Whether it’s taking down a running back with a tackle for loss or sacking a quarterback, stout defenses often rely on their defensive linemen and linebackers up front.
Here's a ranking of the best front-seven groups, which can help you think about things like NFL parlays.
2022 NFL Defensive Lineman and Linebacker Rankings
| Ranking | Team | Grade |
| 1 | 49ers | 98 |
| 2 | Bills | 96 |
| 3 | Steelers | 94 |
| 4 | Browns | 92 |
| 5 | Rams | 90 |
| 6 | Packers | 88 |
| 7 | Chargers | 86 |
| 8 | Saints | 84 |
| 9 | Commanders | 82 |
| 10 | Buccaneers | 80 |
| 11 | Cowboys | 78 |
| 12 | Raiders | 76 |
| 13 | Dolphins | 74 |
| 14 | Colts | 72 |
| 15 | Bengals | 71 |
| 16 | Ravens | 70 |
| 17 | Panthers | 68 |
| 18 | Eagles | 66 |
| 19 | Vikings | 64 |
| 20 | Chiefs | 62 |
| 21 | Bears | 61 |
| 22 | Titans | 60 |
| 23 | Seahawks | 58 |
| 24 | Patriots | 56 |
| 25 | Cardinals | 50 |
| 26 | Giants | 48 |
| 27 | Lions | 47 |
| 28 | Jaguars | 46 |
| 29 | Texans | 44 |
| 30 | Jets | 42 |
| 31 | Broncos | 41 |
| 32 | Falcons | 40 |
Defensive Lineman and Linebacker Rankings, Team by Team
Deion Jones tallied 137 tackles last year but was 89th in Pro Football Focus' grades of linebackers who played at least 20% of the most snaps in the league. He hasn't made a Pro Bowl since 2017.
Last season, the Falcons were 29th in adjusted line yards and last in adjusted sack rate, metrics from Football Outsiders which examine performance against the run and pressuring QBs. Their pass rush in PFF's grades were also last, and their run defense was 28th.
DEION JONES. PICK-6 FOR THE WIN. #ATLvsTB pic.twitter.com/8pKNOa0jHs
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2019
The Broncos' adjusted sack rate was 18th, while their adjusted line yards were 24th. PFF graded their pass rush 31st, though, and their run defense 18th.
The Broncos traded away Shelby Harris but did add DJ Jones, who figures to start at defensive end. While playing for San Francisco last season, he was graded 20th by PFF among interior linemen. Alex Singleton and Randy Gregory also arrived in Denver via free agency.
Bradley Chubb has played 25 games in the last three years and has totaled 8.5 sacks in that time. He was 123rd in PFF's grades among edge rushers last year.
Alex Singleton gets a gift and takes it to the house.#PHIvsSF | #FlyEaglesFly
??: NBC pic.twitter.com/GarzGZ3zDp
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 5, 2020
The Jets' pass rush was graded 23rd by PFF, while their run defense was 30th. Their adjusted line yards were 21st, and their adjusted sack rate was 22nd.
Many of the Jets' contributors from last year are back. That includes Quinnen Williams, who was tied for 40th among interior defensive linemen in PFF's grades, the highest on the team.
Carl Lawson hasn't played since signing his three-year, $45 million deal after a ruptured Achilles a year ago. John Franklin-Myers was 16th in PFF's grades among edge rushers. The Jets did trade up for Jermaine Johnson II in the first round of this year's draft.'
.@QuinnenWilliams and @quincywilliams_ became the first-ever pair of brothers with sacks in the same game for the same team!
??: #NYJvsATL — Sunday at 9:30am ET on @NFLNetwork
??: NFL app pic.twitter.com/WNPt60aM8l— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2021
The Texans' adjusted sack rate was 23rd and their adjusted line yards was 25th. Their pass rush was 17th and their run defense was 26th.
Jonathan Greenard was 11th in PFF's edge rusher grades.
With the 90th pick in the 2020 @NFLDraft, the #Texans select OLB Jonathan Greenard from @GatorsFB.@Tide | #TexansDraft pic.twitter.com/lBCOhmzdfH
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) April 25, 2020
The Jaguars were 23rd in adjusted line yards and 27th in adjusted sack rate. Their pass rush was 25th and their run defense was 29th in PFF's grades.
Josh Allen was graded PFF's 18th-best edge player. The Jaguars added promising players like edge Travon Walker and linebacker Devin Lloyd in this year's draft, but they're young.
Travon Walker is putting on a clinic out there. @44Ytw | @GeorgiaFootball
??: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/qgSLi4WIe5
— NFL (@NFL) March 5, 2022
Detroit's adjusted line yards was 30th, and its adjusted sack rate was even worse in 31st. Its pass rush was graded 28th by PFF, and its run defense was last.
That's why drafting Aidan Hutchinson, a star defensive end out of Michigan, second overall was so important.'
Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson posts a 4.75u in the 40 ??
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/a4itkdhIOF
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) March 5, 2022
Leonard Williams, who was signed to a lucrative deal with the intent of him being a star player, was 26th in PFF's grades among interior defensive linemen last season. The Giants may have improved up front when they drafted Kayvon Thibodeaux fifth overall.
Last season, PFF graded the Giants' run defense 24th and their pass rush 28th. They were 21st in adjusted sack rate and 31st in adjusted line yards.
Big-time career in the Big Apple ??
From the Jets to the Giants, Leonard Williams' best career plays. pic.twitter.com/rH5S62yp0v
— NFL (@NFL) March 19, 2020
The Cardinals were 15th in adjusted sack rate and 17th in adjusted line yards. Their run defense was 21st and their pass rush was ninth in PFF's grades.
As the former All-Pro played just eight games last season, JJ Watt’s health will be pivotal in this unit's production.'
1??0??0?? CAREER SACKS!@JJWatt ??
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/wUgM28acs6
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 8, 2020
The Patriots were graded ninth in run defense and 24th in pass rush last season. They were 14th in adjusted sack rate and 22nd in adjusted line yards.
Though Jamie Collins Sr. and Kyle Van Noy are no longer on the team, linebacker Matthew Judon and defensive lineman Lawrence Guy can impact games.
Matthew Judon is into double digits in sacks on the year! (10.5)
??: #NEvsATL on NFLN/FOX/PRIME VIDEO
??: https://t.co/196WRgEewZ pic.twitter.com/tRJx63zTIf— NFL (@NFL) November 19, 2021
Seattle was much better against the run than pressuring QBs last season. Despite the Seahawks' run defense being graded third by PFF, their pass rush was 30th. They were eighth in adjusted line yards and 29th in adjusted sack rate.
The Seahawks took a hit when they lost Bobby Wagner, but they added D-lineman Shelby Harris and still have Jordyn Brooks at linebacker.
Shelby Harris swats the FG attempt! #BroncosCountry
??: #DENvsCLE on NFLN/FOX/PRIME VIDEO
??: https://t.co/4XwfB5iYvA pic.twitter.com/LMbB22SImr— NFL (@NFL) October 22, 2021
The Titans' PFF grade for run defense was 10th, while their pass rush was 27th. They were 10th in both adjusted line yards and adjusted sack rate.
Jeffery Simmons, a Pro Bowl defensive tackle in 2021, was 22nd in PFF's grades last season. Denico Autry was 36th in PFF's grades among edge players.
The Jeffery Simmons game.
#98 has three of the @Titans nine total sacks! #NFLPlayoffs #Titans
??: #CINvsTEN on CBS
??: https://t.co/3uvV4E3BTI pic.twitter.com/0TZaGNF9xx— NFL (@NFL) January 23, 2022
The Bears had the best adjusted sack rate in the league last year, but their adjusted line yards were 20th. The Bears' run defense was graded 31st by PFF, while their pass rush was 15th.
While Khalil Mack is gone, Robert Quinn was a big reason for that effective pass rush, as he was second in the league with 18.5 sacks. Roquan Smith is a top-notch linebacker, though his future is uncertain.
Robert Quinn with his 17th sack of the season! #DaBears
??: #CHIvsSEA on FOX
??: NFL app pic.twitter.com/vq8gl4AV14— NFL (@NFL) December 26, 2021
The Chiefs' adjusted sack rate was 26th, and their adjusted line yards were 27th. Their run defense was graded 16th, and their pass rush was 19th by PFF.
The Chiefs helped themselves by drafting George Karlaftis in the first round. Chris Jones was fifth in PFF's defensive interior lineman grades, and Nick Bolton was 14th among linebackers.
Chris Jones doing what he does best. #ChiefsKingdom
??: #KCvsBAL on ESPN
??: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/QjJ5lF3Rg2 pic.twitter.com/gHbjB9hHA5— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2020
Minnesota's PFF grades were 16th and 20th for pass rush and run defense, respectively. While ninth in adjusted sack rate, the team was last in adjusted line yards last season.
Nose tackle Dalvin Tomlinson was 16th in PFF's grades, while Danielle Hunter was 15th among edge players. The Vikings also added Za’Darius Smith this offseason.
Did someone say Za'Darius Smith is back? #GoPackGo #NFLPlayoffs
??: #SFvsGB on FOX
??: https://t.co/VWvPUv1xA7 pic.twitter.com/ceedQ8Q1fJ— NFL (@NFL) January 23, 2022
PFF graded the Eagles' pass rush fifth and their run defense 22nd. They were 18th in adjusted line yards and 28th in adjusted sack rate.
And their stars aren't getting younger. Javon Hargrave, a 29-year-old defensive tackle, was 33rd in PFF's grades for the position last season. Fletcher Cox, who's 32, tied for 30th in PFF's grades of D-tackles.
FLETCHER COX FUMBLE RECOVERY FOR THE EAGLES' TD ??
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/1gQDwxMapY
— ESPN (@espn) September 28, 2021
While the likes of Shaq Thompson and Brian Burns are back, Carolina did lose Haason Reddick, the team's leader in sacks in 2021.
The Panthers' adjusted sack rate was third and their adjusted line yards were seventh. In PFF's grades, their pass rush was 12th, and their run defense was 17th.
.@ShaqThompson_7 with the Peanut Punch! #KeepPounding
??: #TBvsCAR on FOX
??: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app:'https://t.co/6yCTrUNGY8 pic.twitter.com/BUldDtINCu— NFL (@NFL) November 15, 2020
While the Ravens were first in adjusted line yards, they were 30th in adjusted sack rate. In PFF's grades, they were eighth in run defense and 20th in pass rushing.
Calais Campbell was eighth in PFF's grades of interior defensive linemen last season. Linebacker Josh Bynes was 12th at his position and edge rushers Justin Houston and Tyus Bowser were 19th and 27th, respectively.
BLOCKED.@CalaisCampbell is taking over this game. #RavensFlock
??: #INDvsBAL on ESPN
??: https://t.co/cpgwIpWHHN pic.twitter.com/4n7SN6D3aA— NFL (@NFL) October 12, 2021
The Bengals were ninth in adjusted line yards and 19th in adjusted sack rate. Their pass rush was graded 12th and their run defense was 23rd by PFF.
But they have some impressive stars to turn to up front. That includes DJ Reader, PFF's ninth-highest graded interior D-lineman, and Trey Hendrickson, who was fifth in the NFL with 14 sacks last season.
Trey Hendrickson. Super Bowl SACK. #RuleItAll
??: #SBLVI on NBC
??: https://t.co/K02y40b5Nu pic.twitter.com/SS9zh1573s— NFL (@NFL) February 13, 2022
While the Colts were 15th in adjusted line yards, they were 25th in adjusted sack rate. PFF graded their run defense fourth and their pass rush 18th.
They hoped to address those pass rush issues by picking up Yannick Ngakoue, who tallied 10 sacks in 2021. Linebacker Shaquille Leonard has been an All-Pro three of the past four years, and DeForest Buckner made the Pro Bowl last season. Grover Stewart was 20th in PFF's grades of interior defensive linemen.
Yannick Ngakoue is headed to Indy.
That @Colts defense is looking even scarier. pic.twitter.com/BUr7BvU6Nb
— NFL (@NFL) March 19, 2022
The Dolphins had the seventh-best run defense in PFF's grades and 14th-best pass rush. Their adjusted sack rate was even better at fourth, while their adjusted line yards were 16th.
In PFF's grades, Christian Wilkins was sixth among interior defensive linemen, and Emmanuel Ogbah was 20th among edge rushers. Miami also provided a spark to its pass rush with Melvin Ingram III, 14th in PFF's edge grades, and some linebacker depth through the draft.
BIG MAN TD ALERT ??
Christian Wilkins gets in for six!
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/EcDYXteVR6
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) December 19, 2021
Maxx Crosby is the star of this unit. He was second in PFF's grades of edge players in 2021 with a league-high 77 hurries. While they lost Yannick Ngakoue, they replaced him with Chandler Jones, who's fresh off of a Pro Bowl appearance.
Las Vegas' pass rush was graded sixth by PFF, but its run defense was 25th. The Raiders were 11th in adjusted line yards, however, and 24th in adjusted sack rate.
Maxx Crosby is a BEAST@CrosbyMaxx | @Raiders
via @NFL pic.twitter.com/Bv1zDJCUNT
— NFL on CBS ?? (@NFLonCBS) July 19, 2022
Micah Parsons was the Defensive Rookie of the Year after being drafted 12th overall. Leighton Vander Esch was 39th in PFF's grades, while Parsons was first.
The Cowboys' adjusted sack rate was 12th, and their adjusted line yards were one spot behind at 13th. In PFF's grades, their run defense was 27th, but their pass rush was seventh.'
Defensive Rookie of the Year. First-team All-Pro.@MicahhParsons11's rookie season was nothing short of spectacular. ?? pic.twitter.com/c6edJVYcp9
— NFL (@NFL) February 25, 2022
Vita Vea was a Pro Bowler last season and was 17th in PFF's grades of interior D-linemen. While Ndamukong Suh and Jason Pierre-Paul are gone, the Bucs picked up Pro Bowler Akiem Hicks.
The Bucs were 11th in PFF's grades for run defense but 27th for their pass rush. They were fifth in adjusted line yards and 16th in adjusted sack rate.
Vita Vea is a grown man ??
??:'#TBvsPHI'on NFLN/FOX/PRIME VIDEO
??: NFL app pic.twitter.com/1p0a1N8RUP— NFL (@NFL) October 15, 2021
Washington was fifth in PFF's grades for run defense and 11th in pass rushing. The team was 11th in adjusted sack rate and 12th in adjusted line yards.
Jonathan Allen was tied for third among interior defensive linemen in PFF's grades. Edge rushers Montez Sweat and Chase Young were top 25. After playing just nine games last season, Young is hoping to bounce back after a Defensive Rookie of the Year campaign in 2020.
Washington DE Chase Young out for season with torn ACL. pic.twitter.com/maf0yvMWTG
— NFL (@NFL) November 15, 2021
At 33 years of age, Demario Davis was ninth last season in PFF's grades of linebackers. Pete Werner was even higher on that list, as he was graded sixth.
New Orleans was second in PFF's grades for run defense and 22nd in its pass-rush grades. The Saints were third in adjusted line yards and sixth in adjusted sack rate, however.
Demario Davis bursts through for the 12-yard sack ?? #Saints
??: #GBvsNO on NBC
??: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/VANJXsXuUh pic.twitter.com/GAgnDYVU1c— NFL (@NFL) September 28, 2020
The Chargers' PFF grade for pass rushing was 13th and their run defense grade was 19th. They were 17th in adjusted sack rate and 28th in adjusted line yards.
They supplemented their front seven with some star power by trading for former Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack and signing Kyle Van Noy, who was 17th in PFF's grades of linebackers last season. Joey Bosa, who's made the last three Pro Bowls after a 10.5-sack 2021 season, is back.
Chargers trading for pass-rusher Khalil Mack (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/38Am4SBFzA
— NFL (@NFL) March 10, 2022