Top 10 Defensive Ends in NFL 2022 Rankings

Myles Garrett is the best Defensive End in the NFL right now going into the 2022-2023 NFL season. Also where Nick Bosa, Khalil Mack, and more rank

By admin | June 1, 2022

The evolution of the NFL offense continues to change year in and year out making it nearly impossible for defensive coordinators to be prepared each week. Despite the changes, one of the most impactful positions on the defensive side of the ball is the defensive end position. As NFL OTA’s continue on and training camp is just around the corner, an opportunity to take a look at the top NFL defensive ends in 2022, as well as take a look back at the Top 10 NFL Defensive Ends 2021-22 rankings.

When you think of a defensive end, you think of a dynamic freak athlete with excellent size, speed and strength forcing havoc on opposing backfields.

The group of stars headlining the list of the Top 10 NFL Defensive Ends 2021-2022 rankings list, meet that requirement while also ranking as some of the most impactful players on the NFL football field.

A group that is led by Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns, Von Miller of the Buffalo Bills and Khalil Mack of the Los Angeles Chargers.

With that said, here is our list of the Top 10 NFL Defensive Ends 2021-2022 rankings:

Honorable Mention

Jadeveon Clowney

Team: Cleveland Browns

2021 Stats: 24 Solo, 9 Sacks, 2 FF, 0 INT

Coming in just outside of the Top 10 NFL Defensive Ends 2021-22 rankings list is the Cleveland Browns star Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney, who was a standout defensive freak at the University of South Carolina, continues to put together a solid NFL career year in and year out.

Clowney finished the 2021 NFL schedule ranked 20th in the NFL with nine sacks to go along with two forced fumbles and 8.5 stuffs behind the line of scrimmage.

In addition, Clowney ranked among the top defensive edge players ranked by PFF. Look for Clowney to continue to form a dynamic duo with fellow top defensive end Myles Garrett in 2022 after resigning with the Browns

Bud Dupree

Team: Tennessee Titans

2021 Stats: 13 Solo, 3 Sacks, 1 FF, 0 INT

The second-year Tennessee Titan and long time Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end continues to play at a high level despite missing six games last season.

Dupree who has recorded as many as 11.5 sacks when healthy, is a menace on the outside and a player opposing teams must account for on every snap.

In 11 games last season, Dupree who was in his first season with the Titans posted three sacks and one forced fumble while showing solid speed en route to the quarterback. In his second full season with the Titans, Dupree should return to the form he showed during the 2019 NFL season.

Top 10 Defensive Ends

10. Trey Hendrickson

Team: Cincinnati Bengals

2021 Stats: 21 Solo, 14 Sacks, 3 FF, 0 INT

Coming in at number 10 on the Top 10 NFL Defensive Ends 2021-22 rankings list is the Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson.

Hendrickson, who spent his first season with the Bengals last season, recorded his second straight season with at least 13.5 sacks while finishing the 2021 NFL season with 14 total sacks.

In addition, Hendrickson posted three forced fumbles and 34 total tackles while also showing his play making abilities during the postseason. Hendrickson recorded 3.5 sacks in four games including sacks against Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford and Derek Carr.

9. Cameron Jordan

Team: New Orleans Saints

2021 Stats: 38 Solo, 12.5 Sacks, 2 FF, 0 INT

The long time New Orleans Saints star, Cameron Jordan continues to be a menace to opposing quarterbacks something he has been since his second season in the NFL.

Jordan, who the Saints drafted out of California during the 2011 NFL Draft, posted his sixth NFL season with at least double-digit sacks after finishing the 2021 NFL schedule with 12.5 total sacks.

In 176 NFL games, Jordan has recorded 107 career sacks to go along with 13 forced fumble and 10 fumble recoveries.

8. Frank Clark

Team: Kansas City Chiefs

2021 Stats: 15 Solo, 4.5 Sacks, 2 FF, 0 INT

Despite the numbers not showing up like we are used to from the Kansas City Chiefs defensive end, Frank Clark continues to be one of the best defensive players at his position year in and year out.

Clark, who finished last season appearing in 14 games, posted 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. The Chiefs star forces double teams from the start of the game to the end allowing other members of the defense to get free shots at the quarterback.

7. Trey Flowers

Team: Detroit Lions

2021 Stats: 15 Solo, 1.5 Sacks, 1 FF, 0 INT

Only thing slowing down Trey Flowers is his injuries after appearing in just 14 total games over the past two seasons.

Flowers, who was drafted by the New England Patriots during the 2015 NFL draft, joined the Lions after the 2018 NFL season. Flowers posted at least 6.5 sacks in each of his first full seasons while appearing in at least 14 games.

In addition, Flowers has a knack to punch the ball out of both running backs and quarterback’s hands, recording 10 forced fumbles since 2016.

6. Von Miller

Team: Buffalo Bills

2021 Stats: 33 Solo, 9.5 Sacks, 1 FF, 0 INT

As Von Miller gets set to move on with a fresh start for the Buffalo Bills, it is hard to look past how good the Texas A&M alum is on the field.

While debates could be made whether he is an outside linebacker or defensive end, Miller ranks high at both spots no matter the team or division.

Miller, who was a key member of the Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl run, finished last season with 9.5 sacks while also adding four sacks within the playoffs (2 in Super Bowl LVI).

5. Danielle Hunter

Team: Minnesota Vikings

2021 Stats: 23 Solo, 6 Sacks, 0 FF, 0 INT

The six-year NFL veteran and Minnesota Vikings stud defensive end, Danielle Hunter is well deserving of a spot as one of the Top 10 NFL Defensive Ends 2021-22 rankings.

Hunter, who has posted at least 12.5 sacks in three of his first six seasons appeared in just seven contests last season after tearing his pectoral muscle.

Despite the injury, little concern is present for the Vikings entering the 2022 NFL schedule. Now Hunter will be joined by pass rushing specialist Za’Darius Smith making it nearly impossible for other teams to double team both stars.

4. Khalil Mack

Team: Los Angeles Chargers

2021 Stats: 15 Solo, 6 Sacks, 2 FF, 0 INT

Eight years, 76.5 total sacks later, Khalil Mack continues to dominate on the defensive side of the football.

Mack, who spent his first four seasons with the Oakland Raiders before joining the Chicago Bears, has been ranked as one of the highest edge players year in and year out by PFF. Now after signing with the Los Angeles Chargers, Mack is still deserving of a top five spot on the Top 10 NFL Defensive Ends 2021-2022 rankings list.

Mack, who appeared in just seven games last season, recorded six sacks. Look for Mack to have a bounce back season during the upcoming 2022 NFL schedule.

3. Maxx Crosby

Team: Las Vegas Raiders

2021 Stats: 36 Solo, 8 Sacks, 0 FF, 0 INT

If you are looking for a player around the NFL with a high motor and instinct to make a player, look no farther as Maxx Crosby is your man.

Crosby, who joined the Oakland Raiders as a rookie in 2019, was a dominant force for the Las Vegas Raiders last season en route to a playoff appearance. In three seasons, Crosby has recorded 25 total sacks including a career high 10 as a rookie in 2019.

Last season, Crosby was all over the field recording 56 total tackles, eight sacks, seven passes defended and 13.5 stuffs.

2. Nick Bosa

Team: San Francisco 49ers

2021 Stats: 40 Solo, 15.5 Sacks, 4 FF, 0 INT

Nick Bosa is as good as advertised and one of the best defensive ends in all of football. The San Francisco 49ers star is coming off a 52 tackle season to go along with 15.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and eight plays stuffed behind the line of scrimmage.

In addition, his play making abilities were on full display during the NFL playoffs where he recorded 4.5 sacks while leading the 49ers to the NFC Championship game.

1. Myles Garrett

Team: Cleveland Browns

2021 Stats: 33 Solo, 16 Sacks, 1 FF, 0 INT

It is hard to look past Myles Garrett as the best defensive end in all of the NFL. Garrett, who lands at number one on the Top 10 NFL Defensive Ends 2021-22 rankings list, also leads all edge players in the NFL according to PFF based on his 2021 NFL performance.

The Cleveland Browns stud ranked first among defensive ends in total defensive metrics, as well as first in pass rush while posting an overall score of 92.0 Garrett finished last season ranked 3rd in the NFL with 16 sacks to go along with three passes defended, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery for a touchdown.

How would you rank these Defensive Ends going into the 2022-2023 NFL season? Rank below to be added in the Power Rankings.