NFC North EDGE Rankings for 2026
After looking at the interior of the defensive line, it’s now time to look at the edge. There are some seriously talented edge defenders in the division, which made choosing my NFC North Edge rankings for the 2025 season hard work and even more difficult when one of the best players in the league joined the division last season.
Vikings’ Depth Still Trails Two Division Rivals
I’m evaluating the starters and the depth behind them to determine the rankings. Last year, the Vikings topped the pile at this position, but they have slipped down the rankings this year.
1. Green Bay Packers
Micah Parsons, Lukas Van Ness, Brenton Cox, Barryn Sorrell, Dani Dennis-Sutton
The Packers made a huge move last season when they traded for Micah Parsons – sending Kenny Clark and two first-round picks to the Dallas Cowboys – and it was a real statement of intent. Parsons is one of the best players in the league and immediately makes any defense he is in more dangerous. Green Bay has a good foil across from him in the 2023 first-round pick, Lukas Van Ness.
A foot injury hindered him last season, but Van Ness is fully recovered and has signed his fifth-year option. Playing alongside Parsons should give him lots of opportunities to shine as teams try to stop the latter. Green Bay has some average depth players in Brenton Cox and Barryn Sorrell, and a fourth-round rookie in Dani Dennis-Sutton to round out the depth chart. The Packers will be formidable from the edge with Parsons leading the charge.
2. Detroit Lions
Aidan Hutchinson, DJ Wonnum, Payton Turner, Derrick Moore, Tyre West
Another of the league’s best players of his football in the North Division and in his native Michigan. After missing most of the 2024 season, Aidan Hutchinson returned to post his most statistically successful season to date. The Lions’ problem has been getting support around him, which has led to a complete change in the supporting cast for 2025.
Former Viking DJ Wonnum has been signed as a solid veteran alongside reclamation project Payton Turner, whose injury history includes missing all of last season. Detroit also drafted Derrick Moore in the second round, whom they will have high hopes for, as well as Tyre West in the seventh.
3. Minnesota Vikings
Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Bo Richter, Tyler Batty
It came as a surprise when the Vikings decided to trade away Jonathan Greenard; the surprise only grew when there was no new addition to the group. Last year’s first-round pick, Dallas Turner, is promoted to a starting role alongside Andrew Van Ginkel, and Turner’s pass-rush potential and Van Ginkel’s all-around game could be a good mix.
The pressure is on Turner to deliver, but the depth behind the two starters is also a worry. Fifth-round pick from last year, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, is set to move out from the defensive line to play outside linebacker, while a couple of players who were signed after going undrafted in recent seasons – Bo Richter and Tyler Batty – round out the depth, having had minimal playing time in their careers so far.
4. Chicago Bears
Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, Dayo Odeyingbo, Daniel Hardy, Shemar Turner
The Bears’ top pass rusher is Montez Sweat, who got into double figures in sacks last season. Outside of Sweat, Chicago needs big improvement from their edge defenders, with Austin Booker, Dayo Odeyingbo, Daniel Hardy, and Shemar Turner combining for just six sacks last season – 5 of which belonged to Booker.
A second-round pick back in 2021, Odeyingbo spent four years in Indianapolis before the Bears picked him up. His first season in Chicago was cut short due to a torn Achilles tendon in Week 9. A healthy, improved Odeyongbo will be crucial to the Bears improving at this position in 2026.
