80) Jalen Ramsey, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars/Los Angeles Rams
2019 stats: 12 games, 50 tackles, 1 interception, 5 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles
After finding his way out of Jacksonville, Jalen Ramsey continues onto the second phase of his NFL career in Los Angeles. While Ramsey’s 2019 campaign was not up to par with his 2017 and 2018 seasons where he made a case for being the best cornerback in the league. However, the Florida State product still held his own for two teams undergoing a lot of roster changes. Specifically, the Rams cornerback was fantastic at limiting receivers after the catch, only allowing 101 total yards-after-catch against opposing receivers this past season.
79) Geno Atkins, DT, Cincinnati Bengals
2019 stats: 16 games, 47 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, 20 pressures
Despite logging his lowest sack total since 2014, Geno Atkins remained the heart of the Bengals’ underrated defensive front. Atkins constantly occupied double teams in the trenches, allowing defensive ends Sam Hubbard and Carlos Dunlap to wreak havoc along the edges. The veteran’s contributions were not unnoticed, as Atkins was invited to participate in his eighth Pro Bowl despite Cincinnati’s struggles in the win column.
78) Casey Heyward, CB, Los Angeles Chargers
2019 stats: 16 games, 32 tackles, 2 interceptions, 8 pass deflections
In Los Angeles’ deep defensive backfield, it’s easy to lose sight of individual contributors. Casey Heyward was a big reason that despite only having Derwin James for five games, the Chargers still finished sixth in passing yards allowed per game. On average, for every three receptions that Heyward allowed, the former Packer returned the favor with a pass deflection or an interception.
77) J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
2019 stats: 8 games, 24 tackles, 4.0 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, 3 pass deflections
J.J. Watt was halfway through what seemed to be his second straight healthy season before missing the Texans’ last eight games with a pectoral injury. Watt seemed to return to his pre-injury form even without Jadaveon Clowney off the edge to help him out. Even when Watt returned for the playoffs, Watt continued his impressive play, particularly in Houston’s comeback win in the Wild Card Round against the Bills.
76) Tyron Smith, LT, Dallas
2019 stats: 13 games, 1 sack allowed, 8 penalties, 1 fumble recovery
Tyron Smith continued to contribute to Dallas’ standout offensive line and deserves credit for Dak Prescott’s career season. Much like fellow NFC East offensive lineman Brandon Scherff, Smith proved his value to the team even while off the field. The left side of the offensive line struggled during the three games he missed.
75) Kareem Jackson, S/CB, Denver Broncos
2019 stats: 13 games, 71 tackles, 2 interceptions, 10 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble, 4 tackles for loss, 1 defensive touchdown
Kareem Jackson had arguably the best season of his career during his first year in Denver. The former Texans’ defensive back was deployed as a versatile defensive back that divided his team nearly equally between cornerback and safety. No matter where he lined up, Jackson seemed to find his way to the ball. Quarterbacks recorded a less-than-impressive 75.8 passer rating against the tenth-year defender.
74) Terron Armstead, LT, New Orleans Saints
2019 stats: 15 games, 0 sacks allowed, 6 penalties, 1 fumble recovery
Terron Armstead earned his second Pro Bowl appearance after giving up precisely zero sacks on either Drew Brees or Teddy Bridgewater in 2019. Logging the most games played of his career, the offensive tackle has developed with Ryan Ramcyzk into one of the best offensive tackle pairings in the entire NFL.
73) Joe Thuney, G, New England Patriots
2019 stats: 16 games, 1 sack allowed, 0 penalties
The former third-round pick out of N.C. State developed into an irreplaceable asset on the Patriots’ ascending offensive line. After some developmental issues between Isaiah Wynn’s injury, David Andrews’ health-related absence, and Nate Solder departure a few years ago, Thuney stepped up to become Tom Brady’s best blocker. The guard being hit with the franchise tag before free agency proved that the team values him as part of their post-Brady era offense.
72) DeForest Buckner, DL, San Fransisco 49ers
2019 stats: 16 games, 62 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 9 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, 2 pass deflections, 1 defensive touchdown
DeForest Buckner’s 2019 season took a backseat to Arik Armstead’s career year, but Buckner continued his stellar play in the trenches during his final season with San Francisco. While his sack total dipped from 12 to 7.5, Buckner tripled his career forced fumbles and more than doubled his career fumble recoveries, proving his playmaking skills go beyond getting after the quarterback or plugging up holes in the running game.
71) Jaylon Smith, LB, Dallas Cowboys
2019 stats: 16 games, 142 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 6 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception, 9 pass deflections
With Leighton Vander Esch missing most of his sophomore season for the Cowboys, Jaylon Smith stepped into the lead linebacker role in his third season out of Notre Dame. Dallas’ defensive unit was among the top 10 in the league in terms of yards-per-game allowed with a lot of thanks to Smith’s contribution of a little bit of everything.
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