Ranking the Defensive Ends

[Mr. Laz]

Dynasty(fantasy)Rankings: Defensive Ends
Gregg Rosenthal
Posted: 11 days ago

Age is less important to us in dynasty leagues on defense. It still matters, just not nearly as much as offense. Defensive players, especially linemen, often take longer to mature. Their periods of productivity can be very sporadic depending on the team or coach they are playing for.

There are always starters available on the defensive line and in the secondary. This makes it far easier to pick up useful options during the season than with offensive players. Build a defense around a core of veterans and plan on filling out the rest later.
Consistency is the key with your core. Since there is such wild fluctuation among defensive leaders on a year-to-year basis, a player you can count on for 10+ sacks every season is a real asset.

After that core, it's always a good idea to draft and acquire a surplus of offensive talent. Worry about filling out your defensive lineman and secondary later. Also take notice of the scoring system we use here. Some systems weigh sacks and tackles differently than others. While sacks are the easiest way to measure defensive lineman, it's good to check who the better tackling lineman are. It's also important to know what teams will run the 3-4. Defensive ends like Richard Seymour inevitably don't rack up huge stats in the 3-4 defense because their responsibilities are different than pure pass rushers.


Tier One
Rk Player ______ Team Age ___________ Comments
1 Julius Peppers Panthers 25 Mike Vick of defense '05 will be tough to repeat, best combo of production ,talent,age.
2 Dwight Freeney Colts 25 40 sacks, 17 forced fumbles in 43 career games.
3 Jason Taylor Dolphins 31 Lots of tackles for DE. Should only increase if Miami stands him up occasionally in '05.
4 Terrell Suggs Ravens 23 Check league eligibility rules. Balt switch to 4-3 should make him DE. 10+ scks a yr.
5 Simeon Rice Buccaneers 31 Few tackles, bizarre personality, and average '04. But 12 sacks is a great 'off' year.

Tier Two
Rk Player _______Team Age __________ Comments
6 Bertrand Berry Cardinals 30 Got big money and got better. What a concept.
7 Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila Packers 28 Better fantasy option than NFL player. 10+ sacks a year. Streaky.
8 Jevon Kearse Eagles 29 Better NFL player than fantasy option. Should improve in year two in Philly.
9 Charles Grant Saints 27 7th in '03, 2nd in '04. Plays in great system for DE stats. Huge tackles for DE.
10 Aaron Schobel Saints 29 Consistency bumps him up. Could be nasty with better DE partner.
11 Darren Howard Panthers 25 Currently trade bait. Should be productive wherever he goes.
12 Patrick Kerney Falcons 29 #2 DE in 2005, Move to 4-3 agreed w/ him. Rod Coleman helps plenty.
13 John Abraham Jets 27 Injuries, possible holdout and team change make him risky here.
14 Leonard Little Rams 31 Would be in second tier if not for pending trial. Don't let him drive the team bus.

Tier Three
Rk Player ____Team Age _____________ Comments
15 Alex Brown Bears 26 Improved every year. Plays on emerging D-line.
16 Will Smith Saints 24 Blank sacks as a rookie. Good enough to make Darren Howard tradable.
17 Andre Carter 49ers 26 Check your eligibility rules. He'll move to rush LB in '05, so should score big.
18 Michael Strahan Giants 34 2 more years? High risk/high reward in dynasty leagues.
19 Shaun Ellis Jets 28 Quietly consistent last two seasons.
20 Adewale Ogunleye Bears 28 Intelligent, but how tough? Leaving Jason Taylor hurt big. Boom/bust pick.
21 Chike Okeafor Cardinals 29 Quietly productive in Seattle. Now plays across from Bert Berry.

Tier Four
Rk Player __________Team Age ______________ Comments
22 Richard Seymour Pats 26 Way better in real life than fantasy. #'s down in '04 after injuries, Dad's suicide.
23 Greg Ellis Cowboys 30 Solid. Acquisition of Darren Howard of first round DE will help.
24 Robert Mathis Colts 24 10.5 sacks in '04. Freeney makes him a factor.
25 Osi Umenyiora Giants 25 Came out of nowhere for huge '04.
26 Reggie Hayward Jaguars 26 Most overpaid free agent of the 2005 offseason. Needs a DE partner.
27 Kenechi Udeze Vikings 22 First rounder slowed by shoulder injury all rookie year. Big upside.
28 Justin Smith Bengals 26 Underrated, including here.
29 James Hall Lions 28 Top ten in 2005.
30 Mike Rucker Panthers 30 Miserable '04. Depends on his teammates. Jenkins' return will help.
31 Jared Allen Chiefs 28 9 sacks in rookie year. Will play full-time in '05.

Tier Five
Rk Player __________Team Age ________ Comments
32 Grant Wistrom Seahawks 29 Not durable, old, and poor DTs to help him out.
33 Aaron Smith Steelers 29 Better NFL than fantasy player. Belichik says one of top 3 defenders in league. Belichick knows all.
34 Derrick Burgess Raiders 27 Oft-injured former Eagle. Raiders may play 4-3 to help him.
35 Greg Spires Bucs 31 Career year at 30. Can he do it again?
36 Marques Douglas Ravens 28 Consistently productive for a 3-4 DE. A free agent, may sign in Denver or Cleveland.
37 Bryce Fisher Seahawks 28 Disappointing year. Good contract year. Not exciting.
38 Ty Warren Patriots 24 3-4 DE hurts. But has improved every season.
39 Trevor Pryce Broncos 30 Missed nearly all of '04 because of back injury. On trading block. May be eligible at DT.
40 Kenard Lang Browns 30 Active player, but switch to 3-4 will dull mojo.
41 Kevin Carter Dolphins 31 Overrated. Good fill-in but don't expect numbers to go up.


Defensive Scoring

Number of Defensive Fumble Recovery TDs 6 points each Fumble Recoveries (from Opponent) 2 points each

Opponent Fumble Recovery Yards 0.1 point for every 1

Number of Offensive Fumble Recovery TDs 6 points each

Forced Fumbles 1 point each

Number of Interception Return TDs 6 points each

Interceptions Caught 3 points each

Interception Return Yards 0.1 point for every 1

Passes Defensed 1 point each

Number of Blocked Field Goal TDs 6 points each

Number of Blocked Punt TDs 6 points each

Tackles 1.5 points each

Assists 0.5 points each

Sacked a QB 3 points each

Sacked a QB Yardage 1 point for every 2

Safeties 4 points each


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[Bob Dole]

No Eric Hicks?

What a joke...

[eazyb81]

Does that say Jared Allen is 28? Is this like all those Latin players in baseball gaining like 3 or 4 years in one day?

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by eazyb81

Does that say Jared Allen is 28? Is this like all those Latin players in baseball gaining like 3 or 4 years in one day?

ya.. i think they made a mistake


he's more like 23

[nascher]

a guy with +40 Career Sacks should make the list of 40.

[InChiefsHell]

Geez. Grant Wistrom is listed as a 5th tier guy. What happened to you, Grant?? Injuries I guess...

[Rain Man]

Lists like these show why fantasy football isn't realistic. Everyone who prefers Aaron Schobel over Richard Seymour, raise your hand.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by eazyb81

Does that say Jared Allen is 28? Is this like all those Latin players in baseball gaining like 3 or 4 years in one day?

I was thinking the same thing.

[Nightfyre]

fwiw allen just turned 23 a month ago.

[jspchief]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Lists like these show why fantasy football isn't realistic. Everyone who prefers Aaron Schobel over Richard Seymour, raise your hand.

Yea, in case anyone missed it, those are fantasy football rankings.

[KChiefs1]

No Eric Hicks?

He's a Tier Ten.

[JimNasium]

Since when does Darren Howard play for the Panthers?