Week 2 Shuffle: Defensive Line

Listed are the Top 36 DLs for the upcoming week.  Points are given out as follows: 1 per tackle .5 per assist 1.5 TFL 1.5 PD 3 FF 3 FR 3 INT.  Rankings are based on the projected mean performance without any specific team context on who you should start.  Sometimes you need to start the lower of two players due to upside or a high floor, so things are fluid.  As always, players can move up or down as we approach kickoff.  So please indulge yourself & dissect our list from top to bottom.  Let's Go!

Tier 1:
1. J.J. Watt vs TEN
2. Calais Campbell vs DET
3. Jared Allen @CHI
4. Rob Nincovich vs NYJ
5. Lamarr Houston vs JAC
6. Trent Cole vs SD
7. Justin Tuck vs DEN
8. Chandler Jones vs NYJ
9. Carlos Dunlap vs PIT
10. Elvis Dumerviel vs CLE
11. Jason Hunter vs JAC
12. Jason Pierre-Paul vs DEN

- I'd be surprised if there was any week where J.J. Watt wasn't listed in the top 3, he's just that damn good.  Campbell should have a field day against an uninspiring Lions offensive line.  Both Houston & Hunter should rack up sacks against a disgusting Jacksonville front.  Odds are whoever is playing the Jaguars will have at least one DL in the top 12 as the year goes on.  Everyone else is typically a top DL performer, so we won't see much of the common variance in DLs as normal in Week 2.

Tier 2:
13. DeMarcus Ware @KC
14. Cameron Wake @IND
15. Cameron Jordan @TB
16. Derrick Morgan @HOU
17. Julius Peppers vs MIN
18. Geno Atkins vs PIT
19. Kroy Biermann vs STL
20. Robert Quinn @ATL
21. Charles Johnson @BUF
22. Greg Hardy @BUF
23. Mario Williams vs CAR
24. Muhammed Wilkerson @NE

- Ware being held without a tackle week one is probably just a mix of running a new defensive scheme & variance but anyone who used a high pick on him has reason to be worried if he doesn't show up again in Week 2.  Geno Atkins & Julius Peppers were also held scoreless, but against a Pouncey-less OL in Pittsburgh & a scared Christian Ponder they should rack up multiple tackles behind the line of scrimmage.  Biermann has a great matchup against a lackluster Rams squad while three edge rushers from the Cam Newton/E.J. Manuel game see themselves as viable DL2s.


Tier 3:
25. Dion Jordan @IND
26. Shea McClellin vs MIN
27. Haloti Ngata vs CLE
28. Stephen Paea vs MIN
29. Chris Long vs ATL
30. Desmond Bryant @BAL
31. Corey Peters vs STL
32. Whitney Mercilus vs TEN
33. Fletcher Cox vs SD
34. Brett Kiesel @CIN
35. Jason Babin @OAK
36. Brian Robison @CHI

- Jordan making his presence felt Week 1 was a pleasant surprise.  The DTs on this list (Ngata, Paea, Peters, & Cox) all have friendly matchups that can result in stocking stuffer tackle numbers.  Long, Mercilus, Babin & Robison are all high upside plays but they also have the opportunity to disappoint.  Kiesel should rack up another 4+ tackle game against the Bengals, but there isn't much upside beyond that.

Check out all our Week 2 Rankings: QB RB WR TE D/ST K LB DL DB


As always, read & discuss.  You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.  Thanks for reading.