Jeffery Simmons followed his first All-Pro season by signing a contract that made him the highest-paid defensive tackle ever in the NFL.The Tennessee Titans believe the hefty price that included $100 million in guaranteed money was well worth it and plenty of others agree as Simmons was picked as the top interior defensive lineman in the NFL by The Associated Press.A panel of eight AP pro football writers ranked the top five players at interior defensive line, basing selections on current status entering the 2026 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second- through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.Simmons got four first-place votes and won the voting with 53 points. Kansas City’s Chris Jones got three first-place votes and was second with 39 points. Dallas’ Quinnen Williams was third, Pittsburgh’s Cameron Heyward was fourth with the other first-place vote and Cincinnati’s Dexter Lawrence was fifth.Seattle’s Leonard Williams, Philadelphia’s Jalen Carter, Denver’s Zach Allen, the Rams’ Kobie Turner and Indianapolis’ DeForest Buckner also got votes.
1. Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee TitansThe 2019 first-round pick has become perhaps the best interior pass rusher in the NFL over his time in Tennessee. Simmons had a career-high 11 sacks last season when he earned his fourth Pro Bowl selection.Simmons has 37 1/2 sacks the past five seasons and is one of two players — along with Chris Jones — with at least five sacks in each of the past five seasons.
