2012 NFL Season Predictions – Top 5 Defensive Ends in the NFL: With passing becoming a bigger and bigger part of the game, the ability to put pressure on an opponent’s quarterback is becoming a top priority for defenses around the NFL. Whether recording sacks or simply disrupting timing, making life miserable for whoever is under center can go a long way to building a successful defensive unit. The job of rushing the passer falls heavily on defensive ends, and a unique combination of size, speed and technique is required to excel at the position. Defensive ends also have to hold their own against the run if they want to see the field on more than just passing situations. With that in mind, here at look at the NFL’s best at the position for the 2012 season.
2012 NFL Predictions: Top 5 Defensive Ends
1. Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings
With 105.0 sacks and 26 forced fumbles in eight years in the NFL, there is little doubt that Allen is one of the most-productive edge rushers in the game today. The scary thing is that he might be getting better, coming off a year when he tallied an NFL-high 22.0 sacks. He is incredibly strong, and his relentless motor allows him to wear down opposing offensive linemen throughout the course of the game. Allen has five straight seasons of 11.0 or more sacks, and he isn’t going to stop terrorizing quarterbacks anytime soon.
2. Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants
He is 6-5 with an even longer wingspan, and he has freakish speed for someone that weighs around 280 pounds. Given his physical gifts and athleticism, it is not surprising that he put up monster numbers in just his second season in the NFL. Last year, Pierre-Paul finished with 16.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and knocked down seven passes. He also recorded an impressive 86 tackles, which is a lofty total for someone playing at the defensive end spot. When you look at those numbers and then consider that he will be entering just his third season in the league, it is hard to imagine a scenario where he doesn’t become the best player at his position in the coming years.
3. Julius Peppers, Chicago Bears
Standing 6-7 and excelling at both football and basketball at North Carolina, Peppers entered the NFL with a rare skillset. He has been an unstoppable edge rusher at times in his career, and honestly, he seems able to be as dominant as he wants to be. The issue is that Peppers doesn’t always seem to want to be, but even with the occasional lapse in focus, his numbers are still impressive. He had 11.0 sacks last year, marking the seventh time in 10 seasons that he has reached double digits. More importantly, Peppers remains one of the best big play makers at the defensive end position. He has eight career interceptions and 36 forced fumbles, forcing at least three fumbles in every year of his career. The man is a force.
4. Justin Tuck, New York Giants
After missing time and being hobbled by injuries most of last season, Tuck returned for the Giants in the playoffs, combining for 3.5 sacks in the NFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl. His performance on the big stages was an exclamation point on what has been a run of dominance for a player with the speed to rush from the edge and the strength to slide over to defensive tackle. His regular season was basically lost last year, but he reached double-digit sacks in three of the previous four seasons. In 2009 and 2010, Tuck forced a combined 11 fumbles and recovered six. He forces turnovers, provides a strong rush off the edge and saves his best for the big games. What’s not to love?
5. Justin Smith, San Francisco 49ers
Smith is arguably the most-balanced defensive end in the game when it comes to stopping the run and rushing the passer. He has recorded 65 or more tackles in seven of his last nine seasons, topping 70 tackles five times during the stretch. Smith has also recorded at least 6.0 sacks in six of those seven seasons. His last two years have been his best as far as getting to the quarterback, and Smith has a combined 16.0 sacks in the past two seasons. His overpowering strength and constant energy have made allowed him to dominate at the point of attack. Unlike some defensive ends that are mainly in the game to rush the passer, Smith can have an impact on every single snap.
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