The Best Defensive Player in Each NFL Division
This is pretty cut-and-dried.
As we impatiently wait for NFL training camps to open in a week or so, we are taking some time to give our choices for the best defensive player in each of the eight NFL divisions.
How did we come to these decisions? A combination of statistics and impact was the main criterion, along with a dose of the eye test.
Just for good measure, we have included an honorable mention for each division as well as a young and/or emerging player to watch.
Just to be clear, no offensive players were harmed in the making of this list.
AFC East: CB Darrelle Revis, New York Jets
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This past season, the New England Patriots captured their fourth Super Bowl championship.
If you believe that it was all because of quarterback Tom Brady, you may be a little shortsighted.
Veteran cornerback Darrelle Revis helped transform the Pats from a mediocre defensive unit to one that ranked 13th in the NFL in total yards allowed. Only seven teams in the league allowed fewer points than Bill Belichick’s club. Combined with fellow cornerback Brandon Browner, Revis helped the club regain a little of its moxie on defense, something we haven’t seen in quite some time.
While Browner left the Patriots via free agency and flew south to join the New Orleans Saints, Revis hopped a cab and returned to the New York Jets. He rejoined a team that made him a first-round draft choice in 2007 and with whom he spent the first six years of his NFL career.
Now all he has to do is cure a defense that gave up 31 scores through the air while picking off just six passes in 2014.
Honorable Mention: DT Ndamukong Suh, Miami Dolphins
Keep an Eye On: OLB Jamie Collins, New England Patriots
AFC North: DT Geno Atkins, Cincinnati Bengals
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For some, it may be hard to fathom that we could pick a player from a team that ranked just 20th in the NFL in total yards allowed this past season and was in the bottom half of the league against both the run and the pass.
But keep in mind that we are looking at players, not units. And Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins remains one of the best players at his position in the league.
In his five NFL seasons, he’s collected 32 sacks in 73 games, missing the final seven games in 2013 with a knee injury. He has been ranked as one of the best defensive tackles in the league each year by Pro Football Focus, earning the site's top spot in both 2011 and 2012.
We are also expecting some better things from not only Atkins, but a Cincinnati team that finished 22nd in run defense in 2014. The return of old friends such as defensive end Michael Johnson and defensive tackle Pat Sims could be a big positive for Marvin Lewis’ squad…as well as the steady presence of Atkins.
Honorable Mention: CB Joe Haden, Cleveland Browns
Keep an Eye On: DT Timmy Jernigan, Baltimore Ravens
AFC South: DE J.J. Watt, Houston Texans
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You were expecting someone else?
To be fair, we will give you J.J. Watt’s defensive statistics only when it comes to his amazing season in 2014.
The four-year pro amassed 78 tackles, 20.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries (one returned for a score), an interception return for a touchdown and 10 passes defensed this past season for the Houston Texans.
It marked the second time in three seasons that he captured NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors. The All-Pro defender earned the award in 2012, when he also totaled 20.5 sacks.
In four seasons, the former University of Wisconsin star has started 64 games, racking up 57 sacks, 12 forced fumbles and 11 fumble recoveries while knocking down 37 passes.
Yes, we are still willing to hear any other arguments.
Honorable Mention: CB Vontae Davis, Indianapolis Colts
Keep an Eye On: OLB Derrick Morgan, Tennessee Titans
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AFC West: OLB Justin Houston, Kansas City Chiefs
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An NFL-high 22 sacks in one season will buy you a lot of credibility.
As we know, outside linebacker Justin Houston just re-signed with the Kansas City Chiefs via a six-year, $101 million deal on Wednesday, the deadline day for teams to ink franchise players to long-term contracts.
“That guy deserves every penny,” said third-year safety Sanders Commings to Chris Bumbaca of the Kansas City Star on Saturday. “He’s one of the hardest workers on the team—most vocal leader, also leads by example…”
“His work ethic definitely rubs off on the rest of the team,” added Commings. “He makes it easy on the rest of the defense. He can make a play before it even gets started, getting to their quarterback so fast.”
The third-round pick in 2011 from the University of Georgia has seen his sack production rise every year in the league. He’s totaled 33 sacks in 27 games dating back to 2013 and added 68 tackles, four forced fumbles and six passes defensed in 2014.
While Commings is obviously excited for his teammate, it’s safe to say that 31 starting quarterbacks around the league don’t share that enthusiasm.
Honorable Mention: OLB Von Miller, Denver Broncos
Keep an Eye On: OLB Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders
NFC East: DE Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia Eagles
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As was the case with the Cincinnati Bengals and defensive tackle Geno Atkins, we are not going to punish someone’s individual performance just because the rest of the unit didn’t perform up to snuff.
That’s one reason we selected Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Fletcher Cox as the beast of the NFC East despite the fact that these Birds finished in the bottom five in the league in total yards allowed in each of the past two seasons.
Pro Football Focus ranked Cox as the fifth-best defensive end in the league in 2014. That's high praise when you’re on a list that includes J.J. Watt, Sheldon Richardson, Muhammad Wilkerson and Calais Campbell.
In 2014, the former first-round pick ranked fifth on the team with 61 tackles. Cox also totaled four sacks and recovered three opponents' fumbles. He’s racked up 12.5 sacks in three seasons but has also failed to reach the Pro Bowl to date.
That fact could change as soon as this year.
Honorable Mention: OLB Ryan Kerrigan, Washington Redskins
Keep an Eye On: DT Johnathan Hankins, New York Giants
NFC North: LB Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers
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The fact that Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews was able to move inside this past season and enjoy success tells you all you need to know about the versatility and tenacity of the six-year pro.
In 2014, the five-time Pro Bowler could be found all over the field. He ranked fifth on the team with 61 tackles, led the club with 11 sacks and added one interception, two forced fumbles and nine passes defensed. He also played in all 16 games for the first time since his rookie season in 2009.
Matthews has notched 10 or more sacks in four of his six seasons and has totaled 61 career sacks in 92 regular-season contests. Along the way, he’s added five interceptions and a dozen forced fumbles. And since he joined the club in ’09, the Packers have made the playoffs every year.
Honorable Mention: FS Glover Quin, Detroit Lions
Keep an Eye On: OLB Pernell McPhee, Chicago Bears
NFC South: MLB Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
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The NFC South was not known for its defensive prowess in 2014.
Tell that to Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly, who has led his team in tackles in three consecutive seasons—totaling 150-plus stops in each of those campaigns.
Do the math. A total of 473 tackles in 48 regular-season games. Add in six sacks, seven interceptions, four fumble recoveries and 26 passes defensed, and he has quite a resume.
Since his arrival in 2012, the Panthers have finished 10th, second and 10th, respectively, in total defense. The year before Carolina added Kuechly in the first round, only four teams in the NFL allowed more yards per game.
Enough said.
Honorable Mention: DT Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Keep an Eye On: OLB/DE Vic Beasley, Atlanta Falcons
NFC West: FS Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks
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When it comes to the NFC West, singling out one defensive player as the best of the division is a tall order.
But that’s why we get the big bucks. And while there are several Seattle Seahawks who could earn the top spot here, we’re giving the nod to free safety Earl Thomas.
In five seasons with the club, he’s yet to miss a game and has been a major catalyst for a team that has allowed the fewest total yards in the league for two straight years while surrendering the fewest points in the NFL in each of the last three seasons.
In 2014, the tone-setting defender finished third on the club with 97 tackles. Thomas managed just one interception but knocked down six passes and forced three fumbles.
The 2009 first-round pick has been named to four straight Pro Bowls and in five seasons has totaled 20 takeaways (16 interceptions, four fumble recoveries) to go along with nine forced fumbles.
Honorable Mention: ILB NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco 49ers
Keep an Eye On: DT Aaron Donald, St. Louis Rams
All free-agent information and player signings/transactions are courtesy of Spotrac. Depth-chart information comes via Ourlads. Unless otherwise noted, all player and team statistics come from Pro Football Reference and ESPN.com.
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