50) Marcus Williams, S, New Orleans Saints
2019 stats: 15 games, 55 tackles, 4 interceptions, 13 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble, 1 defensive touchdown
It’s a shame that Marcus Williams remains best known for his blunder against Stefon Diggs on the Minnesota Miracle play. The former second-rounder has developed into a fantastic cover safety for the Saints and has overtaken Marcus Lattimore as arguably New Orleans’ most irreplaceable defensive back. Williams made a play on the ball nearly as much as an opponent made a catch in his vicinity (17 to 24, not including incompletions).
49) Darius Leonard, LB, Indianapolis Colts
2019 stats: 13 games, 121 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, 5 interceptions, 7 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles, 1 defensive touchdown
Darius Leonard didn’t make as many headlines as he did in his rookie season as a first-year, First-Team All-Pro for the Colts. However, despite not getting the recognition, the South Carolina State product continued on his fantastic rookie year. After missing three of the first five games of the season, Leonard returned as a similar force against the run while showing added polish in coverage. Indianapolis’ improving defense has to give credit to Leonard for finding a new way to make plays, as evidenced by his career-high five interceptions, up from two throughout his rookie year.
48) Tyrann Mathieu, S, Kansas City Chiefs
2019 stats: 16 games, 75 tackles, 4 interceptions, 12 pass deflections, 2 sacks, 3 tackles for loss
Kansas City’s newly acquired Swiss-Army knife defender didn’t take very long to leave his impact on Steve Spagnulo’s defense. The LSU product was all over the field yet again for his third team, doing a lot of everything in the defensive backfield. While Tyrann Mathieu’s competence in coverage and 57.8 passer rating allowed against were the defensive back’s key contributions in the regular season, Mathieu was unleashed on opposing backfields throughout the playoffs as Kendall Fuller took over the center fielder role for the team part-time.
47) Fletcher Cox, DT, Philadelphia Eagles
2019 stats: 16 games, 40 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, 2 pass deflections, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery
Fletcher Cox recorded his least amount of sacks since 2013, but the Eagles’ star defensive lineman remains among the best trench stuffers in the game. As evidenced by Philadelphia’s third-ranked run defense, Cox showed up in a big way against opposing ball-carriers. The entire pass defense took a step back in 2019, but Cox remained a consistent asset for Jim Schwartz in an otherwise-unpredictable year for the Eagles.
46) Rodney Hudson, C, Oakland Raiders
2019 stats: 15 games, 0 sacks allowed, 3 penalties
Rodney Hudson continued his stellar play at the center position throughout his fifth year with the Raiders. The three-time Pro Bowler kept Derek Carr upright all season, contributing to precisely zero sacks on Oakland/Vegas’ franchise quarterback. Josh Jacobs’ successful rookie season and Kolton Miller’s development through year two can also be credited some to the Raiders’ most consistent performer over the past half-decade.
45) Marlon Humphrey, CB, Baltimore Ravens
2019 stats: 16 games, 65 tackles, 3 interceptions, 14 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 4 tackles for loss, 2 defensive touchdowns
The Ravens’ secondary was well on the way to being a top unit in the league, even before the addition of Marcus Peters. That improvement along the defensive backfield was mainly due to the development of Marlon Humphrey in his third year as a pro. The defensive back developed into a consistent playmaker in Baltimore’s secondary. With six turnovers, a 68.4 passer rating against, and two defensive touchdowns, the cornerback provided the Ravens with a shutdown corner that was responsible for providing some extra aid to the offense.
44) Cameron Heyward, DT, Pittsburgh Steelers
2019 stats: 16 games, 83 tackles, 9 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 6 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
With Stephon Tuitt’s absence for the second half of the season due to injury, Cameron Heyward stepped his play up a notch for arguably the best Steelers’ defensive unit of the decade. Heyward collected a career-high 83 tackles and 23 quarterback hits in his ninth season as a pro, leading this defensive front alongside T.J. Watt. Heyward’s devastating presence also opened the door for Tuitt’s replacement, Javon Hargrave, to break out alongside Heyward and earn himself a big contract in free agency.
43) Tyreek Hill, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
2019 stats: 12 games, 58 receptions, 860 receiving yards, 7 receiving touchdowns, 14.8 yards-per-catch
After picking up a shoulder injury in Kansas City’s season debut against the Jaguars, Tyreek Hill’s season got off to a rough start. However, Hill instantly rebounded with 31 catches, 527 receiving yards, and 5 touchdowns in his following five games. After getting hurt again against the Chargers, Hill’s final five performances were solidly unspectacular. The speedy wide receiver burst onto the scene again in the Chiefs’ AFC Conference Championship game against the Titans with two touchdowns before putting together another 100-yard performance in the Super Bowl, reeling in some important passes from Patrick Mahomes.
42) Harrison Smith, S, Minnesota Vikings
2019 stats: 15 games, 85 tackles, 1 sack, 4 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 11 pass deflections, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries
Somewhere in between Anthony Harris’ breakout season and Xavier Rhodes’ collapse throughout 2019 was Harrison Smith continuing his high level of play in the Vikings’ defensive backfield. Smith won’t be found in the slot or in the box nearly as often as Tyrann Mathieu, but makes a seemingly similar impact as a defender that’s stellar at making a play on the ball through the air (only allowing a 41.7 passer rating against) or on the ground, as evidenced by the Notre Dame product’s high tackle total despite playing primarily out of the box.
41) Grady Jerrett, DT, Atlanta Falcons
2019 stats: 16 games, 69 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles
Grady Jerrett continues to get better every year with the Falcons since being selected in the fifth round back in 2015. The former Clemson Tiger has proven to be a steal for Atlanta in the trenches, developing into a top-notch interior pass rusher. With a career-high in tackles and sacks, Jerrett has clearly established himself as Dan Quinn’s most reliable defensive lineman.
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