With the 2020 NFL regular season heading into Week 11 and a full slate of intriguing action going down in the MyBookie sportsbook starting on Thursday night, it’s time to take a look at the very best defensive players in the league this season. Whether you like offensive line wrecking defensive linemen, a do-it-all linebackers or a lockdown defensive backs, I’ve got the top 10 defensive players in the league firmly in the bullseye. Now, let’s find out who they are so you can continue placing your bets against our NFL odds!
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No. 10 Za’Darius Smith – LB – Green Bay
The fourth round pick in the 2015 draft has recorded eight sacks, 23 solo tackles, a pair of forced fumbles, one stuff and 11 tackles for loss while routinely putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks – when he’s not locking down opposing tight ends and running backs out of the backfield.
No. 9 JC Jackson – CB – New England
Now in his third year out of Maryland, the Patriots cornerback leads the league in interceptions (6) and has recorded 16 solo tackles, 11 passes defensed and a pair of fumble recoveries – although he has benefited from playing opposite Pro Bowl corner Stephon Gilmore.
No. 8 Emmanuel Ogbah – DE – Miami
The 2016 second round pick out of Oklahoma State ranks fourth in sacks (8) and has recorded three forced fumbles, 16 solo tackles, one stuff and even two passes defensed while racking up a half-dozen sacks during Miami’s five-game winning streak. Ogbah is forcing quarterbacks into bad throws, which Miami’s defensive backs like Xavien Howard are happily shutting down with consistent regularity.
No. 7 Roquan Smith – LB – Chicago
The former Georgia Al-American and eighth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft leads the NFL with a mind-boggling 70 solo tackles, two sacks, 15 tackles for loss, five passes defensed and one forced fumble. It’s a damned shame that Chicago can barely score the ball this season, but Smith has done more than his part to keep the mediocre Bears in games by literally going sideline-to-sideline on almost every play.
No. 6 Xavien Howard – CB – Miami
The 38th overall pick in the 2016 draft out of Baylor ranks second in interceptions with five and has recorded 19 solo tackles and 10 passes defensed while pretty much limiting opposing quarterbacks to throw to one side of the field. Howard has three picks during Miami’s five-game winning streak and is arguably the best cornerback in the NFL today.
No. 5 Blake Martinez – LB – NY Giants
The former Nebraska linebacker and fourth round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft leads the league in tackles (95) while recording 56 solo tackles, seven tackles for loss, three passes defensed, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery for a Giants defense that has been surprisingly solid, despite their lack of offense and victories.
No. 4 Bud Dupree – LB – Pittsburgh
The 22nd pick in the 2015 NFL Draft has recorded seven sacks, 16 solo tackles, eight tackles for loss, a pair of forced fumbles and three stuffs while making life generally difficult for every opposing quarterback, running back and tight end he’s lined up against this season. Make no mistake about it, Dupree is literally – everywhere!
No. 3 TJ Watt – LB – Pittsburgh
While Bud Dupree has been doing his thing for the Steelers, so has fellow linebacker TJ Watt. The 2017 first round pick out of Wisconsin is tied for second in sacks (9) and has a league-leading 16 tackles for loss to go along with 24 solo tackles, six passes defensed and one interception while covering opposing running backs and tight end like a damned blanket!
No. 2 Myles Garrett – DE – Cleveland
The No.1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft made a mistake of epic proportions a year ago when he pounded Steelers pitiful backup quarterback Mason Rudolph, but the fact of the matter is that the former Texas A&M defensive end is a star of the highest caliber and has completely lived up to his draft selection. Garrett leads the league in sacks (9.5) and has racked up four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 23 tackles, three stuffs, 12 tackles for loss – and one partridge in a pear tree!
No. 1 Aaron Donald – DT – LA Rams
I don’t think there’s anyone in their right mind that would deny the fact that LA Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is the best – and most feared – defensive player in the entire NFL. Donald ranks second in sacks (9) and has recorded 15 solo tackles and 11 assisted tackles while also racking up three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one stuff and 11 tackles for loss. Simply put, Aaron Donald can quite literally do it all!
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