- The Browns’ dominant start to the season: Myles Garrett and Maliek Collins both boast 90.4 overall grades, while Isaiah McGuire has held his own opposite Garrett (78.8). Rookie Mason Graham leads the unit in snaps and has flashed the potential that made him the fifth overall pick, even if consistency is still developing.
- The Packers' pass rush has been transformed: Devonte Wyatt leads the team with 12 pressures, closely followed by Micah Parsons with 11. With Rashan Gary (9) and Lukas Van Ness (6) also contributing, this group is creating consistent disruption.
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Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes
The defensive line is the heart of any successful defense, tasked with both disrupting the opposing quarterback with a pass rush and shutting down rushing attacks at the line of scrimmage.
Elite defensive lines can change the course of a game by applying pressure, forcing hurried throws and creating turnovers while also stifling run plays to control the tempo.
This season, we will monitor NFL defensive line play all season long. Unlike our offensive line rankings, which in some cases consider previous-season rankings, these rankings will be based purely on 2025 play.
A staple atop the rankings last season, the Cleveland Browns defensive line reclaims the No. 1 spot, led by the dominant tandem of Myles Garrett and Maliek Collins. These rankings are likely to fluctuate throughout the opening weeks before stabilizing as the season progresses into October.
Here are the highlights for the top defensive lines in Week 2 of the 2025 season.
| Rank | Last Week | Team | PFF Grade | Top-graded Player | Move |
| 1 | 6 | Cleveland Browns | 86.9 | Myles Garrett | 5 |
| 2 | 13 | Buffalo Bills | 78.8 | Ed Oliver | 11 |
| 3 | 3 | Los Angeles Rams | 77.8 | Byron Young | 0 |
| 4 | 4 | Baltimore Ravens | 74.4 | Nnamdi Madubuike | 0 |
| 5 | 1 | Washington Commanders | 73.9 | Eddie Goldman | -4 |
| 6 | 11 | New York Giants | 73.8 | Dexter Lawrence | 5 |
| 7 | 12 | Philadelphia Eagles | 73.3 | Joshua Uche | 5 |
| 8 | 9 | New England Patriots | 73.2 | Khyiris Tonga | 1 |
| 9 | 2 | Houston Texans | 72.5 | Danielle Hunter | -7 |
| 10 | 16 | Seattle Seahawks | 71.9 | Leonard Williams | 6 |
| 11 | 14 | Green Bay Packers | 71.3 | Micah Parsons | 3 |
| 12 | 21 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 68.6 | T.J. Watt | 9 |
| 13 | 10 | Denver Broncos | 67.9 | Nik Bonitto | -3 |
| 14 | 25 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 67.7 | Josh Hines-Allen | 11 |
| 15 | 17 | Arizona Cardinals | 67.2 | Zaven Collins | 2 |
| 16 | 15 | San Francisco 49ers | 66.8 | Nick Bosa | -1 |
| 17 | 24 | Detroit Lions | 66.6 | Al-Quadin Muhammad | 7 |
| 18 | 28 | Dallas Cowboys | 66.3 | Osa Odighizuwa | 10 |
| 19 | 5 | Cincinnati Bengals | 66 | Trey Hendrickson | -14 |
| 20 | 23 | Atlanta Falcons | 63.4 | Zach Harrison | 3 |
| 21 | 22 | Carolina Panthers | 63 | Derrick Brown | 1 |
| 22 | 8 | New York Jets | 61.7 | Quinnen Williams | -14 |
| 23 | 7 | Indianapolis Colts | 61.6 | Laiatu Latu | -16 |
| 24 | 26 | Los Angeles Chargers | 61.4 | Teair Tart | 2 |
| 25 | 20 | Las Vegas Raiders | 60.8 | Maxx Crosby | -5 |
| 26 | 30 | Chicago Bears | 57.9 | Montez Sweat | 4 |
| 27 | 29 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 57.9 | Haason Reddick | 2 |
| 28 | 19 | New Orleans Saints | 56.4 | Chris Rumph II | -9 |
| 29 | 27 | Tennessee Titans | 55.7 | Jihad Ward | -2 |
| 30 | 18 | Minnesota Vikings | 51.7 | Levi Drake Rodriguez | -12 |
| 31 | 32 | Miami Dolphins | 48.2 | Matthew Butler | 1 |
| 32 | 31 | Kansas City Chiefs | 43.5 | Chris Jones | -1 |
Week 2 Highlights
Best defensive line: Cleveland Browns
The Browns may be 0-2, but their defensive line has been anything but the problem. Through two games against division rivals, the unit has dominated, led by Maliek Collins and his 92.6 overall grade. Cleveland gave Baltimore’s offensive line fits all afternoon despite the lopsided final score. Myles Garrett delivered his usual impact and put up a 91.1 overall grade, while undrafted rookie Adin Huntingdon impressed with an 85.5 mark.
Best pass-rush unit: Buffalo Bills
While the Bills’ defensive line delivered a strong collective performance, it was Joey Bosa who stole the show. Bosa racked up seven total pressures, including a sack and two forced fumbles, on his way to a dominant 96.7 pass-rushing grade. Greg Rousseau (73.3) and DaQuan Jones (72.1) also chipped in with solid efforts, helping to keep Justin Fields out of rhythm throughout the game.
Best run-defense unit: Cleveland Browns
Cleveland held Baltimore’s typically potent rushing attack to -0.369 EPA per rush and just a 20% success rate on 20 designed runs. Rookie first-rounder Mason Graham contributed three run stops, including two at or behind the line of scrimmage. Myles Garrett led the way with a 78.8 run-defense grade, tallying a tackle for loss without receiving any downgrades in the run game.
Most pressures: Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals defensive line took full advantage of Bryce Young’s 59 dropbacks, racking up 32 total pressures and a 40.7% pressure rate. Zaven Collins and Baron Browning led the charge with eight pressures each, while Josh Sweat (six) and Calais Campbell (five) also got in on the action. All four defenders earned pass-rushing grades of 68.9 or better, with Browning pacing the group at 80.5.
Most Run Stops: Denver Broncos
The Broncos’ defensive line dominated against the Colts on Sunday, racking up 15 run stops. Zach Allen led the charge with four, while Eyioma Uwazurike added three of his own. Allen posted a team-high 78.4 run-defense grade, earning just one downgrade across 26 run defense snaps.
Season Highlights
Best defensive line: Cleveland Browns
The Browns’ dominant start to the season has vaulted them to the top of the defensive line rankings. Myles Garrett and Maliek Collins both boast 90.4 overall grades, while Isaiah McGuire has held his own opposite Garrett, at 78.8. Rookie Mason Graham leads the unit in snaps and has flashed the potential that made him the fifth overall pick, even if consistency is still developing. If this group stays disruptive, it could be the driving force behind several Cleveland wins this season.
Best pass-rush unit: Houston Texans
The Texans remain atop the team pass-rush grade rankings, anchored by Danielle Hunter (90.8) and Will Anderson Jr. (89.0). Anderson leads the way with a dominant 28.8% pass-rush win rate, while Hunter’s 22.4% also ranks among the league’s elite. Houston could pace the NFL all season with this two-headed monster, though improved contributions from the rest of the unit — including Derek Barnett (67.9) and Sheldon Rankins (66.2) — would help solidify their standing.
Best run-defense unit: Cleveland Browns
The Browns’ run defense has been suffocating, allowing just 91 rushing yards, with 111 of those coming after contact. Myles Garrett leads the unit with an 81.5 run-defense grade and three tackles for loss, while rookie Mason Graham has a team-high four run stops. Four defenders hold run defense grades above 70.4, and as a unit, Cleveland is allowing a minuscule -0.317 EPA per rush with just a 30% success rate.
Most pressures: Green Bay Packers
Adding the second-best pass rusher in the NFL has transformed the Packers’ defense — particularly along the defensive line. Devonte Wyatt leads the team with 12 pressures, closely followed by Micah Parsons with 11. With Rashan Gary (9) and Lukas Van Ness (6) also contributing, this group is creating consistent disruption. Wyatt’s 12 pressures are the most he’s ever recorded in a two-game stretch.
Most Run Stops: Denver Broncos & Pittsburgh Steelers
The Broncos and Steelers are tied for the league lead with 22 run stops through two weeks, though Denver holds the edge in run stop percentage, having faced 16 fewer rushing snaps. The Broncos are paced by Nik Bonitto, Zach Allen and Eyioma Uwazurike, who have each tallied four run stops.
For Pittsburgh, T.J. Watt leads the way with five, while Alex Highsmith and Cameron Heyward have contributed four apiece.
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