NFL's Best Defensive Players

Offense may be pretty, but defense can wreck a game.

NFL's Best Defensive Players

New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore, right, intercepts a pass intended for Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Brandin Cooks in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 53 on Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta.

If defense wins championships in football, defensive players can put a team over the top.

These are the game-wreckers, ballhawks, run stalkers and shutdown corners.

These men put fear into opponents on the field and make quarterbacks, receivers and running backs disappear from the stat sheet.

These are the NFL’s 20 best defensive players.

#20: Roquan Smith, Inside Linebacker, Chicago Bears

Years in the NFL: 1

Teams: Chicago Bears (2018-present)

Super Bowl wins: 0

Career statistics

COMB: 122

SOLO: 89

AST: 33

SACK: 5

TD: 0

2018 statistics

COMB: 122

SOLO: 89

AST: 33

SACK: 5

TD: 0

2017 statistics

N/A

Bottom line: The Bears are looking good for taking Roquan Smith with the No. 8 pick in the 2018 draft out of the University of Georgia.

Smith is a sideline-to-sideline stalker, in the vein of Brian Urlacher or Dick Butkus, and enjoyed a monster rookie season with five sacks, an interception and five passes defended.

#19: John Johnson, Safety, Los Angeles Rams

Years in the NFL: 2

Teams: Los Angeles Rams (2017-present)

Super Bowl wins: 0

Career statistics

COMB: 194

SOLO: 138

AST: 56

INT: 5

TD: 0

2018 statistics

COMB: 119

SOLO: 82

AST: 34

INT: 4

TD: 0

2017 statistics

COMB: 75

SOLO: 56

AST: 19

INT: 1

TD: 0

Bottom line: John Johnson may be the most underrated player in the NFL. His 119 tackles were the most among defensive backs, and he added four interceptions, a forced fumble and 11 passes defended to an impressive sophomore season.

Somehow Johnson hasn’t garnered the attention of the Pro Bowl, as he was snubbed for the second straight season.

But Johnson’s exceptional play carried the Rams all the way to the Super Bowl. The safety had 18 playoff tackles and an interception of Drew Brees in the NFC championship game.

#18: Myles Garrett, Defensive End, Cleveland Browns

Years in the NFL: 2

Teams: Cleveland Browns (2017-present)

Super Bowl wins: 0

Career statistics

COMB: 75

SOLO: 54

AST: 21

SACK: 20.5

TD: 0

2018 statistics

COMB: 44

SOLO: 35

AST: 9

SACK: 13.5

TD: 0

2017 statistics

COMB: 31

SOLO: 19

AST: 12

SACK: 7

TD: 0

Bottom line: The first pick of the 2017 NFL draft had a breakout year in 2018 with Browns defensive coordinator Gregg Williams scheme.

Expect to see Myles Garrett keep getting better and be dominant for years to come.

#17: Derwin James, Safety, Los Angeles Chargers

Years in the NFL: 1

Teams: Los Angeles Chargers (2018-present)

Super Bowl wins: 0

Career statistics

COMB: 105

SOLO: 75

AST: 30

INT: 3

TD: 0

2018 statistics

COMB: 105

SOLO: 75

AST: 30

INT: 3

TD 0

2017 statistics

N/A

Bottom line: Derwin James highlights an impressive Chargers defense that came on toward the end of 2018.

James can play the run, blitz or in coverage, leading Los Angeles in tackles and with three interceptions while also adding 3.5 sacks.

He also led all rookies with 16 passes defended, then added 14 tackles in two playoff games.

#16: Marshon Lattimore, Cornerback, New Orleans Saints

Years in the NFL: 2

Teams: New Orleans Saints (2017-present)

Super Bowl wins: 0

Career statistics

COMB: 111

SOLO: 92

AST: 19

INT: 7

TD: 1

2018 statistics

COMB: 59

SOLO: 49

AST: 10

INT: 2

TD: 0

2017 statistics

COMB: 52

SOLO: 43

AST: 9

INT: 5

TD: 1

Bottom line: The defending defensive rookie of the year’s interception numbers are down, but Marshon Lattimore still created takeaways for New Orleans with an NFL-best four forced fumbles, three of which he recovered himself.

He had two interceptions in New Orleans’ playoff win against the Eagles, including a game-sealing pick of Nick Foles in the final two minutes.

#15: Stephon Gilmore, Cornerback, New England Patriots

Years in the NFL: 7

Teams: Buffalo Bills (2012-16), New England Patriots (2017-present)

Super Bowl wins: 1 (2018)

Career statistics

COMB: 321

SOLO: 285

AST: 36

INT: 18

TD: 0

2018 statistics

COMB: 45

SOLO: 40

AST: 5

INT: 2

TD: 0

2017 statistics

COMB: 50

SOLO: 47

AST: 3

INT: 2

TD: 0

Bottom line: The New England defense generally runs on interchangeable parts, but the Patriots went out of their way to sign Stephon Gilmore in free agency two offseasons ago.

It’s been a good decision. Gilmore enjoyed a renaissance season in 2018, with two forced fumbles, the second-most passes defended in the NFL (22) and his first NFL sack on Nov. 11.

Gilmore backed up his exceptional regular season with an awesome postseason that included seven passes defended, a forced fumble and two interceptions, including one of Jared Goff in Super Bowl LIII.

#14: Jalen Ramsey, Cornerback, Jacksonville Jaguars

Years in the NFL: 3

Teams: Jacksonville Jaguars (2016-present)

Super Bowl wins: 0

Career statistics

COMB: 193

SOLO: 169

AST: 24

INT: 9

TD: 1

2018 statistics

COMB: 65

SOLO: 62

AST: 3

INT: 3

TD: 0

2017 statistics

COMB: 63

SOLO: 52

AST: 11

INT: 4

TD 0

Bottom line: Jalen Ramsey talks a good game, and the Jaguars' shutdown cornerback can back it up.

His interception numbers dipped in 2018, but his 65 tackles were fourth most on Jacksonville.

#13: Jadeveon Clowney, Outside Linebacker, Houston Texans

Years in the NFL: 5

Teams: Houston Texans (2014-present)

Super Bowl wins: 0

Career statistics

COMB: 205

SOLO: 151

AST: 54

SACK: 29

TD: 0

2018 statistics

COMB: 47

SOLO: 38

AST: 9

SACK: 9

TD: 0

2017 statistics

COMB: 59

SOLO: 41

AST: 18

SACK: 9.5

TD: 0

Bottom line: Jadeveon Clowney has served as a nice complement to J.J. Watt, rushing the passer opposite the big defensive end since Houston took Clowney with the first pick of the 2014 draft.

In addition to being able to wreck a game with his pass rushing, Clowney is stout in run defense as well.

#12: Kyle Fuller, Cornerback, Chicago Bears

Years in the NFL: 5

Teams: Chicago Bears (2014-present)

Super Bowl wins: 0

Career statistics

COMB: 243

SOLO: 204

AST: 39

INT: 15

TD: 0

2018 statistics

COMB: 55

SOLO: 45

AST: 10

INT: 7

TD: 0

2017 statistics

COMB: 69

SOLO: 61

AST: 8

INT: 2

TD: 0

Bottom line: Kyle Fuller is the shutdown guy in the Bears' secondary, and he had his best season to date in 2018, leading the NFL with 28 passes defended and finishing tied for the lead with seven interceptions.

Fuller was a top-10 cornerback in the league before the campaign, but elevated his game and was a huge part of Chicago’s renaissance.

#11: Leighton Vander Esch, Linebacker, Dallas Cowboys

Years in the NFL: 1

Teams: Dallas Cowboys (2018-present)

Super Bowl wins: 0

Career statistics

COMB: 140

SOLO: 102

AST: 38

SACK: 0

TD: 0

2018 statistics

COMB: 140

SOLO: 102

AST: 38

SACK: 0

TD: 0

2017 statistics

N/A

Bottom line: Dallas' selection of Leighton Vander Esch with the 19th overall pick in the 2018 draft was controversial, but the rookie linebacker more than made the Cowboys' front office look smart.

Vander Esch is a force and supplanted Sean Lee when the defensive captain and stalwart middle linebacker went down with his annual injury.

Vander Esch had 14 tackles in Dallas' two playoff games, including 10 in its wild-card win against the Seahawks, and should be a force in the middle of the Cowboys' defense for years to come.

#10: Darius Leonard, Linebacker, Indianapolis Colts

Years in the NFL: 1

Teams: Indianapolis Colts (2018-present)

Super Bowl wins: 0

Career statistics

COMB: 163

SOLO: 111

AST: 52

SACK: 7

TD: 0

2018 statistics

COMB: 163

SOLO: 111

AST: 52

SACK: 7

TD: 0

2017 statistics

N/A

Bottom line: Darius Leonard’s arrival was a downright shock. The rookie from South Carolina State, who had to wait until the second day to hear his name called at the 2018 draft, led the NFL with an astounding 163 tackles.

Leonard was seen as undersized, and one scout reportedly referred to him as the size of a safety. But with seven sacks, four forced fumbles and two interceptions — including one that clinched the Colts' playoff-sealing win against the Tennessee Titans in Week 17 — Leonard is the total package.

He even added 27 tackles in the Colts two playoff games and was named 2018 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.

#9: Geno Atkins, Defensive Tackle, Cincinnati Bengals

Years in the NFL: 9

Teams: Cincinnati Bengals (2010-present)

Super Bowl wins: 0

Career statistics

COMB: 335

SOLO: 209

AST: 126

SACK: 71

TD: 0

2018 statistics

COMB: 45

SOLO: 24

AST: 21

SACK: 10

TD: 0

2017 statistics

COMB: 46

SOLO: 29

AST: 17

SACK: 9

TD: 0

Bottom line: Gino Atkins is a preeminent run stuffer, but he is no slouch at rushing the passer either.

Atkins had a huge season in 2018 with 10 sacks, his most since 2015.

#8: Harrison Smith, Safety, Minnesota Vikings

Years in the NFL: 7

Teams: Minnesota Vikings (2012-present)

Super Bowl wins: 0

Career statistics

COMB: 573

SOLO: 438

AST: 135

INT: 20

TD: 4

2018 statistics

COMB: 84

SOLO: 67

AST: 17

INT: 3

TD: 0

2017 statistics

COMB: 78

SOLO: 67

AST: 17

INT: 5

TD 0

Bottom line: Harrison Smith can play the run or the pass, adding three sacks and two fumble recoveries to his impressive ledger in 2018.

He finished the season with the second-most tackles on the Vikings and was one of the leaders for Minnesota’s fourth-ranked defense.

#7: Bobby Wagner, Linebacker, Seattle Seahawks

Years in the NFL: 7

Teams: Seattle Seahawks (2012-present)

Super Bowl wins: 1 (2013)

Career statistics

COMB: 916

SOLO: 559

AST: 357

SACK: 16.5

TD: 1

2018 statistics

COMB: 138

SOLO: 84

AST: 54

SACK: 1

TD: 1

2017 statistics

COMB: 133

SOLO: 97

AST: 36

SACK: 1.5

TD: 0

Bottom line: Bobby Wagner is one of the few remaining members from the Seahawks' glory days earlier this decade, and he’s still a force, even as he approaches age 30.

Wagner registered his seventh straight 100-plus tackle season in 2018 and was voted to the Pro Bowl for the fifth straight season.

#6: Von Miller, Outside Linebacker, Denver Broncos

Years in the NFL: 8

Teams: Denver Broncos (2011-present)

Super Bowl wins: 1 (2015)

Career statistics

COMB: 443

SOLO: 346

AST: 97

SACK: 98

TD: 1

2018 statistics

COMB: 48

SOLO: 29

AST: 19

SACK: 14.5

TD: 0

2017 statistics

COMB: 57

SOLO: 51

AST: 6

SACK: 10

TD: 0

Bottom line: Von Miller is the Broncos' franchise leader in sacks with 98, and the Super Bowl 50 MVP had a resurgent season in 2018, with 14.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and an interception.

As a result of his strong campaign, Miller was voted to his eighth Pro Bowl.

#5: Eddie Jackson, Safety, Chicago Bears

Years in the NFL: 2

Teams: Chicago Bears (2017-18)

Super Bowl wins: 0

Career statistics

COMB: 124

SOLO: 96

AST: 28

INT: 8

TD: 5

2018 statistics

COMB: 51

SOLO: 14

AST: 10

INT: 6

TD: 3

2017 statistics

COMB: 73

SOLO: 55

AST: 18

INT: 2

TD: 2

Bottom line: Eddie Jackson burst on the scene as a true ball-hawking safety in 2018. Jackson’s six picks were the fourth-most in the NFL, and his three defensive touchdowns were the most in the league.

He also finished the season with 21 passes defended, the third-most in the league.

An ankle injury forced Jackson to miss Chicago’s final two regular-season games and only playoff contest, and his absence hurt the Bears in their early postseason exit against the Philadelphia Eagles.

#4: Luke Kuechly, Linebacker, Carolina Panthers

Years in the NFL: 7

Teams: Carolina Panthers (2012-present)

Super Bowl wins: 0

Career statistics

COMB: 948

SOLO: 609

AST: 339

SACK: 12.5

TD: 1

2018 statistics

COMB: 130

SOLO: 93

AST: 37

SACK: 2

TD: 0

2017 statistics

COMB: 125

SOLO: 74

AST: 51

SACK: 1.5

TD: 0

Bottom line: Luke Kuechly is a tackling machine, a true sideline-to-sideline middle linebacker who can play in all situations.

Kuechly once again was one of the NFL leaders in tackles in 2018, and he was selected to play in the Pro Bowl for the sixth straight season.

#3: J.J. Watt, Defensive End, Houston Texans

J.J. Watts — Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt sacks Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during a 2018 game in Houston.

Years in the NFL: 8

Teams: Houston Texans (2011-present)

Super Bowl wins: 0

Career statistics

COMB: 455

SOLO: 357

AST: 97

SACK: 92

TD: 2

2018 statistics

COMB: 61

SOLO: 47

AST: 14

SACK: 16

TD: 0

2017 statistics

COMB: 15

SOLO: 11

AST: 4

SACK: 0

TD: 0

Bottom line: After enduring two injury-plagued campaigns, J.J. Watt once again became one of the most dominant defensive players in 2018.

He finished the season tied for the NFL lead in forced fumbles (7), was second in the league in sacks with 16, and his 47 solo tackles were the fourth-most among all defensive linemen.

#2: Khalil Mack, Outside Linebacker, Chicago Bears

Years in the NFL: 5

Teams: Oakland Raiders (2014-17), Chicago Bears (2018-present)

Super Bowl rings: 0

Career statistics

COMB: 351

SOLO: 268

AST: 82

SACK: 53

TD: 2

2018 statistics

COMB: 47

SOLO: 37

AST: 10

SACK: 12.5

TD: 1

2017 statistics

COMB: 78

SOLO: 61

AST: 17

SACK: 10.5

TD: 0

Bottom line: There’s a reason the Bears gave up two first-round picks to secure the services of the most dominant defensive player in football. Khalil Mack is a game disrupter, finishing tied for third in the NFL in forced fumbles (6), and he even had a defensive touchdown.

His addition was the key cog in lifting the Bears from 10th in total defense in 2017 to third in 2018, and helped them win the NFC North crown.

#1: Aaron Donald, Defensive Tackle, Los Angeles Rams

Years in the NFL: 5

Teams: St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams (2014-present)

Super Bowl rings: 0

Career statistics

COMB: 264

SOLO: 189

AST: 75

SACK: 59.5

TD: 0

2018 statistics

COMB: 59

SOLO: 41

AST: 18

SACK: 20.5

TD: 0

2017 statistics

COMB: 41

SOLO: 32

AST: 9

SACK: 11

TD: 0

Bottom line: Aaron Donald held out for a new contract this offseason, and betting on himself was the right play.

The interior defensive lineman led the NFL in sacks in 2018, falling just two shy of Michael Strahan’s single-season record, and was named AP Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight year.

Donald also spearheaded the Rams to the Super Bowl, but they came up short against the Patriots.