The Top Five: Best 4-3 Defensive Ends in the NFL

Written By Bob Cunningham On Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Mario Williams is the new "Freak."


Defensive ends are quickly becoming the highest-paid players in the NFL, especially on defense. In fact, up until Haynesworth's recent monster deal, Dwight Freeney was the highest paid defensive player in the league at nearly $12 million per year.

The position has seen a transition over the years. No longer are the ends big and fast like a Reggie White or a Bruce Smith. Today, those guys would probably be playing defensive end in the 3-4.

Guys like Julius Peppers, Osi Umenyiora, and Freeney have become the prototypes.

Why is this? Perhaps because there's a direct correlation between sacks and dollars. Sacks, interceptions, and touchdowns are what lead to extra zeros in the new contract.

Teams will overlook an end's poor performance in the running game if the speed and agility is there to get to the quarterback on third down.

That's the job description of these guys, and they do it best.

5c. Trent Cole (Philadelphia Eagles)

53 games started, 34.5 sacks, 1 INT, 1 TD, 8 forced fumbles, 189 tackles, *1-time Pro Bowler
Trent Cole is still a young guy, so the stats may not look as great as they will for most of these guys, but he has certainly shown that he is just as dominating as any defensive end in the league.

He seems to suffer from the lack of respect that the Eagles' left ends receive as far as blockers, but he still manages to get those tough sacks and tackles when they matter most.

He also plays the run better than most defensive ends. He's good at holding the point of attack when he must and making that stop, or forcing the running back to the inside for the big guys in the middle to do their work.

He's got a whole lot of unrealized potential still and once the Eagles find an end that offenses will respect, Cole will be a perennial Pro Bowler.

5b. Dwight Freeney (Indianapolis Colts)
89 games started, 70.5 sacks, 34 forced fumbles, 1 TD, 203 tackles, 1 safety, *4-time Pro Bowler and 2-time All-Pro

Dwight Freeney could very well be the best pure pass-rusher in the NFL.

His patented spin move has made him a sensation in Indianapolis and all around the NFL. He's still a guy who must always be accounted for, or he will make you pay when it counts most.

So for all the stats and the praise, why so low?

Putting aside the fact that he is weak against the run, Freeney seems to have lost a step over the past few seasons. Following season of 16 and 11 sacks, he followed that up with seasons of 5.5 and 3.5 sacks. This past year he did reach double-digits again with 10.5, but he doesn't seem to be the same player.

The problem with speed rushers is that once the speed is gone, so is their game. Freeney, like other speed guys, have relied on one move throughout their entire career, but have had success because of their speed.

Jevon Kearse is a good example. Now that the speed is gone, he's not even thought of when a list like this comes up. A one-trick pony will become exposed at some point in the NFL, and Freeney may be reaching that point.
5a. Osi Umenyiora (New York Giants)
51 games started, 41.5 sacks, 14 forced fumbles, 2 TD, 167 tackles, *2-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

Umenyiora's speed and agility is a reminder of Dwight Freeney, but unlike Freeney, Umenyiora is willing to play the run.

His injury last year may have a substantial affect on his game because he relies so heavily on his speed, but he may be able to push through it because he is such a craftsman.

Umenyiora will benefit from having a great defensive line around him, and some pretty decent linebackers behind him, so he should be just fine.

The fact is that the Giants are a completely different defense with him in the game. Mathias Kiwanuka filled in admirably last season but Umenyiora will put a scare into offenses that no one else on that team can bring.

He said he could have been able to come back last year, his spot in the league will be determined by whether or not he can come back this year and perform the way he has.

4. John Abraham (Atlanta Falcons)

103 games started, 84 sacks, 31 forced fumbles, 1 TD, 302 tackles, *3-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

Last season, Abraham got the biggest Pro Bowl snub of either conference. His 16.5 sacks should have been plenty to get him into the Pro Bowl, but somehow he was overlooked and left sitting at home.

At the age of 30, Abraham had the best season of his career with the rejuvenated Falcons, and doesn't show any signs of slowing down.

He's great rushing the passer, but can also secure the outside against the run. He's a smart player and obviously understands the game of football. He uses his intelligence to make up for perhaps a small loss in physical ability due to age.

Again, if there is a loss, it's minute.

Look for Abraham to make the Pro Bowl this coming year.
3. Julius Peppers (Carolina Panthers)

106 games started, 70.5 sacks, 4 INT, 25 forced fumbles, 2 TDs, 279 tackles, *4-time Pro Bowler and 2-time All-Pro

Peppers is one of the most, if not the most, gifted athlete to ever play in the NFL.

When it comes to pure football ability, he's really not that great. His technique and the way he plays the game is not quite textbook, but he's so much more athletic than anyone he faces that it doesn't matter.

He's said recently that he would like to play outside linebacker in a 3-4, but with all the success he has had and will have in the 4-3, why in the world would he want to change?

If Peppers is smart, he'll sign a contract long enough that it ensures he'll retire a Panther and give up on playing a new position eight years into his career.

2. Mario Williams (Houston Texans)

48 games started, 30.5 sacks, 7 forced fumbles, 1 TD, 122 tackles, *1-time Pro Bowler

The debate of "Mario Williams or Reggie Bush" seems to have been settled.

Charley Casserly was all but ran out of Houston after failing to draft the flavor of the month in Reggie Bush, but over the past three years, it would appear that he's been proven right and Texans fans are quietly praising his name.

Let's also not forget that in the round after Williams, Casserly drafted DeMeco Ryans, who has also turned out to be one of the better linebackers in the game.

Williams is a rare combination of size and speed at 6'6 and 290 pounds. His first step off the ball is one of the quickest in the league, then he has the power to manhandle guys 30 and 40 pounds heavier than him.

Only three years in the league has him near the top, give him time and he may show that he's not only top five in the league now, but perhaps ever.

He has that kind of talent.

1. Jared Allen (Minnesota Vikings)

71 games started, 57.5 sacks, 1 INT, 17 forced fumbles, 240 tackles, 2 safeties, *2-time Pro Bowler and 2-time All-Pro

While I believe that Williams will eventually overtake Allen for this spot, their is no debating that over the past two years Jared Allen has been by far the very best in the league.

In his past two seasons (his last with the Chiefs and his first with the Vikings), Allen has 30 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 2 safeties, and has been selected to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro team over those two years.

If he can control his off the field drinking problems he may be able to fend off Mario Williams and keep his top spot for a little while longer, because as it stands now he is the hands down choice for best defensive end in the league.


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