Each season, players reveal themselves by exceeding pre-season expectations. In 2022, Alex Highsmith (Steelers) lined up 14.5 sacks, while he had only accumulated 8 in the two previous campaigns.
Who could reproduce such a progression? Here are 10 defending candidates.
Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Miami Dolphins
While his university career had been disrupted by injuries, Jaelan Phillips has played 34 games since his draft in 2021. In constant progress, he has yet to reach a new level: 68 quarterback pressures in 2022 but only 7 sacks!
What better way to help a young defender than an experienced and reputable coordinator? Vic Fangio comes with this objective: to make this defense as decisive as the attack can be explosive.
“If he calls a game and you don’t do what he says, then the next day he’s going to ask you why. We need that in this sport where everything happens so fast: someone who always pushes us to make the right choice”, Bradley Chubb on Vic Fangio, USA Today
With his exceptional physical abilities (9.87 out of 10 at relative athletic scorewhich compiles NFL Combine performances to give a rating out of 10), Jaelan Phillips could become a major pass rusher in the NFL, with the teaching of Vic Fangio.
Jaycee Horn, CB, Panthers
Drafted with choice 8 in 2021, Jaycee Horn was unable to show his talent by getting injured in the 3rd game of his rookie season. Playing 13 games in 2022, he gave great promise with 53 tackles and 3 interceptions.
After 23 passes defended in 30 games with the University of South Carolina (2018-2020), Jaycee Horn dazzled during the NFL Combine! Jaycee Horn had obtained the almost perfect score of 9.99 out of 10! A performance ranking him 2nd out of the 1784 cornerbacks who participated in the NFL Combine between 1987 and 2021! (Saints player Marshon Lattimore is 1st).
Jaycee Horn is a CB prospect in the 2021 draft class. He scored a 9.99 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 2 out of 1784 CB from 1987 to 2021. https://t.co/TJ155mkgJd #RAS via @Mathbomb pic.twitter.com/HxPslQWrGd
—Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 15, 2021
If he manages to stay healthy, Jaycee Horn has everything to have a fantastic 2023 season!
Kyle Hamilton, S, Baltimore Ravens
Used one in two games in defense (50.14% of defensive snaps), Kyle Hamilton demonstrated his versatility in 2022: playing safety in the box or in depth, nickel cornerback and even linebacker. In this, he fits perfectly with the philosophy of the Ravens.
“He will play safety in 2023. But with us, there is no fixed role in this position because we like to move our players. Our safeties have to cover, attack the pocket and also help the linebackers,” Jim Harbaugh tells Ravens Wire
Kyle Hamilton is therefore in the best possible franchise considering his different qualities. Chuck Clark gone, he will have a lot of playing time in 2023, enough to reveal!
Drake Jackson, DE, San Francisco 49ers
Drafted in the 2nd round in 2022, Drake Jackson played 15 games for his rookie season: but only 29% of possible defensive games! Still author of 3 sacks and 8 passes defended, room was made for him for more playing time thanks to the departures of Charles Omenihu (53.5% of defensive snaps) and Samson Ebukam (52%). During the 2023 off-season, he gained muscle to better defend the race and thus leave the field less.
The catches at two of the opposing offensive lines will mainly focus on Nick Bosa on the other side and on Javon Hargrave and Arik Armstead inside. He will therefore often be in “1 vs 1” and he could take advantage of it with his first explosive supports. He also benefits from the coaching of the renowned Kris Korucek (coach of the defensive line): his second year could propel him into the category of players with 10 sacks in the season.
Troy Andersen, LB, Falcons
Rookie, Troy Andersen had a learning season in the NFL: 42% of defensive plays for 69 tackles. This intelligent approach from the staff has allowed him to adjust his level to become a starter in the last four games of 2022.
Any beginner, even coming from Georgia, Michigan or Ohio State must adapt to the higher level of the NFL. So what about a player coming from the second university level? Troy Andersen’s career is special because he is a native of Montana, a state where schools bring together several age groups to be able to form a sports team!
In high school, he was the star of the state playing quarterback, runner, receiver, defensive end and linebacker! He was also the best player on the basketball and track teams. During his university studies, he was a “double threat” quarterback then for his 3rd season, he settled on the position of linebacker: the one where he would have a future in the NFL.
Sensational during the NFL Combine 2022, the Falcons bet, two months later, the choice 58 on him. Linebacker Rashaan Evans (98% of 2022 defensive snaps) was not retained by Atlanta and the reason is Troy Andersen.
Devonte Wyatt, DT, Green Bay Packers
For his rookie season, Devonte Wyatt played 16 games: but only 21% of possible defensive games! Chosen in the 1st round in 2022, after a superb course in Georgia, the Packers’ strategy was to take him slowly to the highest level.
The staff’s confidence in his abilities has something to do with letting Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed go. Possessing a physique made for fighting in the trenches, Devonte Wyatt is much more athletic than his compact build would suggest!
With Rashan Gary recovering from injury and 1st round pick Lukas Van Ness being just a rookie, the Packers are expecting a lot from Devonte Wyatt in 2023. Very bad against the run in 2022, the Green Bay defense relies on its incredible vivacity for its size! After a season of apprenticeship, he should be ready to make a name for himself in the NFL.
“Devonte Wyatt will take a step forward in 2023. Now he knows the defensive system and that allows him to no longer think about what to do but to play freely. His incredible speed doing the rest! says Jerry Montgomery, his defensive line coach for Zone Coverage
Christian Harris, ILB, Houston Texans
Little noticed because playing in a team in difficulty, Christian Harris nevertheless succeeded in his rookie season in 2022: 76 tackles including 6 for losses and 5 passes defended in 12 games. In 2023, he will benefit from the teaching of a coach who has played 10 seasons in the NFL in the same position as him. If he can’t be compared to Fred Warner (49ers), DeMeco Ryans’ plan is to build a defense on the model he developed in San Francisco.
In 2023, the Texans defense will have a taste of Alabama. In addition to the coach, Christian Harris will be accompanied by rookies Will Anderson and Henry To’o To’o: the three had been very successful together in 2021 in the NCAA.
Zaire Franklin, LB, Indianapolis Colts
Author of 167 tackles in 2022 (4th NFL), Zaire Franklin won after being only the 235th choice of the 2018 draft. makes Colts player most used on defense in 2022!
In 2023, he will have to take on even more responsibilities with the departure of Bobby Okereke. Versatile (6 passes defended and 3 sacks in 2022), he is the composite portrait of the player who has been able to optimize his talent with work.
Christian Barmore, DT, Patriots
Chosen in the 2nd round of the 2021 draft, Christian Barmore was good right away. Since 2006, only a defensive tackle has produced more pressure as a rookie (Leonard Williams with the Jets in 2015). But in 2022, he was handicapped by injury midway through the season. On his return for the last 4 games, he signed 23 tackles including 2.5 sacks!
A three-time champion with New England and now a member of the Hall of Fame, former defensive lineman Richard Seymour tells Fan Sided:
“He’s got it all: big, tough and explosive. He knows how to do everything and his engine never stops! »
Ernest Jones, LB, Los Angeles Rams
In a recomposed defense, linebacker Ernest Jones will play an important role. Excellent in the 2021 Super Bowl, he confirmed in 2022 with 114 tackles. In 2023, he will be the defender with a helmet equipped with earphones: the one who transmits the instructions before the engagement of the ball.
Player with a huge wingspan for the position, he is very good at stopping runners. The Rams are relying heavily on his progression and he better because the six most-used Rams defensemen in 2022 are all gone: Wagner, Ramsey, Scott, Rapp, Floyd and Gaines (in that order in snaps play).
“Bobby (Wagner) showed me how to be a leader. I wouldn’t be the same player without him coming last year. Whether in the field or studying videos, he taught me so much and I am grateful to him,” Ernest Jones for therams.com in June 2023
You will also have to keep an eye on them
Montez Sweat (DE/Commanders), Emmanuel Moseley (CB/Lions), Carl Granderson (DE/Saints), Cobie Durant (CB/Rams), Dre’Mont Jones (DT/Seahawks), Kaair Elam (CB/Bills), Daxton Hill (S/Bengals), Martin Emerson (CB/Browns), Zach Allen (DT/Broncos), Azeez Al-Shaair (LB/Titans), Arden Key (Edge/Titans), Derek Stingley (CB/Texans), Justin Madubuike (DT/Ravens)
