2012 NFL Season Predictions – Top 5 Outside Linebackers in the NFL: One position that has evolved immensely in recent years is the outside linebacker. More and more teams are employing their outside backers as pass rushing specialists, and the size and speed of the players at the position in the game today is downright scary. Granted, outside linebackers are still required to play the run and even drop back in coverage, but at the end of the day, attacking opposing quarterbacks is becoming the bread and butter of the position. With that in mind, here is a look at the top players at the position for the upcoming NFL season.
2012 NFL Predictions: Top 5 Outside Linebackers
1. DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys
Ware is one of the new breed of players that has the size and strength to play defensive end but is able to play outside linebacker because of his speed and athleticism. In his seven years in the NFL, he has compiled 99.5 sacks and forced 27 fumbles. Ware has emerged as one of the premier edge rushers in the game, and he has had at least 11.0 sacks in every season since his rookie year. Ware is coming off a 19.5 sack campaign in 2011, and he has all the tools to challenge the single-season sack record and make a strong run at Defensive Player of the Year honors.
2. Tamba Hali, Kansas City Chiefs
After being moved back and forth between defensive end and linebacker early in his career, Hali finally has a defined role, and he has been blossoming. He has 26.5 sacks in the last two years combined, and he had a career-high 66 tackles in 2011. Hali is also one of the best in the league and forcing turnovers when he makes plays in the backfield. He has forced 22 fumbles in his six-year career and has forced four fumbles in three consecutive seasons. Hali is entering his prime, and after the muscle he has shown the last two seasons, he could make a push for the most sacks in the league this season.
3. Terrell Suggs, Baltimore Ravens
He is coming off an excellent season in which he won the Defensive Player of the Year Award. Suggs finished last year with 14.0 sacks, 70 tackles, two interceptions and seven forced fumbles. He has 25.0 sacks the past two years combined since moving primarily to the outside linebacker position. Suggs is a powerful force off the edge, and as evidenced by all the turnovers he created one year ago, he is a gifted athlete. If it weren’t for a serious Achilles injury that will sideline him for at least a few games in 2012, he would be ranked even higher.
4. Brian Orakpo, Washington Redskins
His NFL career is just three seasons old, and Orakpo has three productive years under his belt. He has tallied 28.5 sacks, and he has had at least 8.5 sacks in all three seasons. The next step for Orakpo is to go from the steady, reliable performer he has been since his rookie year and take his game to the next level. He has above average strength and speed, and with his quick first step and excellent array of pass rushing techniques, there is no reason that he can’t have his breakout campaign in 2012.
5. Von Miller, Denver Broncos
One good year doesn’t make a player’s career, but Miller certainly had one heck of a rookie year. He finished the year with 11.5 sacks and 64 tackles, and he also forced a pair of fumbles. While Tim Tebow got most of the credit for Denver’s hot streak last season, Miller’s play was just as crucial. In fact, the Broncos struggled when he was playing at less than full strength. Miller was a tackling machine in college, and he used his explosiveness to make an immediate impact as an edge rusher in the NFL. With a year of experience under his belt to refine his technique and get a feel for the game, his sophomore campaign could be something special.
Check the latest odds to win the 2013 Super Bowl XLVII plus daily NFL vegas odds and line updated daily throughout the year at NSAwins.com!
| 2 EASY STEPS to BET on 2012 NFL Football Odds! STEP 1: CLICK HERE to OPEN SBG Global Sportsbook Account STEP 2: Deposit with Credit Card or Deposit by Check and get upto 265% in BONUSES upto $10,000 FREE added to your SBG Global Player Account Funds. |
Need Expert Winning NFL Football Picks? Be sure to check out NSAwins.com’s award-winning NFL Football Season Picks Packages for expert winners against the vegas spreads and totals in NFL Football this season including 2012 NFL Football Picks and Predictions to beat the vegas point spreads and totals!