- Chris Jones unsurprisingly leads the best way: The future first-ballot Hall of Famer was the league’s highest-graded inside defender this previous season and is exhibiting no indicators of slowing down.
- Cam Heyward, the ageless marvel: The now-36-year-old continues to supply at an elite degree for the Steelers’ protection line, coming in at No. 3 on this record.
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Estimated Reading Time: 11 minutes
With so many alternative schemes and fronts deployed within the NFL, it’s enjoyable to have a look at which gamers who line up on the inside — which may be something from a 4i defensive finish to a 0-technique nostril sort out — fare towards each other.
Here are our high 32 inside defenders heading into the 2025 season. Be positive to take a look at all of PFF’s 2025 NFL pre-season rankings (QB, WR, RB, TE, EDGE, LB).
1. CHRIS JONES, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
What extra is there to say about Chris Jones? The future first-ballot Hall of Famer was as soon as once more the highest-graded inside defender within the NFL in 2024 (90.2). That makes it 88.0-plus marks in seven of his 9 NFL seasons. His 1.69 PFF WAR over the previous three years is by far essentially the most amongst inside defenders.
2. DEXTER LAWRENCE, NEW YORK GIANTS
Lawrence logged solely 550 snaps in 2024 as a consequence of some missed time, however he recorded an 89.0-plus PFF total grade (89.9) for the third season in a row. His 1.07 PFF WAR over the previous three years sits behind solely Chris Jones on the place.
Dexter Lawrence’s Career PFF Grades
3. CAM HEYWARD, PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Even at 35 years outdated, Heyward was stellar in 2024. His 90.1 single-season PFF total grade ranked second solely to Chris Jones. His 85.9 PFF pass-rush grade was one of the best mark of his profession, too.
4. QUINNEN WILLIAMS, NEW YORK JETS
Williams’ manufacturing took a dip in 2024, as was the case for the Jets on the whole, resulting in a 69.6 PFF total grade. He nonetheless ranks fifth amongst inside defenders in complete PFF WAR (0.87) over the previous three years (fourth when you don’t rely Aaron Donald).
5. JALEN CARTER, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Carter’s 73.3 PFF total grade from 2024 doesn’t soar out, however his 84.4 and 84.6 PFF pass-rush grades in every of the previous two seasons with 125 complete pressures definitely do. He’s not as well-rounded in run protection but, however he’s already a game-wrecking go rusher.
6. LEONARD WILLIAMS, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Williams had a unbelievable 2024 season. He recorded the fifth-highest PFF total grade amongst inside defenders (87.1) with 55 quarterback pressures. That 87.1 mark was the best single-season PFF total grade of his profession.
7. DERRICK BROWN, CAROLINA PANTHERS
Brown performed simply 60 snaps final season, struggling a meniscus harm in Week 1. But he’s nonetheless probably the most proficient inside defenders within the league, evidenced by his elite 90.1 PFF total grade in 2023.
8. DEFOREST BUCKNER, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Buckner was as soon as once more a top-10 inside defender in PFF total grade (81.7) in 2024. He additionally locations sixth on the place with 0.85 PFF WAR over the previous three seasons. Just one in every of Buckner’s previous eight seasons has yielded a PFF total grade under 79.0.
9. JEFFERY SIMMONS, TENNESSEE TITANS
Simmons’ 80.0 PFF total grade in 2024 ranked ninth amongst inside defenders. His 81.6 PFF pass-rush grade was a profession excessive, and he tallied 45 quarterback pressures — together with 5 sacks — to energy it.
10. CHRISTIAN WILKINS, LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
Wilkins was Las Vegas’ high-priced free-agent addition alongside the line of defense final offseason, however he performed simply 246 snaps in 2024. Still, his 0.68 PFF WAR over the previous three years ranks eleventh greatest amongst inside defenders.
Wilkins has earned PFF run-defense grades above 78.0 in three of his previous 4 seasons.
11. VITA VEA, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
The Buccaneers’ large man within the center won’t have the stats of different high defensive tackles, however his presence alone is that of a top-12 inside defender. His 65.3 PFF run-defense grade in 2024 was close to a profession low, and why he isn’t greater on this record, however he recorded a 72.0-plus PFF pass-rush grade for the seventh straight season.
12. NNAMDI MADUBUIKE, BALTIMORE RAVENS
Madubuike posted only a 69.1 PFF total grade in 2024 however earned a career-high 79.6 PFF pass-rush grade in 2023 with 78 complete tackles, 15 sacks and 43 quarterback hurries.
13. ALIM McNEILL, DETROIT LIONS
McNeill’s 0.56 PFF WAR over the previous three seasons ranks sixteenth amongst inside defenders. His 70.6 PFF total grade in 2024 was a top-10 on the place, and he recorded a PFF pass-rush grade above 77.0 for the second 12 months in a row.
14. MILTON WILLIAMS, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Williams is coming off an impactful 2024 marketing campaign wherein his presence on the Eagles’ line of defense was a catalyst for his or her Super Bowl run. His 91.7 PFF pass-rush grade final season ranked first amongst inside defenders, however his 41.0 PFF run-defense grade positioned 181st. His pass-rushing chops received him paid this offseason, and he ought to proceed to show that capability at a excessive degree.
15. POONA FORD, LOS ANGELES RAMS
Ford didn’t crack PFF’s high inside defenders record final season, however he jumps all the best way into the highest 15 forward of the 2025 marketing campaign. His 85.3 PFF total grade in 2024 ranked fifth amongst inside defenders.
Ford has been beginning defensive sort out all through his profession, however he appeared to place all of it collectively as a run defender and a go rusher this previous season.
16. CALAIS CAMPBELL, ARIZONA CARDINALS
Campbell is actually ageless. His 85.9 PFF run-defense grade, earned at 37 years outdated, was one of the best mark within the league amongst inside defenders. He has additionally recorded single-season PFF total grades above 75.0 for 13 straight years. His 82.9 mark final season was his highest since 2019.
17. KOBIE TURNER, LOS ANGELES RAMS
Turner adopted up a unbelievable rookie season with a strong Year 2. His 74.8 PFF total grade was good for eleventh amongst inside defenders, and his grade as a run defender improved from 68.8 to 74.8. He recorded 9 sacks in 2023 and eight in 2024.
18. JOHN FRANKLIN-MYERS, DENVER BRONCOS
Over the previous three seasons, Franklin-Myers’ 0.65 PFF WAR ranks thirteenth amongst inside defenders. His 78.3 PFF total grade in 2024 additionally positioned thirteenth on the place, and he generated a career-high 82.9 PFF pass-rush grade.
19. ED OLIVER, BUFFALO BILLS
Oliver continued to win as a go rusher on his technique to a 78.6 PFF pass-rush grade in 2024, however the smaller-sized inside participant as soon as once more struggled in run protection (50.4) and tackling (31.4). It was his second 12 months in a row of a career-high PFF pass-rush grade however close to career-low PFF grades in run protection and tackling.
20. ZACH ALLEN, DENVER BRONCOS
Allen was an iron man final season, enjoying 1,031 snaps in simply 17 video games. The Eagles’ Jalen Carter was the one defensive sort out who logged extra, however he had three additional video games to take action.
Allen’s 64.9 PFF total grade was low, however his 73.6 PFF pass-rush grade and 81 quarterback pressures communicate for themselves. He was additionally fairly versatile, logging 287 snaps at defensive sort out, 262 at proper defensive finish and 451 at left defensive finish (ends in Denver’s entrance are extra inside gamers because of the 3-4 alignment).
Zach Allen’s 2024 PFF Game Grades
21. ZACH SIELER, MIAMI DOLPHINS
Sieler loved yet one more profitable season in 2024. He performed 749 snaps — the fifteenth most amongst inside defenders — and earned a 78.9 PFF total grade, which positioned eleventh. He has additionally recorded 10 sacks in every of the previous two seasons.
22. D.J. READER, DETROIT LIONS
Reader is understood for being a boulder in the course of a defensive entrance. He garnered PFF run-defense grades above 70.0 for 3 straight seasons previous to 2024. But in his first 12 months in Detroit, his low numbers mirrored these of his first season in Cincinnati 4 seasons in the past. Perhaps a second 12 months within the system is all he must get again to type.
23. ARIK ARMSTEAD, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Armstead has moved from inside defender to edge defender all through his profession, however he plans to maneuver again inside in 2025 and be an “elite participant” as soon as once more. He’s not flawed, as he did publish a near-elite single-season PFF total grade (89.6) in 2019. He recorded simply 36 quarterback pressures final season, however that would have very nicely stemmed from enjoying out of place.
24. GROVER STEWART, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Stewart recorded the Seventeenth-highest single-season PFF total grade amongst inside defenders final season (76.1). His 78.7 PFF run-defense grade additionally ranked seventh on the place. Though he’s one-dimensional, Stewart is superb at what he does greatest.
25. OSA ODIGHIZUWA, DALLAS COWBOYS
Odighizuwa struggled in run protection final 12 months en path to a 50.8 PFF run-defense grade, however your complete Cowboys protection adopted go well with, so maybe it got here all the way down to teaching. He did earn a 78.0-plus PFF pass-rush grade for the second season in a row.
26. T’VONDRE SWEAT, TENNESSEE TITANS
Sweat had an impactful rookie marketing campaign and is poised to proceed that good play in his second season. The 365-pounder earned a 75.0 PFF run-defense grade, rating tenth amongst inside defenders. His lowest categorical grade was 64.1 in go rush.
27. BYRON MURPHY II, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Murphy’s inclusion on this record is extra about projecting a giant leap in his second season. He handled accidents final 12 months and recorded only a 57.8 PFF total grade, however he earned an elite 91.1 mark with a 91.5 PFF pass-rush grade in his remaining 12 months at Texas in 2023. That model of him ought to present up extra in 2025.
28. JORDAN DAVIS, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Davis earned a single-season PFF total grade between 70.0-72.0 (71.0) for the third straight season. The large nostril sort out truly graded higher as a go rusher (73.3) than a run defender (58.0) in 2024.
29. JONATHAN ALLEN, MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Allen is getting up there in age, now 30 years outdated, and might be settling in with a brand new group in 2025. But he ought to nonetheless be a robust veteran presence for the Vikings.
His 56.0 PFF total grade final season was a profession low, however he additionally earned a 68.5 PFF pass-rush grade and is just two years faraway from back-to-back single-season grades within the 80.0 vary.
30. JAVON HARGRAVE, MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Like Jonathan Allen, Hargrave will don new threads this season. Also much like Allen, he’s coming off a career-low 60.6 PFF total grade. But his 73.3 PFF pass-rush grade hopefully hints that there’s nonetheless an impression function for him to play on the Vikings’ line of defense. Hargrave recorded PFF pass-rush grades above 82.0 in every of the earlier 4 seasons.
Javon Hargrave’s Career PFF Grades
31. KEEANU BENTON, PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Benton’s 69.5 PFF total grade in 2024 positioned thirty sixth amongst inside defenders. He put collectively three video games with 85.0-plus PFF total grades. While his 76.8 PFF pass-rush grade was barely decrease than that of his rookie season, he recorded almost the identical variety of pressures (23 in comparison with 24).
32. MORO OJOMO, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Ojomo was piece of the puzzle for an Eagles’ line of defense that helped seize a Super Bowl this previous season. He earned a 70.4 PFF total grade with an 82.4 PFF pass-rush grade. Ojomo didn’t document a sack, however he did log 39 pressures.