NFL Defensive Line Rankings: Commanders Top 3?
The Washington Commanders' defensive line has been one of the best in football in recent seasons.
With the play of four former first-round picks, PFF ranked the Commanders' defensive line as the third-best in the NFL.
"The interior is led by Jonathan Allen, who has graded among the top 20 interior defenders for three straight seasons," PFF writes. "And on the edge, they have Montez Sweat, who earned a career-high 86.4 grade that ranked eighth among players at the position last season."
The Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers were the only teams ranked ahead of Washington.
Defensive tackle Daron Payne led Washington with 11.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss in 2022. He was also second on the team with 20 quarterback hits. Fellow defensive tackle Jonathan Allen had 7.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss, plus 17 quarterback hits.
Defensive end Montez Sweat had a career year in 2022. Sweat had eight sacks and career-highs in quarterback hits (28) and tackles for loss (14). Sweat is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2023.
The defensive line also has room for improvement if Chase Young can get healthy. The former No. 2 pick won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020 after getting 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. Since then, Young has only played in 12 games and has 1.5 sacks.
The Commanders defense was 12th in sacks with 43 in 2022. They also ranked seventh in points allowed per game (20.2).
As inconsistent as Washington's offense has been, its defensive line has been one of the best and has carried the team. If the Commanders are going to have success in 2023, the defensive line will have to maintain its level of success.
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