When people think of the top impact players in the NFL they typically think of superstar quarterbacks, speed demon wideouts, or elusive running backs. However, as the old adage goes “defense wins championships”, there may be no bigger of an impact to a football game than applying pressure on an opposing teams quarterback. Sacks are critical to a defenses’ effectiveness but equally as important are QB hurries and knockdowns. These are the top-5 pressure defenders in the NFL, as graded by Pro Football Focus.
Before we get started let’s talk about how these pressure defenders are rated. Basically there are three major components including: sacks, QB hurries, and QB knockdowns that are calculated and compared against an opportunity metric to determine the effectiveness of a defender.
For example, Player X has 60 plays while on defense, 30 of them being a pass situation, and on those 30 passes he rushed the QB 15 times. Those 15 opportunities are then assessed for the amount of times that defender was effective in altering the play with higher grades going to the sack and fewer going to a simple hurry. Obviously nothing is rewarded if the player is blocked and there could even be points deducted if they are blocked by a single offensive player, especially a tight end or running back.
So, with the logistics out of the way, here are the top 5 pressure defenders in the NFL.
Micah Parsons – Dallas Cowboys (Grade of 82)
The Dallas Cowboys edge rusher is a perennial NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate and 2023 is no exception. Parsons leads the NFL with a 33-percent pass rush win rate and is second in the NFL in quarterback pressure percentage (20-percent), according to CBS Sports. Parsons’ high motor and elite flexibility allow him to put immense pressure on opposing quarterbacks, especially if he is blocked by a single offensive lineman. Parsons unusual strength-for-size ability is what separates him from mot other defenders. Typically, defenders with his strength don’t have his size and defenders defenders with his size and speed don’t possess his strength. He’s a unicorn.
Parsons also plays with intense effort and passion. He is the leader of the leagues 3rd rated overall defense and is officially considered the top pressure defender in the entire NFL.
Nick Bosa – San Fransisco 49ers (Grade of 82)
Bosa enters Week 15 with 9.5 sacks, tied for 14th overall in the NFL. His 32 quarterback lead the NFL. Most impressively, Bosa is double-teamed by offensive players on a mind blowing 37-percent of his snaps on the field. That double-teamed percentage is tops in the NFL for the second straight season.
Bosa is another rare breed of pass rusher in the NFL. His rare combination of size, speed, and flexibility allow him to ruin quarterbacks days with consistency. Rarely has their been a defender whose 6’4” and 270-pounds who can beeline it to the quarterback as frequently as Nick Bosa.
Aidan Hutchinson – Detroit Lions (Grade of 76)
Hutchinson’s second year in the league is statistically down from his first year but that doesn’t mean he’s having a bad season at all. Hutchinson earns the same respect from offensive lines as future hall of fame Myles Garrett with a 30-percent double team percentage. He plays with a flexible pass rush like Bosa but he also has a rare and effective capacity to be a pass defender as well. Hutchinson has led the Lions defense this season and his ability to put pressure on the quarterback is the main reason why.
Maxx Crosby – Las Vegas Raiders (Grade of 72)
Maxx Crosby is quickly becoming one of the NFL’s premiere pass rushers. Crosby is currently tied for 3rd in the NFL for sacks with 13.5. He is a highly effective bull rusher who shows a high motor towards the end of scramble plays, bringing down multiple quarterbacks outside of the pocket. He plays with a recognizable intensity and one of the most physical bull rushes in the NFL. Outside of the next guy on this list, Maxx Crosby is one of the most technical pass rushers in the league.
Aaron Donald – Los Angeles Rams (Grade of 70)
If there is a defensive top-5 list, chances are good this guy is on it. Aaron Donald should not be forgotten. The sure fire first ballot hall of fame has still been doing what he does best this season, making quarterbacks life a living nightmare. Although his stats are down from the previous years, Donald is still one of the most feared interior defensive linemen in NFL history. There is perhaps no better one on one pass rusher in the NFL… ever.
In the NFL, Pressure Is Key
Outside of offensive tackles and quarterback, edge rushers are the highest paid position and highest drafted position in the NFL. If you have a consistent pass rusher on your team you eliminate the need for sophisticated blitzes and you allow a greater span of coverage in the defensive backfield. Pass rushers are big money makers because of the impact they have on the game. Sacks are, outside of a score, the biggest momentum developer/killer in the game, and these are the best in the business.