NFL Player Rankings     Updated - 8-13-10

 

 

3-4 OUTSIDE LINEBACKER

 

1. DEMARCUS WARE, DALLAS COWBOYS

-Big, rangy and a top level athlete. The game’s best pass rusher and able to cover well in space. His game has no weakness.

 

2. JAMES HARRISON, PITTSBURGH STEELERS

-Extremely powerful and aggressive. Plays with a long mean streak. Not a liability in coverage and makes more than his share of big plays.

 

3. LAMARR WOODLEY, PITTSBURGH STEELERS

-Could sit atop this list soon if he continues his progression. A powerful pass rusher who is underrated in coverage.

 

4. TERRELL SUGGS, BALTIMORE RAVENS

-When healthy and in shape, there are few better. His pass rush speaks for itself, but he may be the best playside run defender in football. Not much of a coverage LB.

 

5. BRIAN ORAKPO, WASHINGTON REDSKINS

-The switch to the 3-4 should do wonders for him. Explosive and violent in his play, he has a chance to be great.

 

6. CLAY MATTHEWS, GREEN BAY PACKERS

-Deceptive speed and burst. High motor and tireless in his pursuit of the football. Must get better in coverage to be considered truly elite.

 

7. ELVIS DUMERVIL, DENVER BRONCOS

-A sack machine and built low to the ground. He will have to resume his claims in 2011, as he has been lost for 2010 with a bicep tear.

 

8. TAMBA HALI, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

-The switch to the 3-4 really did him justice. Has quietly become a premier pass rusher. Still a work in progress as a run defender and coverage player.

 

9. ANTHONY SPENCER, DALLAS COWBOYS

-Emerged as a legit pass rusher in the latter part of 2009, but must continue to build on that. Not very versatile at this point.

 

10. SHAWNE MERRIMAN, SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

-Hasn’t showed that he is 100% recovered from knee injuries. If he is, he will climb this list dramatically. Also hasn’t been the same since steroid suspension.

 

11. JOEY PORTER, ARIZONA CARDINALS

-No longer elite, but he still plays with passion and knows how to get to the QB. He may have something to prove in 2010.

 

12. ANDRE CARTER, WASHINGTON REDSKINS

-Has always been a tease. Will look like a dominator in one instance, and just a guy in the next. Back to the 3-4 since his days in San Fran.

 

13. CALVIN PACE, NEW YORK JETS

-He’s above average as a pass rusher, solid vs. the run and inadequate in coverage. May be the Jets’ pivotal defender.

 

14. SHAUN PHILLIPS, SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

-A solid #2 pass rusher, but has been exposed when he has to be THE guy. Quick first step and solid closing burst.

 

15. JARRETT JOHNSON, BALTIMORE RAVENS

-Big and physical. He’s not much in coverage, but he does the little things well. Almost impossible to run at.

 

16. MATT ROTH, CLEVELAND BROWNS

-A big, aggressive player who needs to stay on the field more. If he can ever settle in, he could be special.

 

17. CLARK HAGGANS, ARIZONA CARDINALS

-Definitely on the downside of his career. Smart and physical. Doesn’t make many big plays, but is consistent.

 

18. LARRY ENGLISH, SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

-If Merriman doesn’t get into camp soon, English has the ability to make him an afterthought. Needs to refine his technique.

 

19. CAMERON WAKE, MIAMI DOLPHINS

-Superb athlete, with little experience. Once he figures “it” out, he could be a star. Has natural pass rush skills, but a hot / cold motor.

 

20. PARYS HARALSON, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

-Underrated as a pass rusher. Plays with great leverage. Doesn’t offer much in coverage and can be a liability when run at directly.

 
 

ROOKIES (WITH THE CHANCE OF CRACKING TOP 20)

 

1. SERGIO KINDLE, BALTIMORE RAVENS

-Any chance he had immediately went out the window once he fractured his skull after falling down a flight of stairs. Will he even play in 2010?

 

2. JASON WORILDS, PITTSBURGH STEELERS

-Will start his career behind 2 All-Pro’s, but will be in the rotation. Has a special skill set to rush the passer.