Post by BosViking on Jul 8, 2021 16:04:49 GMT -5
www.espn.com/nfl/insider/story/_/id/31753508/ranking-nfl-top-10-interior-defensive-linemen-2021-execs-coaches-players-make-their-picks
1. Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams
2. Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs
3. DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts
4. Cam Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers
5. Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia Eagles
6. Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans
7. Leonard Williams, New York Giants
8. Stephon Tuitt, Pittsburgh Steelers
9. Vita Vea, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10. Grady Jarrett, Atlanta Falcons
Interior defensive linemen also receiving votes
Kenny Clark, Green Bay Packers: "He was great in the [NFC] Championship Game, maybe the most disruptive in that game for them. He's not a big name but really, really good and underrated." -- NFC executive
Jonathan Allen, Washington Football Team: "Complete player. Really good technique, plays the run really well, pass well, good locker-room guy -- just a good football player." -- AFC defensive coach
Quinnen Williams, New York Jets: "He's going to have a huge year. They had him in that two-gap scheme, but [new Jets coach] Robert [Saleh] will just have him attacking. He's good enough to jump a gap and get back in a gap. Teams have to scheme for him more than most." -- NFC executive
J.J. Watt, Arizona Cardinals: "If he stays healthy, he's still a monster. He got tripled some games. Teams still give him that attention. Tackles can handle him but against the guard he's still a problem. Not out of realm [of possibility] to have a 10-sack season." -- NFC executive
Akiem Hicks, Chicago Bears: "He's still one of those guys whom you hate to play against. He's such a force. But you wonder if his best years are ahead of him." -- AFC defensive coach
David Onyemata, New Orleans Saints: "Extraordinary talents. Getting better every year." -- NFC executive
Jarran Reed, Kansas City Chiefs: "The Chiefs got an absolute steal picking him up this offseason." -- AFC scout
Arik Armstead, San Francisco 49ers: "He's a really good player, but you're always aware of him but never scared of him." -- NFC executive
Calais Campbell, Baltimore Ravens: "He can still be productive in that defense, just not sure how much he has left." -- AFC executive
We surveyed more than 50 league executives, coaches, scouts and players to help us stack the top 10 players at 11 different positions, from edge rusher to interior offensive linemen and all the way through tight ends. This is the second edition of these rankings, and there are several players who moved up and dropped from last year's lists.
Here's how our process worked: Voters gave their best 10 to 15 players at a position, then we compiled the results and ranked candidates based on number of top-10 votes, composite average, interviews, research and film-study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen. We had several ties, so we broke them by isolating the two-man matchup with additional voting and follow-up calls. Each section is packed with quotes and nuggets from the voters on every guy -- even the honorable mentions.
The objective is to identify the best players right now for 2021. This is not a five-year projection or an achievement award. Who's the best today? Pretty simple.
Here's how our process worked: Voters gave their best 10 to 15 players at a position, then we compiled the results and ranked candidates based on number of top-10 votes, composite average, interviews, research and film-study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen. We had several ties, so we broke them by isolating the two-man matchup with additional voting and follow-up calls. Each section is packed with quotes and nuggets from the voters on every guy -- even the honorable mentions.
The objective is to identify the best players right now for 2021. This is not a five-year projection or an achievement award. Who's the best today? Pretty simple.
1. Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams
2. Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs
3. DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts
4. Cam Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers
5. Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia Eagles
6. Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans
7. Leonard Williams, New York Giants
8. Stephon Tuitt, Pittsburgh Steelers
9. Vita Vea, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10. Grady Jarrett, Atlanta Falcons
Interior defensive linemen also receiving votes
Kenny Clark, Green Bay Packers: "He was great in the [NFC] Championship Game, maybe the most disruptive in that game for them. He's not a big name but really, really good and underrated." -- NFC executive
Jonathan Allen, Washington Football Team: "Complete player. Really good technique, plays the run really well, pass well, good locker-room guy -- just a good football player." -- AFC defensive coach
Quinnen Williams, New York Jets: "He's going to have a huge year. They had him in that two-gap scheme, but [new Jets coach] Robert [Saleh] will just have him attacking. He's good enough to jump a gap and get back in a gap. Teams have to scheme for him more than most." -- NFC executive
J.J. Watt, Arizona Cardinals: "If he stays healthy, he's still a monster. He got tripled some games. Teams still give him that attention. Tackles can handle him but against the guard he's still a problem. Not out of realm [of possibility] to have a 10-sack season." -- NFC executive
Akiem Hicks, Chicago Bears: "He's still one of those guys whom you hate to play against. He's such a force. But you wonder if his best years are ahead of him." -- AFC defensive coach
David Onyemata, New Orleans Saints: "Extraordinary talents. Getting better every year." -- NFC executive
Jarran Reed, Kansas City Chiefs: "The Chiefs got an absolute steal picking him up this offseason." -- AFC scout
Arik Armstead, San Francisco 49ers: "He's a really good player, but you're always aware of him but never scared of him." -- NFC executive
Calais Campbell, Baltimore Ravens: "He can still be productive in that defense, just not sure how much he has left." -- AFC executive