Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett is the No. 1 defensive lineman in AP’s top 5 rankings

ROB MAADDI, Associated Press

25 minutes ago

FILE – Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker TJ Watt (90) runs along the edge against Indianapolis Colts tackle Blake Freeland (73) during an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger, File)

Myles Garrett was nearly unstoppable last season.

His spectacular performance earned him several awards and now he has been voted the league’s best defender by The Associated Press.

A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five defensive linemen, with selections based on current status entering the 2024 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second through fifth place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points, respectively.

Garrett received six first-place votes. TJ Watt and Chris Jones each received one. Garrett and Micah Parsons were the only players selected on every ballot.

Garrett edged out Watt for the AP Defensive Player of the Year award last season.

1. MYLES GARRETT, Cleveland Browns

Despite constant double teams, Garrett had 14 sacks, 30 quarterback hits, 17 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and forced offensive coordinators to avoid his side of the field. Under new coordinator Jim Schwartz, Garrett flourished and turned the Browns into one of the league’s best units.

2. MICAH PARSONS, Dallas Cowboys

Parsons, who beat out Watt for second place, was dropped to second-team All-Pro last season after spending his first two years on the first team. He was still just as dominant, with a career-high 14 sacks, 33 QB hits and 18 tackles for loss. Parsons is set to receive a huge contract once Dallas has dealt CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott.

3. TJ WATT, Pittsburgh Steelers

The four-time All-Pro and 2021 AP Defensive Player of the Year led the league with 19 sacks, forced four fumbles, had 36 QB hits and 19 tackles for loss. Watt was named to seven ballots.

4. CHRIS JONES, Kansas City Chiefs

Jones is the only interior lineman to make this list. A two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl pick, Jones helped Kansas City’s defense carry the team when its offense struggled for parts of last season. He made a game-changing play in overtime in the Super Bowl, forcing the 49ers to settle for a field goal and setting up Kansas City’s comeback victory. Jones had 10 1/2 sacks, 29 QB hits and 13 tackles for loss.

5. NICK BOSA, San Francisco 49ers

The 2022 AP Defensive Player of the Year got off to a slow start last season after an early holdout that led to a $170 million, five-year contract. He finished with 10 1/2 sacks, down from 18 1/2 in 2022. Bosa had 35 QB hits, forced two fumbles and had 16 tackles for loss.

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