NFL Top 10s Part 2 – The 10 Best Defensive Players In The NFL At Each Position

Welcome to the continuation of our pre-season preview of the NFL Top 10s for each of the positions on the field. We will continue our look at the best players in each position on the roster with a look at the defensive side of the ball. 

Check out Part 1 of the article when we look at the offense as well as some of the key special teams players that should shine in the NFL each season.

And remember, we’ve given you a rookie tip for a player in each position who could surprise a few people in their first NFL season.

Remember, Bet365 Sport always offers extensive NFL betting on the forthcoming season. Both before the season gets underway and also once the regular season is in full swing. Currently you can find plenty of futures betting markets available. Also odds are available for you to place bets on the first weekend of the regular NFL season. 

Having already given you our list of top tens for all offensive positions, and three key special teams positions, our second part of the NFL Top 10s will cover each position on defense. Once again providing you a list of players who may become some of the legends of the game.  

Outlined below is our top ten for each of the key positions on defense.

NFL Top 10s Part 2 – Defense

Defensive Tackle – NFL Top 10

1. Chris Jones (Kansas City Chiefs) 
2. Dexter Lawrence (New York Giants)
3. Jeffrey Simmons (Tennessee Titans)
4. Quinnen Williams (New York Jets)
5. Cameron Heyward (Pittsburgh Steelers)
6. Deforest Buckner (Indianapolis Colts)
7. Javon Hargrave (San Francisco 49ers)
8. Derrick Brown (Carolina Panthers)
9. Justin Madubuike (Baltimore Ravens)
10. Vita Vea (Tampa Bau Buccaneers)

Rookie to Watch: Braden Fiske (Los Angeles Rams)

With Aaron Donald retired, it is time for someone to step into that void. Fiske looks a good fit to do so although he will have to go some to get anywhere close to Donald’s productivity.

Edge Defender (OLB or DE) – NFL Top 10

1. Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns)
2. T.J.Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers)
3. Micah Parsons (Dallas Cowboys)
4. Nick Bosa (San Francisco 49ers)
5. Maxx Crosby (Las Vegas Raiders)
6. Aidan Hutchinson (Detroit Lions)
7. Khalil Mack (Los Angeles Chargers)
8. Haason Reddick (New York Jets)
9. Josh Allen (Jacksonville Jaguars)
10. Trey Hendrickson (Cincinnati Bengals) 

Rookie to Watch: Laiatu Latu (Indianapolis Colts)

The Colts probably were amazed that Latu fell to them. The best defensive player in the draft will make an impact on the edge for the Colts immediately. 

Linebacker – NFL Top 10

1. Fred Warner (San Francisco 49ers) 
2. Roquan Smith (Baltimore Ravens)
3. Matt Milano (Buffalo Bills)
4. Demario Davis (New Orleans Saints)
5. C.J.Mosley (New York Jets)
6. Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah (Cleveland Browns)
7. Patrick Queen (Pittsburgh Steelers)
8. T.J.Edwards (Chicago Bears)
9. Tremaine Edmunds (Chicago Bears)
10. Bobby Okereke (New York Giants)

Rookie to Watch: Chop Robinson (Miami Dolphins)

Powerful and occasionally devastating, Chop Robinson has the tools to make an impact from linebacker in Miami and could upgrade their linebacking corps immediately. 

Safety – NFL Top 10

1. Antoine Winfield Jr. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) 
2. Kyle Hamilton (Baltimore Ravens)
3. Jessie Bates III (Atlanta Falcons)
4. Jevon Holland (Miami Dolphins)
5. Xavier McKinney (Green Bay Packers)
6. Kyle Dugger (New England Patriots)
7. Tyrann Mathieu (New Orleans Saints)
8. Kevin Byard (Chicago Bears)
9. Talanoa Hufanga (San Francisco 49ers)
10. Budda Baker (Arizona Cardinals)

Rookie to Watch: Tyler Nubin (New York Giants)

It wasn’t the best draft for safeties, but of those selected Tyler Nubin is probably likely to stand a good chance to make an impact on a Giants defense that wasn’t their main issue last season. 

Cornerback – NFL Top 10

1. Sauce Gardner (New York Jets) 
2. Jaylon Johnson (Chicago Bears)
3. Pat Surtain II (Denver Broncos)
4. Charvarius Ward (San Francisco 49ers)
5. Trent McDuffie (Kansas City Chiefs)
6. L’Jarius Snead (Tennessee Titans)
7. Jalen Ramsey (Miami Dolphins)
8. Michael Carter II (New York Jets)
9. Kendall Fuller (Miami Dolphins)
10. Brian Branch (Detroit Lions)

Rookie to Watch: Jaden Hicks (Kansas City Chiefs)

With L’Jarius Snead now a Titan player, the Chiefs needed another bookend corner alongside Trent McDuffie and they may well have picked one up with Jaden Hicks. 

NFL Top 10s – Units & Head Coaches

Best Offensive Unit in the NFL – NFL Top 10

1. Miami Dolphins
2. Kansas City Chiefs 
3. San Francisco 49ers
4. Detroit Lions
5. Baltimore Ravens
6. Philadelphia Eagles
7. Cincinnati Bengals
8. Houston Texans
9. New York Jets
10. Minnesota Vikings

Offensive Unit to Watch: Tennessee Titans

The Titans shift from a run-dominant to pass-dominant offense is complete. Bill Callahan coming in as offensive line coach is a massive boost to a line that struggled last season. JC Latham can protect Will Levis but how the QB plays will decide if the Titans stellar WR corps can make the team a contender. 

Best Defensive Unit in the NFL – NFL Top 10

1. San Francisco 49ers
2. Baltimore Ravens
3. Cleveland Browns
4. Dallas Cowboys
5. Detroit Lions
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
7. New York Jets
8. Kansas City Chiefs
9. Seattle Seahawks
10. New England Patriots

Defensive Unit to Watch: Houston Texans

DeMeco Ryans is slowly building something special in Houston. The Texans had a stellar draft last season, hitting big on CJ Stroud and Will Anderson. They also signed some outstanding free agents and drafted very well once again this summer. The Texans defense could be set to roar. 

Best Head Coach in the NFL – NFL Top 10

1. Dan Campbell (Detroit Lions)
2. Kyle Shanahan (San Francisco 49ers)
3. Andy Reid (Kansas City Chiefs)
4. John Harbaugh (Baltimore Ravens)
5. Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers)
6. Nick Sirianni (Philadelphia Eagles)
7. Sean McVay (Los Angeles Rams)
8. Sean Payton (Denver Broncos)
9. Mike McDaniel (Miami Dolphins)
10. DeMeco Ryans (Houston Texans)

Head Coach to Watch: Antonio Pierce (Las Vegas Raiders)

Pierce enjoyed plenty of support when taking over in the interim during last season. He steered the Raiders to a 5-4 finish and had plenty of support from the players. The Raiders should improve under Pierce.

Most Impactful Rookies in the NFL 2024/25

1. QB – Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears) – Drafted 1st
2. WR – Marvin Harrison Jr (Arizona Cardinals) – Drafted 4th 
3. OT – Joe Alt (Los Angeles Chargers) – Drafted 5th
4. RB – Trey Benson (Arizona Cardinals – Drafted 66th
5. OT – JC Latham (Tennessee Titans) – Drafted 7th 
6. TE – Brock Bowers (Las Vegas Raiders) – Drafted 13th
7. WR – Xavier Worthy (Kansas City Chiefs) – Drafted 28th 
8. RB – Ray Davis (Buffalo Bills) – Drafted 128th 
9. WR – Rome Odunze (Chicago Bears) – Drafted 9th
10. C – Graham Barton (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – Drafted 26th