Our 2025 NFL All-Pro selections continue today with defense. If you missed our offensive selections, you can check them out here.
EDGE: Myles Garrett, CLE
Season stats: 60 TKL | 33 TFL | 23.0 SK | 3 FF
Garrett is obviously a lock to headline the All-Pro defense after a single-season record with 23.0 sacks—which blew past his previous career-high (16.0) with a takedown of Joe Burrow in the final minutes of the finale breaking the mark. Cleveland’s run defense falling apart down the stretch doesn’t fall on Garrett, who now has 125.5 career sacks and is showing no signs of slowing down having just turned 30 at the end of December.
EDGE: Will Anderson Jr., HOU
Season stats: 54 TKL | 20 TFL | 12.0 SK | 3 FF | 2 FR | 1 TD
The 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year had only gotten better over the past two seasons, and he has turned into the best player on a Houston squad that is led by a top-tier defense. In addition to the ability as a pass rusher, stoutness as a run defender, and propensity to create turnovers, Anderson brings high-end intangibles and focus—helping set the tone for the Texans as the No. 1 defense in football.
EDGE: Josh Hines-Allen, JAX
Season stats: 49 TKL | 12 TFL | 8.0 SK
The All-Pro team having a third edge defender for the first time comes in a year where there is no clear-cut choice behind Myles Garrett and Will Anderson Jr., but Hines-Allen is deserving of more recognition for being an all-around difference-maker for Jacksonville. While he had a slow start in the sack department, Hines-Allen totaled 7.5 over his final 10 games—and he showed his takeover potential in decisive wins over the Chargers and Colts. Plus, with run defense often getting overlooked in today’s game, Hines-Allen was key in leading the NFL’s top-ranked unit there.
INT DL: Jordan Davis, PHI
Season stats: 72 TKL | 9 TFL | 4.5 SK
Davis was robbed of both All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection, but he is arguably the best interior defender in the league—getting in the best shape of his career for one of the NFL’s top defenses. The improved fitness allowed Davis to have more opportunities to rush the passer with 4.5 sacks and plenty of disruptions, but it’s the run defense that sets him apart by plugging up holes, holding his ground, and showing insane range both towards the sideline and hustling downfield. When you throw in how many passes Davis gets his hands on (six deflections) and the game-winning blocked field goal versus the Rams, there is no doubt he’s deserving of high honors.
INT DL: Jeffery Simmons, TEN
Season stats: 67 TKL | 17 TFL | 11.0 SK | 3 FF
Simmons has been playing at a high level since his rookie year, and he shined in a massive way despite Tennessee struggling as a defense and team this season. What stands out most is Simmons having a career-high 11.0 sacks (a very impressive mark for an interior rusher), but pairing with a healthy T’Vondre Sweat quietly gave the Titans one of the league’s more formidable run defenses down the stretch—with the veteran surely being a primary reason for the enhanced effort and effectiveness of the group following a poor start.
LB: Jack Campbell, DET
Season stats: 176 TKL | 9 TFL | 5.0 SK | 3 FF | 2 FR
The Lions didn’t make the postseason this year (largely due to injuries), but Campbell sure proved general manager Brad Holmes right for taking him in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft with an All-Pro season. Amidst a bunch of absences on the backend, Campbell was the constant in the middle for Detroit—with the defense often showing glimpses of what they could be if everyone stayed on the field; and being undermanned didn’t stop them from games like the 24-9 primetime win over the Bucs when Campbell had eight tackles, a sack, and a pass deflection.
LB: Ernest Jones IV, SEA
Season stats: 126 TKL | 4 TFL | 0.5 SK | 5 INT | 1 TD
Leonard Williams could have made it as an interior defender, but Seattle should get at least one representative as the NFL’s top scoring defense (17.2 points per game allowed)—and Jones was a crucial part of an opportunistic unit with five interceptions. Overall, it was a career year for the 26-year-old, and the 85-yard pick-six against the Vikings (one of his two interceptions on the day) powered one of the more overwhelming defensive showings of 2025. And we can’t forget about the leadership shown by Jones when he defended Sam Darnold after the four-interception game versus the Rams—as it 100% boosted the quarterback in the rematch that eventually earned Seattle the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
CB: Nahshon Wright, CHI
Season stats: 80 TKL | 3 TFL | 5 INT | 11 PD | 2 FF | 3 FR | 1 TD
Wright was beatable in coverage at times, but he was also extremely dangerous to test—coming out of nowhere to earn a starting job and beginning 2025 with a 74-yard interception return for a touchdown in coverage against Justin Jefferson (his teammate last year). Basically, Wright was a true impact player with an NFL-leading 10 combined interceptions, forced fumbles, and fumble recoveries—many of which were in big moments (like the forced fumble versus the Eagles on Black Friday) and close wins.
CB: Joey Porter Jr., PIT
Season stats: 52 TKL | 1 INT | 14 PD | 1.0 SK
Derek Stingley Jr. undoubtedly has a case to make it at cornerback like he did for the AP selections, but we’re giving the edge to Porter—instead leaning more towards his shutdown coverage for a Pittsburgh team that needed to play stingy defense to win the AFC North. Porter somehow didn’t even receive a vote despite another season without allowing a touchdown (he hasn’t allowed one since early in his rookie year), and we’ve had him on our All-Pro team twice in three seasons.
SCB: Cooper DeJean, PHI
Season stats: 93 TKL | 4 TFL | 2 INT | 16 PD | 1 FF
DeJean was a lock for the slot role after a second season that saw him pick up where he left off in Super Bowl LIX, and it often seemed impossible for opponents to complete passes against him—which speaks to how phenomenal he’s been at a very difficult position to play. The frustration DeJean causes in coverage is supported by being a tremendous tackler and bringing versatility to Vic Fangio’s defense.
S: Kyle Hamilton, BAL
Season stats: 105 TKL | 7 TFL | 9 PD | 2 FF | 1.0 SK
Hamiton was again a do-it-all defender for the Ravens this year, and it was cool to see him utilized more almost exclusively around the line of scrimmage with rookie Malaki Starks—who looks like a future All-Pro himself—patrolling on the backend. We can look at the season finale for the value Hamilton brings with Pittsburgh struggling to do much on offense until he unfortunately exited with a concussion, and Hamilton’s impact isn’t always fully appreciated from the box score.
S: Kevin Byard III, CHI
Season stats: 93 TKL | 4 TFL | 7 INT | 8 PD
The career resurgence for Byard has been remarkable, as his best days appeared firmly behind him when traded to the Eagles during the season in 2023—but he was great last year in Chicago and fully turned back the clock this season with an NFL-high seven interceptions. One of those league-leading picks came against Philadelphia, and as was the case for Nahshon Wright, the takeaways for Byard often came at opportune times and in close games (like two interceptions in a 25-24 win over the Raiders).