TIER ONE: Tier one studs are the guys you take it to the bank; they will be there for you (injuries notwithstanding). These guys will bring you about 10-12 sacks but the thing to remember is that there isn’t enough of a cushion between the top tier and middle tier to warrant drafting them unless tremendous value presents itself. Here is another thing to consider when drafting defensive linemen. Always go for the guy who plays in a 4-3 defense as opposed to a 3-4 defense. Linemen in 3-4 systems are there to plug holes, allowing the linebackers to make plays. Very rarely do they make a big contribution on the stat sheet.
1. Jared Allen, MIN
The gold standard at the defensive lineman spot, Allen is about the closest thing you can have to being a “lock” at this position. Allen followed up his 15.5 sack season of 2007 with another 15 sacks last year, but when you consider that he battled through a few lingering injuries to his shoulder, you can say that last year was more impressive. Only 26, Allen is still on the good side of his prime years, and will once again threaten the 20 sack mark in 2009.
2. Mario Williams, HOU
Williams continued to be a regular, steady contributor last year, posting 12 sacks to go along with an acceptable 53 combined tackles. A very athletic defensive end, Williams is more gifted than Jared Allen, but doesn’t carry Allen’s demeanor on the field. If he could develop that fierceness a bit more, he would be unstoppable. As is, still a top five pick for defensive linemen.
3. Trent Cole, PHI
If you are going to succeed on the defensive line you need to be either an athletic freak, or possess an endless motor. Cole possesses a good combination of both. While Cole saw his sack numbers drop from 12 to 9 last year, he more than made up for it by increasing his tackles from 69 combined tackles in 2007 to 77 combined tackles. Personally, that’s a trade off I can live with. I’ll take my 5 tackles a game with a sack every other game and move onto the next position. You should too.
4. Terrell Suggs, BAL
Suggs continued his extremely consistent career in 2008, with 65 combined tackles, 8 sacks and 2 interceptions with two touchdowns thrown in for good measure. With his designation as a defensive lineman (in previous years, he had also been designated as a linebacker, greatly diminishing his value), Suggs continues to be one of the safer bets when it comes to the defensive line position. Even if Ray Lewis leaves, Suggs should maintain constant production.
5. Justin Tuck, NYG
Tuck was the highest scoring defensive lineman from 2008, as he showed he could be a factor from defensive end or inside at the tackle spot. Tuck has a great combination of size and speed, and last year he notched 13 sacks while improving his tackle numbers ever so slightly. With Osi Umenyiora expected back from an injury-shortened 2008, it remains to be seen what the Giants plan to do with Tuck, as Mathias Kiwanuka seems better suited to defensive end as opposed to linebacker. If the Giants keep Tuck at defensive tackle full time, give Tuck a down tick in ranking, but if he continues to rotate along the line, expect more of the same in 2009.
TIER TWO: Defensive linemen tier two cats are guys that will give you acceptable production, depending on the type of team you have. I’ll get more into this in a future article that describes draft strategies regarding IDP leagues, but for now, just know that some of these players are going to be the “hare”, and others on this tier are going to be the “turtle”. Except in the end, they will more or less “tie”, so it’s a matter of finding the right fit for your team.
6. Julius Peppers, CAR
Peppers might be the most athletically gifted defensive lineman in these rankings, but until last year, had been one of the most frustrating to figure out. Last year, Peppers finally put it all together and finished with 14.5 sacks to go along with a respectable 51 combined tackles. If you look at his career numbers, he usually follows up seasons like last year with a subpar season, so buyer beware here.
7. John Abraham, ATL
Abraham had a great year, recording a career high in sacks, with 16.5. But look closely at the numbers, and you will see Abraham was very much a “boom or bust” guy. He had three different games where he had three sacks or more. That’s “Awesome” with a capital A. But… he also had six games where he not only had no sacks, but two or less tackles. Simply put, he is the kind of guy you roll the dice with if you are outmatched on offense and need a potentially explosive week from someone on your defense. But if your offense is solid, look for a guy with more consistent tackle numbers.
8. Albert Haynesworth, TEN
When talking about a guy who can give you consistent tackle numbers, this is the breed of cat I’m talking about. A monster of a man at 6’6 and 320 pounds, Haynesworth simply does what he wants to do in the trenches. Haynesworth is one of the few guys who can handle double teams and still make a play. Haynesworth was extremely consistent last year, with 10 games with 3 tackles and/or a sack. At just 28 years of age, Haynesworth should be a force for a few more years yet.
9. Gaines Adams, TB
One of my breakout candidates for this year, Adams improved his numbers last year, increasing his sacks from 4.5 in 2007 to 6.5 in 2008. Adams also nabbed a couple interceptions and took one back for a touchdown. While that may not happen again anytime soon, Adams is poised to break through in 2009 and is a good candidate to approach 10 sacks while increasing his tackle numbers yet again. He has the best opportunity to go unnoticed in your draft, so he would be a great value pick in the final couple of rounds.
10. Aaron Kampman, GB
A lunch pail guy in every sense of the word, Kampman brings the heat on every single play. He has been extremely consistent with his tackle numbers, averaging over three tackles a game for the past five years. His sack totals have been steadily declining the last couple years, and now he gets moved to outside linebacker in the Packers new 3-4 scheme. So why is he ranked so high and supposedly out of position? Because chances are that he is still listed as a defensive lineman, and as an outside linebacker, he should be good for 45-60 tackles.
Tier 3
11. Osi Umenyiora, NYG
12. Robert Mathis, IND
13. Justin Smith, SF
14. Adewale Ogunleye, CHI
Notes: Umenyiora comes back from injury that ended his season before it started last year. He'll slide back into his starting spot and no reason why he can't rebound with a big season. While Dwight Freeney of the Colts gets the headlines, Robert Mathis has quietly been more productive the past few seasons when it comes to fantasy football. Justin Smith isn't a sack machine, but he puts up consistent tackle numbers each year and while his time is slipping away from him, he still has gas left. Ogunleye is much like Smith, in that he didn't rack up a ton of sacks as expected last season, but he did provide 62 combined tackles last year.
Tier 4
15. Chris Long, STL
16. Shaun Rogers, CLE
17. Charles Grant, NO
18. Kevin Williams, MIN
19. Darnell Dockett, ARI
Notes: I think Long is going to have a breakout season this year, and has a chance to become a top 10 player by the end of this year. I worry about Rogers' ability to stay motivated, but there is no denying his ability to impact a game when he wants. Grant and Williams would be knocking on tier three's door if they didn't have looming suspensions to worry about. Darnell Dockett is going to be counted on to lead the Cardinals line play in 2009. He has shown stretches of good productivity, and I think this year he sustains it throughout the season.
Tier 5
20. Dewayne White, DET
21. Tamba Hali, KC
22. Aaron Smith, PIT
23. Derrick Harvey, JAX
24. Phillip Merling, MIA
Notes: White racked up awesome numbers in the time he played. If he can put it together for a complete season, he could rise to top 10 status. Hali has been wildly inconsistent,but he still has some upside to work with and should benefit from new arrivals on the defensive side of the ball. Aaron Smith is a solid veteran cog in the Steeler machine, and he racks up enough tackles to warrant starting considerations. Derrick Harvey and Phillip Merling are a couple of my “sleepers” who I believe will become fantasy relevant in 2009. In particular, I really like Harvey's upside and it wouldn't surprise me if he notched double digit sacks in 2009.
