Power Ranking the Top 5 NFL Defenders at Each Position

Every once in a while, it's nice to take stock of the exceptional talent the NFL has to offer on defense and do a good, old-fashion list of the top five players at each position.

These phenomenal athletes have overcome the odds to become the crème de la crème of the most wonderful sport the world has to offer.

They possess the physical, mental and temperamental qualities that drive men to greatness, and we, the fans, are treated to their excellence week-in and week-out as they play the game we have all come to love.

4-3 Defensive End

No. 1: Jared Allen

Allen is still the king on top of this list. Over the last five years, he has averaged 15.5 sacks and 3.2 forced fumbles per season. Last year, he hauled in 22 sacks and four forced fumbles and was the NFC Defensive Player of the Year award winner.

He isn't just a pass-rushing specialist, either. Allen is one of the best in the NFL at sniffing out screens and forcing running plays to go in directions they didn't originally intend to go. He is an intelligent player who's seen it all a hundred times before.

No. 2: Jason Pierre-Paul

Pierre-Paul emerged as a premier pass-rusher in his second year for the New York Giants in 2011. His exceptional athleticism served him well as both a pass-rusher and a run-defender. His totals for 2011 were: 86 tackles (65 were of the solo variety), 16.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and six passes defended.

The arrow is still pointing way up for him, too. Look for him to overtake Allen in the next year or two as the best 4-3 defensive end in the NFL.

No. 3: Jason Babin

After spending his first seven years in the league toiling away for little results, Babin has busted out the last two seasons, recording 12.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2010 and 18 sacks and three forced fumbles in 2011. 

Unfortunately, all his pass-rushing prowess was for naught in 2011 for the Philadelphia Eagles as the defense generally struggled for most of the year due to a soft middle.

Look for the Eagles to address this deficiency in the 2012 NFL draft and look for Babin to have another banner year.

No. 4: Julius Peppers

Peppers remains one of the most dominating defensive ends in the NFL. He reminds me of Jason Taylor in his heyday with the Miami Dolphins. 

He isn't a sack artist, per se, but he is one of the best overall defenders in the league, excelling in all areas of the game.

As a defensive end, Peppers has intercepted eight passes in his career. There are five-year veteran cornerbacks in the NFL who haven't matched that total. 

No. 5: Chris Long

Howie Long must be a proud papa. His son, Chris, is becoming one of the best defensive linemen in the league. Give Long a disruptive defensive tackle to play next to and I believe you would see him explode to even greater heights.

Long will be entering into his fifth year in the NFL in 2012. He has improved every year since joining the St. Louis Rams in 2008. At 26 years old, it looks like the future will be brighter still for Long and the Rams.

3-4 Defensive End

No. 1: Justin "Cowboy" Smith

There is not one single 3-4 defensive end in the entire NFL I'd rather have than Smith. He is simply the best.

His ability to shove 330-pound offensive tackles into the grill of their quarterback while they try desperately to stop him from doing so (see video here) is one of the most beautiful things I've ever witnessed on a football field.

No. 2: Haloti Ngata

Ngata is a close second to Smith. He is a rock on the Baltimore Ravens front line, whether he's playing as a defensive end or at the tackle position. 

His unique blend of size, strength, quickness and speed makes him a rover of sorts, able to excel at any position on the line.

He's one of the primary reasons the Ravens have one of the league's top defenses year-in and year-out.

No. 3: Calais Campbell

Over the last three years, Campbell has emerged as one of the premier 3-4 defensive ends in the NFL. At 6'8" and 300 pounds, he is becoming adept at harassing opposing quarterbacks not only through sacks and hurries but also through batted balls.

Campbell had a career year in 2011, recording 72 tackles (53 solo), eight sacks, two forced fumbles, 10 passes defended (batted balls) and one interception.

No. 4: J.J. Watt

The Houston Texans scored a massive hit when they drafted Watt out of Wisconsin with the 11th overall selection of the 2011 NFL draft. He is an up-and-coming star in the league, as his playoff performances clearly showed.

As a rookie in 2011, Watt tallied 56 tackles (48 solo) and 5.5 sacks during the regular season while going nutts in the playoffs where he registered 14 tackles, 3.5 sacks and one scintillating interception he returned for a touchdown.

He has a bright future ahead of him as the anchor of Wade Phillip's new Texans defense. 

No. 5: Ray McDonald

The San Francisco 49ers feature two of the best 3-4 defensive ends in the NFL. McDonald has come along nicely over the last couple of years as he follows Justin Smith around like a puppy, learning every trick he can from the grand master.

He signed a five-year $20 million contract with the 49ers during the offseason in 2011, and it paid immediate dividends as McDonald registered 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles from his end position. He might have had even better results if not for a nagging hamstring injury late in the year.

4-3 Defensive Tackle

No. 1: Geno Atkins

Atkins, not Ndamukong Suh, is the best defensive tackle from the 2010 NFL draft class. He came out of nowhere in 2011 to become the league's best, tallying 47 tackles, 7.5 sacks and two forced fumbles for the Cincinnati Bengals.

At 6'1" and 300 pounds, Atkins isn't one of the biggest men on the line, but his quickness and strength more than make up for any lack of size.

He is the perfect player for Mike Zimmer's defense, and I expect him to continue dominating the middle for years to come.

No. 2: Ndamukong Suh

Suh busted out with an amazing 10 sacks in his rookie season. His production fell off significantly in 2011, but he remains one of the elite 4-3 defensive tackles in the NFL.

As long as he learns to keep his explosive temper in check, Suh should recover from a subpar season for the Detroit Lions and come out like gangbusters in 2012.

No. 3: Richard Seymour

Seymour is actually more of a natural 3-4 defensive end than a 4-3 defensive tackle, but he's no slouch as a tackle for the Oakland Raiders. He is one of the strongest, most relentless defensive linemen in the NFL. 

Although his career is certainly waning these days, he still brings it with every ounce he's got. It will be interesting to see whether or not the Raiders decide to keep him and his $15 million cap hit in 2012. 

No. 4: Kevin Williams

There was a time early in Williams' career when he was the premier 4-3 defensive tackle in the league. His first two years coming out of Oklahoma State were phenomenal, as he hauled in 22 sacks.

Since that time, however, Williams has fallen off a bit, though he still remains among the top five.

It remains to be seen how much longer he can keep up his strong play in the middle of the Minnesota Vikings defense, and an infusion of some fresh blood might be just the thing he needs to get him back into peak performance.

No. 5: Marcell Dareus

The Buffalo Bills are making a smart decision to switch from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense in 2012. This move allows Dareus to move to his natural position of a 4-3 defensive tackle.

As good as he was as a rookie in 2011 (43 tackles and 5.5 sacks), I expect him to become even more dominant in 2012 and won't be surprised to see him moving up this list by the time the season is over.

Kyle Williams should also benefit from this move, and if he plays better you can bet it will help Dareus play better, too.

Nose Tackle

No. 1: Vince Wilfork

Wilfork is entering into the prime of his career at age 30. Nose tackles tend to have their best success later in their career as they continue developing strength and sound technique, traits Wilfork already has in spades.

He is an absolute brick wall in run defense, oftentimes breaking through an attempted double-team to bring down the ball-carrier all by himself. He is also quite versatile, as his two interceptions in 2011 clearly demonstrate. 

He's signed with the New England Patriots for three more seasons, and I'm expecting the team to bring in some more talent on the line to beef up the positions around Wilfork, making him even more dangerous in 2012.

No. 2: Isaac Sopoaga

You won't see Sopoaga's value by looking at a stat sheet. He only registered 31 tackles (only 20 solo) in 2011, yet his presence in the middle of the San Francisco 49ers defense was the catalyst for their record-breaking run defense last year.

Sopoaga is seriously strong. Remember, he put up 225 pounds 42 times when he did the scouting combine back in 2004. 

His strength and long arms allow him to easily occupy double teams, allowing Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman to rip through the line for tackles in the backfield. He's invaluable to one of the best defenses in the NFL.

No. 3: Sione Pouha

The New York Jets have some serious moves to make this offseason, and one of the biggest is to try and retain their dominant nose tackle Pouha, who is scheduled to become a free agent on March 13.

It's going to be tough. Pouha is one of the best, and excellent nose tackles don't exactly grow on trees. He is a tackling machine at his position, hauling in 58 tackles in 2011.

Pouha's greatest strength is, well...his strength. He is also quick, and he can seriously dislodge offensive linemen if he catches them off-balance. 

No. 4: B.J. Raji

Since becoming the Green Bay Packers starting nose tackle in 2010, Raji has quietly become one of the best at his position in the NFL. His blend of size, speed and quickness allows him to penetrate through the line of scrimmage to make plenty of plays in the backfield.

His diverse abilities on the line has been important to Dom Capers' blitzing scheme, and you will oftentimes see Raji drop back in coverage on zone blitzes. 

No. 5: Casey Hampton

Hampton should be much higher on this list, but a shredded ACL injury threatens to start him off on the PUP list in 2012, and there's no guarantee he will be as dominant as he used to be when he does return.

When healthy, Hampton is one of the best nose tackles in the history of the NFL. His stellar play in the middle of the Pittsburgh Steelers defense has been a major reason for their consistent success. 

4-3 Outside Linebacker

No. 1: Lance Briggs

Year in and year out, Briggs is near the top of this list. He has the most well-rounded skill set of any player at his position in the league. 

He's entering into the twilight of his career, at age 31, but Briggs remains as a force to be reckoned with on the Bears' front-seven. 

No. 2: Sean Weatherspoon

In his second year, Weatherspoon exploded onto the scene as one of the NFL's premier 4-3 outside linebackers. His blend of quickness, strength and mobility allows him to excel in both coverage and run defenses. 

Players tend to make even greater strides in their third years, and I expect Weatherspoon to emerge as the best overall 4-3 outside linebacker when 2012 is all said and done.

No. 3: Von Miller

Miller burst onto the scene for the Denver Broncos in 2011, his rookie season. He won the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year award, beating out San Francisco 49ers' rookie Aldon Smith.

He is the best pass-rushing 4-3 outside linebacker in the league, recording 11.5 sacks and two forced fumbles last year.

The future looks bright for Miller and the young Broncos franchise.

No. 4: James Anderson

Anderson had a fantastic year in 2011 for the Carolina Panthers, tallying 145 tackles, 1.5 sacks, nine passes defended and two interceptions. He's an excellent all-around player, and he's entering into the prime of his career, as long as his health continues to hold.

Anderson has been starting for the Panthers for two-and-a-half years, and he has improved every single year. He's really coming into his own on that defense, and I expect him to continue rising up the ranks in the years to come.

No. 5: Chad Greenway

Greenway is another tackling machine. He has been the Minnesota Vikings starting outside linebacker for the last five years, averaging 123 tackles (88 solo), 1.5 sacks, one interception and two forced fumbles per season.

If the Vikings get their secondary back in shape, they still have a chance to make some noise as one of the best defenses in the NFL. Greenway is a major part of what they do, and he looks like he will be good for a long time.

3-4 Outside Linebacker

No.1: DeMarcus Ware

Ware has an opportunity to become the NFL's greatest 3-4 linebacker if he can continue to stay healthy and play for another seven or eight years. He's only 29 years old, and already, he has amassed 99.5 sacks in his first seven seasons for the Dallas Cowboys.

For his career, Ware averages 68 tackles (54 solo), 14 sacks and just under four forced fumbles per season. He is by far the best player at his position, and he is among the top 10 overall players in the NFL.

No. 2: Terrell Suggs

Suggs is an exceptional overall athlete at his position. He has crafted his game well over the course of his nine-year career and is one of the most versatile players in the NFL. 

The Baltimore Ravens have a couple of years left with their current group of leaders: Suggs, Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are getting close to the end of their careers.

Look for another massive effort from Suggs in 2012 and look for the Ravens to contend for a title once again.

No. 3: Mario Williams

I could have easily put Williams among the top five 4-3 defensive ends, too. I chose to put him on this list because I'm expecting the Houston Texans to retain their superstar. They hope to "knock his socks off" with an offer before the start of free agency, via: rotoworld.com.

Either way, Williams is a beast on the edge of any defense, no matter what the scheme may be. 

No. 4: Aldon Smith

Smith only played in about half the snaps for the San Francisco 49ers in his rookie season, per Mike Sando of ESPN. He still recorded 14 sacks, falling half of a sack short of Javon Kearse's NFL record. 

Let's just hope he gets his head on straight after his unfortunate DUI arrest. He seems like a strong young man, and the 49ers locker room is tight. I expect his to turn right around and focus on getting better and staying out of trouble.

No. 5: Clay Matthews

While Matthews didn't produce the same kind of sack totals last year as he did in his rookie year, his overall game took a monumental leap forward.

With six sacks, three forced fumbles and three interceptions in 2011, Matthews is turning himself into a well-rounded player, making him even more valuable for Dom Capers and the Green Bay Packers.

If the Packers find a replacement for Cullen Jenkins, who they lost in last year's hectic free agency signing period, Matthews' sack numbers should return to double-digits in 2012. 

Middle Linebacker

No. 1: Patrick Willis

Willis has overtaken Ray Lewis as the best middle linebacker in football. The best part is that he's just getting started. At 27, Willis is entering into the prime of his career.

Willis has always had Hall of Fame abilities, but now, he's learning to develop Hall of Fame intangibles: work ethic, leadership (vocal or otherwise) and a continuously open mind and hungry heart to learn from men who have been there before.

If Willis can avoid a big injury, he should become one of the all-time greats when his career comes to an end.

No. 2: Ray Lewis

What can I say about Ray that hasn't already been said a thousand times before? The man is a legend, and at 36 years young, Lewis is still terrorizing receivers and running backs on a regular basis.

Blessed with superior athleticism, Lewis brings a fierce competitive edge to any contest, and his will to win won't be denied.

No. 3: London Fletcher

Fletcher is the old guy in the monks' robe nobody takes any notice of until they are looking up at him from the ground with stars above their head. He's been bringing down ball-carriers with the best of them for 14 years, yet 2011 was the first season that landed him in Hawaii.

Fletcher led the league in tackles in 2011 at the age of 36. The most remarkable thing is that he looks like he can continue at this high level for at least a couple more years.

No. 4: Brian Cushing

Cushing has had his ups and downs in his three-year career for the Houston Texans. 

Cushing had a spectacular rookie season, earning him rookie of the year honors. Those honors were stripped when one of his urine samples showed hCG in his system, a charge Cushing denies.

He came back stronger than ever (no pun intended) in 2011, collecting 114 tackles, four sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles and was one of the key leaders in the Texans' dominant defense.

No. 5: Jon Beason

Before Beason was hit with a torn Achilles in the beginning of the 2011 NFL season he was considered to be one of the best young middle linebackers in the league. In his first four seasons, Beason averaged 135 tackles, one sack and two interceptions per year.

A bit undersized at 6'0" and 237 pounds, Beason relies on his elite instincts, quickness and speed to get him where he needs to go and his textbook tackling technique to bring down ball-carriers when he gets there.

Beason is recovering nicely from his injury, and he expects to be fully ready to go for 2012.

Cornerback

No. 1: Darrelle Revis

They don't call him "Revis Island" for nothing. Revis combines top-shelf athletic abilities with impeccable technique, and I am usually surprised when the ball is thrown his way.

I don't see anyone else taking over his spot atop this board anytime soon, either. 

No. 2: Charles Woodson

The ageless wonder, Woodson has seemingly gotten better as he creeps towards his late 30s. 

He's one of the best ball-hawks in the history of the league, hauling in 54 career interceptions (t-20th all time).

Woodson is one of the all-time greats at his position, and he's sure to be enshrined into the Hall of Fame the first year he's eligible

No. 3: Carlos Rogers

The San Francisco 49ers hit the mother lode when they decided to go with Rogers and backed out of the big-name deal. 

Rogers wasn't considered by many to be one of the top cornerbacks in free agency last year. Most people were so focused on the Nnamdi Asomugha sweepstakes that they forgot Rogers even existed.

He had a career year, pulling in six interceptions and helping the 49ers put together one of the finest defensive units in the entire league. 

No. 4: Jonathan Joseph

Joseph has been among the league leaders every year he has been in the league in passes defended, tallying 91 in his six-year career in the NFL.

He is a terrific cover corner who also helped turn the Houston Texans defense into the second-ranked unit in the NFL in 2011 after they had been ranked 30th in 2010.

The scary thing about Joseph and the Texans defense is that the best might still be yet to come.

No. 5: Asante Samuel

At 31, Samuel has some good years left in him. He has been one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL for years now, going all the way back to his days with the New England Patriots. 

A bit of a gambler, Samuel sometimes gets burned on double moves. He makes up for it by hauling in interceptions at a rapid pace, though, and he has collected 45 of them in his nine-year career. 

Strong Safety

No. 1: Troy Polomalu

There isn't a player I'd rather have at this position than Polomalu. He's the most fearless player I think I've ever seen, and his instincts on the football field match his courage.

Time (along with his crazy style of play) might be catching up to him, though, and there are some young guns working their way up the ranks in an effort to overthrow Polomalu's top rank.

No. 2: Kam Chancellor

The Seattle Seahawks have two of the best young safeties in all of football with Chancellor and Earl Thomas. 

Chancellor, in his second year out of Virginia Tech, stepped into the starting role for the Seahawks during training camp and burst onto the NFL scene. He collected 97 tackles, one sack, four interceptions and two forced fumbles.

Looks like the 49ers aren't the only team on the West Coast with a dangerous defense.

No. 3: Yeremiah Bell

Bell has been one of the top strong safeties in the NFL for the last four years. He's capable of making big plays at the line of scrimmage and out in coverage.

A late bloomer, at 34 years old Bell isn't going to be able to keep up his elite level of play much longer, but he should be good to go for the Miami Dolphins in 2012.

No. 4: Tyvon Branch

The Oakland Raiders like Branch so much they recently slapped the franchise tag on him which will earn Branch $6.2 million in 2012.

He's a talented player who is better in the box than in coverage, though he isn't exactly a liability. Branch has recorded over 100 tackles in each of his last three seasons, and he is an up-and-coming star for the Raiders.

No. 5: Morgan Burnett

Burnett came on strong for the Green Bay Packers in 2011—his second year out of Georgia Tech. He pulled down 107 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles and three interceptions in 2011 after barely contributing in his rookie year.

While the future is bright for Burnett, he will need to become much more disciplined in order to help the Packers and their league-worst pass defense.

Free Safety

No. 1: Ed Reed

Nobody does it better than Reed. He's the best free safety I've ever seen, and it'll be a while before someone comes along and rivals what he has done in the last 10 seasons for the Baltimore Ravens.

For his career, Reed averages 5.7 interceptions per year. There are some veteran defensive backs in the league that haven't caught six in their career.

I personally hope his body has a few more good years left.

No. 2: Eric Weddle

Weddle is a prototypical free safety who gets his hands on a lot of passes due to his incredible range. He was rewarded with a huge five-year, $40 million contract in July 2011, and he promptly went out and had the best year of his career.

He is better suited to remain as more of a pass-defender than as a run-stuffer, but Weddle never shies away from contact, though he has never forced a fumble in his six-year career.

No. 3: Dashon Goldson

Many people thought Goldson was overrated after a disappointing season in 2010. He played hurt that year, though, and most people didn't know it.

Goldson returned to form in 2011 and became one of the top playmaking safeties in football, hauling in six interceptions, breaking up nine more passes and forcing one fumble.

No. 4: Michael Griffin

Griffin is a streaky player who can go cold sometimes, but when he's hot, he's one of the best players in the NFL. He is always around the ball, and over the course of his five-year career, he averages 78 tackles, three interceptions and one forced fumble per year. 

After a down year in 2011, expect Griffin to go off again for another huge season in 2012.

No. 5: Reggie Nelson

Nelson, like Griffin, will be going into his sixth year in the NFL in 2012. He was a strong player for the Cincinnati Bengals last year, contributing in major part to the Bengals ninth-ranked pass defense in 2011.

He is a solid overall performer, making plays in both the passing game and in run support. If the Bengals find him an equal partner to man the strong safety spot, they will have quite a tandem.

I hope you enjoyed this list. Let me know what you think about my rankings in the comments section below. Thank you for reading.

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