven in turnover differential. Opposing offenses rarely pressed, and the Jets logged only 16 takeaways on the season.
Theoretically, having Rodgers replace the duo of Zach Wilson and Mike White will change the dynamic, keep the Jets defense off the field and force opposing quarterbacks to take a few more risks.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 2nd
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 8th
Key Additions: CB Greedy Williams, S Terrell Edmunds, S Justin Evans, LB Nicholas Morrow, DL Jalen Carter, Edge Nolan Smith, S Sydney Brown, CB Kelee Ringo
Key Losses: DT Javon Hargrave, S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, LB T.J. Edwards, LB Kyzir White, S Marcus Epps
The more things change, the more they stay the same. This pretty much sums up the Eagles offseason as it pertains to the defense.
The Eagles lost several quality contributors on that side of the ball, but general manager Howie Roseman did an excellent job of retaining and replacing talent. He managed to bring back edge-rusher Brandon Graham, cornerback James Bradberry, defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and cornerback Darius Slay (who stayed on a restructured deal).
Philadelphia brought in veterans like Greedy Williams and Terrell Edmunds and then absolutely nailed the early draft. Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith were two of the top 13 prospects on the B/R board, Sydney Brown might already be the Eagles' best safety, and Kelee Ringo projects as a future building block.
The Eagles had the league's No. 2 defense in yards allowed last season, tied for fourth with 27 takeaways, led the league with 70 sacks and might be better with players like Carter and Smtih in the rotation.
The only question mark with this unit is whether former Seahawks assistant Sean Desai is up to the challenge of replacing Jonathan Gannon as defensive coordinator.
1. San Francisco 49ers
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2022 Yardage Ranking: 1st
2022 Points-Allowed Ranking: 1st
Key Additions: DT Javon Hargrave, CB Isaiah Oliver, Edge Clelin Ferrell, S Ji'Ayir Brown,
Key Losses: Edge Samson Ebukam, S Jimmie Ward, Edge Charles Omenihu, LB Azeez Al-Shaair, DT Hassan Ridgeway
Teams like the Eagles and Jets may make a case for the top spot in 2023, but picking the 49ers post-draft was an easy (and correct) choice.
Led by playmakers like Fred Warner, Talanoa Hufanga, Dre Greenlaw, Tashaun Gipson and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa, the 49ers defense doesn't have any one glaring weakness.
While the 49ers did lose a few notable contributors in the offseason, they did a solid job of reloading. Landing Javon Hargrave in free agency was a particularly impactful move, as he'll further strengthen a unit that logged 44 sacks and ranked second in run defense last season.
A team that ranked first in both yards and points allowed, second in takeaways (30) and first in turnover differential (plus-13) will be just as dangerous in 2023.
Yes, the 49ers lost defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans to the Texans, but there shouldn't be many drastic differences, even with new coordinator Steve Wilks coming from outside the organization.
"I don't think there’s going to be much of a change,” Bosa said, per Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein. “I think from [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] down, there’s kind of an understanding of how we do things."
San Francisco has been in three of the last four NFC title games, thanks to Shanahan's coaching, great complementary football and, of course, elite defense. Until another team proves otherwise, the 49ers defense must be considered the best in the NFL.
Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference.
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