Field Vision's 10 Best Run Stopping Interior Defensive Linemen
When it comes to stopping the run in the NFL, linebackers get most of the glory. They ultimately make the hit and record the tackle that stops the ball carriers momentum, but any coach will tell you a good run defense always starts up front. Interior defensive lineman, much like their offensive line counterparts, don’t always get the credit, but they take up blocks freeing up those linebackers to make the hit. As we examine interior Defensive line play, it’s hard to overestimate that skill. So today, we take a look at the 10 best run stopping interior defensive linemen in football. All Havoc ratings are for run stopping Havoc only.
Here are the Top 10 Run Stopping Interior Defensive Linemen for 2024:
Derrick Brown, Carolina Panthers (100)*
Derrick Brown had a whopping 103 tackles from the inside for the Carolina Panthers last season. He was signed to a four-year, 96 million dollar extension by the Panthers this off season. At 6’5”, 320 lbs, Brown is a monster taking up blocks and getting off them to make tackles of his own. The chasm between Brown and all other interior D-line in our raw havoc run stopping score was very wide. He also added 6 passes defended and an interception last season and rated as our number 2 overall havoc rating interior defensive lineman.
Harrison Phillips, Minnesota Vikings (99.5)*
Harrison Phillips doesn’t add much in terms of pass rush, but he checks in as our 2nd Havoc run stopper heading into 2024. At 6”3”, 307 lbs, the 7th year tackle out of Stanford recorded 92 tackles last season including 44 solo as well as adding 3 sacks. Phillips has started all 34 games for the Vikings over the last 2 seasons after missing some time in a Bills uniform early in his career. He will be a critical piece in the Brian Flores scheme this season.
DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts (99)*
DeForest Buckner is our first run stopping lineman that also showed up on our list of best interior pass rushers. Buckner is the rare interior Defensive lineman that is extremely efficient at both. 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 on the line last season recording 81 total tackles, good for fifth on the Colts.
Grover Stewart, Indianapolis Colts (98.5)*
Grover Stewart, playing alongside Buckner, is a run stopping specialist for the Colts. At 315 lbs, he takes on blockers and frees up Buckner to be dynamic. Stewart signed a 3 year, 39 million dollar extension this off season. Last season, he recorded 41 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 8 QB hits in just 11 games because of serving a 6 game suspension for performance enhancing drugs mid-way through the season.
Quinnen Williams, New York Jets (97.9)*
Quinnen Williams is another all-around defensive line force that ranks 3rd in our Overall Havoc Ratings for interior D-line in 2024. Williams had 62 tackles from the inside a season ago. He also 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 be traded by the Eagles in the off season.
Jonathan Allen, Washington Commanders (97.4)*
Jonathan Allen ranks top 10 in 2024 Havoc ratings for pass rush and run defense among interior defensive lineman. The two time pro bowler tallied 19 QB hits and 5.5 sacks in 2023. 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.
Daron Payne, Washington Commanders (96.9)*
Daron Payne makes the Commanders the second team to put a pair of teammates on this run stopping list by joining Allen in our top 10. At 320 lbs, Payne is a space eater on the interior and he still managed 53 tackles and 13 tackles for loss in 2023. He has started every game for the Commanders the last 4 seasons and Quinn loves having a pair of defensive tackles to anchor his new Washington defense.
Christian Wilkins, Las Vegas Raiders (96.4)*
Christian Wilkins spent his first 5 seasons with the Dolphins before being signed by the Raiders this off season. Wilkins is a do it all interior lineman with athleticism. He has 355 tackles in those 5 seasons including a high of 98 in 2022, his number one overall Havoc season. In 2023, Wilkins had by far his most productive pass rush season recording nine sacks and 23 QB hits. 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.
Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants (95.9)*
At 340 lbs, Dexter Lawrence redefines taking up space on a defense. He is a true athlete who frees up the Giants linebackers to make plays, but has still recorded 12 sacks of his own over the last two seasons. His run stopping ability is great, but the fact that a man his size is also top 15 in pass rush Havoc tells you all you need to know about Lawrence. The former first rounder and 2 time pro bowler got an extension last off season and continues to wreak havoc for the Giants.
Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers (95.4)*
Cameron Heyward is a 7-time team captain, 6 time pro bowler and 3 time All-Pro for the Steelers, but currently finds himself in a contract dispute. He is entering the final year of a four year, 64 million dollar extension signed in 2020. Heyward’s pass rush numbers were down a season ago recording only 2 sacks, but he’s still a strong complement to T.J. Watt on the defensive line with his run stopping ability, while also recording 80.5 sacks in his career.
*Denotes run stopping Havoc only
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