
Few plays cause momentum swings quite like a timely sack. Edge rushers are some of the most valued players in the NFL because of their versatility and propensity to produce highlight-reel plays. Having multiple sack artists is the key to building a dominant defense, but most teams lack two qualified players.
This article ranks every teamโs top pass-rushing duo based on talent and production. The rankings arenโt solely based on the 2019 season, so players who suffered injuries can still earn high selections. These rankings could change before the 2020 season if Jadeveon Clowney signs with a new team.
Each duo is accompanied by the stat line they combined for last year, including pressures, quarterback hits, and sacks. These numbers come from Pro Football Reference and may differ from totals produced by other sites.
2019 stats: 33 pressures, 20 quarterback hits, and 7.5 sacks
Dont’a Hightower played a significant role in the pass rush last season, but the former Pro Bowler opted-out of the 2020 season. That leaves two young players at the core of New Englandโs pass rush. Wise might not even start this season, seeing as he only played 23% of New Englandโs defensive snaps last year.
2019 stats: 27 pressures, 19 quarterback hits, and 10.5 sacks
Jenkins set a career-high with eight sacks last year, but Williams severely underwhelmed. The third overall pick lacked the disruptive ability he flashed in college and only played a limited role in the pass rush.
2019 stats: 23 pressures, 16 quarterback hits, and 7.5 sacks
Brown doesnโt have any stats from last year because heโs a rookie. However, some analysts claim heโs the best defensive tackle prospect since Ndamukong Suh. If thatโs true, Brown and Burns could jump up this list during the season.
2019 stats: 50 pressures, 31 quarterback hits, and 8.5 sacks
Flowers is the only player returning to Detroit who thrived as a sack artist last season. Okwara didnโt even start most games, and the Lions could play Romeoโs younger brother, Julian, as a starter instead. Detroit also signed Jamie Collins in the offseason. Collins set a career-high with seven sacks last year, but that production doesnโt seem replicable.
2019 stats: 48 pressures, 30 quarterback hits, 16.5 sacks
Allen looks like a perennial Pro Bowler, but he lacks a running mate. Jacksonville traded away Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue this offseason, leaving Allen as the teamโs only elite pass-rushing threat. The Jaguars donโt seem interested in competing this season.
2019 stats: 46 pressures, 22 quarterback hits, and 14.5 sacks
The Raiders hoped Ferrell would become the teamโs leader along the defensive line. Instead, Crosby, a third-round pick, dominated during his rookie season. While Ferrell clawed his way to 4.5 sacks, Crosby amassed ten. Expect Ferrell to take a big step forward this year and become a more productive player.
2019 stats: 34 pressures, 22 quarterback hits, and 14.5 sacks
Outside of Addison and Oliver, the Bills also have veteran Jerry Hughes. Age has sapped some of Hughesโ explosiveness, so heโs not among Buffaloโs duo. Addison has 39 sacks over the past four seasons, while Oliver is one of the most talented players from last yearโs draft.
2019 stats: 52 pressures, 33 quarterback hits, and 13 sacks
The Dolphins formed a new pass-rushing duo in free agency, signing Lawson and Van Noy. While Van Noy isnโt primarily a pass-rusher, he filled the role several times last season. Lawson is a traditional defensive end while Van Noy picks and chooses his spots.
2019 stats: 36 pressures, 24 quarterback hits, and 10.5 sacks
Irvin set a career-high with 8.5 sacks last year. Meanwhile, Reed served a six-game suspension and never got going. Seattleโs duo only ranks this high because Reed posted borderline Pro Bowl numbers in 2018. If he gets back to that level of play, this ranking is warranted.
2019 stats: 67 pressures, 43 quarterback hits, and 10.5 sacks
Golden had a breakout year in 2019, but teams werenโt jumping at the chance to sign him in free agency. The former second-round pick amassed 44 pressures, 27 quarterback hits, and ten sacks. Meanwhile, Williams set career-lows with half a sack and 16 quarterback hits.
2019 stats: 50 pressures, 26 quarterback hits, and 17 sacks
Beasley and Landry arenโt star pass-rushers, but theyโre both consistent producers who should stick around in the NFL for a long time. However, Beasley didnโt report when Tennessee expected him to at the start of training camp, and the Clemson productโs conditioning is a concern.
2019 stats: 52 pressures, 31 quarterback hits, 13.5 sacks
Age seems to be taking a toll on Atkins. The future Hall of Fame defensive tackle made his eighth Pro Bowl last season despite playing below his usual standards. Even at 31, Dunlap remains a beacon of consistency. Keep an eye on Sam Hubbard this year. The Ohio St. product produced 8.5 sacks and 76 tackles in 2019.
2019 stats: 60 pressures, 30 quarterback hits, 14 sacks
Kerrigan appears on this list out of respect for his past accomplishments, but the former Pro Bowler began showing his age last season. Ioannidis continues flying under the radar. If Jonathan Allen, Montez Sweat, or Chase Young experience a breakout campaign this season, Washington could have one of the NFLโs best defensive lines.
2019 stats: 61 pressures, 32 quarterback hits, and 19 sacks
Jarrett doesnโt excel as a pass-rusher like Aaron Donald or Chris Jones, but heโs still capable of getting to the quarterback. After struggling in Jacksonville, Fowler excelled with the Rams last year. Assuming he remains consistent in 2020, the Falcons should see their pass rush experience a revival.
2019 stats: 48 pressures, 32 quarterback hits, and 18.5 sacks
After losing several seasons to injuries and struggling with scheme changes in Kansas City, Houston found a home in Indianapolis. Last year, the former All-Pro recorded more than ten for the first time since 2014. The Colts made a splash move by trading for Buckner during the offseason.
2019 stats: 46 pressures, 29 quarterback hits, and 13.5 sacks
If he can avoid beating people with helmets and delivering late blows, Garrett could compete for the Defensive Player of the Year award. Heโs a generational talent who has all of the tools to become the NFLโs best sack artist. Meanwhile, Vernon is trying to bounce back from a forgettable season.
2019 stats: 60 pressures, 42 quarterback hits, and 28.5 sacks
The Cardinals signed Phillips this offseason. The defensive tackle produced 9.5 sacks for the Bills last year, making him a decent running mate for Jones. Arizona also added Devon Kennard, who produced seven sacks in each of the past two seasons. As for Jones, heโs averaging 14.5 sacks per season over the past five years.
2019 stats: 51 pressures, 27 quarterback hits, and 12 sacks
This duo usually has better numbers. Cox entered 2019 after undergoing surgery in the offseason, and he didnโt live up to his incredible performance in 2018. Graham remains a consistent force for the Eagles, but heโs not a star player. Keep an eye on fourth-year defensive end Derek Barnett this season.
2019 stats: 81 pressures, 36 quarterback hits, and 15.5 sacks
If not for Donald, the Rams wouldnโt be on the top 25 for this list. Out of this duoโs totals, Donald accounts for 55 pressures, 24 quarterback hits, and 12.5 sacks. Floyd flunked out of Chicago after he didnโt develop into a reliable starter. Los Angeles jumpstarted Fowlerโs career. Maybe it can do the same for Floyd.
2019 stats: 64 pressures, 58 quarterback hits, and 16 sacks
The Ravens got Campbell from Jacksonville for a bag of chips. A member of the 2010s All-Decade Team, Campbell produced 31.5 sacks during his three years in Jacksonville. Judon returns for his fifth season with the Ravens after leading the team with 9.5 sacks in 2019.
2019 stats: 64 pressures, 40 quarterback hits, and 13 sacks
Griffen was a massive addition for Dallas because the Cowboys needed someone to create opportunities for Lawrence, who struggled throughout 2019. The Cowboys also signed Aldon Smith. The 30-year-old could be a shell of his former self, but Smith produced 33.5 sacks during the first two years of his career.
2019 stats: 75 pressures, 53 quarterback hits, and 28 sacks
After spending the first part of his career in obscurity, Barrett captured the sack crown last season. However, analysts wonder if the 27-year-old can match his breakout campaign in 2020. Pierre-Paul is no longer a superstar, but he still produced 29.5 sacks over the past three years.
2019 stats: 49 pressures, 37 quarterback hits, and 11.5 sacks
While Mercilus is a productive player who stepped up in Wattโs absence, he isnโt an elite pass-rusher. The 30-year-old hasnโt come close to matching his career-high 12 sacks from 2015. Meanwhile, Watt is still one of the NFLโs best defensive ends. Unfortunately, he canโt stay on the field. In eight games last season, Watt amassed 21 quarterback hits.
2019 stats: 77 pressures, 43 quarterback hits, and 18.5 sacks
The older Bosa is one of two or three young defensive ends that should dominate the NFL for another decade. Heโs an exceptional player who needs to stay healthy and continue building his game. While Ingram is a reliable complementary piece, he isnโt a true superstar and pales in comparison to Bosa. Ingram belongs in the same category as Mercilus.
2019 stats: 75 pressures, 41 quarterback hits, and 21.5 sacks
Jordan is battling his way into the Hall of Fame conversation. A member of the 2010s All-Decade Team, Jordan posted a career-high 15.5 sacks last season. The Saints duo would easily be in the top five if not for Davenportโs slow development.
2019 stats: 54 pressures, 34 quarterback hits, and 17 sacks
Neither Clark nor Jones had their best seasons last year. Both battled injuries and didnโt match the career numbers they posted in 2018. However, if they both get back to that level of play, Kansas City could have one of the top-five pass-rushing duos in the NFL.
2019 stats: 80 pressures, 43 quarterback hits, and 19 sacks
Bosa is already one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL. He could make a case for being the leagueโs best defensive end, but Armstead pulls this duo down a few spots. While the 6-7 defensive end recorded ten sacks last year, he wasnโt an elite pass-rusher and hasnโt shown the ability to perform at a high level across multiple seasons. Dee Ford remains waiting in the wings.
2019 stats: 63 pressures, 37 quarterback hits, and 22.5 sacks
A few weeks ago, it looked like Ifeadi Odenigbo would start alongside Hunter. However, the Vikings kept Odenigbo as a rotational player by trading for Ngakoue. The former Pro Bowler looked disinterested at points during his time with the Jaguars. If Minnesota gets Ngakoue engaged, he and Hunter could become the leagueโs best pass-rushing duo.
2019 stats: 80 pressures, 27 quarterback hits, and 20 sacks
Mack lacked a running mate last season, but the Bears signed Quinn in free agency. Quinn produced more than ten sacks last season for the first time since 2014. Meanwhile, Mack had his first sub-ten-sack season since 2014. However, working alongside Quinn should create more opportunities for Mack.
2019 stats: 47 pressures, 26 quarterback hits, and nine sacks
Miller struggled last season, but he played three quarters of the year without his partner in crime. Chubb missed 12 games with a torn ACL, which left Miller facing routine double teams. However, both pass-rushers are back and better than ever. Look for Chubb to top his 12-sack rookie campaign and for Miller to record his eighth ten-sack season.
2019 stats: 92 pressures, 59 quarterback hits, and 23.5 sacks
While Bud Dupree posted a ten-sack season, Heyward is a more impactful pass-rusher. The All-Pro defensive tackle combined with Pittsburghโs rising superstar to produce the most pressures and second-most quarterback hits among any duo on this list. If Watt stays healthy, he should play a role in the Defensive Player of the Year race.
2019 stats: 84 pressures, 60 quarterback hits, and 25.5 sacks
The Packers signed both Smiths last offseason and got more than they ever expected. The stars dominated offensive lines, combining for the most quarterback hits, second-most pressures, and third-most sacks among any duo on this list. Despite their incredible totals, the Smiths remain one of the NFLโs most overlooked pairings.
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