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What makes for an elite defensive player in the NFL going into the 2026 regular season? Although you know it when you see him, that player is defined has someone capable of wreaking havoc by causing nightmares for an offense.
Whether it's a edge rusher ready to rip quarterbacks, a rangy linebacker making a lot of big plays or an ace cornerback looming in coverage, these are the players against whom opponents need to game-plan the most.
When ranking the very best in the league right now, there's a clear reigning No. 1. There's also a one-dominant force coming out of retirement to play with him. From prolific sack artists to premier ballhawks, here's who makes the cut for Sporting News in '26
MORE NFL RANKINGS: Running backs | Wide receivers | Tight ends
Ranking the NFL's 25 best defensive players
1. Myles Garrett, EDGE, Rams (age: 30)
The two-time reigning Sporting News Defensive Player of the Year is on the move after his blockbuster trade from the Browns. Garrett was the easy top choice, coming off his record 23-sack season and total dominance against the run, too.
2. Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Texans (age: 25)
Anderson has the best chance to dethrone Garrett as DPOY coming off a 12-sack season, a number that didn't indicate his immense impact on Houston's league-best defense. He has rare range for his position with stellar play against the run and outstanding coverage. When watching the Texans, it seems like Anderson is everywhere all at once.
3. Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Lions (age: 26)
Hutchinson keeps growing as a complete defensive end in Detroit. He's coming off his best season with 14.5 sacks, 3 passes defended, an interception and 4 forced fumbles. He has improved when dropping back in coverage and has room to get better vs. the run.
4. Danielle Hunter, EDGE, Texans (age: 31)
Hunter keeps getting the job done as a dangerously quick pass rusher with his 15 sacks. He is a perfect complement to Anderson's versatility with his pure effective pursuit of quarterbacks.
5. Micah Parsons, EDGE, Packers (age: 27)
Parsons was having a big first season with Green Bay before tearing his ACL in Week 15. He ended up with 12.5 sacks while being more active in coverage. Parson may not ever be a top run defender but he is so smooth in the other areas when healthy to crack the top five.
6. Cameron Heyward, DT, Steelers (age: 37)
Heyward, despite his age, has become the most indispensable and durable force on Pittsburgh's defense with his revved up 3-4 inside pass rush to go with mauling vs. the run. He also is a massive presence to disrupt passes at 6-5, 295 pounds.
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7. Quinnen Williams, DT, Cowboys (age: 28)
Williams is a shade off Heyward at defensive tackle in a younger package. The former Jet has shot up in Dallas last season with run dominance and more promise on the interior pass rush.
8. Devon Witherspoon, CB, Seahawks (age: 25)
Witherspoon's role as an outside ace cover corner is key to what the Seahawks want to do with their deep pass rush under Mike Macdonald. What sets him apart from others at the position and puts him this high is uncanny work against the run and when called upon, getting to the QB himself. Witherspoon has made the transition to shutdown status.
9. Fred Warner, LB, 49ers (age: 29)
Warner remains the critical linchpin who sets the ton for San Francisco's entire defense with special upfield closing skills against the run. He also remains the best cover linebacker in the game, capable of rendering assignments irrelevant.
10. Josh Hines-Allen, EDGE, Jaguars (age: 29)
Hines-Allen's sack total of eight in each of the past two seasons doesn't show the big picture of his impact. He's a do-everything player who acts as the ultimate chess piece for defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile.
11. Jack Campbell, LB, Lions (age: 26)
Campbell is pushing Warner for the top inside linebacker duties. He's not the same coverage guy but he's right up there in cleaning up vs. the run and is more active and effective as a pass rusher, coming off a 5-sack season.
12. Antonio Johnson, S, Jaguars (age: 24)
Johnson is coming off a huge breakout season with 5 interceptions and 2 sacks stamping his flat-out versatile big-play ability. At 6-2, 195 pounds, there are no size or speed limitations to what he can handle.
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13. Jeffery Simmons, DT, Titans (age: 29)
Simmons used his rare quickness and explosiveness for a career-high 11 sacks last season. As he gets older, he can be surprisingly limited vs. the inside run but that work should be better under Robert Saleh.
14. Trey Hendrickson, EDGE, Ravens (age: 31)
Hendrickson was limited to four sacks in his final season playing defensive end for the Bengals. He gets new life as an older pass rusher transitioning to outside linebacker in Baltimore. He will bring a lot of energy that can translate to a big rebound in production under Jessie Minter.
15. Devin Lloyd, LB, Panthers (age: 27)
Lloyd comes over to Carolina in a lucrative free-agent deal after joining Johnson and Hines-Allen starring in Jacksonville. Lloyd led all linebackers with 5 interceptions last season. He added to that coverage work with 1.5 sacks to show off his situational pass-rush skills. He isn't far off Warner and Campbell with his well-rounded game.
16. Kyle Hamilton, S, Ravens (age: 25)
Hamilton is another daunting presence in the middle of second, part ace inside cover man, part ace blitzing linebacker. At 6-4, 218 pouns, the lanky hybrid should get more help in coverage and pressure in Minter's defense.
17. Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Eagles (age: 25)
Mitchell can jump on this list to build on his big-time reliable coverage and run support skills with a bigger season making plays on the ball.
18. Kobie Turner, DT, Rams (age: 27)
Turner came through with 7 sacks in his third consecutive strong inside-pass rush season and also added an interception. He can play off Garrett and returning Aaron Donald well in the three-man front.
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19. Maxx Crosby, EDGE, Raiders (age: 29)
Crosby has been on an island getting a lot of blocking attention but still managed 10 sacks, his fourth time in double digits in seven seasons. He also is relentless in chasing tackles for loss against the run. When healthy, Crosby doesn't take any plays off and puts high effort into them all.
20. Leonard Williams, DT, Seahawks (age: 32)
Williams continued to thrive during his second full season in Seattle with 7 sacks and some stout work against the run. He was well rewarded with a new contract extension.
21. Cooper DeJean, CB, Eagles (age: 23)
DeJean makes the list representing the best of the nickel backs with his durability and consistency, to the point he's not tested much in the middle. He can make game-changing plays whenever getting those chances and holds up well vs. the run.
22. Nik Bonitto, EDGE, Broncos (age: 25)
Bonitto further upped his sack total to 15 as the cornerstone of Denver's pass defense. He had a slight dropoff vs. the run and making plays vs. airborne passes but remained a consistent threat to blow up the backfield.
23. Derek Stingley Jr., CB, Texans (age: 25)
Stingley looms behind Anderson and Hunter to deliver in coverage. He had four interceptions to stay on top of his play on the back end. They will count him to be more helpful in other capacities but he's very strong at his one standout strength.
24. Jared Verse, EDGE, Browns (age: 25)
Verse can't be forgotten in the Garrett trade as the Rams had to part ways with the budding high-energy pass rusher, who also can be impactful when dropping back in outside coverage. Verse can build on his 7.5 sacks from his second season.
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25. Aaron Donald, DT, Rams (age: 35)
Donald hasn't played since 2023 and he was still at the height of his dominant powers with 8 sacks and constant disruption. There should be some dropoff based on layoff and age, but when comes to his case as an all-time physical great, he should get the benefit of the doubt of still being a top-25 defender.
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