What's the definition of a "indispensable defensive player" in the NFL? It's simple: That player is a dominant force whose high level of play sets the tone for an entire defense, to the point that defense would struggle in several ways without him.
Some might call it a football version of WAR. Some might call it a defensive rating. Whatever it is, you know indispensable when you see it, from drawing double-teams to making impact plays.
Starting with the anchor of the reigning Super Bowl champions, here is Sporting News' latest ranking of NFL defenders who stand out a little from the rest:
MORE NFL RANKINGS: QBs | RBs | WRs | Coaches
NFL defensive player rankings 2022
1. Aaron Donald, DT, Rams (6-1, 280)
Donald is 31 and has hinted at retiring soon and almost did so while on top of the world with his first Super Bowl ring. He's running it back to wreak havoc on the entire league again after a fifth consecutive double-digit sack season inside. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year has a bust in Canton waiting as the best defender over the past decade.
2021 stats: 12.5 sacks, 84 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 25 QB hits, 4 forced fumbles
2. Myles Garrett, EDGE, Browns (6-4, 272 pounds)
There's a massive burden on the two-time first-team All-Pro to fire up all levels of Cleveland's defense with the big offensive questions looming, none bigger than Deshaun Watson's availability. The 2017 No. 1 overall pick has emerged as an all-around pass-rushing and run-stopping force.
2021 stats: 16 sacks, 51 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 33 QB hits, 3 passes defended, forced fumble
3. T.J. Watt, EDGE, Steelers (6-4, 252 pounds)
Watt is your Sporting News reigning Defensive Player of the Year after tying Michael Strahan's single-season sack record. He's really the 2B on this list with Garrett while having a little more help in the Steelers' front seven pass defense. What's scary is Watt can still take another step forward as a run defender.
2021 stats: 22.5 sacks, 64 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 39 QB hits, 5 forced fumbles, 7 passes defended
4. Jalen Ramsey, CB, Rams (6-1, 208 pounds)
The pass rushers get the early love, but Ramsey had to make the top five because of elite shutdown coverage skills to clean up behind Donald. He also excels at tackling and making big plays on the ball when teams decide to test him too much.
2021 stats: 4 interceptions, 77 total tackles, 9 tackles for loss, QB hit, 16 passes defended, forced fumble
5. Micah Parsons, LB, Cowboys (6-3, 245 pounds)
Parsons took the league by storm as a special hybrid linebacker, lining up everywhere to stuff the stat sheet as the new heart and soul of Dallas' defense under Dan Quinn. Parsons' rangy playmaking delivered more than expected as he was deployed well from multiple attack positions.
2021 stats: 13 sacks, 84 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 30 QB hits, 3 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles
6. Nick Bosa, EDGE, 49ers (6-4, 266 pounds)
Bosa came back strong from his major knee injury (torn ACL) to get into the DPOY conversation in Year 3. He's right there with his older brother Joey given his disruptive skills. Nic's value was seen in just how much the 49ers struggled without him and thrived with him.
2021 stats: 15.5 sacks, 52 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 32 QB hits, 4 forced fumbles, pass defensed
7. Maxx Crosby, EDGE, Raiders (6-5, 255 pounds)
Crosby lived up to his first name and had maximum effect on a defense that is well short on reliable pieces. He uses all of his size, quickness and length to thwart the passing game in multiple capacities.
2021 stats: 8 sacks, 56 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 30 QB hits, 7 passes defended
NFL POWER RANKINGS: Bills look Super Bowl-serious at top; 49ers, Broncos, Eagles on the rise
8. Cameron Heyward, DT, Steelers (6-5, 295 pounds)
Heyward and Watt give Pittsburgh a dynamic duo, too. At 33, Heyward looks revitalized coming off his second career double-digit sack season. He joined Watt in being active with his hands vs. the pass, too. For an interior lineman, Heyward's tackling prowess is as impressive as occupying blockers.
2021 stats: 10 sacks, 89 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 17 QB hits, 9 passes defended, forced fumble
9. J.C. Jackson, CB, Chargers (6-1, 198 pounds)
Brandon Staley needed his version of Ramsey the playmaker for his Chargers' defense to support the pass rush, now with Joey Bosa being boosted by another marquee offseason acquisition, Khalil Mack. Jackson is a natural ballhawk and might be the addition needed to allow the other Los Angeles team to make a Super Bowl run.
2021 stats (with Patriots): 8 interceptions, 58 combined tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 23 passes defended, forced fumble
10. Shaquille Leonard, LB, Colts (6-2, 230 pounds)
He changed his NFL name from Darius, but that changes nothing about his terrific all-around game. He seems to be everywhere against run and pass as the ultimate rangy modern linebacker. He brings it hard as a tackler all the time with a great nose for the ball. He remains the unquestioned leader and heart of a talented Indianapolis defense.
2021 stats: 122 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 3 QB hits, 8 forced fumbles, 4 interceptions, 8 passes defended, 3 fumble recoveries
11. Chris Jones, DT, Chiefs (6-6, 310 pounds)
Whenever Kansas City has a healthy doing disruptive damage in the middle of its front, it becomes a more active playmaking team behind him, too. The Chiefs have extended him at times to the edge, but he's best anchoring the inside next to Frank Clark.
2021 stats: 9 sacks, 27 total tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 17 QB hits, 5 passes defended, forced fumble
12. Joey Bosa, EDGE, Chargers (6-5, 280 pounds)
Where there's a Nick, there has to be a Joey not far behind. Joey's not the same explosive pass rusher, but he's emerged as a durable player who can be just devastating playing the run. He'll raise his game with Mack playing off him now.
2021 stats: 10.5 sacks, 51 total tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 20 QB hits, 7 forced fumbles
13. Kevin Byard, S, Titans (5-11, 212 pounds)
Byard is the best safety in the NFL and deserves much more attention for that status. He's the ultimate cleanup for Tennessee's defense. He feels just as comfortable thumping against the run as he does using his nose for the ball in coverage.
2021 stats: 88 tackles, 4 QB hits, 5 interceptions, 13 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles
14. Von Miller, EDGE, Bills (6-3, 250 pounds)
There's a reason the Bills splurged on a 33-year-old Miller coming off a healthy second half run with the Rams that powered that team to a Super Bowl playing off Donald and Ramsey. They needed a veteran to boost the youth up front ahead of a strong back seven. Miller has at least one more big season left in him with good potential for double-digit sacks for the first time since 2018.
2021 stats: 5 sacks, 31 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 8 QB hits, pass defensed, forced fumble
15. Trey Hendrickson, EDGE, Bengals (6-4, 270 pounds)
Hendrickson has paid off big-time after cashing on his breakout season with the Saints. He sets the tone for Cincinnati's well-rounded defense with his sturdy and often explosive pass rush.
2021 stats: 14 sacks, 34 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 27 QB hits, 3 forced fumbles
16. Cameron Jordan, EDGE, Saints (6-4, 287 pounds)
At 33, Jordan has developed a sneaky firm case for the Hall of Fame as the leader of New Orleans' front. He's kept that up minus Hendrickson with help form Marcus Davenport. His personality is as dynamic as his nasty game.
2021 stats: 12.5 sacks, 59 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 22 QB hits, 6 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles.
17. A.J. Terrell, CB, Falcons (6-1, 195 pounds)
Terrell is another unheralded secondary stud as he's put it all together quickly with his size, speed and Clemson coverage pedigree. It would be nice if the Falcons gave him more playmaking help in Dean Pees' system.
2021 stats: 3 interceptions, 16 passes defended, 81 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, sack, forced fumble
18. Jaire Alexander, CB, Packers (5-10, 196 pounds)
Alexander fought through an injury-riddled 2021 season and the Packers will see a big difference with his shutdown coverage skills back for a full season. He is a complete corner who can do everything needed well in their scheme.
2021 stats: 3 passes defended, interception, 13 total tackles
19. Khalil Mack, EDGE, Chargers (6-3, 267 pounds)
Mack is 31 and coming off a final injury-marred season in Chicago. But there are early signs he's healthy and rejuvenated playing again on a top defensive scheme with Bosa under Brandon Staley. Like Miller, there's some of that DPOY pop left in him for a contender.
2021 stats: 6 sacks, 19 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 7 QB hits,
20. Fred Warner, LB, 49ers (6-3, 230 pounds)
At only 25, Warner has proved to be an absolute steal as a third-round pick from BYU. While Bosa takes care of blowing up game plans on the edge, Warner has got the middle covered well against pass and run.
2021 stats: 137 total tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 3 QB hits, half-sack, 4 passes defended, forced fumble
21. Derwin James, S, Chargers (6-2, 215 pounds)
Make that three Chargers on the list and a second worthy safety. James has had some trouble staying healthy in his career, but he turned the corner there last season to get back into his dominant rookie form, covering like a corner and flying upfield like a linebacker.
2021 stats: 118 total tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, 5 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles
22. Vita Vea, DT, Buccaneers (6-4, 347 pounds)
Vea needed a few seasons to get into the maximum shape with his massive frame, but he's now at the level of an elite run-stuffing linchpin with some scary inside pass-rush pop, too. There were other Bucs who could have made this list, including Devin White and Antoine Winfield Jr., but the beefy Vea gets the nod as the devastating table-setter for Todd Bowles' front.
2021 stats: 4 sacks, 33 total tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 12 QB hits, 3 passes defended, forced fumble
23. Xavien Howard, CB, Dolphins (6-1, 203 pounds)
Howard is the last defensive back to make the cut because of stability over others' more flash-or-flameout play (see the Cowboys' Trevon Diggs) in coverage. He's right up there with Jackson as the premier ballhawk corner.
2021 stats: 5 interceptions, sack, 50 total tackles, 16 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries
24. Rashan Gary, EDGE, Packers (6-5, 277 pounds)
It took a while for the Packers to understand where to best deploy Gary in their front seven. But Year 3 the light went on, and now he's the lead pass rusher with support from Preston Smith opposite him minus Za'Darius Smith. The 1-2 pass defense punch of him and Alexander might be the ticket for a Packers Super Bowl.
2021 stats: 9.5 sacks, 47 total tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 28 QB hits, 2 forced fumbles, fumble recovery
25. Bradley Chubb, EDGE, Broncos (6-4, 275 pounds
Here's a projection for Chubb to have a healthy rebound season to pick up where he left off two seasons ago leading Denver's pass rush in the transition from Miller. It would be nice if he can get consistent help from Randy Gregory on the other side.
2020 stats: 7.5 sacks, 42 total tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 19 QB hits, forced fumble
