Top NFL Players at Each Position in 2016
Yesterday we rolled out our best players at each position in 2016 on the offensive side of the ball. Today let’s flip to the defensive side. Because of the differences in the way positions are played based on the type of defense, players will be grouped slightly differently than just their named position. What does this mean? In a 3-4 defensive alignment, the outside linebackers primary purpose is to rush the passer, much the same as a 4-3 defensive end, while in a 4-3 defense, the outside linebackers more often drop into coverage. For this reason, 3-4 outside linebackers and 4-3 defensive ends will be grouped as “edge rushers” while 3-4 defensive ends and 4-3 defensive tackles will be grouped as “defensive interior”. This will leave 4-3 outside linebackers and all inside linebackers to be grouped as “off-ball linebackers”. This is what we feel is the best way to compare apples to apples, as comparing an outside linebacker like Von Miller to an outside linebacker like KJ Wright is impossible. That being said, here are our top players at each position on defense in 2016.
Edge Rushers:
1) Von Miller: No surprise here. With JJ Watt out this season, Von Miller was arguably the best defensive player in the league and a top defensive player of the year candidate. He was 2nd in the league in sacks at 13.5, and that does not even begin to state his overall impact on the game for the Broncos.
2) Vic Beasley Jr: Beasley took a monumental step forward this season, leading the league in sacks at 15.5. He finally showed what made him a top pick in last year’s draft, and will be a key factor for years to come with the Falcons.
3) Khalil Mack: Mack trailed slightly in sacks to Miller and Beasley at 11.0, but he is another top candidate for defensive player of the year. This is a guy who was all-pro last season at 2 different positions, and he was possibly even better this year for the Raiders.
4) Cliff Avril: Avril had a career year this year with 11.5 sacks for the Seahawks. Seattle will be counting heavily on Avril to continue that into the playoffs, as they have struggled since the Earl Thomas injury.
5) Danielle Hunter: Hunter wasn’t even a full time starter for the Vikings, but created havoc every time he stepped onto the field. With 12.5 sacks he was tied for 3rd in the league, but at only 22 years old he may just be scratching the surface of what he is capable of. Look for Hunter, Beasley, and Mack to be fixtures on this list for years to come.
Apologies to: Lorenzo Alexander, Markus Golden, Cameron Wake, and Olivier Vernon
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive Interior:
1) Aaron Donald: Much like Von Miller, this was Donald’s chance to show that he might be the best defensive player in the game not named JJ Watt. Donald was simply unblockable in the middle of the Rams line, and was 2nd among all defensive tackles with 8.0 sacks.
2) Geno Atkins: Atkins for years has been the premier interior pass rusher in the NFL, and proved that once again this year for the Bengals. He led all defensive tackles with 9.0 sacks and was a terror for opposing linemen all season.
3) Daman “Snacks” Harrison: Snacks was given a big contract to join the Giants this season and he didn’t disappoint. He was an absolute monster against the run, racking up 86 tackles from the nose tackle position. Snacks was easily the biggest reason why the Giants were so tough to run on.
4) Calais Campbell: Campbell for years has been one of the most underappreciated players in the league for the Cardinals. Campbell is always a stout run defender, and chipped in 8.0 sacks as well from the 3-4 defensive end position.
5) Ndamukong Suh: Suh doesn’t get as much press anymore when he’s not committing personal foul penalties every week, but he is still easily one of the best defensive tackles in the game. Aside from the great pass rush and run defense, perhaps what makes Suh most valuable is that he played 975 snaps this season, 2nd most for any interior defender.
Apologies to: Fletcher Cox, Kawaan Short, Jurrell Casey, and Linval Joseph
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Off-Ball Linebackers:
1) Bobby Wagner: For years this spot has been reserved for Luke Kuechly, but even before Kuechly missing the last 4 games with injury, Wagner may have been outplaying him this season. Wagner flies around the field for the Seahawks, and led the league in tackles with 167, which was 18 more than the next best.
2) Sean Lee: Isn’t it great to see Sean Lee healthy for an entire season for the Cowboys? He has been one of the most talented linebackers in the league for years, but hasn’t been able to showcase that because of injuries. This year, he played every snap for the first 15 weeks, and was one of the biggest reasons why the Dallas defense was able to play respectably.
3) KJ Wright: Boy the Seahawks really have a heck of a duo at linebacker, don’t they? Wright doesn’t get the press the rest of Seattle’s defense gets, but he’s one of the best in the league as well as one of the most underappreciated. He chipped in 128 tackles alongside Wagner’s 167, and was often tasked with matching up with top opposing tight ends.
4) Jerrell Freeman: Freeman was one of the premier coverage linebackers in the game this season for the Bears. He was one of the lone bright spots on an otherwise extremely disappointing Bears team.
5) Luke Kuechly: Much like Tom Brady and Leveon Bell on yesterday’s list, Kuechly is just so good that he still cracks the top 5 even with missing 4 games this season. He is the gold standard of off-ball linebackers with his ability to fly sideline to sideline in the run game, cover tight ends and running backs, and rush the passer. The Panthers were smart to hold him out once their season was over.
Apologies to: Paul Posluszny, Jordan Hicks, Kwon Alexander, and Zach Brown
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Safety:
1) Landon Collins: Collins was a top flight defensive player of the year candidate this year for the Giants. Known for his ability to play near the line of scrimmage coming into the league, Collins showcased his ability to cover as well this year with 5 INT’s. The impressive work in coverage, in addition to 125 tackles and 4 sacks easily makes Collins the top choice on this list.
2) Eric Weddle: Weddle is one of those under the radar guys who is a perennial all-pro player while generally missing out on the pro bowl. He was sensational in coverage this year for the Ravens with his 4 INT’s and 13 passes defensed, and proved that he’s not yet ready to slow down.
3) Kam Chancellor: Chancellor missed 4 games this year, but once again his 12 games this season were plenty to earn him a spot on this list. As always, Chancellor was exceptional near the line of scrimmage, but while forced to cover more often this year after the Earl Thomas injury, Chancellor proved he’s no slouch in that area of his game. In the games he played, he may have been the best safety in the league this year, but the smaller sample size drops him to 3rd.
4) Eric Berry: The return of Eric Berry the last 2 years has been a feel-good story for the league, but perhaps that was never more apparent than in his homecoming games vs the Falcons this year when he had a pick 6 and pick 2 to win the game for the Chiefs. Berry is a true all around safety and was one of the best in the league once again this season.
5) Harrison Smith: Smith was quietly maybe the best player on the Vikings defense for the last several years, including this year. He didn’t have the same flashy INT and sack numbers this year like he’s had in the past, or like Collins did this year, but his impact was still just as great as ever. One of the best all-around safeties in the game for years, Smith earns a spot on this list despite missing 2 games this year.
Apologies to: Devin McCourty, Tony Jefferson, Johnathan Cyprien, and Earl Thomas
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Cornerbacks:
1) Aquib Talib: Talib had maybe the best year of his career this year for the Broncos. Tasked with covering top receivers each week, nobody was more impressive in coverage this year than Talib. Taking into account his good work in the run game as well, and he gets top honors on this list.
2) Marcus Peters: Peters gets the recognition because of his playmaking ability, but he also improved on his play vs the run this season to make himself a more all-around corner for the Chiefs. He still takes a few too many gambles and gets beat a little too often as a result, but he will be a fixture on this list for years to come.
3) Richard Sherman: Sherman may not have had quite the year this year that he has in the past, but he was as always one of the least targeted corners in the game this year, and was great against the run. As he shadows top receivers more often, it gets harder to knock any part of Sherman’s game.
4) Chris Harris Jr: Yes the Broncos get two corners on this list. Harris was again one of the best in the league in coverage if not the best. Between Talib and Harris, the Broncos were nearly impossible to throw against.
5) Xavier Rhodes: This year was a coming out party for Rhodes, who took the next step as one of the best in the game this year for the Vikings. Each week he was tasked with shadowing opponent’s top receivers, and each week he got the better of the matchup. Throw in his 5 INT’s, his 100 yard pick 6, and his impressive work in the run game, and he earned a spot in the top 5 this season.
Apologies to: Janoris Jenkins, Brent Grimes, Malcolm Butler, and Patrick Peterson
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Punters:
1) Johnny Hekker: Hekker wins the MVP this year for Most Valuable Punter. He was simply unbelievable for the Rams with his 46.0 yard net average and 51 punts pinned inside the opponents 20 yard line with only 1 touchback.
2) Bryan Anger: Anger had a great year for the Bucs with his 42.7 yard net average and 37 punts inside the 20 yard line with only 5 touchbacks.
3) Sam Martin: Martin was 2nd in the league to Hekker with a 44.2 yard net average and had 23 punts inside the 20 yard line with only 3 touchbacks.
4) Matt Bosher: Bosher didn’t get a ton of work because of the high-powered Falcons offense, but when he was forced to punt he was as effective as anyone. He had a 41.6 yard net average, 21 pinned inside the 20 yard line, and only 1 touchback.
5) Riley Dixon: Dixon was forced to punt a ton this year due to the weak Broncos offense, and he did a good job of setting up the defense. He had a 41.3 yard net average with 28 pinned inside the 20 and 6 touchbacks.
Apologies to: Pat McAfee, Thomas Morstead, and Dustin Colquitt
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
What do you think? Who did we miss? Who did we include who shouldn't have made it? Comment and let us know! Stay tuned for more current sports stories. Don't forget to follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram @beyondthemetrics, and Twitter @byondthemetrics
