Let's see how the entire season plays out, but the talent and speed on defense is just different than it has been in a long time. Benson was seen as the weak link at LB and he's hugely improved and fucking awesome so far. Campbell / Jacobs are as elite in both size and speed as we have ever had. The CB's are incredibly solid and likely All-Big Ten and NFL players. The weak link in the secondary is Koerner, but he's solid at worst.
The defensive line by committee approach is working with cagey vets and lots of young talent that will get better and better. It would have been great to have Nixon play with this group, but they are more than capable without him. YaYa Black is a load for anyone to move.