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Massive Rams snub on this list! Wow! Chris Long doesn't even get an honorable mention.
<a class="postlink" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9376775/nfl-von-miller-jadeveon-clowney-top-10-pass-rushers-2016" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/ ... shers-2016</a>
In a league where quarterbacks are setting passing records seemingly every season, an increased premium has been placed on pass-rushers. The New York Giants have twice in the past six seasons won a Super Bowl with a defense catalyzed by a pressure-oriented front that was able to slow down the high-octane New England Patriots offense.
Rushers no longer do their work exclusively on the edge and from a three-point stance; there are dominant interior presences and stand-up rush linebackers who dramatically change each game that they step on the field.
Normally we reserve judgment on players until they've at least taken a single snap in the NFL, but as it relates to pass-rushers, there's a player so good that he hasn't even finished his college career but is going to crack our list of the top 10 pass-rushers for 2016. Some call him the Andrew Luck of defensive prospects, and he's a sure-fire top-two pick in next year's draft.
Here are the top 10 projected pass-rushers for 2016:
1. Von Miller, LB, Denver Broncos
It took Miller all of one play to force his first fumble as an NFL player, and he hasn't stopped wreaking havoc since. He's been purely dominant in each of his first two seasons and will be just 27 by the time 2016 rolls around. He has all the tools to remain an elite rusher, with rare athleticism and explosiveness for a player of his size. He's benefited from playing opposite a quality rusher in Elvis Dumervil to start his NFL career, but don't look for Miller's production to dip too much now that Dumervil's in Baltimore.
2. Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina Gamecocks
The buzz surrounding Clowney has been there since he was a high school prep star in South Carolina, and he's dominated the college game in two seasons as a Gamecock. It would be a major surprise if he didn't declare for the draft in 2014 (barring an injury), and he won't last long once the draft commences. He's a rare defensive talent that could start on any defense right now, and he'll be just 23 when the 2016 season kicks off. Yes, there's an element of projection in tabbing a college player as a dominant NFL star, but Clowney's skill set is that rare.
3. J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
Watt was the most disruptive (and best) defensive player in football at 2012, and in a league where offensive linemen are built like titans, Watt's physical gifts reign supreme. He's nearly 300 pounds with a lightning-quick first step, an array of interior pass-rushing skills and a perfect fit for what the Texans are doing under defensive coordinator Wade Philips. He has sensational instincts to get his hands in passing lanes, which allows him to bat down a ton of passes at the line of scrimmage. Given how far he's come in just two seasons, it's scary to think how good he'll be in 2016.
4. Aldon Smith, LB, San Francisco 49ers
There were some (this writer included) who wondered how long it would take Smith to make the transition from college to the pro level, but the Missouri product showed that he was as ready-made as any other defensive player in the 2011 draft. All he's done in two seasons is record 33.5 sacks. There's room for Smith to grow as a technician and as a rusher, but his unique mix of size and power has overwhelmed opposing tackles thus far. He'll turn 27 shortly after the 2016 season kicks off.
5. Clay Matthews, LB, Green Bay Packers
The Packers wisely paid big money to secure Matthews for the long haul this offseason, and he'll reward them with consistent dominance on the edge of their defense. Matthews has made the Pro Bowl in each of his four NFL seasons, recording 42.0 sacks, seven forced fumbles and three interceptions along the way. He's a superior athlete who had little tread on his tires entering the league, so some of the concerns relating to the fact that he'll be 30 in 2016 are alleviated.
6. Geno Atkins, DT, Cincinnati Bengals
The first exclusively interior presence to crack our list (Watt is moved all over the defensive front), Atkins has burst onto the scene in recent seasons and is a pivotal cog in Cincinnati's defensive front. He has super interior quickness, can win with his hands and possesses the requisite strength to walk over the anchor of an opposing lineman. If not for the otherworldly season of Watt in 2012, Atkins' 12.5-sack season likely would have garnered much more attention.
7. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, New York Giants
JPP has as much upside as any player on this list and has been a quick learner; he didn't start playing football until his junior year of high school and played just one season of major college football. He has sensational length, explosiveness and power off of the edge. He had a quiet 2012 season (by his own standards), which was likely impacted by a back injury that he recently had surgery on. It's possible he'll return for the opening of the 2013 season, but the injury is certainly something to monitor for the 24-year-old.
8. Justin Houston, OLB, Kansas City Chiefs
As far as physical freaks go, few are as impressive as Houston. He's 6-foot-3, 260 pounds and runs a 4.6 40-yard dash. His sophomore season was good enough to earn him a Pro Bowl invitation, as he notched 10.0 sacks. We suspect double-digit sack seasons and Pro Bowl trips will become a regular occurrence for Houston, who turned 24 in January. He and Tamba Hali will remain a dependable rush duo through 2016.
9. Chandler Jones, DE, New England Patriots
When Jones was drafted, many billed him as a project-type player who would need a couple of years to develop. As it turns out, Jones needed less time than that to be an impact player, strip-sacking Jake Locker in his first game (leading to a fumble recovery for a touchdown for the Patriots). With unique length and a massive frame to fill out, the sky is the limit for Jones, who is just 23.
10. Brian Orakpo, OLB, Washington Redskins
Orakpo has a Defensive Player of the Year award in his sights for 2013, and the Redskins have a keeper on their hands for years to come. He's a physical, tough, powerful rusher on the edge who has excellent ball disruption skills. He'll need to prove he can put a torn pectoral injury behind him, but indications this offseason are that he's already looking like the player he was prior to the injury. He'll be a seasoned veteran by 2016.
Just missed: DeMarcus Ware (Dallas Cowboys), Ndamukong Suh (Detroit Lions), Robert Quinn (St. Louis Rams), Greg Hardy (Carolina Panthers), Barkevious Mingo (Cleveland Browns), Michael Johnson (Bengals), Dion Jordan (Miami Dolphins), Cameron Wake (Dolphins)
<a class="postlink" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9376775/nfl-von-miller-jadeveon-clowney-top-10-pass-rushers-2016" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/ ... shers-2016</a>
In a league where quarterbacks are setting passing records seemingly every season, an increased premium has been placed on pass-rushers. The New York Giants have twice in the past six seasons won a Super Bowl with a defense catalyzed by a pressure-oriented front that was able to slow down the high-octane New England Patriots offense.
Rushers no longer do their work exclusively on the edge and from a three-point stance; there are dominant interior presences and stand-up rush linebackers who dramatically change each game that they step on the field.
Normally we reserve judgment on players until they've at least taken a single snap in the NFL, but as it relates to pass-rushers, there's a player so good that he hasn't even finished his college career but is going to crack our list of the top 10 pass-rushers for 2016. Some call him the Andrew Luck of defensive prospects, and he's a sure-fire top-two pick in next year's draft.
Here are the top 10 projected pass-rushers for 2016:
1. Von Miller, LB, Denver Broncos
It took Miller all of one play to force his first fumble as an NFL player, and he hasn't stopped wreaking havoc since. He's been purely dominant in each of his first two seasons and will be just 27 by the time 2016 rolls around. He has all the tools to remain an elite rusher, with rare athleticism and explosiveness for a player of his size. He's benefited from playing opposite a quality rusher in Elvis Dumervil to start his NFL career, but don't look for Miller's production to dip too much now that Dumervil's in Baltimore.
2. Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina Gamecocks
The buzz surrounding Clowney has been there since he was a high school prep star in South Carolina, and he's dominated the college game in two seasons as a Gamecock. It would be a major surprise if he didn't declare for the draft in 2014 (barring an injury), and he won't last long once the draft commences. He's a rare defensive talent that could start on any defense right now, and he'll be just 23 when the 2016 season kicks off. Yes, there's an element of projection in tabbing a college player as a dominant NFL star, but Clowney's skill set is that rare.
3. J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
Watt was the most disruptive (and best) defensive player in football at 2012, and in a league where offensive linemen are built like titans, Watt's physical gifts reign supreme. He's nearly 300 pounds with a lightning-quick first step, an array of interior pass-rushing skills and a perfect fit for what the Texans are doing under defensive coordinator Wade Philips. He has sensational instincts to get his hands in passing lanes, which allows him to bat down a ton of passes at the line of scrimmage. Given how far he's come in just two seasons, it's scary to think how good he'll be in 2016.
4. Aldon Smith, LB, San Francisco 49ers
There were some (this writer included) who wondered how long it would take Smith to make the transition from college to the pro level, but the Missouri product showed that he was as ready-made as any other defensive player in the 2011 draft. All he's done in two seasons is record 33.5 sacks. There's room for Smith to grow as a technician and as a rusher, but his unique mix of size and power has overwhelmed opposing tackles thus far. He'll turn 27 shortly after the 2016 season kicks off.
5. Clay Matthews, LB, Green Bay Packers
The Packers wisely paid big money to secure Matthews for the long haul this offseason, and he'll reward them with consistent dominance on the edge of their defense. Matthews has made the Pro Bowl in each of his four NFL seasons, recording 42.0 sacks, seven forced fumbles and three interceptions along the way. He's a superior athlete who had little tread on his tires entering the league, so some of the concerns relating to the fact that he'll be 30 in 2016 are alleviated.
6. Geno Atkins, DT, Cincinnati Bengals
The first exclusively interior presence to crack our list (Watt is moved all over the defensive front), Atkins has burst onto the scene in recent seasons and is a pivotal cog in Cincinnati's defensive front. He has super interior quickness, can win with his hands and possesses the requisite strength to walk over the anchor of an opposing lineman. If not for the otherworldly season of Watt in 2012, Atkins' 12.5-sack season likely would have garnered much more attention.
7. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, New York Giants
JPP has as much upside as any player on this list and has been a quick learner; he didn't start playing football until his junior year of high school and played just one season of major college football. He has sensational length, explosiveness and power off of the edge. He had a quiet 2012 season (by his own standards), which was likely impacted by a back injury that he recently had surgery on. It's possible he'll return for the opening of the 2013 season, but the injury is certainly something to monitor for the 24-year-old.
8. Justin Houston, OLB, Kansas City Chiefs
As far as physical freaks go, few are as impressive as Houston. He's 6-foot-3, 260 pounds and runs a 4.6 40-yard dash. His sophomore season was good enough to earn him a Pro Bowl invitation, as he notched 10.0 sacks. We suspect double-digit sack seasons and Pro Bowl trips will become a regular occurrence for Houston, who turned 24 in January. He and Tamba Hali will remain a dependable rush duo through 2016.
9. Chandler Jones, DE, New England Patriots
When Jones was drafted, many billed him as a project-type player who would need a couple of years to develop. As it turns out, Jones needed less time than that to be an impact player, strip-sacking Jake Locker in his first game (leading to a fumble recovery for a touchdown for the Patriots). With unique length and a massive frame to fill out, the sky is the limit for Jones, who is just 23.
10. Brian Orakpo, OLB, Washington Redskins
Orakpo has a Defensive Player of the Year award in his sights for 2013, and the Redskins have a keeper on their hands for years to come. He's a physical, tough, powerful rusher on the edge who has excellent ball disruption skills. He'll need to prove he can put a torn pectoral injury behind him, but indications this offseason are that he's already looking like the player he was prior to the injury. He'll be a seasoned veteran by 2016.
Just missed: DeMarcus Ware (Dallas Cowboys), Ndamukong Suh (Detroit Lions), Robert Quinn (St. Louis Rams), Greg Hardy (Carolina Panthers), Barkevious Mingo (Cleveland Browns), Michael Johnson (Bengals), Dion Jordan (Miami Dolphins), Cameron Wake (Dolphins)
