After 10 years of dominating the Seattle Seahawks and just about everybody else in the NFL, the best interior defensive lineman in the league has mercifully hung up his spurs and called it a career. Having won three Defensive Player of the Year awards, making 10 Pro Bowl teams and earning eight All-Pro honors, Aaron Donald went out on top – leading all interior linemen in tackles for a loss (16) last season.
With Aaron Donald out of the picture, who will become the new king of the iDL? Let’s find out. Here’s how we rank the top 30 interior defensive linemen in the NFL going into the 2024 season, beginning with a few rookies who will take the league by storm once they get up to speed.
Nov 6, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton (94) reacts to…RENTON, WASHINGTON - MAY 03: Byron Murphy II #91 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on during…Nov 19, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner (91) celebrates after…Ken Blaze-USA TODAY SportsCINCINNATI, OHIO - NOVEMBER 12: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals is sacked for a…Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) looks downfield as he is pressured by Denver Broncos defensive…Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver (91) celebrates a sack of New England Patriots quarterback Bailey…Sep 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Calais Campbell (93) celebrates after a…Dec 24, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (90) reacts after…Seattle Seahawks guard Gabe Jackson (66) blocks Green Bay Packers nose tackle Kenny Clark (97) as…Nov 23, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (98) celebrates after…Tennessee Titans defensive end Denico Autry (96) sacks Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (18) during their…Nov 12, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93) waits for a…Nov 12, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne (94) rushes the passer…Oct 8, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive end Grady Jarrett (97) celebrates after a…Oct 17, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Brandon Shell (72) prepares to block…JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 12: Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a sack…Dec 26, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) leaves the field…Jan 7, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill (54) runs through the…Oct 17, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle D.J. Reader (98) after the game…Dec 10, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) before the…Sep 25, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea (50) defensive tackle…Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) heads off the field after being helped up late…Miami Dolphins General Manager Chris Grier looks on as Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94)…PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 14: Jalen Carter #98 of the Philadelphia Eagles rushes the passer against…Dec 10, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike (92) enters the field…Sep 18, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Derrick Brown (95) takes the…Oct 23, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) walks…Oct 15, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (95)…Nov 19, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) celebrates…
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