Ranking the top 12 defensive lines in the NFL

[MDFINFAN]

Miami Dolphins: Ndamukong Suh, Mario Williams, Cameron Wake, Earl Mitchell, Jordan Phillips Can we start the backlash to the backlash to Suh's tenure in Miami? There still aren't many defensive tackles we'd take over the three-time first-team All-Pro. Still, there could be a big fall-off in performance after Suh.
This group of names would have been ranked No. 1 two seasons ago. Now no one knows if Williams still has the motor and the juice to be a top-level talent. Wake is one of the best pass rushers of his generation, but he's 34 years old and is coming off a torn Achilles tendon. His recent contract extension was a curious moment, the result of chronic salary-cap mismanagement in Miami.

And their ranked number: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000672152/article/ranking-the-top-12-defensive-lines-in-the-nfl


What do you think? ranked too high or too low?

 

[Travis34]

Too high if we are basing it from last year but this group has a really good shot of being good.

 

[fansinceGWilson]

First, I'd call it Suh, Williams, Phillips/Mitchell, Branch/Wake, with Branch being the starter. Clearly better in run D. Pass rush is more of a question. Assuming VJ let's the dogs loose, it depends on if Williams can get to '14 form (I think he will) and if Wake returns to '15 form (unknown) and stays healthy. If everything works out, it's a top 10 DL.

 

[russianbear]

flattering for us to be ranked top 10 after last years performance and the unknown level of contribution we'll get from wake, Williams, and Jordan phillips

 

[Ruckus45]

If Jordan Phillips can shine with double teams put on everybody else this unit can be a mismatch hell for OLs. The talent was there last year but coaching held it back. Since Wake appears to be superhuman and Williams is in a better scheme fit I would say this unit at 10 is about right. Proper coaching can take it to top 5.