Ranking the NFL's 25 Best Defensive Players After the 2011 Season

Now that the regular season is over, I have compiled a list of the top 25 defensive players in the NFL.

Not every defense has one, but a defender that can change the opposing team's offensive game plan is certainly a coveted player.

In this list, I will try and take into account the type of season the player is having in 2011, as well as the the reputation the defender has earned throughout his career.

This is to say that Kyle Arrington, the cornerback for the New England Patriots, won't be the top-ranked defensive back just because he leads the NFL with seven interceptions.

So here is the list of the top 25 defenders in the NFL today.

Just Missing the Cut, in No Particular Order

Brian Orakpo: One of the better pass-rushing linebackers in the NFL.

Vincent Wilfork: Just take a look at a picture of him and then you'll know why.

Champ Bailey: Played well this year, but his best days are behind him.

Cameron Wake: Freak of nature. He was very close to making the cut.

Richard Seymour: Still playing at a high level despite being a 32-year-old defensive tackle.

B.J. Raji: He'll be making this list on a consistent basis in a year or two.

Justin Tuck: One of the best pass-rushing defensive ends in the NFL, but also talks a lot of smack.

Darnell Dockett: Very underrated player. He was extremely close to cracking the top 25.

Lance Briggs: Solid 4-3 outside linebacker, but just doesn't bring a lot to the table besides solid tackling.

Joe Haden: Give it another year or two. He'll be the next shutdown cornerback in the NFL.

Adrian Wilson: Enough said.

25. Earl Thomas

Earl Thomas is quickly emerging as one of best safeties in the NFL. I had to put him on this list so that I can say "I told you so" when he becomes the best safety in the league in 2014.

I respect his game so much that even I, a diehard San Francisco 49ers fan, wouldn't mind wearing an Earl Thomas No. 29 jersey.

Thomas is the definition of a ball-hawking safety. Once the whistle blows the play dead, you'll see Thomas around the ball every single play.

He has all the physical, mental and instinctive abilities to become a legitimate superstar in this league.

24. Dwight Freeney

Oh how the mighty have fallen.

Dwight Freeney made this list based on reputation alone, and he could find himself off of it very soon if he doesn't regain his form from 2010 or earlier.

He had his worst season since 2007 this season by finishing with 19 tackles and only 8.5 sacks. He is actually being outplayed by his teammate Robert Mathis at the other defensive end spot.

Since Freeney did sack the quarterback 8.5 times, it wasn't enough to completely forget him. He is, however, certainly walking a tightrope.

23. Trent Cole

I like Trent Cole's game a lot. He is one of the more underrated players in the league since he's done nothing but produce since he came into the league.

He's totaled at least eight sacks every season since 2006, and rarely misses a game due to injury.

His game is still improving and should be considered more than just a pass-rusher at this point in his career.

22. LaMarr Woodley

LaMarr Woodley could've made this list simply because he has the coolest sack dance in all of football. And yes, I have seen Shawne Merriman's overrated spaz attack, as well as Jared Allen's cattle-roping celebration.

But Woodley brings a little more to the table than just a dance. It's what he does in order to give him an excuse to dance: sacking the quarterback.

When healthy, Woodley should be considered to be one of the best pass-rushing linebackers in football.

21. Nnamdi Asomugha

First of all, I would like to blame Nnamdi Asomugha's disappointing season on the defensive scheme he is playing in.

While he was on the Oakland Raiders, I firmly believed he was the best cornerback in the NFL. Teams simply wouldn't even think about throwing to his side of the field. I can't even imagine how boring it must've been for both Asomugha and the wide receiver he was covering.

But when I say blame the system, I mean that the Philadelphia Eagles defense features more zone coverage plays, but Asomugha thrives in man-to-man coverage. If you think there isn't a difference, you're wrong. Many defensive backs struggle in zone and thrive in man-to-man, and it goes both ways.

If and when Asomugha adjusts to the new system and learns how to play in zone coverage, that Eagles secondary is going to be impenetrable.

When that happens, Asomugha will regain his normal spot on this list and be considered a top-10 player again.

20. Brian Urlacher

There was a day when we were arguing who the best linebacker was: Brian Urlacher or Ray Lewis. That isn't really debatable anymore, but that doesn't mean Urlacher isn't a good linebacker anymore.

One thing that has always amazed me is his durability. In his 11-year career, he's played all 16 games of the season in nine of them. In 2009, he missed the entire year with a wrist injury, and he hasn't missed a game since.

He even managed to quietly record over 100 tackles this season. The other aspects of his game, however, are on the decline. He didn't record a sack or force a fumble this season. He's usually always good for a least a couple of those a season.

Urlacher is still a top-25 defensive player, but for how much longer is another question.

19. Ndamukong Suh

Let me start of by saying Ndamukong Suh is an absolute freak of nature. There hasn't been a defensive tackle to come along with his athleticism and raw talent since Warren Sapp. 

I'm not even about to hate on Suh's "immaturity" or the fact that he's a "dirty player." That stuff doesn't matter to me because I judge players based on what they do on the field to help their team win.

I don't think overrated is the right term to describe Suh either. People who are throwing that word around don't realize the impact that he has had on this defense.

I would call him overly aggressive, however, and to a fault. One thing that defensive linemen learn over time is gap control. Just because you can physically get in the backfield every play isn't necessarily a good thing.

Teams like the San Francisco 49ers used his aggressiveness to their advantage and actually let him get into the backfield, but then gashed him for big runs since he abandoned his gap.

Suh is raw, but he's learning. He has all the physical tools to become the best defensive tackle in the NFL.

He's just not there yet.

18. Jason Babin

Jason Babin truly had a fantastic season rushing the passer in 2011.

The Philadelphia Eagles sack artist got to the quarterback 18 times this year and forced three fumbles in the process.

Babin doesn't have a limited pass-rushing repertoire either. He can go right through his blockers with brute strength, or beat them around the edge with his acceleration and a quick first step.

I would like to see more consistency from him, however. If he has another season like this one in 2012, he could find himself right in the same category as Julius Peppers and Jared Allen.

17. Tamba Hali

Tamba Hali is one of the best outside linebackers in football, there is no getting around that. His thrives at rushing the passer, and he does a damn good job at it too.

Even though some consider him to be a one-dimensional player—only a good pass-rusher—he's versatile when it comes to that one aspect of his game.

Hali can get to the quarterback a multitude of ways. He can swim, swat, club and use his solid frame to remain balanced during his pursuit.

He has the ability to cover tight ends, but in a perfect world I'm sure the Kansas City Chiefs would like him to rush the passer every down.

16. Mario Williams

Just because he missed 11 games this season doesn't mean Mario Williams is going to miss out on this list. He is still one of the premier defenders in the NFL and once he's healthy again, he'll prove to everyone why he is nicknamed "Super Mario."

Before his position switch to a 3-4 outside linebacker, Williams could've been the best defensive end in all of football.

Wade Phillips probably knows more than I do, but I think Williams would've been better suited gaining weight and staying in the three-point stance to rush the passer rather than standing him up.

But if Williams does adjust and learn how to be an effective pass-rusher from the edge, the Houston Texans defense is going to be scary good.

15. Ed Reed

It's always nice to see 30-year-old safeties intercepting passes and returning them for touchdowns, and that has been Ed Reed the past few years.

His production did slide this season, but did you really expect him to play at an All-Pro level for ever? Not everyone on the Baltimore Ravens has an ironman body like Ray Lewis.

I feel guilty putting Reed this low on the list, and I think the football gods are turning in their graves because of it. But the fact of the matter is that Reed isn't the same player he was a few years ago.

I have a feeling that we are going to see a sharp decline in his productivity over the next year or so.

14. Jason Pierre-Paul

Ladies and gentleman, let me introduce you to the newest superstar in the NFL: Jason Pierre-Paul.

No one, and I mean not one player, burst onto the scene quicker than Pierre-Paul this year. This list is based more on reputation than recent production, but he was that good in 2011.

He made 86 tackles from the defensive end position, which was the most in the NFL. He had 23 tackles for loss, which topped even the best defensive ends like Jared Allen and Julius Peppers. He also accumulated 29 quarterback hits, which led the league.

Oh yeah, and did I mention that he had 16.5 sacks in just his second year?

This kid is going to be good.

13. Charles Woodson

Charles Woodson was at it again in 2011.

He led the league with seven interceptions this season, as well as 24 pass deflections. According to Advanced NFL Stats, his 3.53 +EPA/G was the best of all the starting cornerbacks in the NFL.

After earning his eighth-career Pro Bowl bid this year, as well as Nnamdi Asomugha's struggles this season, there should be little doubt that Charles Woodson is the second-best cornerback in the league.

12. Haloti Ngata

The nose tackle in a 3-4 defense is arguably the most important piece of a defense, but also the most underrated. Their main objective is to eat up blockers and clog up running lanes, but Haloti Ngata does a little more than that.

He's one of the few nose tackles who puts his stamp on the game and in the stat column. He recorded 5.5 and 64 tackles in 2011. According to Advanced NFL Stats, his +EPA/G was 1.28—second in the league for defensive tackles—which basically means that he was the second most impactful player at his position in 2011.

Ngata is hands down the best nose tackle in the NFL, and a huge reason why the Baltimore Ravens defense is so good.

11. Clay Matthews

Some call Clay Matthew's 2011 season a disappointment, but I call it not being able to live up to the incredibly high expectations that were set after his monster year in 2010.

He did have a down year, however, and that's why he just missed the cut for being a top-10 defensive player.

He did still posted six sacks, forced three fumbles and even picked the ball of three times, which is quite impressive for an outside linebacker.

But when sacking the quarterback six times in one season is considered having a bad year, then Matthews must have done something right. He's still a great defensive player and I won't be surprised to see him return to form in 2012.

10. James Harrison

Whether Roger Goodell loves to hate him, or actually just hates him, James Harrison should be considered to be a top-10 defensive player in the NFL.

He is arguably the hardest-hitting linebacker in the NFL and prides himself on his ability to do so. If there was ever a player in the NFL who is actually more comfortable being in high-speed collisions, it's Harrison.

Being voted the meanest player in the NFL by his peers certainly backs that statement up.

9. Ray Lewis

I hate dropping Ray Lewis down this far on the list since he's so accustomed to being mentioned at the top of these lists. But being a 36-year-old linebacker and still widely considered to be a top-10 player in the league is simply miraculous.

Every year we wonder if it's finally going to be the season that Lewis falls off the map. Punters and kickers are supposed to be the only players still playing at 36 years old, not the middle linebacker position. Heck, besides linemen and running backs, middle linebackers are involved in the most collisions on the field!

Yet Ray Ray continues to play at an extremely high level year in, year out. We should all just stop pretending to be surprised because Lewis is probably going to have to be carted off the field in order for him to quit football.

But as long as he continues to deliver hits like the one against Chad Ochocinco, you better get used to his intensity because he ain't going anywhere.

8. Justin Smith

It took a while, but Justin Smith is finally receiving the recognition that he deserves.

Players like Smith who play the 3-4 defensive end position tend to not have the sexiest stat sheets in comparison to linebackers, safeties and 4-3 defensive ends.

But Justin Smith was the exception this year, and has been for the past few years during his tenure in San Francisco. He is double-teamed on virtually every play, whether it's passing or running play, but still manages to not only help his stats, but his teammates' as well.

Smith finished with 58 tackles, which is a ton for a defensive tackle, 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. You could even attribute a third of Aldon Smith's sack total to Justin since he was busy eating up the blockers for his rookie teammate to run free.

What was also special about Smith this year was his ability to make the clutch plays. It's hard to recognize defensive players with actual game-winning plays, but Smith had two of them in 2011. Both his strip of Jeremy Maclin against the Philadelphia Eagles and his batted pass on fourth down against the New York Giants won the game for the 49ers.

Smith deserves some recognition for what he did this year because he truly had a fantastic season.

7. Terrell Suggs

Yes, I am done listing Baltimore Ravens players in case you Pittsburgh Steelers fans were getting tired of it.

But Terrell Suggs cemented his reputation as a top-10 defensive player after the season he had in 2011. He finished with 14 sacks, seven forced fumbles—no, that was not a typo—20 tackles for loss and two interceptions.

According to Advanced NFL Stats, his 2.42 +WPA was the highest mark among linebackers in the NFL, which practically states that he was the biggest playmaker at his position.

"T-Sizzle" certainly made a strong case for NFL Defensive Player of the Year award honors this season.

6. Julius Peppers

If Julius Peppers wasn't double-teamed every single play of the game, he would be putting up some of the most ridiculous stats ever seen at the defensive end position.

But the crazy thing is that he is still finding a way to make plays and fill out the stat sheet. He recorded 12 sacks and forced three fumbles this season.

Peppers has also made some of the most athletic plays coming from the defensive end position, as evident from this vicious tackle on Calvin Johnson. It was more like he mauled Johnson the way he effortlessly threw the so-called "Megatron" to the ground.

5. DeMarcus Ware

DeMarcus Ware is the best pass-rushing linebacker in the NFL and deserves to be recognized as such in this list.

All you have to do is look at his combination of size, strength and speed—6'5", 260 pounds and supposedly ran a 4.56 40-yard dash—to truly be amazed. It's not normal for a man to be that big, fast and athletically gifted.

But Ware uses this to his advantage in his relentless pursuit after the quarterback every weekend and has cemented himself as the best pass-rushing 3-4 linebacker in the NFL.

You want consistency? Ware gives you that, and with a cherry on top. He's accumulated double-digit sack totals every year he's been in the NFL with the exception of one—his rookie year, when he finished with eight.

I know, that's just embarrassing, right?

This year was more of the same for Ware. He finished 2011 with 19.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

4. Jared Allen

Everyone knew that Jared Allen was already one of the premier pass-rushers in the NFL, but he put an exclamation point on that statement after his performance in 2011.

Allen went unconscious and sacked the quarterback 22 times this season. Or, in terms that Minnesota Vikings fans would better understand, Allen was able to preform his signature calf-roping sack dance 22 times this season.   

In fact, Allen recorded 3.5 sacks against the Chicago Bears during the last game of the season, and that was enough to give him the franchise record.

It was just another day at the office for Allen.

3. Patrick Willis

Patrick Willis is already widely regarded as one of the top linebackers, if not the best middle linebacker, in the NFL.

So far Willis has five Pro Bowl selections, three first-team All-Pro selections, the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, and he's led the league in tackles twice in his career.

But that is the knock on Willis, if any. It was given that he was arguably the best tackler in the NFL, but could he become a complete 'backer?

With the help of a stout surrounding cast on his 49ers defense, and specifically the emergence of fellow linebacker NaVarro Bowman, Willis is now able to display his entire skill set on the field.

He has excelled in pass defense this season, and that is evident due to his 13 pass deflections, which is the most of any player outside of the defensive back position.

Add that to 97 tackles, two sacks, four forced fumbles and one interception, Willis was on pace to win the Defensive Player of the Year award before the hamstring injury he sustained in Week 14.

2. Darelle Revis

There aren't too many true shutdown corners in the NFL today, but if there are any, Revis is the first one to come to mind.

Wide receivers who get stranded on "Revis Island" during the game seldom get to see any action. Either offensive coordinators simply don't call passing plays towards his side of the field, or Revis makes them pay when they do.

According to Advanced NFL Stats, Revis had the highest +WPA out of all the cornerbacks in the league—1.84—which essentially means he was the best playmaker at his position in 2011.

He was also the main reason why the New York Jets only held opposing teams to just over 200 yards passing per game.

1. Troy Polamalu

Troy Polamalu is the consensus No. 1 defender in the NFL, and it's hard to formulate an argument against it.

I mean, honestly, is there anything that Polamalu can't do?

He's the best tackling defensive back in the NFL. He's one of the best blitzers, if not the best, from the safety position, although Adrian Wilson from the Arizona Cardinals might have something to say about that

He's a ball hawk and has the uncanny ability to make big plays in crucial times.

His versatility is also what sets him apart from the rest of the group. He can play in the box like a linebacker, or cover tight ends like a shutdown corner.

At age 30 and already with seven Pro Bowls, four defensive touchdowns and the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2010 under his belt, Polamalu is the epitome of a game-changer.