:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45724610/usa-today-8301133.0.jpg)
Ranking defensive players is tough, mainly because of the 3-4/4-3 defensive formations. A DE in a 4-3 would well be a OLB in a 3-4, so when ranking them, where do you put them? It's a pretty tough job to do. I've done my best with the rankings before but if you have any questions regarding where a player fits in an NFL defensive scheme just pop it in the comments. As with the offensive article, I'll be responding to every single question, so feel free to ask away.
| Ranking | Defensive Tackle | Defensive End | Inside Linebacker | Outside Linebacker | Cornerback | Safety |
| #1 | Danny Shelton | Leonard Williams | Denzel Perryman | Shane Ray | Trae Waynes | Landon Collins |
| #2 | Eddie Goldman | Arik Armstead | Benardrick McKinney | Randy Gregory | Marcus Peters | Derron Smith |
| #3 | Malcolm Brown | Owamaybe Odighizuwa | Eric Kendricks | Dante Fowler Jr | Jalen Collins | Eric Rowe |
| #4 | Jordan Phillips | Preston Smith | Paul Dawson | Vic Beasley | Kevin Johnson | Anthony Harris |
| #5 | Carl Davis | Henry Anderson | Stephone Anthony | Nate Orchard | P.J Williams | Jaquiski Tartt |
| #6 | Michael Bennett | Trey Flowers | Taiwan Jones | Danielle Hunter | Quinten Rollins | Cody Prewitt |
| #7 | Gabe Wright | Mario Endwards Jr | Hayes Pullard | Geneo Grissom | Ifo Ekpre-Olomu | Adrian Amos |
| #8 | Marcus Hardison | Za'Darius Smith | Jordan Hicks | Markus Golden | Ronald Darby | Clayton Geathers |
| #9 | Xavier Williams | Corey Crawford | Ramik Wilson | Obum Gwacham | Ladarius Gunter | Kurtis Drummond |
| #10 | Tyeler Davison | Cedric Reed | Ben Heeney | C.J Olaniyan | Senquez Golson | Gerod Holliman |
I had some real trouble with the rankings for the defensive players, especially deciding between placing people in the DE or the OLB category. Regardless, here are my rankings. You'll notice I put Rowe as a top rated safety, that's because I think he should move there and if he did, he'd have success. Any further questions on the rankings, pop me a question below.