The AFC South has some young talented pass rushers across the board. Five players were selected in the first round, there’s a No. 1 overall pick, and only one of the five first-rounders has played at least five NFL seasons.
For this list, it features the top two edge rushers from each team in the division. Let’s take a look at how they rank:
8
Arden Key, Tennesse Titans
Arden Key joined the Tennessee Titans this offseason after spending the 2022 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In five seasons he has collected 98 tackles (61 solo), 18 TFLs, 58 QB hits, five pass deflections, and a fumble recovery.
7
Samson Ebukam, Indianapolis Colts
Samson Ebukam joins the Colts after coming off the best season in his six-year career. In 2022 he finished with career-highs in sacks (five), QB hits (13), and TFLs (seven).
6
Jerry Hughes, Houston Texans
The 12-year veteran put together his best season since 2018 in his first season with the Houston Texans. In 2022 he finished with 35 tackles (21 solo), 10 TFLs, nine sacks, 10 QB hits, a pass deflection, an interception, and forced two fumbles.
5
Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans
In three college seasons at Alabama, Will Anderson Jr. finished with 204 tackles (114 solo), 58.5 TFLs, and 34.5 sacks. The first defensive player to hear his name called in the 2023 class should be in the talks for the Defensive Rookie of the Year by the end of the season.
4
Travon Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars
The 2022 No. 1 overall pick finished with 49 tackles (24 solo), five TFLs, three and a half sacks, 10 QB Hits, two pass deflections, one interception, and a forced fumble in his 15 rookie games. Travon Walker will be looking to be more of a disruptor in Year 2.
3
Kwity Paye, Indianapolis Colts
Kwity Paye is entering Year 3 and is poised to take the next step to establish himself as a core piece to the future Colts’ defense. He’ll have his sights set on getting to double-digit sack numbers for the first time in his NFL career.
2
Josh Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars
Josh Allen has 185 tackles (119 solo), 36 TFLs, 27.5 sacks, 70 QB Hits, seven pass deflections, one interception, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in his first four seasons in the NFL. He’s entering the final year of his rookie contract.
1
Harold Landry III, Tennessee Titans
The last time we saw Harold Landry III on the field he was coming off the best season with career-highs in tackles (75), TFLs (14), sacks (12), and QB Hits (22). Despite missing 2022 due to a torn ACL, Landry III is tied for the seventh-most QB hurries (39) since 2020.
