Over the next few weeks until the season, I’ll be ranking each position group around the NFL. I began with quarterbacks, wide receivers, and tight ends. Now we turn to edge defenders. Who takes the top spot, Myles Garrett or T.J. Watt? Is Khalil Mack still elite? Could Nick Bosa be headed for stardom next? Who is the best edge rusher in the NFC South? Where do Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul rank across the league?

No rookies were included in these rankings. It’s simply impossible to rank guys who have never played in the NFL against guys who have. The evaluation process wouldn’t be clean. Sorry, Jaelan Phillips.

I’ve also compiled these rankings with an eye toward 2021 projections, although I tried not to do anything too outlandish. It’s important to remember that rankings like this are largely fluid year-to-year, especially when you get outside the first eight edge defenders. But this is how I expect edge pass rusher play to stack up across the NFL in 2021.

Tier 1 – The Elite Edge Defenders

1. Myles Garrett, Browns
2. T.J. Watt, Steelers
3. Joey Bosa, Chargers
4. Khalil Mack, Bears

I don’t think any defensive lineman in the league, with the exception of Aaron Donald, can impact the game like Myles Garrett. Health and a suspension have been the only thing holding him back from being unanimously recognized as EDGE1. But Garrett has still managed to pile up absurd production, with three straight double-digit sack seasons despite playing all 16 games just once.

He can win inside, outside and with power, which makes him impossible to predict pre-snap. As Garrett’s hand usage has improved, so has his effectiveness. He’s also getting better at targeting the football, forcing four fumbles last year.

Browns EDGE Myles Garrett – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Still, Garrett’s slight unavailability has left the door open for T.J. Watt to contend for the top spot. Watt has 49.5 sacks over the past four years compared to Garrett’s 42.5, but Watt has played 11 more games. 13, 14.5 and 15-sack seasons in a row represent rare production by Watt. He’s also forced a ridiculous 17 fumbles, broken up 25 passes and racked up 59 tackles-for-loss.

Although I think any discussion of the best edge defender in the NFL has to begin with Garrett and Watt, Joey Bosa has an argument too. He’s struggled to stay on the field 100 percent of the time, but Bosa has still managed 47.5 sacks and 68 tackles-for-loss in 63 games. Bosa is a top 2-3 run-defending edge in the league on top of being an elite pass rusher.

While Mack isn’t No. 1 anymore, it’s still impossible to remove him from the elite tier. The sack numbers have been down a little bit the past two years, but it’s largely due to extra attention from opposing offenses. Mack is still creating pressure at a tremendous rate, and his run defense will never be in question. There are simply no real weaknesses in his game. Every tackle in the league would list Mack as one of their toughest one-on-one assignments.

Tier 2 – The Fringe Elite Edge Defenders

5. Nick Bosa, 49ers
6. Von Miller, Broncos
7. Chandler Jones, Cardinals
8. Danielle Hunter, Vikings

I didn’t intend for this to be the injury tier, but that’s how the rankings worked out. All four of these edge rushers missed all or most of the 2020 season due to a significant injury. The league will be so much better for their presence in 2021, although offensive tackles may not be fired up.

In my opinion, Nick Bosa has the best chance to enter the top tier next year and even push Garrett, Watt and his brother for the top spot. His rookie season was nothing short of spectacular. Nine sacks in the regular season and four sacks in the playoffs, including a brutal terrorizing of Eric Fisher in the Super Bowl. The production is good, but it only tells part of the story. Bosa’s tape was awe-inspiring in 2019.

Then, in 2020, Bosa tore his ACL after just 68 snaps. How he bounces back from the injury will determine if he can contend for EDGE1 next season.

Broncos EDGE Von Miller – Photo by: Mark Lomoglio/PR

As for Miller and Jones, there is no question that they are capable of greatness. But an ankle injury kept Miller from playing in 2020, and a torn biceps ended Jones’ campaign after five games. At 32 (Miller) and 31 (Jones) years old, will the veterans be able to bounce back? Cracking the top 20 all-time sack list is on the agenda for both players.

Hunter also missed the 2020 season with a neck injury, but had piled up 54.5 sacks and 67 tackles-for-loss in his first five seasons. He isn’t quite as bendy as some of the rushers above him, but his effort, physicality, burst and technical prowess as a rusher are outstanding. And he’s still only 26 years old!

Tier 3 – Very Good Starters

9. Brian Burns, Panthers
10. Shaq Barrett, Bucs
11. Cam Jordan, Saints
12. Demarcus Lawrence, Cowboys
13. Chase Young, Washington
14. Za’Darius Smith, Packers
15. Arik Armstead, 49ers
16. J.J. Watt, Cardinals

I almost moved Burns up a tier. He was that good last season. I still think he’s developing physically and technically as a player, but I expect him to move into tier 2 by next offseason. His movement ability is freakish for the position. So is his effort.

Bucs EDGE Shaquil Barrett – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

At 28, Barrett probably is who he is at this point. He’s a well-rounded player who has grown technically in his pass rush game by leaps and bounds. Barrett’s lack of elite athleticism probably always keeps him out of the top two tiers, but he knows he’s still a more than adequate enough athlete to be productive one-on-one. His 4-sack run to a Super Bowl title will live in Bucs infamy.

Jordan and Lawrence are cut from the same cloth. They probably aren’t elite pass rushers right now, but they’ll make you work all game and nobody is better at defending the run. Both edges are physically capable of taking over a matchup. Jordan is 32, so some of this ranking is projecting that he could be on the back nine of his career now.

Washington DE Chase Young – Photo by: USA Today

We are getting well ahead of ourselves on Chase Young. I’ve seen too many rankings put him in the top 5-10 range already. Young is an awesome talent who was easily the best rookie defender in the NFL last year. But his rookie season was not on par with Nick Bosa’s or T.J. Watt’s or Joey Bosa’s. He’s not as pro-ready as a pass rusher as those guys were coming out of college.

Now, Young is going to be a top five edge defender someday. I don’t know if that happens in 2021. He just turned 22 and has further to go than even Garrett did coming out of college. The Ohio State product needs to establish a go-to move and some counter options. But Young is already an elite run defender and he plays with a temperament beyond his years. He’s going to be great. He just isn’t right now, and that’s completely ok.

Tier 4 – Solid Starters

17. Brandon Graham, Eagles
18. Bradley Chubb, Broncos
19. Carl Lawson, Jets
20. Trey Flowers, Lions
21. Bud Dupree, Titans
22. Montez Sweat, Washington
23. Jerry Hughes, Bills
24. Yannick Ngakoue, Raiders
25. Jadeveon Clowney, Browns
26. Matt Judon, Patriots
27. Frank Clark, Chiefs
28. Jason Pierre-Paul, Bucs
29. Trey Hendrickson, Bengals
30. Romeo Okwara, Lions

I’m guessing movement amidst this tier is going to be pretty fluid next year, with a few guys having a chance to jump up a group. Chubb, Sweat and Okwara are all still developing, with the last two taking a big leap last season. Lawson and Hendrickson will get opportunities to be every down players in their new defenses, while players like Ngakoue, Clowney and Clark try to get back into the top 10-15 range where they all spent portions of their careers.

There’s a drop-off after the top 16, but a lot of these players are still really solid starters with the ability to be a problem for opposing offenses. Edge defender might not have the same depth at the top that it had 2-3 years ago, but there’s still a lot of quality pass rushers across the league.