We’re on the defensive side of the ball in Silver and Black Pride’s AFC West position rankings, starting with arguably the most important spot when it comes to keeping points off the board: edge defender.
Despite finishing in last place over the last two seasons, this is one position group where the Las Vegas Raiders’ roster has an edge over the Denver Broncos’, Kansas City Chiefs’ and Los Angeles Chargers’ rosters as long as Maxx Crosby is in the fold. But the division has a handful of quality edges
in it, like the Broncos’ Nik Bonitto, to challenge Crosby for the top spot.
All stats referenced below are from the regular season unless otherwise noted.
1. Maxx Crosby, Raiders
2025 Stats: 73 tackles, 28 TFLs, 10.0 sacks, 6 PDs (15 games)
The gap between Crosby and Bonitto has certainly been closing over the last couple of years, as the latter has become the better and more productive pass-rusher. However, Crosby has posted double-digit sacks in three out of the last four seasons–the outlier being the 2024 season, where he played just 12 games–and he is the superior run defender of the two. According to Pro Football Focus, the five-time Pro Bowler led NFL edge defenders with 33 defensive stops against the run during the regular season, 21 more than Bonitto.
2. Nik Bonitto, Broncos
2025 Stats: 46 tackles, 14 TFLs, 14.0 sacks, 1 PD (17 games)
Right before the start of last season, Denver gave Bonitto a four-year contract worth up to $120 million, as he’s become one of the league’s best pass-rushers over the last two years. The back-to-back Pro Bowler has racked up 27.5 sacks over the last two regular seasons, and he is coming off a campaign where he ranked eighth at the position league-wide with 76 pressures, per PFF.
3. Tuli Tuipulotu, Chargers
2025 Stats: 49 tackles, 20 TFLs, 13.0 sacks, 3 PDs (16 games)
It was nice to see Tuipulotu finally get some postseason recognition last year, making his first Pro Bowl after his first double-digit sack campaign. The three-year pro has been a quality pass-rusher since he entered the league; he was just playing behind Joey Bosa and finally got an opportunity to be a regular starter in Los Angeles last year. The USC product is also a quality run defender, ranking third among AFC West edges with 17 defensive stops against the run and first with a 0.3-yard average depth of tackle (minimum 83 run defense snaps), per PFF. The latter also ranked tied for sixth in the NFL at his position.
4. Jonathon Cooper, Broncos
2025 Stats: 50 tackles, 8 TFLs, 8.0 sacks, 4 PDs (17 games)
To be clear, this is strictly about Cooper’s play on the field, as an ongoing domestic violence case creates some uncertainty surrounding his future.
Last year, Cooper came in at No. 2 on this ranking because of his well-rounded skill set. However, the five-year veteran regressed in 2025, going from 10.5 sacks to eight, 61 pressures to 51, and 41 defensive stops to 22, per PFF. In other words, the 2021 seventh-round pick is still a good enough player to earn a spot in the Top 5 here, but he is sliding and could easily get let off the list depending on the outcome of his legal situation.
5. Khalil Mack, Chargers
2025 Stats: 32 tackles, 6 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, 0 PDs (12 games)
At this point in his career, Mack strictly wins with power as his movement skills aren’t what they used to be. However, the Raiders’ 2014 first-round pick can still physically dominate on the edge, as he finished last season as PFF’s highest-graded player at the position with an 83.0 overall mark. Granted, his volume stats are underwhelming after missing five games due to injury last year. But the nine-time Pro Bowler can still set the edge, push the pocket and is a strip-sack artist, collecting four forced fumbles in 2025.
Honorable Mention: George Karlaftis (KC), Jonah Elliss (DEN), Kwity Paye (LV), Bud Dupree (LAC)
