NFL positional pecking order: Ranking all 32 front sevens from worst to best
With NFL training camps on the horizon, theScore's football editors rank all 32 teams by their total talent at each major position group. Depth charts are projections of teams' post-training camp rosters.
Next up are defensive fronts.
Position Group Rankings
QB | REC | RB
OL | FRONT 7 | DB
| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| BJ Ojulari | Rashard Lawrence | Zaven Collins |
| Myjai Sanders | Leki Fotu | Kyzir White |
| Dennis Gardeck | Jonathan Ledbetter | Krys Barnes |
The Cardinals' front seven has promise but looks a tad uninspiring. After losing J.J. Watt and Zach Allen this offseason, Arizona is left with rookie Ojulari and second-year pro Sanders as the main pieces. Collins hasn't delivered his first-round promise, while White should be a solid addition to this defensive front.
31. Minnesota Vikings| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Danielle Hunter | Dean Lowry | Brian Asamoah |
| Marcus Davenport | Khyiris Tonga | Jordan Hicks |
| D.J. Wonnum | Harrison Phillips | Troy Reeder |
The Vikings' front seven took a big blow when the team traded away Za'Darius Smith. While Hunter and Davenport are great pieces, the rest leaves a lot to be desired. Minnesota's defense was a major issue last season, ranking 31st in yardage allowed, and it doesn't seem like that'll improve with this year's unit.
30. Atlanta Falcons| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Lorenzo Carter | Calais Campbell | Troy Anderson |
| Bud Dupree | Grady Jarrett | Kaden Ellis |
| Arnold Ebiketie | David Onyemata | Mykal Walker |
The Falcons haven't recorded more than 30 team sacks in four years. Perhaps that changes with the additions of Dupree and Campbell, but this is still a unit that has a very limited ceiling. Ellis boosts what's an incredibly average linebacking corps.
29. Chicago Bears
Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / Getty| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Trevis Gipson | Andrew Billings | Tremaine Edmunds |
| DeMarcus Walker | Gervon Dexter Sr. | T.J. Edwards |
| Rasheem Green | Zacch Pickens | Jack Sanborn |
The Bears' front seven is built like a luxury car that attracts eyes but has big problems under the hood. Edmunds, Walker, Edwards, and Billings were valuable free-agent additions, but this is a group that lacks serious edge rusher quality. Walker posted seven sacks last season in Tennessee, but can he replicate that in Chicago? Gipson finished with just three sacks in 2022.
28. Houston Texans| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Will Anderson | Maliek Collins | Christian Harris |
| Jerry Hughes | Sheldon Rankins | Denzel Perryman |
| Jonathan Greenard | Roy Lopez | Christian Kirksey |
Well, at least they have Anderson. That essentially sums up the Texans' front seven, which is clearly a unit in transition. Veterans like Hughes, Perryman, Rankins, and Kirksey are decent stop-gap options, but this is a defense that screams average. But again, at least Anderson makes it a group worth watching.
Below average27. Los Angeles Rams| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Byron Young | Aaron Donald | Ernest Jones |
| Michael Hoecht | Kobie Turner | Christian Rozeboom |
| Nick Hampton | Bobby Brown III | Jake Hummel |
What once was one of the NFL's most complete defenses and front sevens has now been reduced to Donald and Co. Gone are the likes of Bobby Wagner and Leonard Floyd. If it weren't for Donald, who's still arguably the league's most disruptive player when healthy, this core would be void of any creditable star power.
26. Denver Broncos
Justin Edmonds / Getty Images Sport / Getty| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Randy Gregory | Zach Allen | Alex Singleton |
| Baron Browning | Mike Purcell | Josey Jewell |
| Frank Clark | D.J. Jones | Drew Sanders |
On paper, this Broncos unit looks stout. That is if Gregory bounces back after being limited to just six games and two sacks in 2022. Clark is far from his prime, but the veteran is a consistent pass-rusher. Allen has never posted above 5.5 sacks, but the prized free-agent addition could propel this group. In the linebacker group, Singleton is a tackling machine, as his 163 tackles ranked fifth in the NFL last year.
25. Tennessee Titans| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Harold Landry III | Jeffery Simmons | Azeez Al-Shaair |
| Denico Autry | Teair Tart | Monty Rice |
| Arden Key | Jayden Peevy | Ben Niemann |
One of the game's best interior defenders, Simmons is the juice that powers this Titans defensive front. The edge depth also has the potential to be scary, with Landry, Autry, and newcomer Key all being proven quarterback destroyers. Al-Shaair was a sneaky good free-agent pickup, too.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Travon Walker | Folorunso Fatukasi | Devin Lloyd |
| Josh Allen | Roy Robertson-Harris | Foyesade Oluokun |
| K'Lavon Chaisson | DaVon Hamilton | Chad Muma |
The Jaguars' defensive line is tough as steel, with three capable starters featured in the unit. On the edge, there's a unique blend of young talent. Walker, a freak athlete, has all the tools to be a star, while Allen has proven to be a high-floor pass-rusher. Oluokun has also been a stud, leading the league in tackles in each of the last two seasons.
23. Indianapolis Colts| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Kwity Paye | DeForest Buckner | Shaquille Leonard |
| Dayo Odeyingbo | Grover Stewart | E.J. Speed |
| Samson Ebukam | Adetomiwa Adebawore | Grant Stuard |
Buckner is the driving force of the Colts' pass rush, though Paye could boost the team's front seven position if he plays to his first-round billing. There's no denying that Leonard is up there with Buckner as one of the best at his position, but the three-time All-Pro was limited to just three games last season.
22. New Orleans Saints| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Cameron Jordan | Nathan Shepherd | Demario Davis |
| Carl Granderson | Khalen Saunders | Pete Werner |
| Isaiah Foskey | Bryan Bresee | Zack Baun |
The Saints lost a lot of talent on defense in the last few months, but this front seven can still inflict fear in any offense with the likes of Jordan, an eight-time Pro Bowler, and Davis, who has quietly been one of the game's best linebackers.
21. Seattle Seahawks
Grant Halverson / Getty Images Sport / Getty| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Uchenna Nwosu | Dre'Mont Jones | Bobby Wagner |
| Darrell Taylor | Jarran Reed | Jordyn Brooks |
| Derick Hall | Bryan Mone | Devin Bush |
Wagner is back in Seattle, and his return gives the Seahawks one of the best linebacker duos in the NFL. When it comes to getting after the quarterback, Jones, Nwosu, and Taylor are a trio to be feared. Jones put himself on the map while with the Broncos, while Taylor and Nwosu combined for 19 sacks in 2022.
20. Las Vegas Raiders| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Maxx Crosby | Jerry Tillery | Divine Deablo |
| Chandler Jones | Bilal Nichols | Robert Spillane |
| Tyree Wilson | Adam Butler | Amari Burney |
The Raiders added one of the biggest freaks in this year's draft in Wilson to an already loaded edge rusher room that contains Crosby and Jones. While Jones didn't have an eventful first year in Sin City, a bounce-back season isn't out of the question. The shortcomings in the interior and linebacker depth mean it's a good thing that Las Vegas' pass-rushing group is as deep as they come.
19. Detroit Lions| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Aidan Hutchinson | Alim McNeil | Maclolm Rodriguez |
| James Houston | Isaiah Buggs | Alex Anzalone |
| Charles Harris | Levi Onwuzurike | Jack Campbell |
No one was surprised by the fact that Hutchinson led the Lions in sacks during his rookie year with 9.5. What was a little surprising was that a sixth-round rookie like Houston would be right behind him with eight. Now, Detroit holds a young and jumpstart edge-rusher duo, plus 2023 first-round pick Campbell should provide an immediate effect on the club's linebacker quality.
18. Baltimore Ravens| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Odafe Oweh | Michael Pierce | Roquan Smith |
| Tyus Bowser | Justin Madubuike | Patrick Queen |
| David Ojabo | Broderick Washington | Trenton Simpson |
The Ravens made an aggressive move to acquire Smith in a blockbuster trade with the Bears last year, and it's paid dividends for their defense. Smith might be the headliner, but Queen and Simpson round out one of the league's top linebacker groups. Baltimore's interior depth isn't too shabby, either. Oweh has put up just eight sacks in two seasons, while Ojabo played in only two games in 2022, but there's just so much reason to believe this edge group could explode this season.
17. Carolina Panthers| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Burns | Derrick Brown | Frankie Luvu |
| Marquis Haynes Sr. | Henry Anderson | Shaq Thompson |
| Yetur Gross-Matos | Shy Tuttle | Brandon Smith |
While everyone knows what Thompson is all about, the emergence of Luvu really put this front seven on the map. Luvu set career highs in 2022 with 111 tackles, seven sacks, and 19 tackles for a loss. Burns is also coming off his second straight Pro Bowl campaign after a personal-best 12.5 sacks last year. When you account for Brown on the defensive line, the Panthers have at least one star player on each level of their front seven.
Good enough16. New England Patriots| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew Judon | Deatrich Wise Jr. | Ja'Whaun Bentley |
| Josh Uche | Lawrence Guy | Jahlani Tavai |
| Ronnie Perkins | Davon Godchaux | Mack Wilson Sr. |
The Patriots hold perhaps two of the most underrated pass-rushers in the NFL in Judon and Uche. Judon has now made four straight Pro Bowls and just keeps getting better, as evidenced by his career-high 15.5 sacks in 2022. Uche put it all together in his third year, recording 11.5 sacks as New England put up 54 total sacks last season. Another key under-the-radar component of the team's defense is Bentley, who's coming off his finest season.
15. Kansas City Chiefs| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| George Karlaftis | Chris Jones | Nick Bolton |
| Charles Omenihu | Derrick Nnadi | Willie Gay |
| Felix Anudike-Uzomah | Deondre Coburn | Drue Tranquill |
The Chiefs' offense gets all the attention, but let's not underestimate just how good their defense has been. Jones doesn't need much said about him, as his numbers (15.5 sacks in 2022) speak for themselves. Karlaftis' six sacks in his rookie year meant the Chiefs were confident enough in him to move on from longtime edge rusher Frank Clark. Omenihu was a great piece to add after his 4.5 sacks and 21 pressures last year. Bringing in Tranquill also gives Kansas City three linebackers capable of starting.
14. Los Angeles Chargers
Harry How / Getty Images Sport / Getty| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Joey Bosa | Sebastian Joseph-Day | Eric Kendricks |
| Khallil Mack | Morgan Fox | Kenneth Murray |
| Tuli Tuipulotu | Austin Johnson | Daiyan Henley |
Bosa and Mack come with their own caveats. The former has struggled with durability, while the latter appears to have lost a tiny step. Still, they give the Chargers a ferocious pass rush. After eight seasons with the Vikings, including seven with 100-plus tackles, Kendricks gives Murray a trusted veteran to lean on. Joseph-Day has also been an important fixture that followed Brandon Staley from the Rams to the Chargers.
13. Green Bay Packers| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Rashan Gary | Kenny Clark | De'Vondre Campbell |
| Preston Smith | Devonte Wyatt | Quay Walker |
| Lukas Van Ness | T.J. Slayton | Eric Wilson |
The Packers have invested a ton into their defense, and it shows with their No. 13 ranking on our list. Van Ness, Gary, Walker, Wyatt, and Clark were all selected in the first round over the last eight years. Veterans like Campbell and Smith complement the young pieces quite well. This is a talented front seven, and that's great news considering the offense is in the midst of a serious rebuild after losing Aaron Rodgers.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Shaquil Barrett | Vita Vea | Lavonte David |
| Joe Tryon-Shoyinka | Calijah Kancey | Devin White |
| YaYa Diaby | Logan Hall | SirVocea Dennis |
David is somehow still playing at a high level even as he enters his age-33 season. And while White's name value may exceed his play at times, he's still an athletic specimen that complements David well. Vea is a run plugger who continues to grow as a pass-rusher, while Kancey, a rookie, was one of the most intriguing prospects of this year's class. The edge group is surprisingly a big question mark as Barrett showed hints of decline last season, producing only three sacks before tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 8. Meanwhile, Tryon-Shoyinka has yet to crack four sacks since being drafted in the first round in 2021.
11. Miami Dolphins| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Jaelan Phillips | Christian Wilkins | Jerome Baker |
| Bradley Chubb | Raekwon Davis | David Long Jr. |
| Emmanuel Ogbah | Zach Sieler | Andrew Van Ginkel |
A trio of edge rushers like Phillips, Chubb, and Ogbah should send shivers down the spine of quarterbacks around the league. That didn't exactly happen last year as Phillips (seven sacks), Chubb (2.5 sacks with Dolphins), and Ogbah (one sack) didn't live up to expectations. But these are producers who have played at a high level before, especially Chubb and Ogbah. The rest of the front seven is filled with studs, too. Wilkins has been the centerpiece of the unit. Meanwhile, Long Jr. gives Miami another talented linebacker alongside Baker.
Great10. New York Giants
Cooper Neill / Getty Images Sport / Getty| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Kayvon Thibodeaux | Dexter Lawrence | Bobby Okereke |
| Azeez Ojulari | Leonard Williams | Darrian Beavers |
| Oshane Ximines | A'Shawn Robinson | Jarrad Davis |
We've now entered great territory of front sevens, and the Giants' unit certainly is among the NFL's upper echelon of defenses. A defensive line of Lawrence, Williams, and Robinson is as close to impenetrable as it gets. Lawrence set a new personal best with 7.5 sacks and 28 QB hits last season, and it was just two years ago that Williams put up 11.5 sacks and 30 QB hits. Thibodeaux and Ojulari combined for just 9.5 sacks in 2022, but this promising duo is poised for a monster year at any moment.
9. Dallas Cowboys| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Micah Parsons | Osa Odighizuwa | Leighton Vander Esch |
| Demarcus Lawrence | Mazi Smith | Damone Clark |
| Dorance Armstrong | Johnathan Hankins | Jabril Cox |
Dallas' defense begins and ends with Parsons. The 24-year-old has finished as runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year in each of his first two seasons. His 26.5 sacks, 33 tackles for a loss, and 56 QB hits have earned him two All-Pro nods. Behind him are Lawrence and Armstrong, who combined for 14.5 sacks last year. The interior depth is a bit light, but Vander Esch has proven to be a solid and dependable force at linebacker.
8. New York Jets| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Carl Lawson | Quinnen Williams | C.J. Mosley |
| Jermaine Johnson | John Franklin-Myers | Quincy Williams |
| Will McDonald IV | Quinton Jefferson | Jamien Sherwood |
For as much attention as the Jets' offense is going to get, their defense - especially their front seven - shouldn't be discounted. Quinnen Williams is coming off his first All-Pro campaign after notching 12 sacks in 2022. Mosley and Quincy Williams patrol the second level like heat-seeking missiles. Their combined 264 tackles and four sacks last season back that up. Lawson put up a respectable seven sacks in 2022, while Johnson should only get better, and rookie McDonald has an intriguing blend of traits on the edge.
7. Washington Commanders| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Montez Sweat | Jonathan Allen | Cody Barton |
| Chase Young | Daron Payne | Jamin Davis |
| Efe Obada | Phidarian Mathis | David Mayo |
The Commanders earned our top grade for interior defenses, and that shouldn't come as a shock due to Allen and Payne. The latter just enjoyed his finest year to date with 11.5 sacks, while Allen has made the Pro Bowl in each of his last two seasons. This edge group is worthy of praise and could easily elevate this front seven into the elite category if Young plays up to his draft slot. Sweat has done his part, though, recording at least seven sacks in three of his four seasons.
6. Buffalo Bills| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Von Miller | Ed Oliver | Matt Milano |
| Greg Rousseau | DaQuan Jones | A.J. Klein |
| Shaq Lawson | Tim Settle | Tyler Matakevich |
A lot is riding on Miller returning to his usual form after an ACL tear ended his 2022. But it sounds like the eight-time Pro Bowler will be ready for Week 1. Miller - even at age 34 - is still a pass-rusher to be feared. Rousseau enjoyed a breakout season last year with eight sacks, while Lawson is quality depth. The interior defense lacks true star power, but Oliver is a commendable piece in the middle. Though the linebacker corps lost a big piece in Tremaine Edmunds, Milano has truly been their most consistent linebacker. He's coming off his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro campaign.
5. Cincinnati Bengals| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Trey Hendrickson | DJ Reader | Logan Wilson |
| Sam Hubbard | BJ Hill | Germaine Pratt |
| Myles Murphy | Josh Tupou | Akeem Davis-Gaither |
Hendrickson has proved himself to be more than a one-year wonder after putting up 22 sacks in his two seasons as a Bengal. Hubbard has also been a dependable pass-rusher who can be counted on for six-to-eight sacks per year. Murphy is a high-ceiling rookie who really gives Cincinnati a lot to be excited about. Hill has been a solid free-agent pickup since joining the Bengals in 2021, while Reader is a key run-plugging defensive tackle. Cincinnati managed to bring back Pratt in free agency, which is good news, considering he just put together his best year in 2022. Pratt and Wilson have been a tremendous duo in the middle.
4. Cleveland Browns
Diamond Images / Diamond Images / Getty| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Myles Garrett | Dalvin Tomlinson | Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah |
| Za'Darius Smith | Jordan Elliott | Anthony Walker Jr. |
| Ogbonnia Okoronkwo | Siaki Ika | Sione Takitaki |
The Browns' edge rushers earned our highest average score for the position, and it's hard to argue against that. Garrett is in the prime of his career after recording 32 total sacks and 35 tackles for a loss over the last two years. Smith - acquired in a trade with the Vikings - put up 10 sacks in 2022 and should be an upgrade over Jadeveon Clowney. Tomlinson - another offseason addition - is an elite run stuffer. In the middle, Owusu-Koramoah is an athletic and versatile linebacker, though the splash plays have yet to follow. Walker and Takitaki round out what's an impressive front seven.
Elite3. Philadelphia Eagles| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Haason Reddick | Fletcher Cox | Nicholas Morrow |
| Brandon Graham | Jalen Carter | Nakobe Dean |
| Josh Sweat | Jordan Davis | Nolan Smith |
The Eagles bring us into the elite tier of front sevens. The only real weakness in this unit is at linebacker, but the rest of the defense is full of talent. Reddick exploded for 16 sacks and five forced fumbles last season, while Sweat and Graham put up 11 sacks each. Even after losing Javon Hargrave, this interior is still elite. Cox is still playing at a high level despite being in the twilight of his career. Somehow, Carter - regarded by many as the top prospect in the 2023 draft - fell into the Eagles' hands, while Davis is another high-ceiling piece.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| T.J. Watt | Cameron Heyward | Cole Holcomb |
| Alex Highsmith | Larry Ogunjobi | Elandon Roberts |
| Nick Herbig | Keeanu Benton | Tanner Muse |
Watt, Highsmith, and Heyward give the Steelers one of the NFL's most feared pass-rushing groups. Watt, a former Defensive Player of the Year, missed time last season but has still put up 28 sacks since 2021. Highsmith blew up in 2022 with a career-high 14.5 sacks, while Heyward put up a double-digit sack line for the second straight year. Ogunjobi didn't offer much as a pass-rusher in his first season in Pittsburgh, but perhaps Year 2 will be different. Most importantly, the Steelers made a much-needed call to gut their entire linebacker group and bring in veterans like Holcomb and Roberts.
1. San Francisco 49ers
Douglas P. DeFelice / Getty Images Sport / Getty| EDGE DEPTH | INTERIOR DEPTH | LB DEPTH |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Bosa | Javon Hargrave | Fred Warner |
| Drake Jackson | Arik Armstead | Dre Greenlaw |
| Clelin Ferrell | Javon Kinlaw | Oren Burks |
It's almost unfair that a front seven that already had Bosa, Armstead, and Warner was able to sign a superstar like Hargrave in free agency. The former Eagles defensive tackle is coming off the best performance of his career with an 11-sack showing in 2022. He'll play alongside Bosa, who was named Defensive Player of the Year last season after leading the NFL with 18.5 sacks. Next up is Warner, who continues to prove why he's arguably the best linebacker in the game. Greenlaw is a great Robin to Warner's Batman as well. Out of all the front sevens in 2023, there won't be one better than the 49ers.
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