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1. Mario Williams, Houston Texans
(Bye Week: 10)
44 solo tackles, 9 assisted; 12
sacks, 4 FF
I
think everyone owes former
Texans' GM Charley Casserly a big
apology after he was basically run
out of town when he chose Williams
over Reggie Bush. How is that
deal looking now? Bush has yet to
live up to expectations, and
Williams is perhaps the best pash
rusher in football. His numbers
will improve again in 2009.
2. Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings
(Bye Week: 9)
41 solo tackles, 13 assisted;
14.5 sacks, 3 FF
Allen has a motor that just
doesn't quit, although I can't say
I'm sure about that headband he
wears under his helmet.
Thankfully there are no fantasy
points for fashion, and Allen will
rack up the IDP points for you.
He gets good tackles for a DE and
is always among the league leaders
in sacks.
3. Julius Peppers, Carolina
Panthers (Bye Week: 4)
40 solo tackles, 11 assisted;
14.5 sacks, 5 FF
Peppers is perhaps the most feared
pass rusher in the NFL. He has
great moves at the line of
scrimmage and is perhaps the
fastest defensive end in
football. He is a master at
forcing the fumble with a sack,
and is always a threat to pick
that ball up and take it to the
house.
4. John Abraham, Atlanta Falcons
(Bye Week: 4)
37 solo tackles, 1 assisted;
16.5 sacks, 4 FF
He
might be over 30 years old, but
Abraham still comes around that
corner with the best of them. He
had one of his best seasons in a
few years in 2008, but there's no
reason to think he won't record at
least 12 sacks again this season.
5. Osi Umenyiora, New York Giants
(Bye Week: 10)
40 solo tackles, 12 assisted;
13 sacks, 2 FR, 5 FF, 1 TD (2007
numbers, injured in 2008)
Umenyiora suffered a torn knee
ligament during the preseason last
year and missed the entire
season. That might cause some
fantasy players, especially those
new to IDP, to forget about how
good he was during the Giants'
championship season. Osi will go
right back to his starting job on
the defensive line and will also
go back to terrorizing
quarterbacks.
6. Robert Mathis, Indianapolis
Colts (Bye Week: 6)
36 solo tackles, 11 assisted;
11.5 sacks, 3 FR, 5 FF, 1 TD
Dwight Freeney might be the better
known lineman for the Colts, but
Mathis surpassed him in fantasy
stats a few years ago. Mathis is
relentless and always keeps
heading towards the QB. He has
recorded nine sacks or more in
four of the past five seasons.
7. Justin Tuck, New York Giants
(Bye Week: 10)
51 solo tackles, 14 assisted;
12 sacks, 3 FF, 1 TD
Tuck was supposed to be the third
DE for the Giants last season, but
the injury to Umenyiora pushed him
into the starting lineup. Tuck
proved that he was up to the
challenge and posted an amazing
season. The aspect to his game
that surprised me was his speed,
but he was also able to bull rush
some offensive lineman. Even with
everyone healthy, Tuck played
himself into a starting role, and
should have no problem repeating
the numbers he put up last year.
8. Trent Cole, Philadelphia Eagles
(Bye Week: 4)
59 solo tackles, 18 assisted; 9
sacks, 2 FF
Cole is one of the more
intimidating pass rushers on one
of the more intimidating defenses
in football. The Eagles are
always blitzing, changing where
Cole might come from, and making
it tough to plan for him. His
tackle numbers are also very
impressive, which makes up for the
fact that he doesn't have as many
sacks as others above him on this
list.
9. Patrick Kerney, Seattle
Seahawks (Bye Week: 7)
16 solo tackles, 6 assisted; 5
sacks, 2 FF, 1 FR (7 gms)
Kerney suffered a shoulder injury
that cost him more than half the
season, but he was already on his
way to another great year. He is
32 years old, so he is no young
buck, but given the last 23 games
he has played you can count on him
to get double digit sacks again in
2009.
10. Justin Smith, San Francisco
49ers (Bye Week: 6)
50 solo tackles, 23 assisted; 7
sacks, 1 INT, 1 FF
The
Niners moved Smith all over the
defensive line to try to get him
opportunities to get to the
quarterback. His total of seven
is somewhat modest, but his 73
total tackles are great for a DE.
Look for Smith to continue to
provide a consistent rush for San
Francisco. He could get to ten
sacks this year. |
