All About The Defense: Top 5 NFL Defensive Lines 2018

Rosters are starting to finalize around the NFL. So now that we have a steady look at each team, we can begin analyzing how the 2018 NFL regular season pans out. There are plenty of aspects and angles we can look at each team from, but today we focus on 5 teams that are sure to shine on the defensive side.

#5

First in line are the Cincinnati Bengals. If you’re looking for a defense that will shine in 2018, the Bengals are your best bet. It starts up from, where defensive ends Carl Lawson and Jordan Willis will lift up long-time starters Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson for snaps at the defensive end. On the inside, DT Geno Atkins remains a force not to be reckoned with and NT Andrew Billings is all out during the preseason. This could well be one of the top defensive lines this season.

The cornerbacks are holding their own as well. William Jackson is possibly the league’s next great shutdown corner. Dre Kirkpatrick is a good No. 2 and former first-round pick Darqueze Dennard looks to be in shape.

#4

It’s hard to zero in on a weak point when looking at the Baltimore Ravens. Especially with edge rushers Tim Williams and Za’Darius Smith displaying top acts in the preseason. They’ll team up with Terrell Suggs to form a pass rush that does not have to be exceptional given the rest of the talent within the unit. Defensive tackles Brandon Williams and Michael Pierce are solid on the interior. LB C.J. Mosley can orchestrate plays on the second level, and the secondary has more than enough in the tank to fill the void left by CB Jimmy Smith for a few games. Brandon Carr is a seasoned expert. Tavon Young is getting better after an injury that occurred during his sophomore season. Add names Smith, Eric Weddle, and Tony Jefferson to a secondary, and you’re looking at one of the best defenses in the NFL.

#3

The Jacksonville Jaguars scream defense from all angles. They have at their disposal Jalen Ramsey, who will be the league’s top corner during the 2018 season. Meanwhile, the other side of the field has A.J Bouye, who’s also a top contender in his position as CB2.

The Jaguars’ defensive line is more than capable. Calais Campbell is coming off a Defensive Player of the Year season. De Yannick Ngouke exceeded in 2017 and continues to improve. Malik Jackson can hold any part of the line and still make an impact.

Furthermore, the Jaguars have the fastest tandem of linebackers in the league with Telvin Smith and Myles Jack arranging plays all around.

#2

The Super Bowl-winning defense is not about to stop. DE Michael Bennet takes charge of Vinny Curry’s responsibilities in the league’s deepest group of pass rushers. LB Jordan Hicks returns to fortify the second-level of the defense. And the secondary, the unit’s anticipated weakness, has looked stronger than ever in the preseason, with CB Sidney Jones returning from his rookie season injury. Jalen Mills is looking in shape and Ronald Darby continues his impressive stint at cover corner.

#1

There’s no stopping the Minnesota Vikings in the offseason where they continue to show defense improvements regardless of their status as the best defense in the league a year ago. DT Sheldon Richardson employs another pass rusher on the interior. His presence will make it tough for offensive lines to slide their protection to Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter on the edges. Linebackers Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks will pitch in more pressure on the team’s famous double-A gap blitzes. Harrison Smith might be the most versatile safety in the league, and the Vikings replaced Andrew Sendejo with George Iloka, giving them a deeper safety group.

What are your predictions? Check out Bitcoinoddschecker’s latest early NFL odds and start making your picks.

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