Ranking the 2015 top defensive lines

We all know “defense wins championships”, and the interior of the defense is built around the defensive line. More and more teams around the league are building the infrastructure of the defense in order to make their championship run. The 2015 offseason featured several teams making bold decisions in regards to building their line, including the Miami Dolphins acquiring Ndamukong Suh, and the Detroit Lions filling Suh’s departure with Haloti Ngata, among others. See how teams around the league rank in this year’s defensive line rankings.

1. Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills defensive line is the anchor to the Bills defense. It goes without saying that the defensive line consisting of Mario Williams,  Marcell Dareus, Kyle Williams, and Jerry Hughes would have a viable impact for the Bills, but here is why they are number one.

The quadruplet of Williams, Dareus, and Kyle Williams leads the league in both sacks and total tackles over the previous two seasons in regards to defensive line statistics. In fact, since Mario Williams joined the Bills in 2012, he has led the Bills in sacks with 10+ every season.

But statistics don’t necessarily tell the whole story behind the Bills’ defensive line’s success. Alongside their great success individually, several Bills hold a great amount of potential, including Dareus who is entering his fifth season, and Hughes who is entering his sixth season.

There is a few very  minor defects to ranking the Bill’s defensive line number one. First, Dareus was recently suspended by the NFL due to his arrest in May 0f 2014 due to his possession of controlled substances. This arrest resulted in a one-game suspension, nothing big, but a defect nonetheless. Secondly, the switch to Rex Ryan’s 3-4 defense may be a change for the Bills. It has been noted that Kyle Williams will move over to defensive end, a position Williams has not seen throughout his NFL career.

Behind the strong starting line of the Bills, they also provide key depth in players like Manny Lawson and Jarius Wynn. Nonetheless, the Bills can rely on success from their defensive line once again in 2015.

2. Miami Dolphins

Nov 2, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end

(50) and Miami Dolphins defensive end

(91) sack San Diego Chargers quarterback

(17) at Sun Life Stadium. The Dolphins won 37-0. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Ranking the Bills ahead of the new and improved Miami Dolphins was no easy task. The Dolphins made the biggest splash of the 2015 in making a splash for defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Paired with Pro-Bowler defensive end Cameron Wake, the Dolphins may have the most feared defensive line in the NFL.

Aside from Wake and Suh, one player that has a spark off of the defensive line is Olivier Vernon, one of the most underrated defensive lineman in the league in my mind. In his first three seasons, Vernon accumulated 21.5 sacks, and has made a strong impact for the Dolphins. As a line as a whole, the Dolphins current defensive line has accumulated 53 sacks and 362 tackles over the previous two seasons, assuming Earl Mitchell fills the final defensive tackle position.

In particular, the Dolphins have reliable depth behind their starting line. Names like Terrance Fede, Derrick Shelby, and Anthony Johnson may not stick out to anyone outside of the Dolphin’s organization, however, the Dolphins depth yields young, potential talent that has Miami high on their defense.

Miami clearly strived to fix their defense following the 2014 collapse, with big names like Suh, and their 2015 second round draft pick Jordan Phillips, the Dolphins seem to believe their defensive line has a great impact on their defense’s success.

3. St. Louis Rams

Dec 28, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back

(24) is defended by St. Louis Rams defensive end

(91) and linebacker

(52) at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The St. Louis Rams have had an impressive defensive line come together over the past several seasons. Last year’s defensive Rookie of the Year Aaron Donald is a big piece of the puzzle in last year’s defensive success. Arguably the biggest superstar on this Ram’s defensive line, Robert Quinn has taken the league by storm, and is now one of the most feared pass rushers in the NFL. This defensive line goes toe-to-toe for the best in the NFL.

In a short four seasons, Quinn has accumulated 45 sacks, with his career high being in 2013, where he brought down opposing quarterbacks 19 times. Rounding out the d-line depth chart is seasoned veteran Chris Long, and Michael Brockers. Between the four players over the past two seasons, this group has totaled 60 sacks, despite Donald only participating in one season.

Long is noticeably the leader of this impressive defensive line, and heads a starting group to game-plan for. The Rams also brought in former Lion’s defensive tackle Nick Fairley this offseason, providing a secure number two to Brockers.

The sky is the limit for the Rams’ defensive line as they look to bring down the quarterbacks of the NFC West. Containing players like Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch and Colin Kaepernick may not be an easy task, but the Rams are prepared to combat with a strong defensive line.

4. New York Jets

Nov 2, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back

(25) is tackled by New York Jets defensive end

(96) during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The third AFC East d-line to join this list is the New York Jets. The Jets have had a historically robust defensive line, and they made another step in the right direction through the 2015 NFL Draft. With the sixth selection of this year’s draft, the Jets took a chance on Leonard Williams, the 3-4 defensive end from the University of Southern California. Williams was projected as a top five selection early on in the draft process, but fell back to the Jets with the sixth selection.

Interestingly enough, the four projected starters on the Jet’s defensive line consists of four-first round draft picks in Williams, Sheldon Richardson, Muhammad Wilkerson and Quinten Coples. Three of the four draft picks have shown great promise and fulfilled the expectations of first round draft picks, meanwhile, Williams’ expectations will still have to play itself out.

A relatively consistent front four across the board, Wilkerson seemingly leads the Jets with his four years of experience, averaging just over six sacks per year. Wilkerson also provides a big body in the middle loaded with potential.

The front four of the Jets is very intriguing, consisting of young talent and successful veterans. Newly acquired head coach Todd Bowles will fill a defensive void following the departure of Rex Ryan, with a creative Bowles.

5. Seattle Seahawks

Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback

(12) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks defensive end

(72) during the third quarter in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Last but not least, the Seattle Seahawks have lived the saying “defense wins championships.” With one of the best defensive depth charts over the past several seasons, the Seahawks front line is in pretty good shape heading into 2015.

Amidst injuries late in the 2014 season, defensive end Michael Bennett brought a great impact despite injuries to Brandon Mebane and Jordan Hill. When Bennett is producing, Mebane and Hill are healthy, paired with a healthy Cliff Avril, the Seahawks defensive line is without a doubt one of the best.

Due to a troublesome injury-ridden season last year, the Seahawks added to their 2015 depth chart with veteran Ahtyba Rubin. But that doesn’t mean the Seahawks aren’t confident in their current defensive tackles. Hill closed out his second season with six sacks in six straight games, ultimately closing out his season before an injury sidelined him for the postseason.

In the end, the Seahawks have the number one defense heading into the 2015 season, once again. With a healthy, improved defensive line, expect big things from the Seahawk’s defensive line.

Honorable Mention: Houston Texans

Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end

(99) reacts during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

It’s hard to exclude J.J. Watt and the Houston Texans from this list. Any team with the NFL’s defensive MVP, second-year phenom Jadeveon Clowney, and Vince Wilfork is deserving of discussion for the top five defensive fronts. The Texans made moves this offseason in acquiring an aging Wilfork from the New England Patriots, coupled with Jadeveon Clowney coming off of injury. Plus, they still have the NFL’s defensive MVP.

One reason the Texans merely missed this list is due to Clowney’s injury last season, Wilfork’s age, and inexperience of Jared Crick. Amongst these worries, the Texans lack depth behind these questions. Players like Louis Nix III, Tevita Finau, and Jeoffrey Pagan have little to no NFL experience.

Despite these worries, the Texans have a notable defensive front when looking at the top defensive lines in the league.

Notables: Baltimore Ravens, Minnesota Vikings, Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos.