Where PFF Ranks Michigan Football's Defensive Line Heading Into 2023

Pro Football Focus has already ranked Michigan's O-line No. 1 heading into 2023, and PFF is pretty high on the Wolverines D-line as well.

Pro Football Focus continues its positional rankings ahead of the 2023 season. PFF recently ranked the offensive line units in college football, and the Wolverines came in at No. 1 on the list. 

PFF has switched to the other side of the ball, and the defensive line is up. 

Michigan lost Mike Morris and Mazi Smith from a season ago. Morris was the leading sack leader on the team and Smith was one of the best run-stoppers in college football, which is why the Dallas Cowboys took him in the first round. 

Even without those two, PFF feels that Michigan will be stout again along the D-line. Pro Football Focus ranks the Wolverines' defensive line the third-best in the country. 

The Wolverines have a top-five interior defensive lineman in the country in Kris Jenkins, whose 31 run-defense stops in 2022 were tied for the most among FBS defensive tackles. Next to him is Mason Graham, who was named to PFF’s preseason All-Big Ten second team. Last year, Graham led all true freshman defensive linemen with an 80.3 grade.

Josaiah Stewart was also on the second team of our preseason All-Big Ten list after transferring to Michigan from Coastal Carolina. As a true sophomore in 2022, his 40 pressures and 83.3 pass-rushing grade were top-20 marks among Group of Five edge defenders. Jaylen Harrell is also a returning starter along the edge and tied for seventh among Big Ten edge defenders with six sacks last season.

Kris Jenkins is already receiving first-round grades in next April's 2024 NFL draft. But he's not alone in the interior. Between Mason Graham, Rayshaun Benny, Kenneth Grant, and Cam Goode, there are plenty of solid run-stopping options for Michigan to rotate in and out during a game. 

PFF forgot to mention Braiden McGregor at Edge. We figure McGregor will get the starting nod alongside Jaylen Harrell when the season begins. McGregor has faced some injuries during his Michigan career, but he says he is finally healthy, and it just feels like it's his time to shine in Ann Arbor. Sophomore Derrick Moore will also see an uptick in playing time in 2023. 

Here are PFF's top five:

1. Georgia

2. Ohio State

3. Michigan

4. Illinois

5. Florida State