Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY SportsĬhase Young put up an 87.1 PFF grade on the year that trailed only 2011 Aldon Smith, 2011 Von Miller and 2019 Nick Bosa in terms of overall grades for rookie edge defenders in the past decade.
Landover, Maryland, USA Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young (99) chases the ball carrier against the Carolina Panthers at FedExField. Investing five first-round picks in any position group is undoubtedly one way to give yourself a chance to be dominant at that position, and the Football Team is trending in that direction. WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAMĮveryone knows by now that the Washington defensive line is loaded with talent. It’s a big reason why the Bears were able to make the postseason despite subpar quarterback play for much of the season. Each of Akiem Hicks, Bilal Nichols and Robert Quinn also recorded pressure rates north of 10.0% on the year. The talent along this defensive line doesn’t end with Mack, either. He was one of five edge defenders in the NFL to record a pass-rush win rate of 20.0% or higher this season. He may have logged just nine sacks during the year, but Mack finished the regular season as PFF’s highest-graded edge defender thanks to 90-plus PFF grades both as a run defender and pass rusher. Like Donald, Khalil Mack is one of those defensive linemen who immediately elevates an entire unit. You see that with a player like Leonard Floyd, whose 45 pressures in 2020 were a career-high. That, of course, draws a whole lot of attention from opposing offensive lines, which frees up other pass-rushers to make plays for the Rams. He is simply on a different level than everyone else. This past season marked the sixth consecutive season that Donald has graded out as the best pass-rusher in the NFL, and his 98 pressures during the regular season were 22 more than any other player. The Rams have the best pass-rusher in the NFL in Aaron Donald, and he almost single-handedly gives Los Angeles one of the better pass-rushing units in the league. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sportsīeing able to generate that kind of pressure with guys like Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave should theoretically give a boost in coverage, but that’s an area where the Eagles are still looking for answers heading into the 2021 offseason. Glendale, Arizona, USA Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (91) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. The Eagles can consistently generate pressure without sending extra rushers, which is highlighted by a 38.4% team pressure rate (third in the league) paired with just an 18.1% blitz rate (29th). The Eagles have had one of the better pass rushes in the NFL for years at this point, and despite the disappointing year overall for Philadelphia, 2020 was no different in the pass-rush department. Having three of the top 10 pressure producers on the same defense is a remarkable feat, particularly considering Pittsburgh lost starting edge defender Bud Dupree midway through the season. Watt leading the way with 73 total pressures (third in the NFL) and both Stephon Tuitt (71 pressures) and Cameron Heyward (62 pressures) not far behind that mark. It was a well-rounded effort, with Defensive Player of the Year hopeful T.J. The Steelers are coming off one of the best pass-rushing seasons we’ve seen since 2006, generating pressure on a whopping 45.1% of their pass-rushing snaps over the regular season.