NFL Position Rankings - Interior Defensive Line

Because their are 4-3 and 3-4 teams I'm going to do top 10 interior D-line instead of just DT because 3-4 ends are basically DT and next i'm going to do top 10 ends and include 3-4 Outside linebackers. So this list will include 4-3 defensive tackles, 3-4 nose tackles

1. Ndamukong Suh

Coming into his 2nd season I feel that the best DT in the NFL is Suh. Suh as a rookie playing for a Lions team that lacked many other playmakers on defense had 66 tackles and 10 sacks. 10 sacks from the DT position is extremely rare and for a rookie to do it just speaks volumes. Suh does it all, he rushes the passer, he stops the run, and he beats double teams like no other in the league. He's a disruptive force on the D-Line unlike any other DT in the NFL and is a one man recking crew in the interior D-Line. 

2. Haloti Ngata  

Ngata is right after Suh and it's really close. He does it all on the D-Line as well. He can rush the passer and is probably one of the top 5 run stoppers in the NFL. He can also play all 3 positions on the interior line and be one of the best. The Ravens play him all over the D-Line and he just makes plays and disrupts the opposing teams O-Line all over the place. He even drops back in coverage in zone blitzes and makes plays.

3. Mario Williams 

With Texans switching to the 3-4 and new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips saying Williams will not be switching to the olb position this qualifies Williams as a interior D-Lineman now and he starts right at the top of the list. Williams is a relentless pass rusher easily top 5 of the outside edge rushers. Now that he's moved inside he's probably easily the best pass rusher on this list. Williams was also one of the better run stopping ends. But now that he's a 5 tech 3-4 end his run stopping responsibility will change a bit and it'll be a little tougher but with his build and physical skills I think he'll adjust just fine. 

4. Darnell Docket 

Next on my list is Darnell Dockett. Dockett is easily one of the most explosive D-lineman in the league no matter what position your talking. He has an incredible 1st step and quickness at the point of attack. He's also made great strides in his run defense as it use to be somewhat of a weakness. Now although not as dominant stopping the run as some of the others on this list its far from a weakness in his game. If you watch the Cardinals play you'll see Dockett in the backfield now all the time on passing and running plays.

5. B.J. Raji 

B.J. Raji is one of those guys who are starting to redefine the nose tackle position as he had 6.5 sacks from the nose position last year. That's incredible as for years in the NFL that position has been nothing more than a 2 sack or less gig. Raji is a tough run stopper that  provides that big 330 plus frame and takes on double teams as well as any other nose tackle in the NFL and at the same time rushes like a 3 technique that ways about 300 its incredible. Raji was a major factor in the Packers super bowl this past season.

6. Jay Ratliff 

Jay Ratliff is another one of those guys who can do it all and what makes him so special is that he does it from the Nose Guard position. In the middle of the 3-4 defense with all the bigger O-lineman with him being possibly the most undersized Nose in the NFL he stops the run and beats double teams as efficiently as players much bigger than him. What makes him special is that just like Raji he rushes the passer from the nose guard position and probably better despite having fewer sacks than Raji last year. I think if he was in 3 technique in a 4-3 defense he'd have a 10 sack season or two as well. 

7. Richard Seymour 

Richard Seymour is next for me because he can play all four defensive line positions in the NFL and do it at a pro bowl level I think. He's best fit for the 3-4 DE in my opinion or 4-3 DT. But i've also seen him used as a 4-3 end and get really good pressure of the edge despite being over 300 pounds. And he has the strength and run stopping skills to probably play nose as well. He's great against the run, and gets pressure on the QB and he's been a top interior lineman for years in the NFL. 

8. Vince Wilfork

Vince Wilfork might be the most dominant run stopper in the NFL and if this list was for NT only he definitely be top 3. But when you include all interior lineman and factor in the ability to rush the passer I can't put wilfork top 5 as he doesn't really provide much of a pass rush. Wilfork is still incredibly dominant and is a major reason why the Patriots are always pretty good on Defense he's the anchor of their 3-4 as there is no where to run in the middle of their Defense.

9. Sedrick Ellis 

At number nine is Ellis. Still Young but has turned into a beast. The Saints before they won a superbowl was know for having a weak defense that held them back. Then this guys developed into an elite interior d-lineman an instantly the Saints D improved especially against the run. This guy still can get better against the run to me but he's definitely one of the better pass rushers at DT. Last year he had 6 sacks and you can only look for him to get better. 

10. Kevin Williams 

Coming into last year Williams probably would have been at the top of this list but he definitely had a down year last year and might be on the decline. But this position isn't always about stats as interior d-lineman are often doubled alot or asked to play in a way that doesn't allow them to make plays as it is their job to allow the Linebackers to make the plays. I know that Williams is one of the most athletic DT's in the NFL and can put pressure on the QB from the inside thats rarely seen. He also has always been tough against the run as he's one of the major reasons this team is always top 5 in run D.