Ranking the NFL's best D-lines
No other team can match the power (and promise) the Detroit Lions have up front
With Detroit off to a 2-0 start, we've been hearing more and more about the strength of its defensive line, a group that still doesn't have Nick Fairley in the rotation. But have they progressed to the point where they're among the top units in the league?
I evaluated all 32 teams to come up with what I consider the five best defensive lines, based on performance, depth and the likelihood they can maintain the form.
1. Detroit Lions
Kyle Vanden Bosch is the leader of this defensive line, and his work ethic and hustle are infectious. And Vanden Bosch has also been extremely productive thus far this season. But the man that makes it all go for Detroit is, of course, Ndamukong Suh.
To read more about the Lions' defensive line, as well as the other top units around the NFL, sign up for ESPN Insider.
-
ESPN The Magazine subscribers
-
Need more information?
- Hosts "Football Today" podcast
- Joined ESPN in 2005
- Was an NFL and college scout for the Cleveland Browns
SPONSORED HEADLINES
MORE NFL HEADLINES
- RG III: Goal Week 1 but career comes first
- Cards ink 3rd-round pick Mathieu to contract
- Rodgers wants Pack to retire Favre's No. 4
- Pats' Brady not surprised Welker left team
MOST SENT STORIES ON ESPN.COM
NFL WEEK 3 PREVIEW

WEEK 3 PICKS
MNF: Redskins at Cowboys, 8:30 ET
HOT READ: Ndamukong Suh
- Merrill: Suh determined to help Lions rise
- Scouts: Ranking the best D-lines

- Draft blog: Examining 2012 DT prospects

FINAL WORD
POWER RANKINGS
- Buffalo, Houston make big jumps
- How they voted | Rank 'em
- Sprow: Texans, Falcons overrated

-
Mike & Mike's Power Rankings take
COMMENTARY/BLOG POSTS
- Kiper: No system for finding steals

- Dilfer: Underrated playcallers

- Fox: Newton knows only one stat matters
- Schefter: Beginning the Brady era, more
- Schwartz: Gulf grows between Brady, fans
- Williamson: McFadden a complete back
- Chadiha: Where is GM in Chiefs' woes?
- Scouts Inc.: Week 3 Film Notes

- Clayton: Can the Bears protect Cutler?
- Outsiders: Is Bills offense for real?

- Yasinskas: Defense decides the NFC South
- Sunday Countdown: Picks, analysis, more
- Kuharsky: Prime time for struggling Colts
- Howard: Time for a new backup QB plan
- NFL Game Predictor: Insider's newest tool

- Scouts Inc.: Week 3 previews

NFL DRAFT
- Bowen: 5 second-year breakout candidates
- Edwards: The NFL's all-time Top 20 coaches
- Tuley: Best early-season win-total bets
- Red Flags: NFC East | North | South | West
- Kiper: 2014 Big Board | Top TEs | OLBs | ILBs


