Interior tackle Sheldon Rankins could start the season on the physically unable to perform list because of an Achilles tear, though, per The Saints' pass rush had a dynamic one-two punch with Jordan on the end and Rankins on the inside. LB Danny Trevathan is all over the field, and the team used the eighth-overall pick on LB Roquan Smith. There is a dearth of talent and experience at defensive end, but that may not matter with those two monsters destroying interior linemen snap after snap. He's a thumper with coverage ability and fills a void. Especially with edge rushers Tim Williams and Za’Darius Smith having a fantastic preseason. He’ll be joined by DT Dontari Poe, who is an upgrade over the departed Star Lotulelei.And then, of course, you have the best linebacker group in the league.

The Titans are stacked across the defense.

YR - Yards per Rush - important NFL betting stat, but is sometimes misleading early in the regular season if a team has faced a poor run defense or a player has busted out a 98-yard TD run. Edge-rusher Ryan Kerrigan led the group with 13. Those three should free up linebackers Mason Foster and Zach Brown to gobble up ball carriers, which is really the only purpose they serve on the field. Also, the Dolphins have a weak defensive line, which may lead to more time for opposing passers in the pocket.Rookie first-rounder Christian Wilkins has the potential to develop into a Pro Bowler, but there's no help around him. The official source for NFL news, video highlights, fantasy football, game-day coverage, … The front office likely won't re-sign nose tackle Ndamukong Suh, which adds pressure on the star interior pass-rusher to beat double- and triple-teams. FS Ricardo Allen locks down the deep middle, SS Keanu Neal punishes receivers brave enough to catch passes over the middle and Damontae Kazee could start for almost every team in the league but will be relegated to three-safety sub packages.

Those two will compliment Trey Flowers, who has been the team’s best pass rusher for two seasons running. Add Smith to a secondary led by safeties Eric Weddle and Tony Jefferson, and you’re looking at one of the best in the league.Where do we start with this defense?

Outside of first-round CB Denzel Ward, the secondary is a whole lot of mehWhether or not Dallas has a playoff caliber defense will come down to the health of its linebackers and the availability of its defensive line, which can’t seem to stay out of the commissioner’s doghouse.

In 2018, the 11-year veteran led the Titans in solo tackles (69) and logged 4.5 sacks.The inside linebackers complement interior pass-rusher Jurrell Casey, who led the Titans in sacks with seven in 2018. It’s looking like Sean Davis will be starting at free safety once again. If CB Vontae Davis returns to his peak form, this will be one of the better secondaries in the league. DT Al Woods is good against the run. They led the NFL in interceptions (25) and finished second in takeaways (36) while ranking in the top 10 in sacks (47).

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/09/nfl-defense-rankings-2018-season-jaguars-vikings-ravens If the coaching staff develops cornerback Byron Murphy, defensive lineman Zach Allen and Deionte Thompson into first-year starters, this unit should surprise some opponents.On the other hand, in three combined years as a defensive coordinator in Miami and head coach for the Broncos, Joseph has fielded groups that have ranked 13th or worse in points allowed.Houston Texans defense will struggle because of losses and uncertainties in the secondary.The team allowed defensive backs Tyrann Mathieu and Kareem Jackson to walk during free agency.

If he’s back at full strength in 2018, this unit should be able to build upon what it did a year ago.

On the inside, DT Geno Atkins remains unblockable and NT Andrew Billings has done whatever he wants during preseason. Hayden also has to stay healthy to cover the slot.In 2018, the New England Patriots defense bent but didn't break in the red zone. DE Arik Armstead hasn’t quite lived up to his draft position but San Francisco could do a lot worse.

He's a reliable tackler, supports the run defense and covers downfield.