| Rank |
Player |
Team |
Bye |
Comments |
| 1 |
Jared Allen |
MIN |
8 |
Moving to a new team won't slow this guy down. Expect a ton of sacks and a decent amount of tackles to boot. |
| 2 |
Mario Williams |
HOU |
8 |
With another year under his belt, the very talented Williams will put up top-3 fantasy numbers at DE. |
| 3 |
Aaron Kampman |
GBP |
8 |
Kampman is another model of consistency. The Packer defense could be on the field a bit more this year too. |
| 4 |
Julius Peppers |
CAR |
9 |
Two words: contract season. Peppers is just too good to have two bad seasons in a row. Has a lot to prove. |
| 5 |
Terrell Suggs |
BAL |
10 |
Now that he's cemented as the team's one-year franchise player, he'll have a lot to prove. |
| 6 |
Trent Cole |
PHI |
7 |
Cole's the best DE that flies under the radar. He came alive in '07 and could have a better '08. |
| 7 |
Patrick Kerney |
SEA |
4 |
Kerney's getting up there in age, but managed 14.5 sacks in '07. The emergence of Darryl Tapp could help. |
| 8 |
Aaron Schobel |
BUF |
6 |
Like the "other Aaron", is another solid, consistent DL. His sack total dipped in '07; expect a decent rebound. |
| 9 |
Jason Taylor |
WAS |
4 |
No reason to think he won't put up great stats again. Could be limited first couple of games, if not out with knee sprain. |
| 10 |
Kyle Vanden Bosch |
TEN |
6 |
Could easily be in the top-5, as he finished off the '07 season strong. Can he keep it going? |
| 11 |
Andre Carter |
WAS |
10 |
With the arrival of Taylor, Carter could see plenty of gaps in the opposing offensive line. |
| 12 |
Adewale Ogunleye |
CHI |
8 |
The continuing emergence of Mark Anderson will free up Ogunleye to make big plays for the Bear D. |
| 13 |
Justin Tuck |
NYG |
4 |
With the retirement of Strahan and loss of Osi, Tuck becomes the starter and "the man". Will he handle the pressure? |
| 14 |
Robert Mathis |
IND |
4 |
Now that he's healthy, he should have a pretty good season. Definitely a sleeper that could put up top-10 stats. |
| 15 |
Will Smith |
NOS |
9 |
In the prime of his career and should reach double-digit sacks this year. |
| 16 |
Derrick Burgess |
OAK |
5 |
Burgess is no spring chicken, but continues to put up nice numbers, especially with the sacks. |
| 17 |
Tamba Hali |
KCC |
6 |
Hali could have problems with no stud on the other end. His value could rise if he rises to the occasion. |
| 18 |
Gaines Adams |
TBB |
10 |
Adams started the '07 season off slowly but came on at the end. He could easily move into the top-10 by week 3. |
| 19 |
Leonard Little |
STL |
5 |
Little isn't the most consistent of defensive linemen, but is good enough to start on your fantasy team. |
| 20 |
Elvis Dumervil |
DEN |
8 |
A big time sack specialist, Dumervil has a ton of upside. He became more active in '07, so don't wait on him. |
| 21 |
John Abraham |
ATL |
7 |
Always an injury risk, but returned to form with 10 sacks in '07. If he can stay healthy, watch out. |
| 22 |
Mark Anderson |
CHI |
8 |
Anderson is ultra-talented and as a starter, will more than likely approach double-digit sacks. Big play potential. |
| 23 |
Darryl Tapp |
SEA |
4 |
Tapp busted out in '07 and could improve with Kerney still chugging along on the other end. |
| 24 |
Dewayne White |
DET |
4 |
White's a nice sleeper for '08 in his second year with the Lions. He could have a career year in sacks. |
| 25 |
Chris Long |
STL |
5 |
By far the best rookie DE prospect. He's ultra-talented and the Rams will let him do his thing. |
| 26 |
Ray Edwards |
MIN |
8 |
Can he put up '07 Tamba Hali like numbers with Jared Allen on the other side? |
| 27 |
Charles Grant |
NOS |
9 |
Supremely talented, but under-produces for his talent. Can he revert to '04 form or continue to wallow in mediocrity? |
| 28 |
Dwight Freeney |
IND |
4 |
After an injury-plagued '07, Freeney could return to stardom, getting 10+ sacks and more big plays. |
| 29 |
Tommy Kelly |
OAK |
5 |
The best DT, fantasy-wise. Having solid ends on this line helps out big time. He'll have to rebound from injury. |
| 30 |
Robert Geathers |
CIN |
8 |
Will his numbers get a boost or decline with the departure of Smith? |
| 31 |
Amobi Okoye |
HOU |
8 |
As the Texan D improves, so will Okoye. Managed 5.5 sacks last year. Could approach 8-9 this year easily. |
| 32 |
Alex Brown |
CHI |
8 |
Will be the third DE for the Bear team with the emergence of Anderson, but could have some fantasy value. |
| 33 |
Jamaal Anderson |
ATL |
7 |
Wildly talented and could benefit with a healthy Abraham manning the other end. Big time sleeper. |
| 34 |
Mathias Kiwanuka |
NYG |
4 |
Strahan/Umenyiora is now Tuck/Kiwanuka. Can Kiwanuka produce from this spot? Time will tell. |
| 35 |
Marques Douglas |
BAL |
10 |
Value is about the same now that he's on the Ravens. A bit more upside, though, with the studly Suggs on the other end. |
| 36 |
Darnell Dockett |
ARI |
7 |
Decent tackle totals for an interior guy, and broke out with 9.5 sacks last year. Don't expect that again. |
| 37 |
Kabeer Gbaja-Biamilia |
GBP |
8 |
Always overlooked as a consistent sack artist. Should be on the field enough to approach 10 sacks again. |
| 38 |
Lawrence Jackson |
SEA |
4 |
Should log 5-6 sacks and around 50 total tackles for the under-rated Seahawk D. |
| 39 |
Derrick Harvey |
JAC |
7 |
Will Harvey have a slow start, a la Gaines Adams? Remains unsigned, so he's a risk until he's actually with the team. |
| 40 |
Jovan Haye |
TBB |
10 |
With Adams emerging and other solid linemates around him, Haye could put up decent numbers. |
| 41 |
Antwan Odom |
CIN |
8 |
The Bengal defense will need Odom and Geathers to have big seasons. Can he get 8 sacks again? |
| 42 |
Luis Castillo |
SDC |
9 |
Big time motor, and the Charger defense will continue to impress. Could log 40 tackles and 7 sacks. |
| 43 |
Ty Warren |
NEP |
4 |
If he can return to '06 form, you can shoot him way up on this list. But with the nature of the Pat D, don't get excited. |
| 44 |
Justin Smith |
SFO |
9 |
Officially another "DE/LB" hybrid. Adjust your projections accordingly. |
| 45 |
Antonio Smith |
ARI |
7 |
Flew under the radar in '07. Could put up nice #2 fantasy DL numbers for your squad. |
| 46 |
Charles Johnson |
CAR |
9 |
With Peppers running amok on the other side, the very talented Johnson could be in for a big season. |
| 47 |
Shaun Ellis |
NYJ |
5 |
With rookie Vernon Gholston rushing the passer, Ellis could have a productive season. |
| 48 |
Chris Kelsay |
BUF |
6 |
Had some nice games opposite Aaron Schobel. He'll definitely reach 5 sacks this season. |
| 49 |
Glenn Dorsey |
KCC |
6 |
He's a big, talented beast of a DT, and might have some fantasy value. |
| 50 |
Mike Patterson |
PHI |
7 |
The big run stuffer will find room to roam with Trent Cole improving. |
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