Post 36 - Top 10 Outside Linebackers of 2015
Hello! And welcome to my corner!
In the coming weeks I'll be revealing my top 10 at each position and eventually my top 100 players in the NFL. Unlike the traditional rankings, though, I'm basing these rankings entirely on the 2015 season and the 2015 season only. Not looking further than that and without influence from their name alone.
Earlier this month I got this series underway when I revealed my Top 10 Kickers and Punters of 2015. I've now unveiled my Top 10 Safeties, Top 10 Corners and Top 10 Inside Linebackers, and I'm now onto my outside linebackers.
Without further ado, then, here are my Top 10 Outside Linebackers from 2015:
Only 3-4 outside linebackers have been considered for this ranking.
6. Tamba Hali, Kansas City Chiefs
In the coming weeks I'll be revealing my top 10 at each position and eventually my top 100 players in the NFL. Unlike the traditional rankings, though, I'm basing these rankings entirely on the 2015 season and the 2015 season only. Not looking further than that and without influence from their name alone.
Earlier this month I got this series underway when I revealed my Top 10 Kickers and Punters of 2015. I've now unveiled my Top 10 Safeties, Top 10 Corners and Top 10 Inside Linebackers, and I'm now onto my outside linebackers.
Without further ado, then, here are my Top 10 Outside Linebackers from 2015:
Only 3-4 outside linebackers have been considered for this ranking.
10. James Harrison,
Pittsburgh Steelers
40 Combined Tackles (Comb), 5 Sacks (Sck), 5 Passes Defensed (PDef), 1 Interception (Int), 2 Forced Fumbles (FF).
Although Harrison only played a limited role for the Steelers, Harrison still showed the skills he has during his entire career. He is still able to be a menace in the pass rush and has a knack for getting a big hit on QB's, he can still play the run well - though he rarely had to - and he still showed the same instincts and recognition when he drops into zone coverage.
40 Combined Tackles (Comb), 5 Sacks (Sck), 5 Passes Defensed (PDef), 1 Interception (Int), 2 Forced Fumbles (FF).
Although Harrison only played a limited role for the Steelers, Harrison still showed the skills he has during his entire career. He is still able to be a menace in the pass rush and has a knack for getting a big hit on QB's, he can still play the run well - though he rarely had to - and he still showed the same instincts and recognition when he drops into zone coverage.
9. Brandon Graham, Philadelphia Eagles
51 Comb, 6.5 Sck, 3 FF.
51 Comb, 6.5 Sck, 3 FF.
Despite not playing in his ideal role of a 4-3 defensive end, Graham has been consistently good for the Eagles, and this year was no different. He doesn't have monster stats but he was an effective pass rusher, a solid run stuffer and he was surprisingly good in pass coverage - he allowed just 9 catches for 35 yards on 10 targets.
8. Whitney
Mercilus, Houston Texans
52 Comb, 12 Sck, 1 FF, 1 Fumble Recovery (FR).
As Jadeveon Clowney continues to transition to 3-4 linebacker, Mercilus has improved and is becoming one of the more effective pass rushing linebackers. Although 7 of his sacks came in just two games, he still shows the tools to be one of the better pass rushers in the NFL. He still needs to become more rounded and consistent, but he is a good piece on the Texans defense.
7. Melvin Ingram, San Diego Chargers
As Jadeveon Clowney continues to transition to 3-4 linebacker, Mercilus has improved and is becoming one of the more effective pass rushing linebackers. Although 7 of his sacks came in just two games, he still shows the tools to be one of the better pass rushers in the NFL. He still needs to become more rounded and consistent, but he is a good piece on the Texans defense.
7. Melvin Ingram, San Diego Chargers
65 Comb, 10.5 Sck, 3 FF, 1 FR.
Ingram's college production and combine performance led him to him being the 18th overall pick in the 2012 Draft, and since then, injuries and inconsistent play have dampened his impact for the Chargers. Well, this year he played all 16 games - he'd played 13 over the past two seasons - and had is best year by far. With a clean bill of health he should continue his rise.
Ingram's college production and combine performance led him to him being the 18th overall pick in the 2012 Draft, and since then, injuries and inconsistent play have dampened his impact for the Chargers. Well, this year he played all 16 games - he'd played 13 over the past two seasons - and had is best year by far. With a clean bill of health he should continue his rise.
6. Tamba Hali, Kansas City Chiefs
48 Comb, 6.5 Sck, 2 FF.
Hali did not have the numbers that Chiefs fans have become accustomed to but that doesn't mean his impact was diminished. Seeing as he didn't have Justin Houston to take away attention, and that he is only ever going against left tackles, his 6.5 sacks and 55 QB hurries are a testament to his skill and importance to the Chiefs.
5. Pernell McPhee, Chicago Bears
Hali did not have the numbers that Chiefs fans have become accustomed to but that doesn't mean his impact was diminished. Seeing as he didn't have Justin Houston to take away attention, and that he is only ever going against left tackles, his 6.5 sacks and 55 QB hurries are a testament to his skill and importance to the Chiefs.
5. Pernell McPhee, Chicago Bears
53 Comb, 6 Sck, 4 PDef, 1 Int, 1 FF.
McPhee was yet another Ravens' late round draft pick who earned a big contract elsewhere in free agency, but unlike the others, he absolutely lived up to the expectations. He was possibly the best Bears players on defense and was a leader for the unit. He is a very good run stuffer and pass rusher, and seeing as he was the only really noteworthy Bears pass rusher, his sack number and 48 QB hurries are impressive.
4. DeMarcus Ware, Denver Broncos
McPhee was yet another Ravens' late round draft pick who earned a big contract elsewhere in free agency, but unlike the others, he absolutely lived up to the expectations. He was possibly the best Bears players on defense and was a leader for the unit. He is a very good run stuffer and pass rusher, and seeing as he was the only really noteworthy Bears pass rusher, his sack number and 48 QB hurries are impressive.
4. DeMarcus Ware, Denver Broncos
25 Comb, 7.5 Sck, 1 FF, 1 FR.
At this stage in his career, Ware is limited to being a situational pass rusher, but boy, does he still do it well. His 7.5 sacks in 11 games, whilst mainly rushing from the left side of the offense, shows that he is still the pass rusher he always has been. What's more, he was straight fire in the Playoffs and Super Bowl.
3. Justin Houston, Kansas City Chiefs
At this stage in his career, Ware is limited to being a situational pass rusher, but boy, does he still do it well. His 7.5 sacks in 11 games, whilst mainly rushing from the left side of the offense, shows that he is still the pass rusher he always has been. What's more, he was straight fire in the Playoffs and Super Bowl.
3. Justin Houston, Kansas City Chiefs
30 Comb, 7.5 Sck, 8 PDef, 2 Int, 1 FF, 1 touchdown (TD).
Like Ware, injuries stopped Houston from reaching the statistical heights that are expected, but in the 10 full games he played, he showed that he is still one of the best and most complete outside linebackers in the NFL.
2. Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders
Like Ware, injuries stopped Houston from reaching the statistical heights that are expected, but in the 10 full games he played, he showed that he is still one of the best and most complete outside linebackers in the NFL.
2. Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders
77 Comb, 15 Sck, 2 FF.
Mack was the first player, ever, to be nominated a First-Team All-Pro at two different positions (OLB and DE) and thus could've been ranked highly as either. I went with OLB as most of his pass rushing came on 3rd down, which lots of OLB's do anyway. His athletic ability is incredible and his ability to win off the edge in many ways and excel as a 4-3 linebacker too is remarkable. I'm pretty damn jealous of the Raiders.
1. Von Miller, Denver Broncos
35 Comb, 11 Sck, 4 FF, 3 FR.
His numbers may not be quite as good as other players on this list, but his impact is unquestionable. Part of the reason he is number 1 here is thanks to his playoff performance, he came up biggest when it mattered most and he truly dominated during those times. He can do it all and he does it all well.
Mack was the first player, ever, to be nominated a First-Team All-Pro at two different positions (OLB and DE) and thus could've been ranked highly as either. I went with OLB as most of his pass rushing came on 3rd down, which lots of OLB's do anyway. His athletic ability is incredible and his ability to win off the edge in many ways and excel as a 4-3 linebacker too is remarkable. I'm pretty damn jealous of the Raiders.
1. Von Miller, Denver Broncos
35 Comb, 11 Sck, 4 FF, 3 FR.
His numbers may not be quite as good as other players on this list, but his impact is unquestionable. Part of the reason he is number 1 here is thanks to his playoff performance, he came up biggest when it mattered most and he truly dominated during those times. He can do it all and he does it all well.
There we have it, my Top 10 Outside Linebackers from the 2015 NFL season. What do you think? Think I've got it right or am I completely wrong? Let me know!
Next up? The Top 10 Defensive Ends of 2015.
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