Best NFL Pass Rusher Features Tight Race At Top

More than any position group so far, the title of best pass rusher in the NFL featured the tightest race to date between three prominent names.

When it comes to defensive football, no players get more notoriety than the men who put the quarterbacks on the turf. Sacks are the glamorous stat of that side of the ball. The more a player gets, the greater the hype surrounding his name. Currently the league is home to some outstanding edge men who make the job seem almost too easy at times. Still, there comes a time once in a while where the question must be asked.

Who is the best in the business?

NFL.com in their step-by-step evaluation of finding the best players in pro football posed this question to an expert panel to find out their thoughts on who the quarterback hunter to fear most is. The final tally was very close, but in the end went to the man with ring power.

• #1: Von Miller (44 points)
• #2: J.J. Watt (37 points)
• #3: Khalil Mack (32 points)

There is no doubt that many will argue J.J. Watt is the best pass rusher in football for the obvious reasons. He has more sacks than Miller (79.5 to 66.5), while also having two 20-sack seasons and two Defensive Player of the Year awards. Miller has none of either. So how is it that he’s still considered the best? His performance in Super Bowl 50. There is no doubting he was absolutely dominant in that game. By far the best player on the field.

People still haven’t gotten that out of their minds, and there’s no doubt it played a huge factor in his victory for this coveted honor. Here is what some of the expert panel had to say.

"Willie McGinest:  “Miller’s impact is felt on nearly every snap. He’s an elite pass rusher, and that was very evident all through the playoffs and the Super Bowl.”Elliot Harrison:  “Von Miller might let success go to his head. He might take forever to get in uniform with this contract stuff. But any player who plays the way he did in the most important games of his life should win the gold.”Marcas Grant:  “Miller’s play set the tone in Super Bowl 50 — a reminder of how dominant he’s been during his NFL career.”Jamie Dukes:  “Von Miller is #SuperBowl.”"

They might all say different things but the same two words keep getting referenced:  Super Bowl. With respect to Von Miller, who is an outstanding player and much deserving of every accolade he’s achieved, it just feels like too many people are factoring in the performance of one games too much over the performance of a season or career. With respect, J.J. Watt should’ve won this category based on the hard facts.

Such is how the NFL has always been though. The player lucky enough to get his shot at a championship and playing well at the right time tends to be viewed as the best.