The 2021 NFC East All-Division team will feature a traditional 4-3 defense to take advantage of the premier talent at the edge rusher position. The 4-3 also gives some grace for a weak linebacker core throughout the division. The all-division defensive team is heavily laden with New York Giants players and thin on Dallas Cowboys. Leading the team are both edge rushers from the Washington Football Team.
2021 NFC East Defense: The All-Division Team
Defensive End: Chase Young, Washington Football Team
Headlining the pass-rushers is arguably the best young defensive talent in the NFL. Chase Young made a splash in the NFL with 7.5 sacks and 44 tackles in his rookie season alone. Young highlighted his great rookie season in Week 14 against the San Francisco 49ers where he recorded a sack and forced a fumble. He recovered the fumble and ran it 47 yards for a touchdown. Young earned a Pro Bowl selection, one of only two rookies alongside Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings.
Defensive Tackle: Leonard Williams, New York Giants
Leonard Williams is one of the All-Division defensive tackles. Williams’ production in 2020 solidified his position as a top-two defensive lineman in the NFC East. He was an extremely talented defensive lineman drafted 6th overall by the New York Jets. Williams struggled to gain traction in the NFL after a stellar 2016 and Pro Bowl selection. The Giants traded for Williams to solidify their defensive fronts. The former Jet excelled immediately sacking opposing quarterbacks 11.5 times. With Williams on the defensive line turning back the run game, the Giants tremendous secondary can sell out to stopping the pass. The Giants and Williams should be one of the best defensive units in the NFL.
Defensive Tackle: Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia Eagles
Fletcher Cox joins Leonard Williams on the defensive front for the All-Division team. Cox has been the best defensive player in the NFC East for the better part of the last decade. The standout defensive lineman has amassed 54.5 sacks since 2012 and has locked down the run game for the Philadelphia Eagles. He has six Pro Bowl selections and led the Eagles to a Super Bowl victory in 2017.
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Defensive End: Montez Sweat, Washington
Opposite Chase Young is Montez Sweat. Sweat is a young pass rusher out of Mississippi State University. Washington Football Team drafted him 26th overall in the first round. Sweat racked up 16 sacks in the last two seasons with 95 tackles. He has started all 32 career games for the Washington Football Team. One of Sweat’s young career highlights was a 15-yard interception and return for a touchdown on Thanksgiving in 2020. With Sweat entering his third season and Young his second, the Washington Football Team has one of—if not the best—pass-rushing units in all of the NFL.
How many sacks will this duo have this season? pic.twitter.com/UFuy20gEkZ
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) July 17, 2021
Outside Linebacker: Blake Martinez, Giants
Blake Martinez was drafted 131st overall in the fourth round by the Green Bay Packers. Martinez spent four seasons with the Green Bay Packers before signing with the New York Giants in 2020. Last season Martinez headlined a much improved Giants defense with 13 tackles against the Pittsburgh Steelers, eight tackles against the Chicago Bears, and 10 tackles with an interception against the Washington Football Team. Martinez has registered 13 career sacks and over 600 tackles, 38 being for loss. If the Giants want to compete for the NFC East this season, the defense and Blake Martinez will play a pivotal role.
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Middle Linebacker: Jaylon Smith, Dallas Cowboys
Jaylon Smith was drafted out of Notre Dame in the second round, 34th overall, by the Dallas Cowboys. Smith’s knee injury at the end of his college career allowed him to slide. Smith has been the starting middle linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys since 2018. If Dallas is to improve on their defense from last season, the onus will be on Jaylon Smith and fellow linebacker Leighton Vander Esch.
Outside Linebacker: Leighton Vander Esch, Cowboys
Leighton Vander Esch is a former walk-on from Boise State University. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys 19th overall in the 1st round. The former Bronco earned playing time and made an impact immediately with a franchise rookie-record 140 tackles. He has had some trouble with injuries requiring surgery and missed time. In 2019 He missed Weeks 12-16 with a nerve injury requiring season-ending surgery in 2019. Vander Esch suffered a broken collarbone costing him most of the 2020 season. When healthy, Vander Esch is a tremendous linebacker with great size and speed standing 6’4” 255lbs and running a 4.65 40-yard dash at the combine. Dallas should boast one of the best cores at the linebacker position if Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch stay healthy.
Newly-extended Jaylon Smith & Leighton Vander Esch represent THE LEAGUE'S BEST LB tandem heading into 2019.
🔽🔽https://t.co/azAMC3BFOT pic.twitter.com/bBrY7NNDbX— PFF (@PFF) August 20, 2019
Cornerback: Darius Slay, Eagles
Darius Slay is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, nicknamed “Big Play Slay.” Slay was drafted 36th overall in the second round by the Detroit Lions, spending the first seven seasons of his career with the Lions. The veteran cornerback has long since been regarded as one of the best defensive backs in the NFL with 20 interceptions, over 400 tackles, and 108 starts in his eight-year career. Slay regularly made it his business to shut down the opposing team’s best receiver. Slay was a lone bright spot for the Lions struggling defense, but will showcase nicely for the Eagles to help their rebuild process.
Free Safety: Logan Ryan, Giants
Logan Ryan headlines the Safety position alongside teammate Jabrill Peppers. Ryan was drafted 83rd overall in the third round by the New England Patriots. Ryan played behind a host of skilled defensive backs. Some of these defensive backs include Aqib Talib, Kyle Arrington, Darrelle Revis, and Malcolm Butler. It wasn’t until 2016 when Ryan earned a starting position with Malcolm Butler. In 2017 the Patriots traded Ryan to the Tennessee Titans where he played with current teammate Adoree’ Jackson. Ryan started all 45 games for Tennessee, missing some stints with injury, registering 8.5 sacks for the Titans with four interceptions. Logan Ryan then signed with the New York Giants in free agency. In Week 5, Ryan was the player who tackled Dak Prescott resulting in a season-ending ankle fracture and dislocation. The current Giant standout recently signed a contract extension for three years $31 million. With Peppers, Ryan, Bradberry, and Jackson, the Giants secondary should be one of the best units in football and will undoubtedly have them competing for the NFC East by the end of the 2021 season.
Since 2013, Logan Ryan is the only player with 15+ INTs (18) & 10+ FFs (10) 📈 pic.twitter.com/DMNoYjG9tT
— New York Giants (@Giants) November 12, 2020
Strong Safety: Jabrill Peppers, Giants
The former Cleveland Browns safety is starting his third season with the New York Giants after being include in the trade with Odell Beckham Jr. In two seasons with the Browns, Jabrill Peppers had four interceptions and nearly 100 tackles. Peppers is slightly undersized standing at 5’11”, but makes up for his lack of imposing physicality with high-energy plays and athleticism.
Cornerback: James Bradberry, New York Giants
James Bradberry is entering his sixth season in the NFL and second season with the New York Giants. Bradberry has 11 career interceptions in 75 starts with over 300 tackles. Bradberry is a great talent in the secondary and helps to round out the Giants plus defense. His size, speed, and overall game sense deter quarterbacks from throwing his direction. Bradberry is a pivotal piece to a much improved Giants defense that looks to compete in the NFC East.
2021 NFC East All-Division Team: Offense
Main Photo:
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