NFL power rankings: Top 5 defenses in 2020
Ahead of the new season, it’s time for NFL power rankings. We take a look at five of the best defenses in the league.
5. Los Angeles Chargers
The loss of All-Pro safety Derwin James is a significant one, and another few injuries to star-crossed players could knock the Chargers down the ranks considerably. However, with the rest of the unit seemingly healthy, Los Angeles has enough talent to be on the list.
Look around, and you’ll see Joey Bosa, Linval Joseph and Melvin Ingram in the front four. On the second level, there’s veteran Denzel Perryman — one of the oft-injured players alluded to above — and rookie Kenneth Murray. In the secondary, the safeties are poor but the corners are the best in football with Chris Harris Jr., Desmond King and Casey Hayward.
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4. Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh is going to be a problem in the AFC. Should Ben Roethlisberger find a way to be healthy in 2020, the Steelers are a Super Bowl contenders. This is because the defense is loaded with playmakers ranging from the front seven to the back end.
Few teams will get more pressure without blitzing. The Steelers can being T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree off the edges with Cam Heyward doing work on the interior. At linebacker, Devin Bush is an up-and-coming star who can cover backs and tight ends, while Minkah Fitzpatrick is a superstar patrolling deep with the versatility to play corner.
3. Minnesota Vikings
After acquiring Yannick Ngakoue from the Jacksonville Jaguars in a trade on Sunday morning, Minnesota needs to be on this list. The front is going to be potent with a pair of 25-year-old stars in Ngakoue and Danielle Hunter flying off the ends.
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In the second level, there’s All-Pro talents Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr, with safeties Anthony Harris and Harrison Smith behind them. The big concern is the cornerbacks, where rookie Jeff Gladney will be heavily relied upon.
2. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are returning most of what was a great defense in 2019. The only big loss is Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who was traded to the Indianapolis Colts. San Francisco used the first-round pick received in the deal and drafted Buckner’s replacement, Javon Kinlaw.
The secondary is a bit suspect beyond veteran corner Richard Sherman and safety Jimmie Ward, but the front seven is phenomenal led by Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead and linebacker Fred Warner.
1. Buffalo Bills
Buffalo has the best defense in the game. Up front, it’s Jerry Hughes and Trent Murphy on the edges with second-year man Ed Oliver inside. The second level is blessed with Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds, both only entering their primes.
The secondary has the league’s most underrated safety combination in Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde, while Tre’Davious White is the best corner in the game. Coached by a former defensive coordinator in Sean McDermott (and having Leslie Frazier as the actual coordinator) is borderline unfair.
