But here’s what most fans don’t realize: the 4 technique isn’t just a position on a depth chart. It’s a philosophy—a specific way of thinking about leverage, angles, and timing that shapes how entire defenses function.
How the 4 Technique Fits into Modern Defensive Alignments
The 4 technique is often misunderstood because it doesn’t fit neatly into the “bull rusher” or “gap penetrator” box. His alignment—head-up on the offensive tackle—means he’s not shaded inside like a 3-technique, nor outside like a 5-technique. He splits the difference. That changes everything. He’s expected to hold ground against double teams, yet still disengage when the play breaks toward him. He’s not supposed to dominate the stat sheet, but if he does his job right, the linebackers behind him rack up tackles. That’s the invisible impact.
Take the New England Patriots under Bill Belichick. They’ve used 4 technique linemen like Lawrence Guy not to record sacks, but to lock down tackles and force runs back inside—where Dont’a Hightower and Ja’Whaun Bentley wait. In 2022, Guy was on the field for 687 defensive snaps. He had just 2.5 sacks. But the Patriots allowed the third-fewest rushing yards after contact that season. Coincidence? We’re far from it.
And that’s exactly where people get it wrong—they measure defensive linemen by sacks and tackles for loss. But the 4 technique? His value is in disruption, not stats. He’s a fulcrum.
Alignment and Gap Responsibility
The 4 technique lines up with his inside eye on the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle. That puts him in control of the C-gap—the space between tackle and tight end. But he doesn’t “own” it like a 5-technique would. Instead, he reads. He reacts. He’s taught to stay square, absorb the block, and force the back to declare his path. Because if he over-pursues, the tight end can seal him off, and now you’ve got a linebacker in space against a lead blocker. That’s a disaster waiting to happen.
It’s a bit like a chess piece that doesn’t attack but controls the board. He doesn’t move first—but every move the offense makes has to account for him.
Typical Schemes Using the 4 Technique
You’ll mostly see the 4 technique in 3-4 base defenses, especially two-gap systems. In those, each lineman is responsible for controlling two gaps—either A and B, or B and C. The 4 technique handles B and C. That means he can’t just shoot one gap. He has to stay balanced. But some 4-3 teams are adapting it too. The Philadelphia Eagles, under Jonathan Gannon, have used hybrid looks where their defensive end slides into a 4 technique against heavy sets. In 2023, they ran that alignment on 38% of their goal-line snaps—up from 12% in 2021. That’s not random. It’s a response to the rise of 12 personnel (one RB, two TEs).
In short: as offenses get heavier, defenses answer with heavier, smarter linemen. Not just athletes. Think about that.
Why the 4 Technique Is Often Misunderstood
People don’t think about this enough: the 4 technique is the least glamorous job on the defensive line. He gets double-teamed. He doesn’t get sacks. He’s not on SportsCenter. And yet, without him, the entire structure collapses. The problem is, coaches want splash. General managers want production. And the 4 technique’s production is measured in negative space—runs that don’t happen, pressures that go uncredited.
I am convinced that if the 4 technique were a stock, it would be undervalued. It’s the defensive equivalent of a utility infielder in baseball—does everything, gets no love. And that’s why so many teams fail when they try to plug a pass-rushing 4-3 end into a 3-4 4 technique role. It’s like using a Ferrari as a snowplow. Sure, it’s powerful. But it’s the wrong tool.
Which explains why players like Shelby Harris in Denver have quietly become culture-defining linemen despite zero Pro Bowls. In 2022, Harris played 664 snaps at 4 technique. He had one sack. But the Broncos allowed just 3.8 yards per carry on runs to the A and B gaps—the second-best mark in the league. That changes everything, even if no one talks about it.
4 Technique vs. 3 Technique: A Tale of Two Roles
The 3 technique lines up on the outside shoulder of the guard. He’s usually smaller, quicker, and trained to penetrate. His job is disruption. The 4 technique? He’s bigger, stronger, and trained to anchor. His job is control. Think of the 3 technique as a scalpel. The 4 technique is a doorstop.
Yet, despite their proximity on the line, their responsibilities are almost opposites. The 3 technique is encouraged to shoot the gap, even if it means getting washed out. The 4 technique is punished for it. Because if he shoots the B-gap and the run goes C-gap, he’s out of position, and now there’s a linebacker in open field.
And that’s the core tension: the 3 technique wins by winning his individual battle. The 4 technique wins by losing it—by getting blocked, but staying engaged long enough to let others make the play.
Physical and Mental Profiles
Because of these differing roles, the ideal body types don’t overlap much. A 3 technique is often 6'2", 290 pounds—explosive, low center of gravity. Think Chris Jones. A 4 technique is more like 6'5", 310—long arms, wide base, able to absorb force from both sides. Justin Jones with the Chargers fits that build. His arm length? 34.5 inches. That extra reach matters when you’re fighting off both a tackle and tight end.
But it’s not just physical. The mental side is harder. A 3 technique can react on instinct. A 4 technique has to process. He reads the tackle’s hands, the tight end’s angle, the quarterback’s eyes. Because if the TE stays in to block, it’s likely a run. If he releases, maybe it’s pass. So he has to delay his reaction—just a half-second—long enough to know.
Can a 4 Technique Succeed in a 4-3 Defense?
The issue remains: the traditional 4-3 relies on a 5 technique (over the tackle) and a 3 technique (over the guard). There’s no natural home for a 4 technique. But some teams are finding ways. The Kansas City Chiefs, for example, used a 4 technique alignment with George Karlaftis in nickel packages during their 2023 Super Bowl run. Why? To disguise blitzes. When Karlaftis lines up head-up on the tackle instead of shaded outside, it masks whether he’ll rush or drop. That uncertainty buys milliseconds.
As a result: Patrick Mahomes had a 108.2 passer rating on plays where the Chiefs used that look. On standard 4-3 end alignments? 92.7. That gap isn’t just noise. It’s strategy.
That said, it’s not a full-time solution. The 4 technique in a 4-3 is a situational chess move, not a foundation. You can’t build a 4-3 defense around him. But you can weaponize him.
Hybrid Fronts and Positionless Defense
Football’s moving toward positionless schemes. You see it in Miami, where Joey Bosa lines up everywhere—sometimes as a 9 technique, sometimes shaded inside like a 1-tech, sometimes head-up like a 4. The Dolphins used 18 different front looks in their 2023 playoff game against Buffalo. Bosa was in a 4 technique on 11 of them. Why? Because Josh Allen scrambles. And having a big, smart end who can hold the edge without getting sealed is gold.
Hence, the 4 technique isn’t dying. He’s evolving. He’s no longer a 3-4 relic. He’s a tool in a bigger toolbox.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Difference Between a 4 Technique and a 5 Technique?
The 5 technique lines up head-up on the offensive tackle, but with responsibility for the C-gap only—he’s a one-gap player. The 4 technique has two-gap duties in most systems. The 5 technique is more common in 4-3 defenses; the 4 technique in 3-4s. A 5 technique can rush vertically. A 4 technique has to stay square. Think Myles Garrett vs. Vince Wilfork. One is built to chase. The other is built to wall off.
Can a 4 Technique Get Sacks?
Sure. But it’s not the expectation. A true 4 technique might get 3-4 sacks a season if he’s good. But if he’s chasing sacks, he’s probably failing at his real job. There are exceptions—Calais Campbell has played 4 technique and still posted 11 sacks in 2017. But Campbell is 6'8", 285, with the athleticism of a linebacker. He’s an outlier. For most, the sack is a bonus, not a goal.
Who Are Some Current NFL Players in the 4 Technique Role?
Christian Wilkins with the Dolphins slides into it. Dalvin Tomlinson in Minnesota plays it full-time. Broderick Jones in Pittsburgh has shown flashes. But the prototype? Still Dre’Mont Jones with the Broncos. In 2023, he played 52% of his snaps at 4 technique. The Broncos’ run defense improved by 1.2 yards per carry in those situations. Data is still lacking on long-term impact, but the trend is clear.
The Bottom Line
The 4 technique defensive end isn’t sexy. He won’t win Defensive Player of the Year. He might not even start in some systems. But he’s the quiet anchor that lets everything else work. You don’t notice him until he’s gone. Then the run game collapses. Then the linebackers look slow. Then the defense breaks.
I find this overrated: the idea that every defensive lineman must be a pass-rushing demon. Some of the best defenses in history—think the 2000 Ravens or the 2015 Broncos—were built on big, smart linemen who controlled the line, not dominated it. The 4 technique is that player.
So next time you watch a game, don’t just watch the sack. Watch the guy holding his ground against two blockers. Watch the one who doesn’t move—but makes everyone else move. Because that’s where the real game is played. And believe me, it’s not as simple as it looks. Suffice to say, you need one. Just don’t expect to see his name in the highlights.