Gross Bombs: NFL Props for Week 16
Josh Gross
These are my top edge rushers heading into 2022. This is broken into two tiers — the majority being the top 15 edge rushers in today’s game, and the last five guys being veterans that can still make an impact.
Remember that these rankings are geared toward their actual skill as football players, not their role as fantasy football or IDP assets.
(Check out my other player rankings so far: Quarterback | Cornerback | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends | Running Backs | more to come!)
1. T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers
The top three on this list aren’t particularly close in my opinion. The leader of this list as it stands right now has to go to T.J. Watt. While he does benefit from being in one of the best defensive schemes in football historically, Watt is easily the most impactful and productive edge rusher. Last year he tied the single-season sack record at 22.5 sacks, and he also added 21 tackles for a loss. He also was a force at creating opportunities as he compiled 5 forced fumbles. What makes Watt special in my eyes is his motor. He simply does not show any signs of fatigue when he is on the field and is relentless when it comes to setting the edge and getting into the backfield.
2. Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
Myles Garrett is the freak athlete that every coach dreams about at the edge spot. Daunting size and strength, excellent get off, and excellent bend to get around tackles. Garrett simply has it all. While he may not have led the league in sacks like his counterpart, Watt, he was second and had 78 pressures included, according to PFF. With the production of Jadeveon Clowney on the other side of the defense, Garrett should have another spectacular season in a loaded AFC North.
3. Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys
Micah Parsons exploded on the scene last year as a rookie, and while his position was a little undefined in the beginning, his play made it clear that he is a force as an edge presence. He is another example of freak athleticism and pure speed being the key to getting into the backfield. He had 14 sacks and while edge is more so about stopping the run and getting to the QB, it can’t be understated that Parson’s played solid in coverage, only allowing an 80.9 passer rating when targeted.
4. Joey Bosa, Los Angeles Chargers
Barring injury, Joey Bosa will continue to be one of the most dominant edge players in the AFC. He has been a monster at getting to the QB, having double-digit sacks in all but two seasons of his career. Add in the fact that he is also effective at creating turnovers (6 forced fumbles) and you see why Bosa is so productive.
5. Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers
Khalil Mack is still very dominant and now he will be able to partner with Joey Bosa and get some more one-on-one matchups to exploit. While he has battled some injuries in years past, when healthy, Mack has elite speed and strength that allows him to set guys up with a speed rush and then eventually bull rush them over when they are anticipating a speed move. He has had double-digit sacks in every season but two in his career including one year where he led the league at 16 sacks.
6. Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders
What a year it was for Maxx Crosby. He finished with 10 sacks last year and over 100 pressures and 70-plus hurries, according to PFF. A true breakout year. Now he has help with the addition of Chandler Jones. Crosby does his job by having an above-average motor and speed at the blocking point that can force opposing tackles to over set and allow him to change directions quickly to win matchups. He should get more 1 on 1 opportunities this year and I expect him to capitalize on them.
7. Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers
The other Bosa brother is in the same tier as his brother. Nick Bosa is very similar to his brother. While I think Joey is very good, Nick possesses a little bit more athleticism and explosive strength in his pass rush game. He had 16 sacks last year and 75 pressures to go with it and he also forced 4 fumbles. While sometimes he battles the injury bug, Bosa is easily one of the most dominant edge players in recent history.
8. Rashan Gary, Green Bay Packers
Rashan Gary has steadily improved throughout his young career to the point where is Green Bay’s new main pass rush threat. With the departure of Za’Darius Smith, The Michigan backer steps in and will look to continue his impact. He had 10 sacks last season on 81 pressures which compiled to an 88.9 pass rush grade according to PFF. Gary will look to build on a solid start to his career next year in a fairly loaded Green Bay defense.
9. Cameron Jordan, New Orleans Saints
Besides his rookie year, Cameron Jordan has never had a season under 8 sacks. That spans all the way to 2011. Despite his age, he clearly is still one of the best edge players in the NFL. He is still a force in the run game as well and will be one of the main keys to a successful defensive campaign in New Orleans.
10. Haason Reddick, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia got one of the hottest defenders in the league in the Haason Reddick signing. He is coming off back-to-back double-digit sack seasons in which he finished in the top six of all rushers. He is also going into an Eagles defense that has a pretty loaded front seven and a particularly good three-man and four-man front. It seems that Reddick is set up to have a monster statistical year and with his steady progression since entering the league in 2017, I am not surprised by it at all.
11. Danielle Hunter, Minnesota Vikings
Danielle Hunter is an interesting player to study because everything about him screams a top 5-8 pass rusher in the league, everything except his health. Since 2015, Hunter has posted three seasons of 13-plus sacks with two of those seasons having 15. With that said, Hunter missed all of 2020 with a disc injury in his back and then started off well in 2021 before going out after six games with a torn pec muscle. Needless to say, Hunter has to stay healthy and if so, expect a good year for him and the Vikings defense.
12. Brian Burns, Carolina Panthers
Brian Burns is a player that flashes potential and easily is one of the steadiest pass rushers in the league when at his best. In his three-year career, he has averaged 9 sacks a season. While he has not been historically good in the run game as an edge presence, his potential and athleticism make him a breakout candidate for an improving Panthers front seven.
13. Za’Darius Smith, Minnesota Vikings
Za’Darius Smith battled injuries last year and was going through a few over the summer, which has hampered his ability to impact the game. Prior to his 2021 season of missed games, Smith was building a fine career to the tune of three straight seasons of double-digit sacks. While he may not be quite the run stopper you’d want in an edge player, he still is steady in that aspect of the game and his pass-rushing ability superseded it when healthy. Seems as though the Vikings are relying on a healthy season from both Smith and Hunter to have one of the top rushing combos in the NFL.
14. Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals
After leaving New Orleans, it wasn’t clear Trey Hendrickson would figure it out in the NFL. His last two seasons in Cincinnati proved everyone wrong though. 14 sacks in 2020 (second in the NFL) and 16 in 2021 showcased that Hendrickson has a unique ability to rush the passer and finish plays. He may be a little stiff and isn’t as athletic as some of the players above, but he is very quick at the contact point, and he is strong as well. Hendrickson provides value more so as a pure pass rusher rather than a first- and second-down run stopper. He will come into 2022 looking to get another year of great production and a possible Super Bowl run as well.
15. Chase Young, Washington Commanders
Chase Young comes in early on this list because again, it cannot be understated how much size, speed and athleticism plays a part in being able to evade offensive lineman. While injuries robbed Young in the past, when healthy, he brings an added validity to the Commanders defensive front. He has the potential to be one of the best pass rushers and I think if he has a full season this year, we will see it.
5 Veterans Who Still Have an Impact
These are my top five impact veterans who will provide value to their respective clubs and still have something left in the tank in terms of production.
Von Miller, Buffalo Bills
Von Miller and Aaron Donald made probably the biggest impact in the Super Bowl last year, with Miller routinely being too much on the edge for the Bengals’ offensive line. Now he will be looking to channel the same magic for the Bills, another Super Bowl favorite. While he may not be the 15-sack Von Miller he was when entering the league, he can still pressure and give you production (9 sacks in his last two healthy seasons).
Chandler Jones, Las Vegas Raiders
Chandler Jones started off last season with a bang, with 5 sacks in the first game against Tennessee. He cooled down as the season continued, only getting 6 more sacks in the next 16 games. His days as a main pass-rush threat may be behind him, but he will come to the Raiders on the other side of Maxx Crosby and look to help him take another leap in 2022.
Jadeveon Clowney, Cleveland Browns
Jadeveon Clowney became a very reliable option in Cleveland. He seems to work best with help on his other side and with Myles Garrett there, he was able to get double-digit sacks for the first time in his career and continued to be one of the best players in the run game at the edge position. Assuming health, an improved defense should see Clowney continue his revitalized play.
Melvin Ingram, Miami Dolphins
Melvin Ingram provides experience and steady production. While he isn’t a consistent double-digit sack guy, he still can get to the QB a good amount (at least 70 pressures in two of the last four seasons) and can finish the play. He may not give you 10 sacks but with help on the other side, you can expect a solid contribution and solid run defense as well.
J.J. Watt, Arizona Cardinals
Without a double-digit sack season since 2018, J.J. Watt has basically been reduced to a role player on the Cardinals. Injuries have derailed his career, and while he may have been a hot topic a few years ago in free agency, he has not lived up to the money that he has received. His ability and skill are undebatable, but the question will be, can he stay healthy and help stabilize the Cardinals defensive front this year?
