The 2023 regular season has just ended and players have performed very well: here are eight NFL revelations on defense.
DaRon Bland, CB, Dallas Cowboys
Revelation or confirmation? With 5 interceptions for his rookie season, DaRon Bland was promising.
In 2023, the absence of Trevon Diggs from the 3rd game gives him even more responsibilities. With 69 tackles and especially 9 interceptions, DaRon Bland asserts himself as a major player in a position of great importance.
No defender in the NFL offers better value for money than him: signed for two more seasons (2024 and 2025) for a total of $2.2 million! There is no doubt that with such performances, the Cowboys will soon offer him a juicy long-term contract.
Justin Madubuike, DT, Baltimore Ravens
It's always smart to be good when you're playing your last year of your contract!
Drafted in the 3rd round in 2020, Justin Madubuike has continued to progress. He played little his rookie season but still made 19 tackles including 1 sack. Two sacks the following season, 5.5 in 2022 and he explodes in 2023 with 33 pressures and 13 sacks!
And if some players sometimes inflate their statistics against an opponent in distress, he has been very consistent: 11 games where he signed at least one sack! Baltimore will have to take out the checkbook in the offseason for a contract in the region of $80 million.
Jonathan Greenard, DE, Houston Texans
Chosen in the 3rd round of the 2020 draft, Jonathan Greenard went from just one start in 2020 (1 sack) to twelve in 2021 (8 sacks). Injury concerns prevent him from confirming in 2022 (8 games for 1.5 sacks).
The arrival of coach DeMeco Ryans does him a world of good and he signs 12.5 sacks in 15 games in 2023! In a few weeks, he will be on the market and a player in this position with this production will necessarily be coveted.
Martin Emerson, CB, Cleveland Browns
In 2022, Martin Emerson had a promising rookie season: 71% of defensive games contested for 63 tackles and 15 passes defended! In 2024, it has not only confirmed but further progressed.
Martin Emerson finished the regular season as Cleveland's most used defender (81%), although he was rested in Week 18. His 14 passes defensed including 4 interceptions perfectly complemented the pressure put on by Myles Garrett on the first curtain. With a $1.5M contract for the 2024 season, his quality/price ratio is unbeatable.
Harrison Phillips, DT, Minnesota Vikings
After five seasons in the NFL, Harrison Phillips had a wonderful 6th year!
The cornerstone of Minnesota's defense, Harrison Phillips' 92 tackles represent an impressive result for a defensive tackle. According to the ESPN website, he is the 2nd DT in the NFL in duels won against the run, with 140!
Jonathon Cooper, OLB, Denver Broncos
Jonathon Cooper shined in the Broncos defense in 2023 with 8.5 sacks. A very good performance for a player chosen in the 7th round of the draft! Only the 239th choice in 2021, Jonathon Cooper has been able to work and therefore progress each year.
In 2023, he is the 5th most defender on the field for Denver. And among all the starters on defense, he is the one who played the most on special teams (24% of possible plays). For the 2024 season, he will still be under contract and at a very advantageous price for Denver's finances: $1 million! It would be surprising if the Broncos don't extend him soon.
Carl Granderson, DE, New Orleans Saints
In 2019, Carl Granderson did not find a buyer during the draft! The Saints signed him right after, betting on his natural attributes: tall, immense wingspan and great speed for his size (4.79 seconds for 40 yards).
The New Orleans staff patiently made him work and in 2023, he obtained a contract worth $52 million over 4 years! Carl Granderson thanks them in the process by signing a season with 78 tackles including 14 inflicting a loss (9 sacks).
Geno Stone, S, Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore's defense finished the 2023 regular season as 6th in the NFL (in yards conceded). The Ravens' main defensive scheme features 5 defensive backs including 3 safeties. Geno Stone is less talked about than the young Kyle Hamilton or Marcus Williams, the $70 million rookie (in 2022). However, he became an undisputed leader.
With 68 tackles and above all 7 interceptions, Geno Stone is having a wonderful season. Signed in 2023 for one season for “only” $1.7 million, he will be coveted in the offseason. Even more, if Baltimore goes all the way!
What if he was the cornerstone of a Super Bowl victory?
