Ranking NFC East Starters: Edge Rushers
Ranking NFC East Starters: Edge Rushers
It’s important to compare the Philadelphia Eagles to their division rivals, as those teams will be their main competition for a playoff spot. This series will compare the starting rosters of the four NFC East teams, continuing with edge rushers.
1. Demarcus Lawrence, Dallas Cowboys
A second-round pick for the Cowboys in 2014, it took Lawrence until the end of his rookie contract to truly breakout. Seemingly out of nowhere, he racked up 6.5 sacks in the month of September 2017 en route to a 14.5 sack season and a second-team All-Pro nod. Dallas wasn’t convinced that Lawrence could repeat such a randomly spectacular season, so he played under the franchise tag and posted another stellar season, forcing Jerry Jones to empty his pockets. He added another 10.5 sacks and 23 QB hits while playing with a torn labrum and played himself into a $105 million dollar contract.
2. Brandon Graham, Philadelphia Eagles
His sack totals have never matched his impact, but Graham is a top-tier pass rusher in the National Football League. He’s always in the backfield ruining plays even when he isn’t credited with the tackle. While the Eagles would love to see him turn his high amount of pressures into sacks, his low number of takedowns may have helped the Eagles bring him back. He was expected to venture into free agency and receive some of the absurdly high amounts of money being thrown at edge defenders, but Philadelphia kept him in town at a bargain price of just over $13 million a season. Graham doubles as an elite run defender, a staple on a team that was first against the rush in 2017 and seventh in 2018.
3. Ryan Kerrigan, Washington Redskins
Kerrigan has been a stout edge rusher ever since Washington selected him in the first round of the 2011 draft. His name is never mentioned among the NFL’s best pass rushers, but his numbers measure up just fine with them. He recorded his fourth season with double-digit sacks in 2018, bringing his career total to 84.5. He has the second-most sacks in Redskins history. If he played for a more high profile or successful team, he’d be widely considered one of the top pass rushers in football.
4. Matt Ioannidis, Washington Redskins
Ioannidis has emerged as a solid complement to Kerrigan, and the Redskins acknowledged it with a three year, $21.75 million extension. His sack totals have risen in each of his three years, peaking at 7.5 this past season. Him, Kerrigan, and new draftee Montez Sweat will make quite a trio in D.C.
5. Derek Barnett, Philadelphia Eagles
Barnett’s career highlight to this point is his game-sealing fumble recovery in Super Bowl LII, but he has a chance to add many more. He’s shown loads of potential in his two years in the league and was well on his way to becoming a reliable starter on the right side for the Eagles before a season-ending injury hindered his progress. He recorded an above average grade from PFF in his limited time last season.
6. Robert Quinn, Dallas Cowboys
Quinn is far from the player who put up 19 sacks in 2013, but he’s still a starter in the NFL. The Cowboys, desperately needing help opposite of Lawrence, acquired him via trade after a mediocre stint with the Miami Dolphins. If he can recapture some of his early career magic, Dallas could boast a scary pass rushing duo.
7. Markus Golden, New York Giants
Golden placed third in the NFL in sacks in 2016 before injuries and a new scheme hounded his play over the past two seasons with Arizona. He says that he once again feels like himself, but it remains to be seen if he can return to form and be a productive edge rusher. He signed with New York in free agency and a fresh start may be exactly what he needs.
8. Kareem Martin, New York Giants
I’m using this spot to remind everyone that the New York Giants passed on Josh Allen to select Daniel Jones (who would’ve certainly been there when they selected again in the first round).
-By: Micah Jimoh