Yahoo Sports podcast ranks Will Anderson Jr as top NFL defensive player for 2026

Yahoo Sports has released a new ranking of the National Football League’s top defensive players for the 2026 season, placing Houston Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr at number one. The assessment was delivered by podcast hosts Nate Tice and Diante Lee during an episode of their 'Football 301' series, which projects the defensive hierarchy heading into the upcoming campaign.

The analysis identifies a clear top tier of six defenders, with Anderson Jr selected as the surprise first overall pick. He is followed by Myles Garrett, Micah Parsons, Patrick Surtain II, Chris Jones, and Jeffery Simmons. The hosts structured their evaluation around projected performance and positional value, establishing these six as the primary benchmarks for defensive excellence in the league.

Further down the list, the hosts included safety Fred Warner and linebacker Kyle Hamilton within the top 12. The discussion highlighted the strategic importance of these selections, noting that both players made the cut despite occupying positions with lower inherent value metrics compared to the edge rushers and defensive linemen in the upper ranks.

The ranking concludes with cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean rounding out positions 13 through 16. DeJean, who plays for the Philadelphia Eagles, was selected alongside Mitchell, with the hosts noting that Mitchell barely secured his spot on the list. The episode also featured a debate regarding Detroit Lions defensive end Maxx Crosby, with the hosts questioning whether he might drop off the top 16 list in the upcoming season.

The 'Football 301' podcast is part of Yahoo Sports’ broader media coverage of the NFL. The episode provides a subjective framework for evaluating defensive talent, focusing on individual player impact and positional utility rather than team-based statistical aggregates. The full breakdown is available through the Yahoo Sports podcast network.