NFL Power Rankings for all 32 starting EDGE duos in 2021

By Randy Gurzi | Aug 18, 2021

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 11: Montez Sweat #90 of the Washington Football Team celebrates with teammate Chase Young #99 after a play in the second half against the Los Angeles Rams at FedExField on October 11, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 27: Za’Darius Smith #55 of the Green Bay Packers anticipates a play during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Lambeau Field on December 27, 2020 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

10. Green Bay Packers: Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith

In 2019, the Green Bay Packers decided it was time to get better on the edge. They went out in free agency and signed Za’Darius Smith away from the Baltimore Ravens and Preston Smith from Washington. That season, they both blew up with Za’Darius registering 13.5 sacks and Preston picking up 12. In year two, Za’Darius ended up with 12.5 whereas Preston dropped to just 4.0.

He was splitting more time with Rashan Gary but we all saw how dominant these two can be when they’re on top of their game. Not only that, but both are pretty good against the run and deserve a lot of credit for the way the Packers were able to go from a struggling defense to one of the better units in the game.

9. San Francisco 49ers: Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead

One of two Bosa brothers in the NFL, Nick Bosa has quickly asserted himself as a force in the league. As a rookie in 2019, Bosa had 47 tackles and nine sacks and was a huge reason they were able to make it to the Super Bowl with Jimmy Garoppolo under center.

Bosa was unable to show he could repeat that success in 2020 since he tore his ACL in Week 2. He’s still working his way back which hurts their current standings, but if he gets healthy, he could shoot them up the board.

They could also improve if Arik Armstead gets back to what we saw in 2019. He was a top-five defensive end himself with 54 tackles and 10 sacks. He stayed strong against the run in 2020 but finished with just 3.5 sacks.

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