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Every football game involves a million different individual battles that can overwhelm even the most knowledgeable fan. Still, even without knowing route trees, blocking schemes or complex zone blitzes, a casual fan can tell how an offense versus defense matchup will play out based on two observations. First, can the defense stop the run without bringing a safety in for support? Second, can the defense pressure the quarterback without being forced to blitz?
The key defensive unit in these crucial battles is the defensive line. Defensive linemen range from the fleet-footed Dwight Freeney to the immense Pat Williams. Those two players are so exceptional at their one skill — rushing the passer in Freeney's case, stuffing the run for Williams — that their weaknesses in other aspects of the game are excusable. For an entire unit, however, we look for teams that can both stuff the run and get to the quarterback, with enough depth to withstand the inevitable injury or two.
There are a few stats we can use to judge defensive lines. Adjusted Line Yards measures run defense, while Adjusted Sack Rate considers sacks per pass play. We described these stats in the introduction to our offensive line rankings, and for the defense, we just turn them around. The defensive stats for 2006 are here.
We can also judge individual pass rushers on sacks, hits and hurries. Everybody knows sacks, but quarterback hits were added to the play-by-play in 2006. Hurries are an unofficial stat that we've been tracking with the Football Outsiders game charting project, our army of volunteers that compiles new stats by watching tape of every NFL game. You'll find a big article about hits and hurries, along with the numbers for every defensive lineman and linebacker in the NFL, in our new book Pro Football Prospectus 2007, available at local bookstores or from Amazon.com.
New England's Richard Seymour anchors one of the best defensive lines in football.
Here are the top 16 defensive lines in football with last year's rank in parentheses.
1. New England (7)
For years, Bill Belichick's defense has been built around linebackers. Those days are over, and by far the best unit on this defense is the defensive line. Richard Seymour is an extraordinary football player, but a season ago, he became invisible at times. Fortunately, fellow starters Ty Warren and Vince Wilfork rose to elite levels. According to Adjusted Line Yards, the Patriots were the second-best team preventing runs behind the offensive right tackle, runs which go right at Warren. Wilfork has joined the short list of outstanding nose tackles, the type of player who can completely change a game without making a single tackle. If these three weren't enough of a problem, end Jarvis Green is good enough to start for most teams but is merely a spare part in New England, and tackle Mike Wright has gone from an undrafted nobody to one of the league's most productive second-stringers. If the Patriots ever wanted to show a four-man front, either Roosevelt Colvin or Adalius Thomas could torture quarterbacks from a three-point stance on the outside.
2. Jacksonville (17)
Nobody has ever doubted the outstanding tackle duo of John Henderson and Marcus Stroud. Until last year, however, we did not know how good the Jaguars' depth along the defensive line was. Outstanding pass rusher Reggie Hayward was lost for the season in Week 1, and Stroud missed five games. The Jaguars hardly missed a beat, ranking third in Adjusted Line Yards. Their pass rush was weaker than 2005, but that was to be expected with Hayward sidelined. Bobby McCray may be the best defensive end you've never heard of, and Paul Spicer is a quality veteran who plays the run well. Back-up tackle Rob Meier fills in solidly behind Henderson and Stroud. The Jaguars would be No. 1 if we knew for sure that Hayward would return from his Achilles injury as a productive player. If he is anywhere near 100 percent, the Jaguars defense is going to cause enormous problems for the opposition, and maybe get them back in the playoffs.
3. Carolina (4)
2006 was a disappointing season for the Panthers, but the defensive line was hardly to blame. On pure talent alone, Panthers fans can easily argue that they have the top unit. Julius Peppers is on the short list of players who may be the best defensive player in football. Mike Rucker and Kris Jenkins are both exceptional players. Ma'ake Kemoeatu, Damione Lewis and Jordan Carstens give them impressive depth at defensive tackle. The team does have some question marks, primarily due to health concerns. Jenkins' biggest weakness is an inability to stay on the field, as he was injured in 2004 and 2005. He was healthy all season a year ago but lacked some of the explosiveness of his pre-injury days. Rucker blew out his ACL in December and may not be at his best this season. Charles Johnson, a third-round pick from Georgia, is an outstanding prospect at defensive end. The final question mark is Carstens, who is suffering from kidney disease and waiting for medical clearance.
4. San Diego (14)
Shawne Merriman gets all the headlines thanks to his huge sack totals, but the defensive line is essential for Merriman to ply his trade. Defensive tackle Jamal Williams was not as dominant in 2006 as he was in 2005, but he remains among the best at his position. The key to this unit has been the development of the defensive ends. Luis Castillo plays a fundamentally sound defensive end and is emerging as a star. Igor Olshansky struggles to get pressure on the quarterback but is stout against the run. Off the bench, Jacques Cesaire provides some of the pass rush that they lack with Olshansky.
5. Miami
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Like the Panthers, the Dolphins had a very disappointing 2006, and again, the defensive line was not the problem. Jason Taylor was a very deserving Defensive Player of the Year, wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks and playing stout run defense. The middle of the defensive line is a little old with Vonnie Holliday and Keith Traylor. Holliday, though, clearly has something left, and gets good penetration from the interior. The key to the unit will be a couple of untested players. Second-year defensive end Matt Roth takes over as the starter and should be more disruptive than the departed Kevin Carter. Support in the middle of the line comes from Paul Soliai, a rookie from Utah who replaces the ineffective Jeff Zgonina.
6. Minnesota (18)
The 2006 Vikings run defense was the best in the NFL since the 2000 Ravens, thanks in large part to an outstanding defensive line. Pat and Kevin Williams (no relation) are absolutely impossible to handle in the middle of the line. A motivated Pat Williams is arguably the best run defender in football. The only reason the Vikings do not rank first is that the defensive line struggled mightily to get to the quarterback. Starting defensive end Kenechi Udeze plays the run well but recorded zero sacks on the season. The Vikings overall were second to last in Adjusted Sack Rate. The good news — and the reason they are still a top 10 unit — is that according to our game-charting project, they ranked eighth in hurries per charted pass play. Look for some of those hurries to turn into sacks this season.
7. Baltimore (11)
Based on their starting three, the Ravens would rank higher, but depth is a bit of a question. Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata impressed as a rookie, but the more significant addition a year ago was Trevor Pryce. The veteran arrived from Denver and provided exceptional pass rushing skills with 13 sacks. Kelly Gregg is a stout run defender but is a non-factor at times in the passing game. Behind these players, Justin Bannan and Dwan Edwards are unproven. Pryce turns 32 before the season starts, and an injury to him could create problems.
8. Philadelphia (6)
The Eagles' big names are at defensive end with Jevon Kearse and Darren Howard, but neither one is the pass-rushing threat he used to be. Kearse has not had 10 sacks since 2001, and Howard only had five a season ago. To his credit, Howard is at least a solid defender against the run. The strength of the team is an impressive defensive line rotation. Mike Patterson and Darwin Walker were effective last season, with Patterson holding his own against the run and Walker providing pass rush. Walker was shipped to Buffalo, and Philadelphia hopes for improved play from Broderick Bunkley. Last year's first-round pick, Bunkley never entered the rotation but has incredible physical skills. The signings of Ian Scott and Montae Reagor provide depth in the middle unmatched by any other team. The defensive end position is also deep with the solid Trent Cole and rookie Victor Abiamiri.
9. Chicago (1)
Chicago's D-line struggled after Tommie Harris got injured last year. (Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images)
A year ago, the Bears appeared to have a deep and talented defensive line. Then Tommie Harris got injured, and it became obvious that the Bears had a bunch of solid but unspectacular linemen. The only difference-maker besides the outstanding Harris was rookie Mark Anderson. Anderson should start this season at defensive end, and it will be interesting to see if he can hold up against the run. The Bears have completely reworked their defensive tackle rotation. They elected to let Ian Scott or Alfonso Boone leave in free agency. After another run-in with the law, they said No tanks to Tank Johnson. To fill the hole, they acquired Anthony Adams from San Francisco, and he should be a good fit for the Bears' Tampa-2 system. He will be joined by Dusty Dvoracek, a third-round pick in 2006 who missed last season with a foot injury. If Harris is 100 percent, look for glowing stories about Dvoracek and the rest of the revamped D-line. If Harris struggles with his health, the Bears defense will look very mediocre overall.
10. Pittsburgh (3)
A year ago, the Steelers' defensive line remained extremely healthy and played at a high level, but they may not reach those heights this year. Casey Hampton joins Jamal Williams and Vince Wilfork in the triumvirate of outstanding 3-4 nose tackles, but he doesn't add as much as Williams and Wilfork when it comes to the pass rush. Brett Keisel was a nice surprise as a replacement for Kimo von Oelhoffen, but he is a 29-year-old journeyman who probably enjoyed his best season. Aaron Smith is an excellent 3-4 defensive end who holds his ground well against the run. As for depth, only Chris Hoke at defensive tackle is a proven commodity.
11. New York Giants (5)
The top 10 is a little defensive-tackle heavy, as the Giants are our first team truly dominated by the defensive ends. Michael Strahan remains a great player but has now missed half a season twice in the last three years. On the other end, Osi Umenyiora also battled injuries but is younger and more likely to return to his Pro Bowl form. The middle is a dicier proposition with Barry Cofield and Fred Robbins best described as mediocre. Cofield is young and has upside potential, while Robbins is adequate. Nobody knows what to make of William Joseph, who, if he played quarterback, would have long since been cut and written off as an enormous draft bust.
12. Seattle (2)
Sometimes, despite voluminous film study and all the advanced statistics in the world, you do not know how good a player is until he goes out with an injury. We knew Marcus Tubbs was an asset in a solid defensive tackle rotation, but after he was lost for the season with a knee injury, the team's run defense collapsed. Tubbs had microfracture surgery in the off-season, and while reports on his recovery are encouraging, the risk drops the Seahawks into the teens. The good news is that Patrick Kerney is a strong upgrade at defensive end. Nobody on last year's defensive line had even five sacks, and a healthy Kerney should provide more pass rush. The strength remains up the middle with Tubbs, Rocky Bernard, Chuck Darby, Craig Terrill and rookie third-rounder Brandon Mebane.
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13. Atlanta (28)
The Falcons' defensive line gave a complete performance a season ago, ranking 12th in Adjusted Line Yards and eighth in Adjusted Sack Rate. However, an off-season quadriceps injury to Rod Coleman will certainly hurt their interior push. Coleman has only missed three games over the past four seasons but will miss at least that many after a boating accident. The departure of Patrick Kerney is a short-term downgrade, but first-round pick Jamal Anderson will eventually be a better player. John Abraham hopes for a healthier season in his second year with Atlanta as Chauncey Davis is stretched as a starter. The more important addition last season was Grady Jackson at defensive tackle, where he can single-handedly turn a rushing defense around. At age 34 and with a certain amount of, let's say ... girth, Jackson may not age gracefully.
14. New Orleans (20)
The Saints' defense was below average, particularly for a conference championship team, but the defensive line was certainly the team's strongest unit. Will Smith continued to develop as an outstanding defensive end and picked up 10.5 sacks. The center of the line, Hollis Thomas and Brian Young, is solid as these are good players who attack up the field well. Still, a physical offensive line can overpower them. Left defensive end Charles Grant received an enormous contract to stay in New Orleans, which showed his value to the unit. Tackle depth should be improved with the importation of Kendrick Clancy from the Cardinals.
15. Green Bay (25)
This ranking may be high for the Packers, but if they are going to make a surprise playoff run, the defensive line will be this good. Aaron Kampman is one of the league's most complete defensive ends, pressuring the quarterback while still playing the run adequately. On the other end, Cullen Jenkins has assumed the starting role, and this unheralded player is certainly someone to watch this year. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila returns to the role of pass-rush specialist, where he should again be an impact player. The key for the unit is the health of Justin Harrell, the first-round pick out of Tennessee. Harrell was considered a reach in the draft but has excellent physical skills. One weakness is that Kampman and Ryan Pickett on the left side of the line get pushed back on running plays more than the Packers would like. Both players amass numerous tackles, but too often they are several yards downfield.
16. Indianapolis (16)
During the regular season, the Colts' D-line played like one of the worst units in the league. In the playoffs, it played like a top 10 unit. As a result, we compromise with a ranking of 16th. Run defense is the primary problem. The Colts had problems taking down quarterbacks last year — they only had 25 sacks — but they didn't have any trouble getting close to the quarterback, ranking in the top 10 in both quarterback hits and hurries. Dwight Freeney is now the highest-paid defender in the league, even after recording only 5.5 sacks last season. Perhaps the Colts' front office knows what Football Outsiders knows, that Freeney led the NFL in quarterback hurries last season despite the low sack total. Freeney can still rush the passer, but opposing quarterbacks never hold the ball for more than a couple seconds against the Colts' zone defense. Opposing pint-sized defensive end Robert Mathis played every down for the first time and held up surprisingly well against the run. Raheem Brock struggled against the run after being shifted inside to tackle. Booger McFarland is past his prime, but the Colts would not have won the Super Bowl had they not traded for him.
