By Next up in my NFL defense power ranking; teams 28 through 25. Not quite the worst, but still a liability for the team moving forward. These units have the potential to be average this season, but after a poor 2020, optimism should realistically be muted.
28. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars finished with the second-worst defense in scoring and yards in 2020, behind only the Lions in both categories. They did make notable additions in the offseason, bolstering their secondary through free agents Shaquill Griffin and Rayshawn Jenkins, as well as early draft picks Tyson Campbell and Andre Cisco. If recent 1st round picks CB CJ Henderson and pass rushers K’Lavon Chaisson and Josh Allen can live up to their potential this year, Jacksonville’s pass defense should be much improved.
The Jaguars’ linebacker core is their strength, with tackle machine Joe Schobert and the rangy Myles Jack bookended by the aforementioned Allen and Chaisson. The latter two have 10+ sack potential in 2021. Their defensive line, however, is below average.
While Jacksonville’s defense doesn’t look awful on paper, I simply couldn’t rank them any higher after how they performed in 2020. With expected improvements from young players, however, they are more likely to outperform this NFL defense power ranking than underperform, especially with top pick Trevor Lawrence most likely keeping them off the field longer this year.
27. Cincinnati Bengals
This is another team that’s defense may play better this season due to QB play, although this time the key is keeping their QB healthy, rather than upgrading the position. If Burrow and RB Joe Mixon can stay healthy, look for the Bengals to allow less yards and points as a result.
PFF’s top rated S from 2020, Bates might be the most underrated player in the NFL. Many casual fans have never heard his name, but his play recognition and range from the deep safety position is absurd. He makes up for a severe lack of playmaking ability from Cincinnati’s LB core, as Logan Wilson, Germaine Pratt and Akeem Davis-Gaither may be the league’s worst group at that position.
CBs Chidobe Awuzie and Trae Waynes are nothing to write home about, but Mike Hilton should at least shore up the Bengals’ coverage from the slot, as he was a playmaker in that role for division rival Pittsburgh last season. A healthy season from nose tackle DJ Reader would make a world of difference for the Bengals’ run defense after he went down shortly before Burrow in 2020.
Finally, new DEs Trey Hendrickson — who the Bengals signed in free agency after finishing 2nd in the NFL with 13.5 sacks — and rookie Joseph Assai should lead to improvement for a team who ranked dead last in sacks last season.
26. New York Jets
New coach Robert Saleh, who I considered the best DC in the NFL last season, should be a drastic improvement for the Jets defense. What he was able to do with the 49ers last season despite an apocalyptic wave of injuries was nothing short of a miracle. While the Jets did not draft any defensive players until the 5th round, they did add make significant additions at all three levels.
Unheralded DE Carl Lawson has been solid, if not above-average, since entering the league in 2017 and Sheldon Rankins is a proven run-stuffer. Adding these players to start alongside breakout star Quinnen Williams and Vinny Curry gives the Jets significant improvement up front.
At LB, New York poached Jarrad Davis from the Lions, and if CJ Mosley returning from opting out can return to form, the Jets could be set here as well. While their cornerbacks are still a serious weak spot, New York drafted several safeties in addition to adding Lamarcus Joyner in free agency, so this group can’t be worse than last season… right? At least they have Marcus Maye, who, while he may not be with the Jets next season, is a playmaker at the second level.
25. Dallas Cowboys
I really wanted to rank the Cowboys lower in my NFL defense power ranking, but after drafting defensive players with their first 6 picks, they really can’t be any worse than they were last year, when they finished ahead of only the Texans in terms of run defense, allowing over 150 yards a game on the ground. To make matters worse, they allowed the 5th most points in the league.
Jerry Jones and Co. clearly went into the offseason prioritizing fixing this side of the ball. They added mostly role players in free agency with the exception of Keanu Neal, who is a thumper as a LB/S hybrid. Of course, drafting Micah Parson, arguably the top defensive prospect in the draft, should provide an immediate boost to a LB core, that, despite top-40 draft capital being used on Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch, hasn’t played up to expectations.
Demarcus Lawrence is still an effective pass rusher after 7 NFL seasons, and while not recording the same sack production as earlier in his career, is still playing at a high level. His decline in production is more due to the play surrounding him than any lost step on his part. On the other side of the line, Randy Gregory has flashed dominance in the past. If he can put it all together this year, look out.
However, the Cowboys are still vulnerable up the gut. Having a great LB core is all well and good, but if Dallas’ defensive tackles can’t keep their lineman clean from blocks, it won’t matter. Their back end is also still a weakness, with all 4 projected starters coming in at below-average for their position. While they should have better depth this year, unless Parsons can turn things around single-handedly, Dak and the offense may need to carry the team yet again.
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