2025 NFC West: Defensive Line Comparisons

How do the Cardinals stack up on the defensive line this season?

Having taken an in-depth look at the Arizona Cardinals’ offensive line talent and how they compare in 2025 to the other offensive lines in the NFC West, today we take a close look at how the Cardinals’ 2025 defensive line compares (on paper) to the Rams’, 49ers’ and Seahawks”.

We are going to treat this as the top 5 defensive linemen on each squad, and rank them, for discussion points, based on their 2024 PFF grades.

ED:

1. SFO: Nick Bosa —- 91.0
2. SEA: Boye Mafe —- 75.2
3. ARI: Zaven Collins —- 72.0
4. LAR: Byron Young —- 6.1.6

DT:

1. SEA: Leonard Williams —- 87.1
2. LAR: Braden Fiske —- 57.6
3. SFO: Yetur Gross-Matos —- 51.5
4. ARI: Walter Nolen III —- R

NT:

1. LAR: Poona Ford —- 85.3
2. ARI: Dalvin Tomlinson —- 67.4 —- UFA CLE
3. SEA: Byron Murphy II —- 57.8
4. SFO: Alfred Collins —- R

DT:

1. ARI: Calais Campbell —- 82.3 —- UFA MIA
2. LAR: Kobie Turner —- 75.1
3. SEA: Jarran Reed —- 70.6
4. SFO: Jordan Elliott —- 47.6

ED:

1. LAR: Jared Verse —- 89.3
2. ARI: Josh Sweat —- 70.0 —- UFA PHI
3. SFO: Bryce Huff —- 69.8 —- Trade PHI
4. SEA: DeMarcus Lawrence —- 56.8 —- UFA DAL

PFF’s 2025 Defensive Line rankings:

2025 NFL defensive line rankings: T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward propel Steelers to No. 1 (pff.com)

9. Los Angeles Rams

Many expected the Rams’ defensive line to fall off following Aaron Donald‘s retirement, but the unit has remained above average thanks to its young players, including a pair of impactful rookies. First-year interior defender Braden Fiske generated pressure on 13.2% of pass plays in 2024, which ranked fifth at the position, while fellow rookie Jared Verse’s 89.3 PFF overall grade placed seventh among edge defenders.

Los Angeles added interior defender Poona Ford in the offseason, and he brings an 85.3 PFF overall grade that ranked fifth among interior defenders this past season.

20. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals’ defensive line might be the most improved unit over the past eight months — including the mid-season acquisition of edge defender Baron Browning. Arizona added edge defender Josh Sweat and interior defenders Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell in free agency and selected interior defender Walter Nolen with their first-round pick.

The Cardinals ranked only 26th in the NFL in pressure rate without blitzing last season (28.0%), but that should improve in 2025 with the new pieces along the defensive line.

21. San Francisco 49ers

Once considered to be the best defensive line in football, the 49ers’ unit now relies mainly on star edge rusher Nick Bosa. The Ohio State product earned a 91.0 PFF overall grade in 2024, which ranked fourth among edge defenders. The rest of the group leaves a lot to be desired. The 49ers must hope that Bryce Huff can find his old...