Vote up the best defensive linemen in the NFL in 2022
Who is the best defensive lineman in the NFL in 2022? Using a combination of power, strength, and brute force, NFL defensive linemen punish elite offenses so the NFL's best defenses can get turnovers and claim glory. Every snap, these mighty run stuffers must stymie the most athletic skill players, while demolishing any offensive linemen who stand in their way, which sounds easier than it is. These bubbas in the trenches are able to deliver the hardest, snot-rocking hits that close up running lanes and brutalize their quarterbacks. Who are the best defensive linemen of 2022? Which NFL D-LInemen do you love?
There are a lot of great NFL defensive linemen right now, such as Aaron Donald, J.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, and Chris Jones. As the NFL transitions to a more of passing game, it's become important for D-linemen to excel in the pash rush. There's more athletic defensive linemen - ends and edge rushers- these days than ever such as Nick Bosa, Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, and Robert Quinn. Some of whom are even among the best NFL players of 2022.
Vote up the best NFL defensive linemen in 2022, and help decide who are the best rushers and run-stuffers in the NFL right now!
Defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers Nick Bosa has the comeback season of a lifetime during the 2021 campaign. While he managed to miss all but 2 games during 2020, Bosa exploded onto the scene, accumulating the 4th most sacks of the season with 15.5, and combining to make 52 total tackles. He tied T.J. Watt for the NFL lead in tackles for loss last season (21) too. Bosa more than lived up to the hype he had coming out of college, and entering his 4th season fully healthy, fans should expect another massive jump in production.
Entering his sixth season in the NFL, defensive end Myles Garrett has drastically improved every single season in the league. Rattling off a career-high 16 sacks and 51 combined tackles in 2021, Garrett is proving himself to be a force on the defensive end. With the Cleveland Brown's new emphasis on the defensive side of the ball and Garrett taking on his role of leadership, many expect to see a career season from Garrett. He is a top-two edge defender in the league and could remain among the league's best for the next several years.
The word elite doesn't do Aaron Donald justice at this point. He's earned his own tier above at this point. His peers are the all time greats, like Reggie White and Lawrence Taylor. He was the best defensive lineman in the NFL in 2021 and made the game-winning play in the Super Bowl.
Jones is the most disruptive interior pass-rusher in the NFL outside of Aaron Donald. Jones recorded a 17.8% pass-rush win rate since he was drafted in 2016. The only other interior defensive lineman with a pass-rush win rate over 16% in that six-year stretch is Donald (23.3%). Jones is a figurehead on the Kansas City defense.
Only one player put up 80+ QB pressures last season - Maxx Crosby. He led the NFL with 92 in 2021, which was 15 more than Aaron Donald. Crosby lacked the sack totals, but the Raiders are hoping the offseason addition of Chandler Jones to bookend their D-line should fix that problem. Crosby earned Second Team All-Pro honors as a result of his breakout season, emerging as one of the top edge rushers in the game.
Since Vea was drafted in 2018, only the New Orleans Saints have had a more efficient run defense by expected points added per play than the Buccaneers. Vea provides speed, strength, and elite athleticism at the nose tackle position and his elite production on the interior defense is a primary reason the Bucs stay one of the best D-lines in the NFL.
