Full Breakdown
ESPN’s 2026 Defensive Tackle Rankings: Who Made the Cut and Who Was Left Out
7/10/2026, 6:14:30 PM
2026 Rankings Overview
ESPN’s seventh-annual survey of more than 70 league executives, coaches and scouts released on July 9, 2026, identified the ten interior linemen judged to be the best in the NFL right now. The list, compiled by analyst Matt Bowen and ESPN Research, placed Leonard Williams (Seattle Seahawks) at No. 1, followed by Jeffery Simmons (Tennessee Titans), Jalen Carter (Philadelphia Eagles), Chris Jones (Kansas City Chiefs), and Derrick Brown (Carolina Panthers). The remaining spots were filled by Quinnen Williams (Dallas Cowboys), Dexter Lawrence II (Cincinnati Bengals), Zach Allen (Cincinnati Bengals), Milton Williams (Denver Broncos) and Jordan Davis (Philadelphia Eagles).
Context and Methodology
The ranking is not a career-achievement award; it reflects performance in the most recent season. Voters submitted individual top-10 ballots, which were aggregated using vote totals, composite averages and follow-up interviews. The process emphasizes current impact rather than projected upside, and the results were announced in a staggered rollout of position-specific lists throughout July.
Profiles of the Top Five
| Rank | Player | Team | Key 2025 Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leonard Williams | Seattle Seahawks | 7.0 sacks, 38 % run-stop win rate, 120 double-team run-stop wins (tied NFL lead) |
| 2 | Jeffery Simmons | Tennessee Titans | 11 sacks, 16.3 % total pass-rush win rate (2nd among DTs), 17 tackles for loss |
| 3 | Jalen Carter | Philadelphia Eagles | 3 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, 6 pass deflections (tied for most DTs) |
| 4 | Chris Jones | Kansas City Chiefs | 7 sacks, 18.9 % pass-rush win rate (best among DTs), 22 double-team pass-rush wins |
| 5 | Derrick Brown | Carolina Panthers | 5 sacks, 73 total tackles, 5 forced fumbles; recovered from ACL injury |
Quantitative Highlights
- Run-stop win rate: Williams (38 %) and Jones (18.9 %) led interior linemen.
- Pass-rush win rate: Simmons (16.3 %) ranked second, while Jones topped the category.
- Quarterback pressure: Zach Allen recorded 73 pressures in 2025, the most among all interior linemen (Pro Football Focus).
- Career milestones: Jones logged his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl and three straight All-Pro selections (2022-2024).
Official Statements & Responses
Coaches and coordinators repeatedly praised the versatility of the top-ranked players. A Seattle coordinator called Williams “the most important player on that Super Bowl team” and “the total package.” Titans staff highlighted Simmons’ “elite strength” and his emergence as a premier pass-rusher after a three-year, $105.8 million extension. Eagles personnel noted Carter’s “game-changing ability” despite a three-win season. Chiefs officials emphasized Jones’ sustained elite production, while Panthers scouts lauded Brown’s rebound after ACL surgery, saying they “actively ran our running plays completely away from him.”
Criticism & Opposition
Several high-profile interior linemen were omitted, sparking debate. Veteran defensive end Cam Heyward (Pittsburgh Steelers) missed the top-10 despite 78 tackles and a 3.5-sack season, while Kobie Turner (Los Angeles Rams) and David Onyemata (Dallas Cowboys) were also excluded. Critics argued that the voting process undervalued players on weaker teams; Simmons’ rise was described as “impressive doing it on a three-win team.” Additionally, Alim McNeill (Detroit Lions) received no votes after an ACL-limited 2025 campaign, prompting questions about the list’s comprehensiveness.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The ESPN article lists Leonard Williams as No. 1, yet a Bleacher Report summary describes his ascent as a “mild upset based on precedent.” Both sources agree on his placement but differ on the narrative framing. Moreover, the list’s “lowest ranking” column varies across players (e.g., Williams – 8, Simmons – 9), but the exact voting spread is not disclosed, leaving the margin between ranks ambiguous.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He was the most important player on that Super Bowl team,” an NFL coordinator said. “He's the total package.” — Leonard Williams
- “You can line him up in front of the right tackle, the right guard, the center, the left guard, the left tackle -- he can beat them all,” a veteran NFC defensive coach said. — Jeffery Simmons
- “He's a problem,” a veteran NFL defensive coach said. “A game-wrecker. You feel his presence out there consistently.” — Jalen Carter
- “We actively ran our running plays completely away from him,” a veteran NFL assistant coach said. — Derrick Brown
- “He's still a guy you have to game-plan for, but you don't feel him as much as you used to,” an NFL coordinator said. “He’s been one of the best for a long time.” — Chris Jones
What’s Next
Training camps open in early July, giving teams a chance to evaluate how the ranked defensive tackles will impact their front-seven schemes. The rankings are expected to influence contract negotiations and free-agency decisions ahead of the 2026 season.
