Garrett has recorded double-digit sacks in each of his last six years, but he’s never led the NFL in the category. According to computer vision, he ranked second in the league in double/triple-team win rate last season, behind only Aaron Donald. He also held pole position in second-effort win rate (when the defender gets effectively blocked then re-engages the offensive player) in 2023. Lo and behold, he won Defensive Player of the Year. One player who narrowly missed this top five: Montez Sweat, who significantly upgraded the Bears’ defense after arriving at the trade deadline last season.

REST OF MY PROJECTED TOP FIVE:

T-2) Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders: 11

T-2) Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys: 11

T-2) T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers: 11

5) Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers: 10

ADDITIONAL NOTE: Preseason sack projections always look low because they are calculated fractionally on a per-game basis, then added together. So, at this early point in the NFL year, you should just look to the rankings and not worry as much about the actual sack totals.