gold star for USAHOF

Defensive Linemen (24)

Charles Haley, RIchard Seymour, Michael Strahan, Jason Taylor & Bryant Young

Modern Positional Average

Defensive Lineman: Charles Haley (2015), Richard Seymour (2022), Michael Strahan (2014), Jason Taylor (2017), Bryant Young (2022).
 
A colossal change took place with the arrival of Richard Seymour and Bryant Young replacing Chris Doleman and Cortez Kennedy among the latest five Defensive Linemen to enter Canton.  With all due respect to Young, he brings down all MPAs for this position.  Please note that this is one of the categories we are looking to adjust next year, to reflect the nuances of varying positions due to differing defensive schmes.

Stats

  • Games 198
  • Approximate Value 128.2
  • AV/G 0.6475
  • Pro Bowls 5.8
  • First Team All-Pros 2.6
  • Interceptions 3.4
  • Quarterback Sacks 105.7
  • Tackles 654

2020 Pre-Season Rank #15, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #5, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #3

Aaron Donald is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, and anyone who has ever done that twice has always been enshrined.  Easily the best defensive player in the modern era, Donald is one of two current defensive players to have an MPA over one, and he is also now a Super Bowl Champion following Los Angeles''s win last year. The 20102 All-Decade Player is on an nine-year Pro Bowl and just had a seven-year First Team All-Pro broken.   While Donald was not named a First Team All-Pro last year, he joined the 100-Sack Club.  Donald is a once-in-a-lifetime football player, and has a case as the best Ram ever.

Stats

  • Games 138 (-60)
  • Approximate Value 138 (+9.8)
  • AV/G 1.0000 (+0.3525)
  • Pro Bowls 9 (+3.2)
  • First Team All-Pros 7 (+4.4)
  • Interceptions 0 (-3.4)
  • Quarterback Sacks 103 (-2.7)
  • Tackles 490 (-164)

2022 Pre-Season Rank #25, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #36, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #42.

Jordan is one of the many players on this list whose second half seems to be eclipse his first, and isn't that a stunning statement considering that he was a 2010s All-Decade Player?  He is on a six-year streak of Pro Bowls with eight in total, and his leadership and character have been raising his profile in recent years.  This can only help his Hall of Fame cause, which is now aided by his Pro Bowls, Sacks and Approximate Value  exceeding the MPA.  We have an otside shot at seeing the best defensive Saints player of all-time.

Stats

  • Games 192 (-6)
  • Approximate Value 124 (-4.2)
  • AV/G 0.6458 (-0.0016999999999999)
  • Pro Bowls 8 (+2.2)
  • First Team All-Pros 1 (-1.6)
  • Interceptions 2 (-1.4)
  • Quarterback Sacks 115.5 (+9.8)
  • Tackles 639 (-15)

2022 Pre-Season Rank #26 2021 Pre-Season Rank #28, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #36.

A 15-year veteran, Campbell’s six Pro Bowls happened iin a secen year period  (2014-20), which includes all three of his seasons as a Jacksonville Jaguar, and his first in Baltimore.  Campbell, who recently won the Walter Payton Man of the Year, also was honored with an All-Decade Selection.  Campbell is 37, but is still playing solid football as he begins his first year with the Atlanta Falcons.  High character guys, especually those with an impressive Approximate Value (144), generally find their way into Canton.

Stats

  • Games 227 (+29)
  • Approximate Value 144 (+15.8)
  • AV/G 0.6343 (-0.0132)
  • Pro Bowls 6 (+0.2)
  • First Team All-Pros 1 (-1.6)
  • Interceptions 3 (-0.4)
  • Quarterback Sacks 99 (-6.7)
  • Tackles 809 (+155)

2023 Pre-Season Rank #28, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #27, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #34.

In 2015, Suh was a five-year pro who left Detroit for Miami, and was condiered the most ferocious player in football, as well as a potential Hall of Famer.  Seriously, that five-year run in Detroit was really good!  Going into 2023, Suh, who did add a fifth Pro Bowl in Miami in 2017, saw a far-reduced role in Philadelphia's NFC Championship run and is now a Free Agent.  A Super Bowl Champion with Tampa, Suh had a great career, but it will only be HOF worthy if his glory period in Detroit is celebrated.  Considering that the Lions were garbage around him, that is a tough ask.

Stats

  • Games 199 (+1)
  • Approximate Value 128 (-0.19999999999999)
  • AV/G 0.6432 (-0.0043)
  • Pro Bowls 5 (-0.8)
  • First Team All-Pros 3 (+0.4)
  • Interceptions 1 (-2.4)
  • Quarterback Sacks 71.5 (-34.2)
  • Tackles 600 (-54)

2022 Pre Season Rank #31, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #34, Last Year’s Rank #40.

A Super Bowl Champion with the Eagles, Cox's six-year streak of Pro Bowls ended in 2021 and he also has a First Team All-Pro on the ledger.  His AV/G is just below the MPA, and if he can maintain it without declining too far over the next few years, he is in the Hall of Fame hunt.   Even if he never gets a bust, the Eagles will induct him into their Hall immediately.  

Stats

  • Games 173 (-25)
  • Approximate Value 115 (-13.2)
  • AV/G 0.6647 (+0.0172)
  • Pro Bowls 6 (+0.2)
  • First Team All-Pros 1 (-1.6)
  • Interceptions 0 (-3.4)
  • Quarterback Sacks 58.0 (-47.7)
  • Tackles 443 (-211)

2022 Pre-Season Rank #38, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #75, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #87.

In the first six seasons of Cameron Heyward's career, there was no speak of him ever sniffing the Hall of Fame.  The next six years would change everything, as he begins 2023 on a six-year Pro Bowl streak, with three of thise yielding a First Team All-Pro Selection.  Heyward is defying the odds just to be ranked this high with that start and is creeping his way into the 100-Sack Club.

Stats

  • Games 183 (-15)
  • Approximate Value 117 (-11.2)
  • AV/G 0.6393 (-0.0082)
  • Pro Bowls 6 (+0.2)
  • First Team All-Pros 3 (+0.4)
  • Interceptions 2 (-1.4)
  • Quarterback Sacks 79.5 (-26.2)
  • Tackles 614 (-40)

2022 Pre-Season Rank #53, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #99, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #144.

Over the last few years, it has felt taht the Browns were on the cusp of greatness, and Myles Garrett was a large part of that optimism.  Cleveland has disappointed, but Garrett has not, going to four Pro Bowls and earning two First Team All-Pros in his six years of service.  Last year, Garrett was fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting, and he is capable of winning that prestigious award in the future.  Notably, he is over the MPA for AV/G.

Stats

  • Games 84 (-114)
  • Approximate Value 68 (-60.2)
  • AV/G 0.8095 (+0.162)
  • Pro Bowls 4 (-1.8)
  • First Team All-Pros 2 (-0.6)
  • Interceptions 0 (-3.4)
  • Quarterback Sacks 74.5 (-31.2)
  • Tackles 263 (-391)

2022 Pre-Season Rank #100

Very few players on either side of the ball have made this big of a rank jump as Chris Jones, who might have taken over as the best Defensive Tackle in Football.  Jones is now a two-time Super Bowl winner, the king of the Chiefs defense, and has four All-Pros (one First Team, three Second Teams) on his resume.  Third in DPOY voting last year, Jones could win it in 2023.

Stats

  • Games 107 (-91)
  • Approximate Value 71 (-57.2)
  • AV/G 0.6636 (+0.0161)
  • Pro Bowls 4 (-1.8)
  • First Team All-Pros 1 (-1.6)
  • Interceptions 2 (-1.4)
  • Quarterback Sacks 65 (-40.7)
  • Tackles 243 (-411)

2022 Pre-Season Rank #60, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #82,  2021 Pre-Season Rank #97.

The 2016 Defensive Player of the Year could not add much to his Hall of Fame push in 2022 as he missed most of the season due to a groin injury.  When he came back, he hampered the Chargers in their playoff game against Jacksonville when he took his helmet off in frustration over a Jags Touchdown.  The penalty helped the Jags win the game, and Bosa was the bonehead of the week.  2023 is a new year, and he still has DPOY potential and should add to his already lofty numbers...providing he keeps his helmet on!

Stats

  • Games 84 (-114)
  • Approximate Value 54 (-74.2)
  • AV/G 0.6429 (-0.0045999999999999)
  • Pro Bowls 4 (-1.8)
  • First Team All-Pros 0 (-2.6)
  • Interceptions 0 (-3.4)
  • Quarterback Sacks 60,5 (-45.7)
  • Tackles 301 (-353)

2022 Pre-Season Rank #76, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #93, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #128.

Buckner played his first four seasons with San Francisco and in his first year in Indianapolis (2020), he set a personal best of 16 in Approximate Value and earned his First Team All-Pro. Throw in a 2021 Pro Bowl and you have a player trending in the right direction.

Stats

  • Games 112 (-86)
  • Approximate Value 72 (-56.2)
  • AV/G 0.6429 (-0.0045999999999999)
  • Pro Bowls 2 (-3.8)
  • First Team All-Pros 1 (-1.6)
  • Interceptions 0 (-3.4)
  • Quarterback Sacks 53 (-52.7)
  • Tackles 463 (-191)

2022 Pre-Season Rank #112

One of the stars on the rebuilding (and potentially contending) Patriots is Matt Judon, who is on a four-year streak of Pro Bowls (the first two as a Raven), and set a personal best with 15.5 Sacks.

Stats

  • Games 110 (-88)
  • Approximate Value 61 (-67.2)
  • AV/G 0.5636 (-0.0839)
  • Pro Bowls 4 (-1.8)
  • First Team All-Pros 0 (-2.6)
  • Interceptions 0 (-3.4)
  • Quarterback Sacks 62.5 (-43.2)
  • Tackles 356 (-298)

2022: Pre-Season Rank: Unranked

Nick Bosa is as explosive on the field as he is mild-mannered off of it, and he joined an exclusive group last season as one of the select players who won the Defensive Rookie of the Year and later the Defensive Player of the Year, which we have seen to be an elixir for Canton contention. Bosa won the Sack Title last year (18.5), and was the prime defensive reason that the Niners made it to the NFC Championship. The Bosa brothers may not become the Watts tandem, but maybe they could make it close.

Stats

  • Games 51 (-147)
  • Approximate Value 43 (-85.2)
  • AV/G 0.8431 (+0.1956)
  • Pro Bowls 3 (-2.8)
  • First Team All-Pros 1 (-1.6)
  • Interceptions 1 (-2.4)
  • Quarterback Sacks 43 (-62.7)
  • Tackles 156 (-498)

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2022 Pre-Season Rank #90, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #95, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #122.

We noted lbefore that JPP hasn’t been to the Pro Bowl since 2012 and his best days seem like a lifetime ago.  Perhaps he aimed to prove us wrong as he was healthy in 2020, returned to the Pro Bowl (his third), and won his second Super Bowl, but he enters his year (again) as a Free Agent, and his career might be over.

Stats

  • Games 179 (-19)
  • Approximate Value 94 (-34.2)
  • AV/G 0.5251 (-0.1224)
  • Pro Bowls 3 (-2.8)
  • First Team All-Pros 1 (-1.6)
  • Interceptions 4 (+0.6)
  • Quarterback Sacks 94.5 (-11.2)
  • Tackles 629 (-25)

2021 Pre-Season Rank #102 2021 Pre-Season Rank #102, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #90.

We said a couple years ago that “Hunter is a pick for a lot of people to have a breakout defensive campaign, and he is coming off of back-to-back Pro Bowl and 14.5 Sack years”.  That didn’t happen, as he missed the entire 2020 season with a neck injury, and was not great in 2021.  Healthy in 2022, Hunter returned to double digits in Sacks (10.5) and went to his third Pro Bowl.

Stats

  • Games 102 (-96)
  • Approximate Value 58 (-70.2)
  • AV/G 0.5686 (-0.0789)
  • Pro Bowls 3 (-2.8)
  • First Team All-Pros 0 (-2.6)
  • Interceptions 0 (-3.4)
  • Quarterback Sacks 71 (-34.7)
  • Tackles 379 (-275)

2022 Pre-Season Rank #87, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #89, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #85

Clowney went to three straight Pro Bowls (2016-18) with the Texans but his 2019 season in Seattle was not spectacular and 2020 in Tennessee was worse.  He joined Cleveland two seasons ago, but his peak period seems like it happened a decade before.  Clowney is now a Baltimore Raven, his fourth team in five years.

Stats

  • Games 109 (-89)
  • Approximate Value 61 (-67.2)
  • AV/G 0.5596 (-0.0879)
  • Pro Bowls 3 (-2.8)
  • First Team All-Pros 0 (-2.6)
  • Interceptions 1 (-2.4)
  • Quarterback Sacks 43 (-62.7)
  • Tackles 320 (-334)

2022 Pre-Season Rank #118, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #136, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #141.

Quinn’s last Pro Bowl might have been in 2014, but he is still a decent player who has an AV/G near .5.  Saying that, he is going into the 2023 Season looking for a job in the NFL after pllaying for the Philadelphia Eagles last year.  If this it for Quinn, it was a good run, though it is unlikely that he will receive post-career honors from the Rams, let alone the Hall of Fame.

Stats

  • Games 169 (-29)
  • Approximate Value 85 (-43.2)
  • AV/G 0.5030 (-0.1445)
  • Pro Bowls 2 (-3.8)
  • First Team All-Pros 1 (-1.6)
  • Interceptions 0 (-3.4)
  • Quarterback Sacks 102 (-3.7)
  • Tackles 369 (-285)

2022 Pre-Season Rank #132, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #131, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #133.

Lawrence went to the Pro Bowl in both 2017 and 2018, and while his 2019 was down from the two years before, it was better than his 2020 season.  We said before that he was capable of a bounce-back year, which he achieved last season with his third Pro Bowl.

Stats

  • Games 120 (-78)
  • Approximate Value 68 (-60.2)
  • AV/G 0.5667 (-0.0808)
  • Pro Bowls 3 (-2.8)
  • First Team All-Pros 0 (-2.6)
  • Interceptions 2 (-1.4)
  • Quarterback Sacks 54.5 (-51.2)
  • Tackles 386 (-268)

2022 Pre-Season Rank #144, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #147, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #139.

Dunlap played most of his career with Cincinnati, going to the Pro Bowl in 2015 and 2016.  He was traded to Seattle during the 2020 Season and began this year with the contending Chiefs, where he won a Super Bowl and made it to 100 career Sacks.  There is still value in Dunlap, who is looking for work as this season begins.

Stats

  • Games 197 (-1)
  • Approximate Value 84 (-44.2)
  • AV/G .4264 (-0.2211)
  • Pro Bowls 2 (-3.8)
  • First Team All-Pros 0 (-2.6)
  • Interceptions 2 (-1.4)
  • Quarterback Sacks 100 (-5.7)
  • Tackles 578 (-76)
2022 Pre-Season Rank #132, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #134, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #123

Ingram has played the first nine years of his creer with the San DIego/Los Angeles Chargers, earning three Pro Bowls before he split last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs.  After playing last season with the Miami Dolphins where he still had value as a pass rusher, Ingram's time in football may be coming to an end as he is a Free Agent as of this writing.

Stats

  • Games 145 (-53)
  • Approximate Value 67 (-61.2)
  • AV/G 0.4621 (-0.1854)
  • Pro Bowls 3 (-2.8)
  • First Team All-Pros 0 (-2.6)
  • Interceptions 2 (-1.4)
  • Quarterback Sacks 57 (-48.7)
  • Tackles 407 (-247)

2022: Pre-Season Rank: Unranked

Entering his fifth season in the NFL, Jeffery Simmons is on a two-year streak of Second Team All-Pros and Pro Bowls, and is now arguably the leader of the Titans defense. Tennessee is an intriguing team, and Simmons becomes a superstar outside of the Volunteer State, he should vault up this list.

Stats

  • Games 56 (-142)
  • Approximate Value 39 (-89.2)
  • AV/G 0.6964 (+0.0489)
  • Pro Bowls 2 (-3.8)
  • First Team All-Pros 0 (-2.6)
  • Interceptions 0 (-3.4)
  • Quarterback Sacks 21 (-84.7)
  • Tackles 289 (-365)

2022 Pre-Season Rank #150, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #147, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #149

Jarrett went to the Pro Bowl in 2019 and 2020, where he was really hitting his stride.  The Hall of Fame might be a tall order, but a post-career accolade by the Falcons seems doable.

Stats

  • Games 127 (-71)
  • Approximate Value 58 (-70.2)
  • AV/G 0.4454 (-0.2021)
  • Pro Bowls 2 (-3.8)
  • First Team All-Pros 0 (-2.6)
  • Interceptions 0 (-3.4)
  • Quarterback Sacks 32.5 (-73.2)
  • Tackles 420 (-234)

2022: Pre-Season Rank: Unranked

Jonathan Allen has played six seasons to date, all with Washington, but it was the last two where his play reached another level. Now a two-time Pro Bowl Selection, Allen could sneakily make a run depending on how the next three years progress.

Stats

  • Games 85 (-113)
  • Approximate Value 48 (-80.2)
  • AV/G .5647 (-0.0828)
  • Pro Bowls 2 (-3.8)
  • First Team All-Pros 0 (-2.6)
  • Interceptions 1 (-2.4)
  • Quarterback Sacks 33.5 (-72.2)
  • Tackles 329 (-325)

2022 Pre-Season Rank #147, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #134.

Young showed limitless potential in his 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year campaign, but 2021 saw injuries, disappointment and regression.  He begins last season on the shelf, and only played three Games.  We openly admit that we might have a blind spot for Young, who we might regret keeping here.

Stats

  • Games 27 (-171)
  • Approximate Value 19 (-109.2)
  • AV/G .7038 (+0.0563)
  • Pro Bowls 1 (-4.8)
  • First Team All-Pros 0 (-2.6)
  • Interceptions 0 (-3.4)
  • Quarterback Sacks 9 (-96.7)
  • Tackles 75 (-579)