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Prisco: OL Rankings
The ideal NFL defensive front would include big bodies to anchor the run, speed rushers off both edges and -- thanks to the recent league-wide trend -- players who can move up and down the line with their versatility.
Did we just describe the New York Giants' line?
The Giants have big bodies in Barry Cofield and Fred Robbins to hold the point on running downs. They have speed rushers in Osi Umenyiora and Mike Strahan on the edges. Justin Tuck, who dominated in the Super Bowl victory against the New England Patriots, is the versatile one, showing up both inside and outside.
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Not only that, they are the envy of the league. And in a league of copycats, everybody is looking to do what the Giants did with their front in stopping the Patriots.
But do they have the best defensive front?
The answer is no. That honor goes to the San Diego Chargers. Since they play a 3-4 front, we'll include the down three linemen and the two outside rushers in the evaluation. There is no better group in the league than that five.
It starts with rush linebacker Shawne Merriman and includes four other players with few weaknesses.
So the Chargers take the top spot in our rankings of the league's defensive fronts. The rest of the rankings will follow. Teams that play 4-3 fronts will get their down players evaluated. Teams that play 3-4 get the down players, plus the two outside linebackers.
Don't forget -- on Thursday, we'll combine the rankings of each team's offensive and defensive lines to come up with the best overall group in the league.
Here's a hint: The Chargers are up there.
Arizona Cardinals
Best player: DT Darnell Dockett. Weak link: NT Gabe Watson.
The skinny: This is a line that has talent. Dockett can be dominating at times. The loss of defensive end/linebacker Bertrand Berry to injury last season hurt. He is expected back at 100 percent. Watson suffered an offseason knee injury that will force him out until sometime in the preseason. Adding pass-rushing end Travis LaBoy in free agency and drafting Calais Campbell will help.
Rating: 20
Atlanta Falcons
Best player: DE John Abraham. Weak link: The nose tackle, whomever it is.
The skinny: Abraham is a good pass rusher, and they expect more from second-year end Jamaal Anderson, who didn't get a sack as a rookie. He has the talent. The tackles are one of the worst groups in the league. Trey Lewis, coming back from a knee injury, will be in the mix at defensive tackle. He will compete with Montavious Stanley, Jonathan Babineaux, Tim Anderson and Kindal Moorehead and all are below average. Now we know why they considered LSU's Glenn Dorsey in the draft.
Rating: 32
Baltimore Ravens
Best player: NT Kelly Gregg. Weak link: OLB Jarrett Johnson.
The skinny: They use a three-man front, and all three starters are good players. Left end Trevor Pryce missed 11 games last season, yet is still a good player. Gregg is better and right end Haloti Ngata is becoming a Pro Bowl-caliber player. Throwing in the two rush linebackers, which you do with 3-4 schemes, Terrell Suggs and Jarrett Johnson factor into the mix. Johnson is the weak link and Suggs the second-best player.
Rating: 6
Buffalo Bills
Best player: RE Aaron Schobel. Weak link: LE Chris Kelsay.
The skinny: Schobel remains a force off the edge, but Kelsay didn't play well in 2007 after getting a new contract. The addition of Marcus Stroud at defensive tackle will really help the interior if he can stay healthy. Kyle Williams and John McCargo will offer nice support inside. The key here will be Stroud. If he regains his Pro Bowl form of a few years back, the defense will be better.
Rating: 18
Carolina Panthers
Best player: RE Julius Peppers. Weak link: LE Charles Johnson.
The skinny: Peppers didn't play well last season, but he still has 12-sack ability. He just needs to show it as he moves to the right side. Johnson will fight Tyler Brayton for the starting left end spot. On the inside, Ma'ake Kemoeatu is a force against the run. Damione Lewis will be the other starter after turning his career around. Ian Scott and Darwin Walker provide nice depth inside.
Rating: 21
Chicago Bears
Best player: DT Tommie Harris. Weak link: NT Anthony Adams or Dusty Dvoracek.
The skinny: In Harris, the Bears have a dominant inside player. He is the key to this group. He has to stay on the field after missing some time last season. He doesn't have a great player next to him, no matter who starts, so he has to be good. Ends Adewale Ogunleye, Alex Brown and Mark Anderson are good pass rushers, although Anderson's sack totals fell from 12 to five in his second season. Watch out for rookie defensive tackle Marcus Harrison.
Rating: 8
Cincinnati Bengals
Best player: LE Antwan Odom. Weak link: DT John Thornton.
The skinny: The signing of Odom away from the Tennessee Titans will help the pass rush. He's just coming into his own. Right end Robert Geathers also has speed off the edge. Domata Peko is underrated inside at defensive tackle while Thornton's play has tailed off in recent years. Right end Jonathan Fanene is a player to watch.
Rating: 24
Cleveland Browns
Best player: NT Shaun Rogers. Weak link: RE Robaire Smith.
The skinny: The Browns play a 3-4 front, so we'll use the outside linebackers when rating this unit. They are Willie McGinest, Antwan Peek and Kamerion Wimbley. McGinest isn't what he once was, but he's still a good veteran to have around. Peek is a better pass rusher. Wimbley is a player who might be on the verge of playing in a Pro Bowl. The addition of Rogers and left end Corey Williams in free agency gives the Browns some much-needed bulk up front. Shaun Smith is a good backup.
Rating: 14
Dallas Cowboys
Best player: OLB DeMarcus Ware. Weak link: LE Marcus Spears.
The skinny: The Cowboys play a 3-4, so the outside linebackers are included in the evaluation. Ware is the best player on the defense coming from the right outside spot, while Greg Ellis joined him at the Pro Bowl last year from the other side. There is depth with Anthony Spencer. The three down players are highlighted by right end Chris Canty, who is coming off his best season. Jay Ratliff takes over at nose tackle from the departed Jason Ferguson and he played well last season when Ferguson was hurt. Tank Johnson is a good backup. Spears, who was a first-round pick, is an OK player but not what the Cowboys expected.
Rating: 5
Denver Broncos
Best player: RE Elvis Dumervil. Weak link: Left end, whomever it is.
The skinny: This has been a trouble area for the Broncos for the past five years. They have brought in a wave of veterans who have flopped and used high draft picks to help make their front better. Those picks need to produce this year. Dumervil is a speed rusher who can get handled in the run game. But he's the best of the group. Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder need to do more off the edge. Moss will push John Engleberger and Ebenezer Ekuban for the left end spot. Marcus Thomas has tons of potential at tackle, while Alvin McKinley is average. The addition of Dewayne Robertson will help if he can stay healthy.
Rating: 25
Detroit Lions
Best player: RE Dewayne White. Weak link: LE Jared DeVries.
The skinny: Detroit has problems up front. The Lions signed White last year as a free agent with the idea he would amp up the pass rush; injuries prevented that. But he's still this unit's best player. DT Cory Redding got a big deal before the 2007 season and didn't play as well as in '06. DeVries plays hard, but he's limited. Chartric Darby, signed as a free agent from Seattle, will help inside. The player to watch here could be second-year defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis. He has some pass-rush skills and will challenge DeVries. Rookies Andre Fluellen and Cliff Avril will factor as well.
Rating: 31
Green Bay Packers
Best player: LE Aaron Kampman. Weak link: RE Cullen Jenkins.
The skinny: Kampman is a smallish end who plays bigger and stronger than he looks. He can be disruptive in the passing game. Jenkins didn't give the Packers the production they wanted in the pass rush last season. He's more of a tackle playing out of position. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamilla brings some speed as a backup. With Corey Williams traded to Cleveland, Johnny Jolly steps in next to Ryan Pickett as a starting tackle. Jolly played a lot in the rotation, and played well, before suffering a shoulder surgery late in the season. Justin Harrell, the 2007 first-round pick, and Colin Cole will also be in the mix. Fourth-round pick Jeremy Thompson could help with the edge rushing.
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Rating: 10
Houston Texans
Best player: RE Mario Williams. Weak link: DT Travis Johnson.
The skinny: Williams might have been the best defensive player in the league in the second half of 2008. He was a star off the right edge. Playing next to him, rookie defensive tackle Amobi Okoye showed star potential as well. Once he learns the tricks of the trade, watch out. Travis Johnson, another former first-round pick, played better than in other years in 2007, but he's still just a guy. Anthony Maddox is a capable backup. Anthony Weaver doesn't bring much in terms of pass rush on the other end, but he is stout against the run. N.D. Kalu is a solid backup.
Rating: 12
Indianapolis Colts
Best player: RE Dwight Freeney. Weak link: LE Robert Mathis.
The skinny: The key for the Colts will be how well Freeney comes back from his foot injury. If he gets back to his old ways, this is a good line. If not, there could be problems. Mathis is quick in the passing game, but he can be a liability against the run. Tackles Ed Johnson and Raheem Brock played well in 2007. Backups Josh Thomas (end) and tackles Quinn Pitcock and Darrell Reid offer nice depth.
Rating: 15
Jacksonville Jaguars
Best player: DT John Henderson. Weak link: LE Reggie Hayward.
The skinny: This is a unit that needs to get more help from the pass rush. Hayward didn't play that well in his first season back from Achilles' tendon surgery, but another year could get him back to his old form. Henderson was also bothered by injuries some last season, but he's a load when he's healthy. Rob Meier, a steady backup the past five years, takes over as the starter for the departed Marcus Stroud at tackle. Paul Spicer, who is coming off his best season, is the right end. First-round pick Derrick Harvey and second-round pick Quentin Groves will give the pass rush some speed. Young defensive tackle Tony McDaniel is a player to watch. Derek Landri was a pleasant surprise as a rookie at tackle.
Rating: 16
Kansas City Chiefs
Best player: LE Tamba Hali. Weak link: RE Turk McBride.
The skinny: The Chiefs decided to trade end Jared Allen, their best player, and now must try to replace his pass-rush ability. Where does that come from? Hali has a chance to be a 12-sack player. Turk McBride, who came in as a tackle, gets the first crack at Allen's spot. The Chiefs did get a potential star in first-round defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey. He should be a Week 1 starter and might be the best lineman by midseason. Alfonso Boone, Tank Tyler and Ron Edwards will also play inside.
Rating: 30
Miami Dolphins
Best player: OLB Jason Taylor. Weak link: OLB Joey Porter.
The skinny: If Taylor remains in a Miami uniform, he will be the best of this 3-4 group. If he's not, that title goes to nose tackle Jason Ferguson, who comes over from the Cowboys. Porter is overrated and can't get it done anymore, which is why he's the weak link. Ends Matt Roth and Vonnie Holliday are solid in this defense. But look for rookies Phillip Merling and Kendall Langford to push for time. Randy Starks will back up at all three spots. The Dolphins will be better up front this season, but it would be hard for that not to be a reality.
Rating: 28
Minnesota Vikings
Best player: RE Jared Allen. Weak link: LE Ray Edwards.
The skinny: The addition of Allen really makes this one of the league's best groups. He is scary good at times. He joins the best tackle combo in the league in Pat Williams and Kevin Williams, the latter the better of the two. Kevin Williams is one of the NFL's best. Edwards has some pass-rush ability, which should compliment this elite threesome. Backups Ellis Wyms, Fred Evans and Brian Robison are all good players to have around.
Rating: 2
New England Patriots
Best player: NT Vince Wilfork. Weak link: OLB Mike Vrabel.
The skinny: Wilfork has turned into one of the best inside players in the league. He's a force in there. He is flanked by Richard Seymour and Ty Warren in the Patriots' 3-4 scheme. Seymour was bothered by a knee injury last year, and didn't play his usual dominant way. When he's healthy, he's the best on this line. Warren is steady. Backup Jarvis Green would start for a lot of teams. Vrabel went to the Pro Bowl last season, so it's hard to make him the weak link, but somebody has to go there. He isn't as good as his reputation. Adalius Thomas once again will play on the outside full time this season after bouncing around last season. That should help his production.
Rating: 3
New Orleans Saints
Best player: RE Will Smith. Weak link: LE Charles Grant.
The skinny: Smith is a quality pass rusher off the right side. Grant didn't play as well in 2007 as in years past and he has some legal issues hanging over his head. The addition of first-round pick Sedrick Ellis will help the tackle play. He should be a starter early in the season. Veteran Brian Young is a solid player when he's not sitting with injuries and Hollis Thomas is a capable veteran when he's in shape. Bobby McCray, signed away from Jacksonville, will help in passing situations off the edge.
Rating: 17
New York Giants
Best player: RE Osi Umenyiora. Weak link: Barry Cofield.
The skinny: This is the unit that received all the attention for the way they dominated the Patriots' offensive line. Umenyiora and fellow end Mike Strahan -- if he plays -- give the Giants a nice 1-2 punch off the edge. Justin Tuck, who is listed as a backup, excels in pass-rushing situations as a down tackle or a backup end. Cofield and Fred Robbins are steady inside, but just above-average players. Cofield plays the run well. Jay Alford is a good backup to those two.
Rating: 4
New York Jets
Best player: NT Kris Jenkins. Weak link: LOLB Bryan Thomas.
The skinny: The Jets' 3-4 will see some new faces this season. Jenkins takes over as nose tackle. When he's in shape, he's a power player and can play at a Pro Bowl level. Calvin Pace comes over from Arizona as one of the outside linebackers. Thomas will try to fend off first-round pick Vernon Gholston. The ends will be Shaun Ellis and Kenyon Coleman. They both look more like 4-3 ends. The Jets should be improved up front from a year ago. Gholston, Jenkins and Pace should make that happen.
Rating: 22
Oakland Raiders
Best player: RE Derrick Burgess. Weak link: LE Jay Richardson.
The skinny: Burgess is a pass-rush specialist who isn't great against the run. Richardson is a young player who is more of a run player than pass rusher. They do have power inside with Terdell Sands and Tommy Kelly, the highest-paid tackle in the NFL. Kelly is coming off major knee surgery, but when healthy he's a good player. Gerard Warren provides valuable depth inside and could push Sands to the bench. Kalimba Edwards, a disappointment in Detroit, will hope to get pressure as a backup edge rusher.
Rating: 26
Philadelphia Eagles
Best player: RE Trent Cole. Weak link: LE Juqua Parker.
The skinny: Cole is a pass-rush force off the edge. Parker (formerly Juqua Thomas) isn't in his class, but he has some quickness. Look for Victor Abiamiri to push him for his job. Darren Howard has been a flop for the Eagles since coming from New Orleans. The tackle tandem of Brodrick Bunkley and Mike Patterson is good and getting better. The addition of second-round pick Trevor Laws will help there, while Chris Clemons will help the pass rush after coming from the Raiders. This is a good group.
Rating: 9
Pittsburgh Steelers
Best player: LE Aaron Smith. Weak link: RE Brett Keisel.
The skinny: In the 3-4 scheme they use, the outside linebackers are key to the success of the defense. James Harrison had a Pro Bowl season in 2007 and LaMarr Woodley should be a strong force on the other side in his second season. He flashed speed off the corner last season. Nose tackle Casey Hampton is a load in the run game, but he's 32. Smith is a perfect 3-4 end, but he's no kid either at 31 and he's coming off a torn triceps. Keisel is a try-hard player who is OK, but not much more than that.
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| The odds are stacked against any offense going up against Luis Castillo (top) and Shawne Merriman. (US Presswire) |
San Diego Chargers
Best player: OLB Shawne Merriman. Weak link: LDE Igor Olshansky.
The skinny: The Chargers use a 3-4, so their outside linebackers are included in the evaluation. Merriman is a star off the right side. Shaun Phillips, the other outside backer, also is a good player. Nose tackle Jamal Williams is a power player when he's on the field. Luis Castillo and Olshansky are perfect for this 3-4 scheme. Making Olshansky the weak link is nitpicking; that's how good this front is. Backup players Ryon Bingham and Jacques Cesaire are capable of being starters. It's the best group in football.
Rating: 1
San Francisco 49ers
Best player: RE Justin Smith. Weak link: LE Kentwan Balmer or Ron Fields.
The skinny: The 49ers paid a lot for Smith, especially since he had two sacks last season. But they like his toughness. Balmer, the team's first-round pick, should be the starter at the other end spot. Fields will try to fend him off. Nose tackle will be a battle between Aubrayo Franklin and Isaac Sopoaga, who showed well when Franklin was hurt last season. The 49ers need to get more from outside linebacker Manny Lawson, who missed most of last season with an injury. Tully Banta-Cain has quickness on the other side.
Rating: 29
Seattle Seahawks
Best player: LE