The play on the National Football League field continues to evolve as the landscape of the game continues to move from the traditional running style offenses to high prolific passing attacks and high scoring.

As teams look to slow this down around the NFL, the importance and value of defensive ends around the NFL continues to rise.

One of the NFL top defensive ends is Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers who is coming off a league high 18.5 sacks last season. As Bosa headlines the list of the Top 10 NFL Defensive Ends 2023 rankings list, the list includes a long list of great players.

While Bosa stands out among the best defensive ends, another top tier defensive end is the Cleveland Browns star defensive end Myles Garrett.

Garrett, who will be entering his seventh NFL season during the 2023 NFL season has posted at least 10 sacks in each of the last six seasons while finishing with 16 sacks in each of the past two seasons.

Joining Garret and Bosa among the best defensive ends include Max Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders, Brian Burns of the Carolina Panthers, and Brandon Graham of the Philadelphia Eagles. Here is a look at the Top 10 NFL Defensive Ends 2023 rankings list.

Honorable Mention

Montez Sweat

Team: Washington Commanders

2022 Stats: 27 Solo, 8 Sacks, 0 FF, 0 INT

Landing just outside of the Top 10 NFL Defensive Ends 2023 rankings list is the Washington Commanders edge rusher Montez Sweat.

Sweat was one of multiple talented defensive players on the Commanders team while putting together another strong season.

The former Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive end posted eight sacks during his fourth season in the NFL while also recording eight sacks, two passes defended and 46 total tackles. Sweat has posted at least seen sacks in three of his first four seasons in the NFL.

Greg Rousseau

Team: Buffalo Bills

2022 Stats: 27 Solo, 8 Sacks, 1 FF, 0 INT

One team that is loaded with talented players is the Buffalo Bills and one player that lands among that group is the former Miami Hurricanes defensive end Greg Rousseau.

Rousseau, who was asked to step up with the loss of Von Miller late during the 2022 NFL season played well for the Bills. The Bills defensive end who was drafted during the 1st round of the 2021 NFL Draft took a big stride forward after a solid rookie season.

Rousseau finished the season with one forced fumble, four passes defended, and 5.5 sacks. As Rousseau continues to develop his play among the top defensive ends will continue to rise. 

Top 10 Defensive Ends

10. Trey Hendrickson

Team: Cincinnati Bengals

2022 Stats: 22 Solo, 8 Sacks, 3 FF, 0 INT

Coming in at number 10 on the Top 10 NFL Defensive Ends 2023 rankings list is the Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson.

Hendrickson, who put together his best season of his career during the 2021 NFL season after posting a career high 14 sacks, took a small step back last season but still ranked among the best defensive ends in the NFL.

In 15 games last season Hendrickson recorded eight sacks marking the third straight season recording at least eight sacks to go along with 32 tackles and three forced fumbles.

9. Josh Sweat

Team: Philadelphia Eagles

2022 Stats: 31 Solo, 11 Sacks, 1 FF, 1 INT

Since being selected by the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2018 NFL Draft, Josh Sweat has taken strides forward in each NFL season since 2018 while recording his best performance last season.

Sweat, who was a key member of the Eagles defense that helped guide the team to the Super Bowl posted a career high 11 sacks last season to go along with a career high 48 tackles and nine stuffs.

Sweat is a tremendous talent who can play both against the pass and run while recording his first interception of his career during the 2022 NFL schedule.

8. Cameron Jordan

Team: New Orleans Saints

2022 Stats: 40 Solo, 8.5 Sacks, 2 FF, 0 INT

As the 2023 NFL season slowly approaches it is hard to not rank Cameron Jordan among the best players in the NFL. Jordan, who ranks as one of the older players on the list of the best defensive ends, is entering his 13th NFL season all with the New Orleans Saints.

Jordan has posted at least seven sacks in 11 of his first 12 seasons including posting 8.5 sacks last season while pushing his career total to 115.5 sacks. To go along with the sacks, Jordan posted 12.5 stuffs, two forced fumbles, and 66 tackles.

7. Dorance Armstrong

Team: Dallas Cowboys

2022 Stats: 17 Solo, 8.5 Sacks, 1 FF, 0 INT

One defensive player who goes unnoticed is the Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong while all eyes are focused on Micah Parsons.

Armstrong, who played his college football with the Kansas Jayhawks continues to develop into a premier pass rusher in the NFL at the defensive end position.

After posting five sacks during the 2021 NFL season, Armstrong increased his totals to 8.5 sacks last season while also adding two fumble recoveries and 3.5 sacks per game.

6. Brandon Graham

Team: Philadelphia Eagles

2022 Stats: 19 Solo, 11 Sacks, 2 FF, 0 INT

Father time hasn’t slowed down Brandon Graham of the Philadelphia Eagles after seeing the former Michigan Wolverines star post a career high 11 sacks during the 2022 NFL season. 

Graham, who was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles during the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft has spent his entire career with the Eagles.

Despite being 35 years old, Graham continues to play at a high level including posting one sack during the Eagles playoff run to the Super Bowl. Graham has the talent to continue to play at a high level on a very talented Eagles defense during the 2023 NFL season.

5. Maxx Crosby

Team: Las Vegas Raiders

2022 Stats: 58 Solo, 12.5 Sacks, 3 FF, 0 INT

Rounding out the top five defensive ends on the Top 10 NFL Defensive Ends 2023 rankings list is Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Since entering the NFL during the 2019 NFL Draft Crosby has ranked among the best defensive ends in the NFL. Crosby who posted 10 sacks during his rookie season has posted 37.5 sacks over his first four sacks of the season while being a premier player on the defensive side of the ball.

The Raiders defensive end who will turn 26 just before the start of the 2023 NFL continues to play with a high motor while being a menace for opposing quarterbacks each week.

4. Aidan Hutchinson

Team: Detroit Lions

2022 Stats: 34 Solo, 9.5 Sacks, 0 FF, 3 INT

One name that will continue to roll up the list of the best defensive ends is the Detroit Lions star Aidan Hutchinson. Hutchinson, who was selected with the second overall pick during the 2022 NFL Draft broke onto the NFL level at a high level in his first season.

The former Michigan Wolverines star finished his rookie season ranked tied for 20th in the NFL with 9.5 sacks while also adding 52 tackles and three interceptions.

Hutchinson displayed his athleticism all season long while also adding two fumble recoveries, three passes defended, and 6.5 stuffs while helping the Lions to compete for a playoff spot within the NFC conference.

3. Brian Burns

Team: Carolina Panthers

2022 Stats: 34 Solo, 12.5 Sacks, 1 FF, 0 INT

In at number three on the list of the best defensive ends in the NFL is the Carolina Panthers star defensive end Brian Burns. Burns, who was drafted during the 2019 NFL Draft has recorded 38 sacks over his first four seasons while posting a career high 12.5 sacks last season.

Burns, who will be entering his final season after securing his fifth-year rookie option, will look to add to his potential career pay day with another big season during the 2023 NFL season.

The Panthers star defenders’ play on the field yielded him becoming a second straight Pro Bowler during the 2022 NFL season.

2. Myles Garrett

Team: Cleveland Browns

2022 Stats: 37 Solo, 16 Sacks, 2 FF, 0 INT

When it comes to the top two players among the group of elite defensive ends in the NFL Myles Garrett is well worth consideration for the top overall spot while being grouped alongside Nick Bosa.

Garrett continues to be a force while making it nearly impossible for opposing lineman to slow him down. The Cleveland Browns star posted his fifth straight season with at least 10 sacks, while posting his second straight season with 16 sacks during the 2022 NFL season.

Over his first six seasons Garrett has posted 86 career sacks while ranking among the best pass rushers in the NFL. To go along with the 16 sacks last season, Garrett added 8.5 stuffs, four passes defended, and two forced fumbles. 

1. Nick Bosa

Team: San Francisco 49ers

2022 Stats: 41 Solo, 18.5 Sacks, 2 FF, 0 INT

In at number one on the Top 10 NFL Defensive Ends 2023 rankings list is the San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa. Bosa, who was a standout star with the Ohio State Buckeyes is coming off his second straight season posting at least 15.5 sacks while consistently finding his way into the opposing teams backfield.

In 2022, Bosa ranked among the best graded defensive ends according to the PFF while leading the NFL in sacks with 18.5 in just 16 games played. Bosa enters the 2023 NFL season ranked among the best defensive ends and pass rushers in the NFL.

How would you rank these NFL Defensive Ends going into the 2023-2024 NFL Season? Rank below to be added in the NFL Power Rankings.

Related Links:

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