• One of the best line of defense of 2024: From Week 1, when T.J. Watt posted a dominant 95.3 PFF grade and compelled two fumbles (each negated by penalty), to Cameron Heyward’s constantly high-level play, the Steelers’ defensive entrance has been a power. Alex Highsmith has offered elite all-around impression, whereas Nick Herbig has emerged as one of many league’s premier move rushers. Watt, Heyward, and Highsmith all closed the season with PFF grades of 90.2 or higher, with Herbig not far behind at a formidable 82.0 total.
• One of the best run-defense unit of 2024: The battle for the highest run-defense unit has concluded, with the Titans edging out the Browns after Cleveland faltered towards Derrick Henry and the Ravens’ dominant floor assault. Tennessee capped the season with 139 run stops, rating fourth within the NFL, and 54 tackles for loss or no acquire, good for third. Additionally they tied Cleveland for the league’s lowest fee of downgrades in run protection.
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Estimated studying time: 5 minutes
The line of defense is the center of any profitable protection, tasked with each disrupting the opposing quarterback with a move rush and shutting down speeding assaults on the line of scrimmage.
Elite defensive traces can change the course of a sport by making use of stress, forcing hurried throws and creating turnovers whereas additionally stifling run performs to regulate the tempo.
This season, we’ll monitor NFL line of defense play all season lengthy. Not like our offensive line rankings, which in some instances think about previous-season rankings, these rankings will probably be primarily based purely on 2024 play.
Listed below are the highlights for the 2024 season and the highest defensive traces in Week 18. For extra grades and statistics on the league’s greatest pass-rushers, try PFF Premium Stats.
