Field Vision's 10 Best Pass Rushing Interior Defensive Linemen
When it comes to the NFL, the game starts up front and that’s not just on offense. Defensive line play anchors any good defense and a good interior defensive line frees up the back end of a defense to fly to the ball and make plays. That said, some interior defensive lineman take it a step further and make the plays themselves. This generally manifests itself in a tackle behind the line of scrimmage, or better yet, a quarterback sack. In the list below, we examine the 10 best pass rushing interior defensive linemen in the league. All rating are for Pass Rush Havoc only.
Here are our top 10 pass rushing defensive lineman in the NFL:
Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs (100)*
Chris Jones is as elite as they come when it comes to pass rushing from the interior. 2022 was the best season of his career with 15.5 sacks and he added another double digit sack season last year with 10.5. He also added 30 tackles for loss over the last 2 seasons. With Jones’ contract discussions behind him and a new deal in hand, the Chiefs will be looking for him to continue his elite production and do it from the jump in 2024.
Deforest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts (99.5)*
Deforest Buckner is the rare interior Defensive lineman that is extremely high quality in pass rush and against the run. He’s had 8 sacks or more five times in his career including last season. He was second in the league in raw Havoc for 2023 and projects as our overall #1 interior defensive lineman in 2024 Havoc Ratings. He was a tackle machine for a lineman last season recording 81 total tackles, 5th on his team.
Justin Madubuike, Baltimore Ravens (99)*
Justin Madubuike is armed with a new contract heading into 2024 after a monster year in 2023. From weeks 4 to 14, he recorded at least a half a sack every single game, tying an NFL record. He had a total of 13 sacks on the season. Madubuike also had 33 QB hits and 12 tackles for loss. 2023 was a breakout year, but to make him worth the 4 year, 98 million dollar deal he got this off season, he'll need to continue producing in Zach Orr's defense.
Christian Wilkins, Las Vegas Raider (98.5)*
Christian Wilkins spent his first 5 seasons with the Dolphins before being signed by the Raiders this off season. In 2023, Wilkins had by far his most productive pass rush season recording nine sacks and 23 QB hits. 2022, however, was his most productive overall Havoc season producing the top raw Havoc score among interior defensive lineman in the league that season. He recorded 98 tackles in 2022, a truly impressive number from the inside. He also had double digit tackles for loss in each of the last 3 seasons. The Raiders will be looking to Wilkins as a strong complement to edge rusher Maxx Crosby in Antonio Pierce’s first full year at the helm.
Zach Sieler, Miami Dolphins (97.9)*
Zach Sieler was part of a dynamic interior duo for the Dolphins last season recording 10 sacks in his 4th full season with the Dolphins. That doubled his total career output. He also forced a fumble and had an interception last season. Sieler has had multiple productive seasons in a row with over 60 tackles each of the last 3 seasons. The Dolphins will rely heavily on Sieler in the interior with the departure of Christian Wilkins. They did add veteran Calais Campbell to complement Sieler.
Quinnen Williams, New York Jets (97.4)*
Quinnen Williams is a game wrecker for the Jets against both the pass and the run. He ranks as our 6th best interior pass rusher and is our 3rd overall interior defensive lineman. Williams recorded 5.5 sacks a season ago, down from 12 in 2022, but still posted a better raw havoc score in 2023 accounting for 11 tackles for loss, a safety, a forced fumble, and even one interception. Williams is the anchor to a Jets defensive line with a lot of depth. However that depth will be challenged if newly acquired Hasson Reddick does not report to the team which he hasn’t yet since being traded by the Eagles in the off-season.
Javon Hargrave, San Francisco 49ers (96.9)*
Javon Hargrave has 18 sacks over the last 2 seasons from the interior. He is mostly a pass rush lineman ranking outside the top 50 against the run, but he’s a great complement to Nick Bosa making it difficult to double team Bosa on the right side. Hargrave’s best raw havoc season was 2021 and like a lot of players on the 49ers roster, they’re hoping he holds on to his prime entering his age 31 season.
Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans (96.4)*
In 12 games last season, Jeffrey Simmons posted 5.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss. Simmons is top 10 in both pass rush and run havoc for interior defensive lineman. He’s 6th overall in our 2024 Havoc Ratings. Simmons, entering his 6th season out of Mississippi State signed a 4 year, 94 million dollar extension with the Titans last off season. He is known for his power up front, a trait that helps him win in pass rush and against the run.
Ed Oliver, Buffalo Bills (95.9)*
Ed Oliver had 9.5 of his 24 career sacks in 2023 logging by far the best Havoc season of his career. He also added 3 passes defended, an interception, and one forced fumble after signing a four year contract extension last off season. He enters 2024 top 20 in both pass rush and run defense Havoc among interior defensive lineman. With a bunch of key departures on defense heading into this season, the Bills are counting on Oliver to have another productive season this year.
Jonathan Allen, Washington Commanders (95.4)*
Jonathan Allen tallied 19 QB hits and 5.5 sacks in 2023. The 2-time pro bowler ranks top 10 in 2024 Havoc ratings for pass rush and run defense among interior defensive lineman. Allen, entering his 8th season out of Alabama, was 54th on the NFL’s top 100 list heading into this year. New head coach Dan Quinn was immediately impressed with the Commanders defensive tackles upon taking the Washington job and he will look to use Allen as a cornerstone on a physical defense.
*Denotes Pass Rushing Havoc only
As we continue to roll-out our Havoc Ratings to the world, we look forward to the conversation, debate and your feedback as always. Hit us at @fieldvisionmi on X, @fieldvisionsports on Instagram, and on our website fieldvisionsports.com
