Thorn: 2025 Defensive Line Rankings

There isn’t a deeper, more talent-rich position group than the defensive line. The biggest, fastest athletes on the field naturally gravitate toward the defensive side of the ball early in their lives, and it bleeds into the college and pro levels. This trend, combined with the position’s technical development reaching new heights of nuance and refinement, specifically pass-rush tactics, has resulted in pass protection being the most difficult (and arguably valuable) job in the NFL outside of playing quarterback.

These rankings will be useful in many ways. The most important component of picking a fantasy D/ST is its ability to put pressure on the quarterback. Start/sit decisions at quarterback and DFS projections should always include the opposing pass rush. In betting markets, line play is far more meaningful than the public believes.

My criteria for ordering all 32 pass-rushing defensive lines is predominantly based on film study, which included watching every game of the 2024 season at least once while focusing strictly on the trenches. My process for evaluation is rooted in trait-based evaluations that assess skill sets, physical tools/traits, level of competition, production, and coaching. These evaluations combine with my pre-existing knowledge of the majority of pass rushers from previous seasons of film study, personal insights from many of the players themselves, and the dissection of some advanced metrics to create this list. A new version will be updated each week during the regular season.

For my 2025 offensive line rankings, click here.

Elite D-Lines | Very Good D-Lines | Solid D-Lines | Below-Average D-Lines | D-Line Liabilities

Most teams have one defensive tackle that comes off of the field and/or an edge rusher that kicks inside on obvious passing downs. These lineups factor that trend in and represent the best rushers listed at each position who will most likely be on the field in obvious passing situations.

Tier 1: Elite Pass-Rushing Defensive Lines

Unlike prior summers where there were a few bonafide “elite” units heading into a season, this year has more parity among the top tier. Each of these units has a case for being considered the top group. Look at this tier as a pick ’em with each one possessing major strengths consistent with the premier pass-rushing lines of the past few years.

1. Steelers

Edge – T.J. Watt
IDL – Keanu Benton/Derrick Harmon
IDL – Cameron Heyward
Edge – Alex Highsmith

The Steelers’ pass rush checks the most important box to qualify for the top tier: They can pressure the quarterback consistently without needing to blitz. They have four starters who are above average or better, and that’s not including potent rotational edge rusher Nick Herbig, who steps in to spell Alex Highsmith. Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt both remain top-10 rushers at their respective positions. Highsmith offers a series of high-end moves, and Keanu Benton is an ascending power rusher. The Steelers also selected Derrick Harmon, who led all FBS interior defensive linemen in pressures last season, in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Pittsburgh’s knack for evaluating and prioritizing the defensive line has resulted in a robust pipeline and ecosystem that should continue to bear much fruit in 2025.