Nick Wojton
July 23, 2024 6:45 am ET
Buffalo Bills defenders Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones were named among the top-32 defensive tackles in the NFL by Pro Football Focus.
The football analytics outlet went position-by-position and named the best players in their eyes. After starting his career slower than expected, Oliver has grown into becoming one of the best interior defensive linemen in football as he thrives at getting after opposing quarterbacks.
On the flip side, Jones does the dirty work. When he departed Buffalo’s lineup last season due to injury his presence was missed.
Below is PFF’s full breakdowns on Oliver and Jones, followed by the entire ranking:
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Another player who has perhaps never quite lived up to his expected potential, Oliver is coming off a career year in terms of pass rushing, racking up 72 quarterback pressures, including the playoffs.
Oliver also recorded 32 defensive stops, another career high. An undersized, athletic defensive tackle, Oliver finally started looking like the dominant force he was supposed to become — not simply a good player.
Losing Jones to injury was a big blow to Buffalo’s defense last season. Through nine games, he sported an 80.9 PFF pass-rushing grade, the best on the team. He had 20 total pressures across only 152 pass-rushing snaps and was playing well against the run.
Jones’ play was impressive enough that Buffalo prioritized re-signing him despite that injury.
32. Daron Payne, Commanders
Dec 31, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) carries the ball as Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne (94) during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
31. Grover Stewart, Colts
Jan 6, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) and defensive tackle Grover Stewart (90) celebrate after a play against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Scheer-USA TODAY Sports
30. Sheldon Rankins, Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (98) runs a drill at Bengals spring practice at the IEL Indoor Facility in Cincinnati on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.
29. Devonte Wyatt, Packers
Jan 14, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt (95) rushes Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) during the fourth quarter in a 2024 NFC wild card game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wm. Glasheen-USA TODAY Sports
28. Grady Jarrett, Falcons
Oct 15, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive end Grady Jarrett (97) reacts on the field against the Washington Commanders in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
27. Kenny Clark, Packers
Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark agreed to a three-year, $64 million contract extension Sunday that includes a $17.5 million signing bonus.
26. Dalvin Tomlinson, Browns
Dec 28, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) celebrates after the Browns beat the New York Jets at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
25. Byron Murphy II, Seahawks
RENTON, WASHINGTON – MAY 03: Byron Murphy II #91 of the Seattle Seahawks works out during Seattle Seahawks rookie minicamp at Virginia Mason Athletic Center on May 03, 2024 in Renton, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
24. DaQuan Jones, Bills
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 24: DaQuan Jones #92 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates after a sack against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter at Ford Field on November 24, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
23. Osa Odighizuwa, Cowboys
Jan 7, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) passes the ball as Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (97) chase during the fourth quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
22. Ed Oliver, Bills
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 31: Ed Oliver #91 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates a first quarter sack during a game against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
21. Vita Vea, Buccaneers
Dec 5, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea (50) reacts against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
20. Zach Sieler, Dolphins
Miami Dolphins defensive end Zach Sieler (92) pressures Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, October 4, 2020. [ALLEN EYESTONE/The Palm Beach Post]
19. Arik Armstead, Jaguars
Jan 11, 2020; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (91) sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) in the second quarter in a NFC Divisional Round playoff football game at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
18. David Onyemata, Falcons
Oct 29, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle David Onyemata (90) rushes as Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Peter Skoronski (77) defends during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
17. Leonard Williams, Seahawks
Dec 10, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamash*ta-USA TODAY Sports
16. Kobie Turner, Rams
Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner (91) with linebacker Byron Young (0) and defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
15. Alim McNeill, Lions
Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill runs after 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy in the first quarter of the NFC championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024.
14. Jonathan Allen, Commanders
Nov 12, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93) waits for a snap against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
13. DJ Reader, Lions
Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle DJ Reader (98) leaves the game with a right leg injury in the first quarter of the NFL Week 15 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Minnesota Vikings at PayCor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.
12. Christian Barmore, Patriots
Oct 22, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (90) reacts after a sack during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
11. Justin Madubuike, Ravens
Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) pulls away from Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike (92) during the first quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
10. Christian Wilkins, Raiders
9. Jalen Carter, Eagles
Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Chase Edmonds (22) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) during the second half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
8. Jeffery Simmons, Titans
Oct 18, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive end Jeffery Simmons (98) after sacking Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
7. Javon Hargrave, 49ers
Nov 23, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (98) celebrates after a sack against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
6. Deforest Buckner, Colts
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 05: DeForest Buckner #99 of the Indianapolis Colts pressures Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers during the game at Bank of America Stadium on November 05, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
5. Cameron Heyward, Steelers
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 06: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cameron Heyward #97 walk off the field after the Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens, 17-10, at M&T Bank Stadium on January 06, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
4. Derrick Brown, Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 07: Derrick Brown #95 of the Carolina Panthers tackles Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
3. Quinnen Williams, Jets
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 10: Quinnen Williams #95 of the New York Jets celebrates a sack against C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans during their game at MetLife Stadium on December 10, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
2. Dexter Lawrence, Giants
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) holds the ball as he celebrates with New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) and New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) after he intercepted a Philadelphia Eagles pass, Sunday, January 7, 2024.
1. Chris Jones, Chiefs
Jan 19, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones (95) celebrates after a play during the game against the Tennessee Titans at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
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