Championship defenses are built on their ability to disrupt offenses at the line of scrimmage. While edge rushers often generate attention with their speed and sack totals, interior defensive linemen are equally important. They clog rushing lanes, control the A and B gaps, and force quarterbacks off their spots from the middle of the pocket.
The role of interior defenders has evolved significantly over the years. Once viewed primarily as run-stuffers, today's top defensive tackles are expected to impact every phase of the game. The best interior linemen can shut down the run while also generating consistent pressure, making them some of the most valuable defenders in the modern NFL.
5) Los Angeles Rams: Kobie Turner, Poona Ford
Since Aaron Donald's retirement, the Rams have been searching for ways to maintain a disruptive presence along the defensive front. They may have found it in Kobie Turner and Poona Ford. Los Angeles leaned heavily on its defensive line last season, pairing a strong pass rush with a top-12 run defense that allowed just 110.1 rushing yards per game.
Turner emerged as one of the NFL's premier interior defenders. While he was on the field, the Rams generated a 43.2% pressure rate, a figure that would have ranked first in the league according to Next Gen Stats. At 6-foot-2 and 294 pounds, Turner uses his leverage and balance to consistently win at the point of attack. He finished with 62 total pressures, second among interior defenders, while his 40 quarterback hurries also ranked near the top of the position.
Alongside Turner, Ford also enjoyed a phenomenal season. His 86.2 PFF defensive grade ranked fourth among 134 qualifying defensive linemen, reflecting his impact against both the run and pass. Despite standing just 5-foot-11, Ford uses his low center of gravity and natural power to absorb double teams and clog rushing lanes. DC Chris Shula deployed him in a variety of roles, helping strengthen the Rams' success against opposing rushing attacks and control the line of scrimmage throughout the season.
4) Dallas Cowboys: Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark
After a disastrous defensive season in which Dallas allowed the most points and the second-most yards in the NFL, the Cowboys made rebuilding the interior defensive line a priority. The additions of Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark give Dallas a very formidable pairing entering 2026.
Williams arrived from the New York Jets during the season and immediately stabilized the front. His combination of quickness, power, and pass-rushing prowess helped shore up a struggling run defense while earning him a fourth consecutive Pro Bowl selection. Few interior defenders can match his disruptive style in both phases of the game.
Clark brings a similarly impressive résumé. Acquired from Green Bay, the longtime Packers standout has built a reputation as a ferocious nose tackle. His powerful bull rush, strong hands, and durability make him a difficult matchup for opposing linemen, while his presence provides better interior run support.
Together, Williams and Clark give Dallas a powerful foundation capable of collapsing pockets and dominating the line of scrimmage. If both remain healthy, the Cowboys should see significant improvement from a defensive front that struggled throughout much of last season.
3) Tennessee Titans: Jeffery Simmons, John Franklin-Myers
Tennessee endured another difficult season in 2025, but the defensive line shined as a bright spot. Jeffery Simmons earned AP First-Team All-Pro honors and another Pro Bowl selection after recording a career-high 11 sacks from the interior while forcing three fumbles, tied for seventh-most in the NFL.
Simmons combines rare power and explosiveness at 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds. His bull rush consistently overwhelms opposing guards and centers, while his ability to stop the run makes him one of the league's most complete defensive tackles. Few interior defenders have matched his combination of pass-rushing production and tackling consistency in recent years.
Tennessee added another proven disruptor this offseason by signing John Franklin-Myers to a three-year contract. Franklin-Myers is coming off a career year in Denver, where he recorded 7.5 sacks and played a key role for a top unit. His versatility allows him to line up both inside and on the edge, giving Tennessee greater flexibility along the front.
Together, Simmons and Franklin-Myers form an intriguing interior pairing. Their ability to win one-on-one matchups should make it difficult for offenses to focus extra attention on either player, creating opportunities for both to thrive in 2026.
2) Seattle Seahawks: Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy II
The Seattle Seahawks led the NFL in scoring defense and limited explosive plays at a historic rate, producing one of the franchise's best seasons since the Legion of Boom era. A major reason for that success was the interior DL, led by Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II. The pair combined for 14 regular-season sacks, with Murphy adding two more in Seattle's Super Bowl victory.
Murphy emerged as a rising star in 2025. In just his second season, he paired an explosive first step with impressive power and effort, allowing him to impact both the run and pass game. His ability to consistently penetrate the backfield made him a key piece of Seattle's defensive front.
Williams provided a steady veteran presence alongside him. The former first-round pick recorded seven sacks and 62 tackles while continuing to collapse pockets and create opportunities for teammates. His versatility and experience helped anchor a dangerous squad.
Seattle's depth only strengthens the group. Veterans such as Jarran Reed give the Seahawks another physical interior presence capable of occupying blockers and freeing up opportunities for the players around him. That combination of production, experience, and depth is what makes Seattle one of the league's best interior defensive lines.
1) Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo
Since Vic Fangio took over the defense, Philadelphia has consistently fielded a top unit. In 2025, the Eagles combined a dominant pass rush with strong run stopping, anchored by Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Moro Ojomo.
Carter continued to establish himself among the league's premier interior defenders. Despite appearing in only 12 games, he earned Pro Bowl recognition thanks to his knack for generating pressure from the middle of the line while remaining a force against the run.
Alongside Carter, Davis enjoyed a breakout season, posting career highs in sacks (4.5), tackles (72), and tackles for loss (9) while starting all 17 games. His combination of size, strength, and improved quickness helped Philadelphia control the line of scrimmage, leading to a contract extension that made him the highest-paid nose tackle in NFL history.
Philadelphia's depth is what separates this group from most of the league. Ojomo started nine games and recorded six sacks along with 54 pressures, the sixth-highest total among NFL interior defenders. With Carter, Davis, and Ojomo all capable of making an impact, the Eagles possess one of the deepest interior defensive line rotations in football.
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