Field Visions Top 10 Edges in the NFL
What is an Edge? The relatively new term describes what used to be the traditional Defensive End in a four-down and an outside linebacker in a 3-4. The issue with that antiquated way of bucketing players is the NFL has become a league full of hybrids.
Edge is a much better term to describe the literal edge of the box for a defense. In most cases, regardless of scheme, these players are first tasked with rushing the passer.
It would make sense for these players to excel at rushing the passer and defeating blocks in a pass-first and quarterback league. Although slightly overrated as a stat, sacks are still the marquee metric for what makes an elite Edge.
At Field Vision, we want to create a metric that encompasses every part of a player's game. Some Edges, for instance, those that play in the Fangio systems, are asked to drop into coverage at a high rate, while others rarely drop. Pass rushing is also not the only objective of an Edge; they need to be able to hold their own at the point of attack.
The genuinely elite defenders on the edge of the box are great at both pass rush and run-stopping. The best example of this is the Raiders' Maxx Crosby. Other defenders, like the 49ers Nick Bosa and the Browns Myles Garrett, are pure pass rushers who, when asked, are serviceable in the run game. Garrett's defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz, is famous for the phrase, "...play the run on the way to the quarterback…"
The diversity of schemes in the NFL also makes it interesting to break down the Edge position. The 49ers and Jets utilize wide alignments to box runs and create better angles to rush the passer. In Chicago, Head Coach Matt Eberflus will stunt Montez Sweat inside to close gaps versus the run instead of always forcing everything back.
In 3-4 schemes like the Steelers and Vikings, the Edges are typically in a one-on-one situation outside and can be used in coverage. Minnesota this offseason went and poached Andrew Van Ginkel of the Dolphins for his hybrid ability to rush the passer and drop into coverage. He's our #2 Edge in coverage Havoc.
Regardless of structure, the main task of an Edge is to create pressure. Without it, a defense gives the advantage back to the offense. In the modern NFL, teams increase their hit rates by drafting and collecting Edges, which has devalued the off-ball linebacker position. A fresh D-line can wreak havoc on an offense, and pressure is king in the modern NFL.
Field Visions Top 10 Edges
Maxx Crosby (Raiders): Motor. That is what first comes to mind when you think of Crosby. The Raiders' Edge is relentless in his pass rush and even against the run. In Field Visions' Run Havoc for Edges, there isn't anyone close; he's number one by over 15 Havoc points. Though he is never usually leading the NFL in sacks, he's still one of the most productive Edges in the NFL in that metric. He's sixth in sacks (38) in the past three seasons. Crosby is number one on our list of Edge defenders because he's the most complete player at his position.
TJ Watt (Steelers): Watt is essentially 1b regarding Crosby and holds the top spot in Field Vision's pass rush Havoc. The Steelers Edge has been a dominant force since being drafted. He's second in the NFL in sacks the past three seasons, only 1.5 sacks behind the 49ers' Nick Bosa. According to Havoc, Watt is a top-15 run defender and adds value in coverage (top-20) when asked to drop off the line of scrimmage. Like Crosby, Watt is a complete player and, when healthy, one of the Edges in the league.
Micah Parsons (Cowboys): Parsons is continuously at the top of the NFL's Pressure Rate. Most think of him as only a pass-rush specialist, but he adds value as a run-stopper, coming in at #10 in run Havoc for Edges, which is higher than Watt. Parsons holds the NFL rookie record for sacks at 13 and has exceeded that mark each year. Though the talent Edge sees himself as a hybrid defender, and the Cowboys list him as a linebacker, he's playing more and more on the line of scrimmage, which will only add to his pass rush numbers.
Nick Bosa (49ers): The younger Bosa brother is a sack monster, leading the NFL over the past three seasons with 50.5 sacks. He thrives in the 49ers 'wide-9' scheme, accentuating his ability to rush the passer. Bosa is still a top-20 run defender at the Edge position, but compared to Crosby and Watt, he is more of a pure pass rusher than a complete Edge defender. The only thing holding Bosa back from the top three is his drop in production against the run, where he sits 17th in run Havoc.
Myles Garrett (Browns): Like Bosa, Garrett is a pass-rush specialist. Outside of his rookie year, he has consistently been in the double-digits in sacks. Interestingly, someone as physically imposing as Garrett can sometimes get lost in the run game. He's the 28th-best in run Havoc. Garrett is only a half-sack behind Watt in the past three years, and last year had the fourth-best Pressure Rate by an Edge in the NFL. He's also a three-time All-Pro and last year's Defensive Player of the Year.
Danielle Hunter (Texans): Hunter rose back to his 2020 injury production in the Vikings' aggressive defense last year. Before missing the Covid season, Hunter had back-to-back 14.5 sack seasons and was regarded as one of the best Edges in the NFL. Hunter appears to be finally back and will be unleashed in sophomore Head Coach DeMeco Ryans' aggressive four-down defense. He sits second in our pass rush Havoc. Though heading into his tenth season, Hunter fits into our top-10 Edge discussion because he's a complete defender and solid against the run, coming in seventh in run Havoc.
Aidan Hutchinson (Lions): In only two seasons, the Lions' Edge has quickly made his mark on the league. Essentially, Detroit's workhorse up front, Hutchinson, has been the sole producer on the pass rush end. The addition of DJ Reader (Bengals) and the hopeful emergence of James Houston will lead to even bigger pass rush numbers. The only knock on the young Edge is that teams can overpower him in the run game. He sits 35th in Field Vision's run Havoc rating. Still, he's already one of the best Edges in football and has the potential to rise quickly up these rankings.
Khalil Mack (Chargers): Most had written off Mack after two down years, but the veteran returned with a vengeance in '23. The 33-year-old had not eclipsed the double-digit sack total since 2018. Now, the question will be, is this sustainable at his age? Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter will be tasked with keeping Mack playing at a high level while also elevating his partner Joey Bosa, who has struggled the past two years. If both can get back to elite production, the Chargers' defense has an opportunity to be a QB nightmare.
Alex Highsmith (Steelers): Watt takes most of the attention in Pittsburgh, but Highsmith has been a more than adequate partner for Watt. The Steelers funnel most of the pass rush responsibility to Watt, but Highsmith is only a half sack away from being in the top 10 in total sacks the past three years. The Steelers' Edge excels in coverage, coming in sixth in Field Vision's coverage Havoc. With Watt typically rushing the passer, Highsmith has to pick up the slack on the other end and does it at an elite level.
Josh Hines-Allen (Jaguars): The seventh overall pick in the 2019 draft hadn't entirely lived up to his potential until last season. In '23, Hines-Allen exploded with 17.5 sacks, finishing third behind Trey Hendrickson and TJ Watt. Jacksonville rewarded him with a $150 million contract with $88 million guaranteed. New Defensive Coordinator Ryan Nielsen is a former defensive line coach and will attempt to maintain Hines-Allen's level of play in their four-down front. At this point, he is more of a pass-rush specialist, but if Nielsen can raise his level of play against the run, there is potential for Hines-Allen to move up in the rankings.
Honorable Mentions: Trey Hendrickson (Bengals), Jaelan Phillips (Dolphins)*, Bradley Chubb (Dolphins)*, Carl Granderson (Saints), Montez Sweat (Bears)
*Injured to start the season
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