NFL Power Rankings: The Top 5 Pass Rushes

Dec 28, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) and defensive end DeMarcus Ware (94) react to a sack in the first quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Nothing can generate more excitement, crowd noise and game-changing plays on defense than a great pass rush. Everybody wants to see sacks and that won’t change in 2015. According to the NFL power rankings, what are the current top 5.

#5 – New York Jets

Sheldon Richardson
Muhammad Wilkerson
Leonard Williams

One of the more underrated tag teams the past two seasons were Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson for the New York Jets. It’s rather rare considering they are 3-4 defensive end and not 4-3. To think those two, who are still quite young, will be joined by Leonard Williams who was considered the best overall prospect in the 2015 draft is a scary thought for the rest of the AFC.

#4 – Miami Dolphins

Cameron Wake
Olivier Vernon
Ndamukong Suh

Year after year, season after season all Cameron Wake does is sack quarterbacks. Even at the age of 33 nobody doubts that his run of spectacular success with the Miami Dolphins will continue. Olivier Vernon meanwhile has outpaced the much-hyped Dion Jordan to become a solid compliment on the other side. Now throw in prize free agent Ndamukong Suh into the middle at quarterbacks will be left wondering what they did to deserve such horrors.

#3 – Denver Broncos

Von Miller
DeMarcus Ware
Shane Ray

People said it was a coups when the Denver Broncos swiped DeMarcus Ware after Dallas released him and he proved them right by producing 10 sacks in his first year with the team. Von Miller is, of course one of the best in the business. What pushes this pass rush into the top 5 though is the arrival of Shane Ray. The Missouri product was considered worthy of going in the top 10 during the draft but a drug-related issue dropped him to where Denver was able to move up to get him. Length questions aside, he can be a wrecking ball coming off the edge.

#2 – Kansas City Chiefs

Justin Houston
Tamba Hali
Dontari Poe

When just one player on the squad nabs 22 sacks, it’s easy to call it a great team pass rush. However, in truth Justin Houston would not be able to dominate as he has for the team without having Tamba Hali on the other side with the giant and quick Dontari Poe in the middle. Those three compliment each other in multiple ways and it’s the quarterbacks who are feeling the pain because of it.

#1 – Buffalo Bills

Mario Williams
Jerry Hughes
Marcell Dareus

It’s not just the fact that the Buffalo Bills claimed the league title for most sacks in a season, it was by how much. They finished with 54 in 16 games, five more than the next closest team on the list. Williams of course led the way but of all the pass rushes on this list, the Bills were the only team to feature not one but two other rushers with at least 10 sacks in Hughes and Dareus. All three are back together in 2015, so there is little reason to doubt their dominance won’t continue.

Next: NFL Power Rankings: Top 5 Wide Receiving Corps

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