Few players get the glory and attention in pro football than the pass rushers. These 2016 NFL power rankings intend to find out who is the best of the best.
As with previous lists, it will begin with those who just missed making the top 20 but are no less deserving of mention for those who might’ve forgotten.
STILL GOT IT
- Dwight Freeney
- Robert Mathis
- Tamba Hali
Year after year after year it’s the same old story. No matter how old these guys seem to get, they just continue to find ways to get the quarterback on the ground. Dwight Freeney, at the tender age of 35 just reeled off eight sacks in 11 games for the Cardinals in 2015, pushing his grand total up to 129.5 for his Hall of Fame career. His former wingman from Indianapolis, Robert Mathis had another solid year with seven. This despite missing all of 2014 with injury and being 34. He now has 124.5. As for Tamba Hali, he claimed a fifth-straight Pro Bowl while pushing his own career total to 88.
ALL-UNDERRATED
- Cliff Avril
- Elvis Dumervil
- Ryan Kerrigan
It’s just as the title implies. These are the pass rushers who just never seem to get any of the credit or limelight they should be due despite having productive careers. Cliff Avril has been a steady, dependable rotational rusher for both the Lions and Seahawks, amassing an impressive 66.5 sacks while helping Seattle to win the Super Bowl in 2013. Ryan Kerrigan is by far the best the Washington Redskins have with 41.5 sacks before his 28th birthday but nobody mentions him because he’s played on bad defenses. Elvis Dumervil? It’s amazing how overlooked he’s been given the fact he’s just a half sack away from 100 for his career.
Next: #20