By: Jake Rajala

The NFL is a passing league — which means it’s also a pass-rushing league. The 2022 DROY winner was T.J. Watt, who unveiled 22.5 sacks and tied Michael Strahan’s sack record. The NFL world is all too familiar with Watt and Aaron Donald in this day in age. Hence, I’m going to untwine five pass rushers that are under-the-radar and could turn heads in the upcoming season.

Montz Sweat

The Washington Commanders pass rusher Montez Sweat had 16 sacks and 33 QB hits in his first two seasons combined. Unfortunately, he didn’t have a spectacular 2021 season — largely because he missed seven games. Sweat is healthy and he is playing across from an ascending pass-rusher in Chase Young. I expect Sweat to really benefit from the attention that the former DROY will warrant in 2022.

Markus Golden

The days of Chandler Jones having 5+ sacks in a single contest for the Cardinals is over. Jones is in Las Vegas, so the Cards defense will lean on Markus Golden to be a Pro Bowl-caliber player. Golden impressively had 11 sacks, 19 QB hits, and 10 TFLs last season. Golden has had two 11+ sack seasons without a Pro Bowl berth. He will work towards his first Pro Bowl season in 2022 — as a healthy J.J. Watt (10 missed games in 2021) on the IDL should help him get quality production moving forward.

Marcus Davenport

The Saints pass rusher Marcus Davenport is easily the most underrated player on the Saints. The Saints HC/former Saints DC Dennis Allen referred to him as the best player on the Saints defense in the early part of 2021. Unfortunately, Davenport has serious injury habits (11 missed games in the past two seasons combined). He was still able to have 9 sacks and 16 QB hits last season. PFF gave him an unearthly 88.8 grade, as well. If he can stay healthy for 15+ games, he could wind up with All-Pro honors.

Gregory Rousseau

The Buffalo Bills may have inked a future Hall of Famer in Von Miller, but it’s important to not forget about Gregory Rousseau coming off the edge. The 2021 first-round pick was labeled the Bills x-factor by Bleacher Report. He had 4 sacks as a rookie, but he could really blossom in year two with Miller on the other side. It also helps that he has Leslie Frazier, who was named the NFL’s best play-caller by Pro Football Focus.

Emmanuel Ogbah

The Dolphins pass rusher Emmanuel Ogbah has 18 sacks in the past two seasons combined. PFF gave him a strong 77 grade, as well. He should definitely benefit from the Dolphins bringing in Mike McDaniel, Tyreek Hill, and the entire direction of the Phins offense. Due to the impending fireworks from the Phins new-look offense, I surely expect opponents desperately trying to keep pace with the Phins offense. Hence, the Dolphins pass rushers should have a plethora of sack opportunities moving forward.

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By: Jake Rajala

The NFC West showcases numerous future Hall of Fame pass rushers — such as the newly well-compensated Aaron Donald and the versatile, maniac J.J. Watt. With that said, I’m going to simply highlight the unearthly defensive DL in the NFC West and rank the top pass rushers in the wild NFC West.

Aaron Donald

There isn’t any debate that AD is the top pass rusher in his division. The Rams DT has been named first-team All-Pro in each of the past seven seasons. He has also only missed two games in the past six seasons. He led his team in sacks (12.5) and QB hits (25) in 2021. He has been the highest-graded defender by PFF for six straight seasons — as PFF gave him a 93.6 grade in 2021. The highest-paid non-QB in NFL history flexed his ability in Super Bowl LVI with two sacks and a pivotal pressure against Joe Burrow on the Bengals last offensive play.

Markus Golden

Markus Golden has been quite productive for the Cardinals and he also has been able to stay healthy (contrary to Watt) — as he’s missed one game in the past three seasons. Golden ousted 11 sacks (.5 sack more than Chandler Jones), 19 QB hits, 10 TFLs, and four forced fumbles last season. The former Cardinal has been a Pro Bowl snub and he expressed that he should continue to excel in the Cards pass-rushing unit without Jones. Per NFL.com, Golden stated, “I respect him and learned a lot from Chandler. I can seriously he helped me become the player I am today. But whether I am playing with Chandler or anybody else, I feel like I’m a No. 1 pass rusher. You’ve got to have that mindset”.

J.J. Watt

The two-time DPOY winner J.J. Watt may not crack 10+ sacks in 2022, but he can still be a top-tier pass-rushing menace. Watt only played in seven games last season, but he still earned an impressive 79 grade by PFF. Arizona Sports 98.7 outlined how Watt led all pass rushers in QB hits and placed second in pressures after five games last season. Watt will definitely to have more sacks on his belt next season — as he chases his first Super Bowl ring with AZ and likely Kyler Murray.

Leonard Floyd

Leonard Floyd is the second edge rusher on this list that will look to amp up his sack total after losing an edge-rushing mate (as Von Miller went to Buffalo). Floyd had 9.5 sacks last season (after a 10.5 sack season in 2020). He also had 18 QB hits, 70 combined tackles, and 7 TFLs in 2021. He had a 70.4 grade by PFF. He might not be the sexiest run stopper, but he can certainly excel in pass-rushing situations. The former Bears first-round that signed a four-year contract worth $64 million dollars in the 2021 off-season will look to reach his first Pro Bowl in 2022.

Darrell Taylor

The Seahawks defensive end Darrell Taylor quietly had a stellar sophomore season — as he unleashed 6.5 sacks and 13 QB hits. Corbin K. Smith from All Seahawks outlined how he could be a double-digit sack player if he improves his ability to wrap up opposing quarterbacks. It’s safe to say that Taylor was raw in 2021 with his size and pass-rushing moves, so it should be said that the sky is the limit for Taylor. PFF ranked the Seahawks DL as the worst DL unit in the NFL, so it’s clear that Taylor will need to be the bright spot on the Hawks DL.

Shelby Harris

The Hawks may not have an elite edge rusher, but they have a strong balance between DE and DT pass-rushing prowess. The new Seahawk Shelby Harris is an athletic DT that can excel as a pass rusher and he showed that in 2021: 6 sacks and 11 QB hits. Harris is flat out one of the most underrated DTs in the NFL.

Greg Gaines

The Rams NT Greg Gaines had 4.5 sacks and 13 QB hits a season ago — after having 1.5 sacks and 3 QB hits in 2020. PFF awarded Gaines a modest 67.9 grade. AD expressed deep gratitude for Gaines, to say the least. Per PFF Bet, AD stated, “I don’t think there’s no nose tackle in the NFL that’s playing how he’s playing right now.” He Gaines will look to be a hulk-like figure against the run and pass in 2022 — as he strides for a hefty contract extension.

Uchenna Nwosu

The new Seahawks pass rusher Uchenna Nwosu could be the best-kept secret on the Hawks. After 4.5 sacks and 11 QB hits in 2020, Nwosu had 17 QB hits, 8 TFLs, and 5 sacks last season. Most importantly, he learned to utilize his impressive power as the 2021 season evolved (3 sacks in his past six games). He also made unique plays — as shown below.

The Seahawks chose not to bring back Carlos Dunlap (at least not yet), so it will be imperative that Nwosu has a career season across from Taylor in 2022.

Zach Allen

The Cardinals DL Zach Allen, also known as the son of Jared Allen, put together his best season in 2021 (4 sacks, 14 QB hits, and 1 interception) — after having two sacks and six QB hits in 2020. He also flashed his athleticism as he returned a fumble for a touchdown. He notably had two sacks against Trey Lance in last October’s match-up. Allen will really strive to shine in his contract season on the Jones-less defense.

A’Shawn Robinson

The former Lions DT A’Shawn Robinson is recognized as a mean run-stopper, but he is capable of hurting opposing QBs in the passing game. Besides Robinson recording 67 combined tackles and 2 FF in 2021, Robinson had a few sacks. PFF granted him a 72.5 grade in 2021. He is perhaps the Rams FA in 2023, so it’s clear that McVay will need to prioritize a new contract for the Rams DT.

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