2011 Defensive Linemen Rankings

2011 Defensive Linemen IDP Rankings
(Note: Mario Williams, Terrell Suggs are officially linebackers in their team's 3-4 scheme)

Risk/Reward Ratings
5 - Freakish Risk/Highest Potential
4 - Very Risky/Good Upside
3 - Moderate Risk/Consistent Potential
2 - Stable Risk/Little Upside
1 - Safe/No Upside


1. Justin Tuck, Giants (4-3, DE/DT)
6'5" 274 lbs, 7th Season, Age 28
2010 Stats: 48 Solo 27 Asst 11.0 Sacks 5 FF 5 FR
2011 Prediction: 55 Solo 25 Asst 12.5 Sacks
Risk/Reward:  1/4
What's to like:  Tuck has been playing both tackle and end for the Giants because of their depth at D-line.  With Umenyiora expected to miss the next 4-6 weeks with a knee scope, it should allow Tuck more looks at Defensive End in the beginning of the season, which could result in more sack opportunities.


2. Trent Cole, Eagles (4-3, DE)
6'3" 270 lbs, 7th Season, Age 28
2010 Stats: 50 Solo 15 Asst 10.0 Sacks 1 FF
2011 Prediction: 45 Solo 18 Asst 14.5 Sacks
Risk/Reward:  1/5
What's to like:  The additions of Asomugha and DRC to team with Samuels will form by far the best set of cornerbacks in the league.  Their coverage will give Coles more time to get to the QB and more opportunities for sacks.  Babin will help alleviate double teams as well. 


3. Jared Allen, Vikings (4-3, DE)
6'6" 270 lbs, 8th Season, Age 29
2010 Stats: 45 Solo 15 Asst 10.0 Sacks 1 FF 1 FR
2011 Prediction: 40 Solo 15 Asst 12.0 Sacks
Risk/Reward:  2/4
What's to like: The loss of Ray Edwards will hurt considering teams will be able to double team Allen more without as much threat on the left side.  This can also result in teams running away from Allen and a potential loss for tackle opportunities. That being said, Donovan couldn't be much worse than Brett's perfomance last year, and Minnesota should be much more consistent and in ball games this year.  With teams likely to pass more on the Vikings this year, it should give Allen more sack opportunites. 

4. Elvis Dumervil, Broncos (4-3, DE)
5'11" 260 lbs, 6th Season, Age 27
2010 Stats: N/A
2011 Prediction: 38 Solo 14 Asst 15.0 Sacks
Risk/Reward:  3/5

5. Jason Pierre-Paul, Giants (4-3, DE)
6'5" 270 lbs, 2nd Season, Age 22
2010 Stats: 25 Solo 5 Asst 4.5 Sacks 2 FF 2 FR
2011 Prediction: 42 Solo 16 Asst 10.5 Sacks
Risk/Reward: 2/5 

6. Julius Peppers, Bears (4-3, DE)
6'7" 283 lbs, 10th Season, Age 31
2010 Stats: 43 Solo 11 Asst 8.0 Sacks 3 FF
2011 Prediction: 44 Solo 19 Asst 9.5 Sacks
Risk/Reward: 2/3

7. Ndamukong Suh, Lions (4-3, DT)
6'4" 307 lbs, 2nd Season, Age 24
2010 Stats: 48 Solo 17 Asst 10.0 Sacks 1 FF 1 FR
2011 Prediction: 56 Solo 22 Asst 8.0 Sacks
Risk/Reward: 3/3

8. Robert Mathis, Colts (4-3, DE)
6'2" 245 lbs, 9th Season, Age 30
2010 Stats: 44 Solo 16 Asst 11.0 Sacks 1 FF 1 FR
2011 Prediction: 42 Solo 12 Asst 10.5 Sacks
Risk/Reward: 2/3

9. Charles Johnson, Panthers (4-3, DE)
6'2 275 lbs, 5th Season, Age 25
2010 Stats: 50 Solo 11 Asst 10.5 Sacks
2011 Prediction: 56 Solo 14 Asst 9.0 Sacks
Risk/Reward: 3/3

10. John Abraham, Falcons (4-3, DE)
6'4" 263 lbs, 12th Season, Age 33
2010 Stats: 35 Solo 5 Asst 13.0 Sacks 1 FF
2011 Prediction: 39 Solo 11 Asst 11.5 Sacks
Risk/Reward: 3/3

11. Matt Shaughnessy, Raiders (4-3, DE)
6'6" 253 lbs, 3rd Season, Age 24
2010 Stats: 43 Solo 13 Asst 7.0 Sacks 2 FF
2011 Prediction: 48 Solo 16 Asst 9.5 Sacks
Risk/Reward: 3/4

12. Ray Edwards, Falcons (4-3, DE)
6'5" 268 lbs, 6th Season, Age 26
2010 Stats: 28 Solo 9 Asst 8.0 Sacks
2011 Prediction: 42 Solo 16 Asst 10.0 Sacks
Risk/Reward: 3/4

13. Derrick Morgan, Titans (4-3, DE)
6'3" 278 lbs, 2nd Season, Age 22
2010 Stats: 3 Solo 2 Asst 1.5 Sacks
2011 Stats: 43 Solo 12 Asst 9.5 Sacks
Risk/Reward: 4/3

14. Calais Campbell, Cardinals (3-4, DE)
6'8" 300 lbs, 4th Season, 24
2010 Stats: 46 Solo 14 Asst 6.0 Sacks 1 FR
2011 Prediction: 51 Solo 16 Asst 7.5 Sacks
Risk/Reward: 2/3

15. Chris Clemons, Seahawks (4-3, DE)
6'2" 240 lbs, 9th Season, Age 29
2010 Stats: 33 Solo 15 Asst 10.5 Sacks 1 FF 1 FR
2011 Prediction: 38 Solo 14 Asst 9 Sacks
Risk/Reward: 3/3

16. Adrian Clayborn, Buccaneers (4-3, DE)
6'3" 287 lbs, Rookie Season, Age 23
2010 Stats: N/A
2011 Prediction: 38 Solo 18 Asst 8.5 Sacks
Risk/Reward: 3/3

17. Marcell Dareus, Bills (3-4, DE)
6'3" 319 lbs, Rookie Season, Age 21
2010 Stats: N/A
2011 Prediction: 52 Solo 28 Asst 6.5 Sacks
Risk/Reward: 4/3

18. Cliff Avril, Lions (4-3, DE)
6'3" 260 lbs, 4th Season, Age 25
2010 Stats: 22 Solo 10 Asst 7.5 Sacks 1 FF 1 FR
2011 Prediction: 33 Solo 12 Asst 8.0 Sacks
Risk/Reward: 3/3

19. Justin Smith, 49ers (3-4, DE)
6'4" 285 lbs, 11th Season, Age 31
2010 Stats: 57 Solo 13 Asst 8.5 Sacks 1 FF
2011 Prediction: 46 Solo 12 Asst 7.0 Sacks
Risk/Reward: 2/2

20. Robert Quinn, Rams (4-3, DE)
6'4" 265 lbs, Rookie Season, Age 21
2010 Stats: N/A
2011 Prediction: 31 Solo 8 Asst 9.0 Sacks
Risk/Reward: 3/4

21. Carlos Dunlap, Bengals (4-3, DE)
22. Dwight Freeney, Colts (4-3, DE)
23. James Hall, Rams (4-3, DE)
24. Will Smith, Saints (4-3, DE)
25. Jason Babin, Eagles (4-3, DE)
26. Da'Quan Bowers, Buccaneers (4-3, DE)
27. Jason Jones, Titans (4-3, DE/DT)
28. Jabaal Sheard, Browns (4-3, DE)
29. Darnell Dockett, Cardinals (3-4, DE)
30. Chris Long, Rams (4-3, DE)