Worst NFL Defensive Fronts of 2024, Including the Cardinals, Ravens and More

The defensive line can make things easier for the rest of the defense if they can get to the quarterback without needing a blitz. The New York Giants took down Tom Brady twice in the Super Bowl in large part because their defensive line controlled the game and made things tough for the star quarterback.

When the line is weak, though, it allows the offense to dictate the pace and requires help from blitzers, leaving holes in the pass defense. If they can't stop the run, then the opponent can demoralize the defense by bruising them up front and marching down the field.

ESPN measures offensive and defensive line play by win rate, attempting an analytical way to rank teams up front, where it can be hard to quantify performance. Below are eight teams who ranked 20th or worse in both pass rush win rate and run stop win rate in 2024.

Let's look at what these teams have done to upgrade on the defensive line so far this offseason and what could still be coming in the draft and with summer signings.

Check out Sunday's look at offensive lines who struggled in 2024.

Arizona Cardinals

Pass Rushing: 28th

Run Stopping: 20th

The Cardinals appear to be a team on an upward trajectory. Improving on the defensive line this offseason was probably their clearest path toward improving their chances at contention.

What have they done?

Arizona made one of the biggest splashes of free agency, signing former Philadelphia pass rusher Josh Sweat to a four-year, $76 million contract. They also brought in Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell while re-signing Baron Browning and L.J. Collier.

The Cardinals made a clear point to upgrade their defensive line. They also drafted Darius Robinson in the first round last year, a player who was seen as having a high floor. This group now looks like a strength.

What needs to happen?

There is no move that must happen. No team ever had too many good defensive linemen, so taking a player at the right spot in the draft makes sense. Coach Jonathan Gannon came from Philadelphia, where they just used a deep defensive line rotation as a major part of their Super Bowl run.

Atlanta Falcons

Pass Rushing: 27th

Run Stopping: 26th

Everyone was sure the Falcons were going to draft a pass rusher in the first round last year; then they took quarterback Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall. They obviously didn't do enough to build the defensive line, as they finished in the bottom seven against both the pass and run.

What have they done?

Signing veteran Leonard Floyd was the big addition. He's a name, but he was also very middling last year and turns 33 in September, so he can't be counted on long term. Kentavius Street was retained as depth, and Morgan Fox was signed away from the Chargers after racking up 15.5 sacks over the previous three seasons.

What needs to happen?

They still need a high-end pass rusher. Again, conventional wisdom says Atlanta will draft an edge player 15th overall or maybe even trade up for a top-10 prospect. We just saw that they weren't afraid to make a big splash in the draft, though, so we can't assume anything.

This group also lost stalwart defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, so bringing in multiple young defensive linemen/pass rushers would be their best path toward building the position.

Baltimore Ravens

Pass Rushing: 29th

Run Stopping: 22nd

A championship contender, the Ravens didn't help themselves on the defensive front last year. Usually known for defense, Baltimore fell short on that side of the ball compared to their high-powered offense.

What have they done?

Baltimore hasn't added anyone of note to the defensive line. There are young guys they surely hope will improve, but this unit is light right now.

What needs to happen?

There are always veterans available later in the offseason who can slot in as situational pass rushers, if nothing else. Players signed after June 1 also don't count against the compensatory draft pick formula, something Baltimore famously is aware of.

A first-round pick on the defensive line would make sense also. The Ravens have the 27th pick, a spot where pass rushers and defensive backs project to be available who could help as rookies.

Being that they are more settled on offense, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Baltimore focus most of their draft on the defensive side of the ball. That could mean multiple defensive linemen coming in, something that would help their depth and maybe their upside.

Carolina Panthers

Pass Rushing: 31st

Run Stopping: 32nd

Carolina could use more help than any other team in football on the defensive line. They traded Brian Burns before last season then lost defensive tackle Derrick Brown to injury early, so the team was bereft of talent up front.

What have they done?

Carolina was in on former Philadelphia lineman Milton Williams, thinking they had a deal before he flipped to the Patriots. They shifted by signing Tershawn Wharton away from Kansas City, a player who was better against the pass than the run last year.

They also signed nose tackle Bobby Brown III (Rams), a run stuffer, and edge player Patrick Jones II (Vikings), who had seven sacks last season, though that probably overstates his actual impact.

The Panthers needed talent all over the roster, and they did well by adding a few starters/rotation players in free agency.

What needs to happen?

This team doesn't have a lot of young upside on defense. The most common mock draft pick for Carolina at No. 8 has been a pass rusher, often Georgia's Jalon Walker. It wouldn't be a surprise to see them target the defensive line with multiple picks given their ineptitude in 2024.

Chicago Bears

Pass Rushing: 24th

Run Stopping: 29th

There was a lot of hoopla around their offensive additions last offseason, but it's clear the Bears were lacking on the defensive line. Their disappointing season was a function of the defense as much as the offense (and maybe even more of a defensive problem).

What have they done?

Chicago brought in two new starters on significant deals early in free agency: DT Jarrett after he was released by the Falcons, and defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo from the Colts after he racked up 16.5 sacks in four seasons.

Jarrett is more of a good than great player at this stage of his career, while Odeyingbo is better against the pass than the run despite modest sack numbers. These guys are better for veteran depth and snaps than high-level impact.

What needs to happen?

This team could use a major pass rusher. Montez Sweat is fine, but he's not a top-line player. The Bears could be in position to draft a blue-chip player on the defensive line at No. 10. Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M), Mike Green (Marshall), Mykel Williams (Georgia), and James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee) are guys with intrigue who could be available when the Bears are on the clock.

Cincinnati Bengals

Pass Rushing: 20th

Run Stopping: 25th

The Bengals were also on the list of teams with bad offensive lines yesterday. If you're wondering how a team with Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins missed the playoffs, look no further.

What have they done?

The most important thing is the move they didn't make: Trey Hendrickson asked for a trade, but Cincinnati has said they plan to keep their best pass rusher and hopefully negotiate a long-term deal.

They re-signed B.J. Hill, Cam Sample, and Joseph Ossai; Hill is the only real impact player in the group. The Bengals also signed defensive tackle T.J. Slaton (Packers), who was below average against both the pass and run last season.

What needs to happen?

Coming to terms on an extension with Hendrickson would ease some tension and lock in one high-level player. The 17th overall pick is a spot that could present several high-upside young players, like Marshall's Green. Cincinnati needs to keep attacking the defense in the draft.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Pass Rushing: 32nd

Run Stopping: 27th

This is pretty disappointing for a team with two top-10 picks rushing the passer, including the top overall selection from 2022. Jacksonville was supposed to be an ascending team, but they have tanked the wrong way the past few years. The offense deserves plenty of the blame, but the defense hasn't kept up their side either.

What have they done?

Nothing. The Jags have what looks like a decent front on paper, but the numbers say otherwise, and they haven't made any moves to upgrade that group.

What needs to happen?

Jacksonville has been linked to Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham at No. 5 more often than any other player in mock drafts. Graham can be a game wrecker against both the pass and the run; putting him between Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker could form a potentially devastating group.

This is another team that could add talent throughout the draft and probably upgrade the defensive line with any of those picks, so they can look to double-dip (or more) with a blue-chip prospect and then a developmental/rotational guy later.

New Orleans Saints

Pass Rushing: 30th

Run Stopping: 30th

The Saints don't seem to have much of a direction, as they aren't contenders but are operating as such while pushing their salary cap space to the extreme. They do target the lines often early in the draft, a smart strategy amongst several questionable ones.

What have they done?

New Orleans traded a late-round pick to the Patriots for Davon Godchaux, a middling player. They re-signed Chase Young, a good move in theory. Young hasn't hit his superstar potential, but he's a good pass rusher who can make a difference.

What needs to happen?

The Saints have drafted five defensive linemen in the first or second round since 2016. They could also look at the offensive line (six first- and second-round picks since 2015), but expect New Orleans to attack the D-line early as well.

They need a lot of help in a lot of areas, but the Saints might be able to help themselves most by adding a Day 1 or 2 player on both lines and being on the lookout for depth in the late rounds.