Gus’ Tiers: NFL pass-rushing units

Welcome to the latest edition of “Gus’ Tiers” at 1010XL/92.5 FM!

Each Wednesday, I’ll be using Tiermaker dot com to create a 100% correct ranking of a timely subject related to the Jacksonville Jaguars/NFL landscape.

For this week’s Tier, I ranked each team’s pass-rushing unit (OLB/DE/DT) after ranking pass-catching units last week.

Elite: Steelers, 49ers, Cowboys, Browns

T.J. Watt, Nick Bosa, Micah Parsons, and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett lead the best units in the league.

Good: Jaguars, Eagles, Raiders, Chiefs, Jets, Giants, Texans

The Jags have a formidable Big 3 in Josh Allen, Travon Walker, and newly-signed Arik Armstead. The Giants boast Dexter Lawrence, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and recent acquisition Brian Burns; the Texans roster Denico Autry, Will Anderson Jr., and free agent addition Danielle Hunter.

Eagles and Jets have star interior rushers (Jalen Carter and Quinnen Williams, respectively) along with deep EDGE rotations; the Raiders’ Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins form one of the scariest defensive line duos around; and the Chiefs will always be threatening as long as Chris Jones is in town.

Mid: Bills, Chargers, Patriots, Bengals, Saints, Packers, Lions

These teams have one or two big-name pass rushers (e.g., Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack on the Chargers) but don’t quite have enough juice to jump up a tier.

Weak: Ravens, Titans, Vikings, Dolphins, Bears, Seahawks, Colts

Most of these teams have one very good lineman (e.g., Jeffrey Simmons for the Titans) but the depth around them is concerning.

Horrid: Cardinals, Panthers, Commanders, Bucs, Rams, Broncos, Falcons

It’s hard to find more than one impact pass-rusher, if any, on these rosters.

@ me on Twitter to tell me where I went wrong (@gus_logue )