NFC East: Fantasy DL team rankings going into 2006
Michael Harmon / FOXSports.com
NOTE THAT ALL INFORMATION IS BASED ON HARMON'S FANTASY PLAYER INFORMATION!
My off-season fantasy caravan rolls on.
This week, I'm stepping across the line of scrimmage and giving further inspection to the defensive units. Offensive players are scrutinized with every throw, run and passing route completed. It's high time that the individual components of defenses get their just due.
Today, I'm examining the defensive lines of each NFL team. In addition to the straight personnel, I'm also evaluating the fantasy contributions we can expect heading into 2006. For example, the Browns and Broncos slide in this form of evaluation. While both are successful at cutting down on total points allowed, their overall contribution in other defensive categories were lacking.
The defending NFC champions rise to the head of the class. With a ballhawking defense and an offense that will apply pressure of its own, the Seattle Seahawks lead my list of defensive linemen.
9. New York Giants
The Giants possess two of the game's best defensive ends in Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. The duo combined for 26 sacks a season ago. However, injuries and ineffectiveness in the defensive backfield forced the Giants down to 27th in pass defense (224 yards per game and 20 touchdowns). The duo effectively works to push action back to the middle where William Joseph excels. The Giants ranked 12th against the run at 103.5 yards per game. New York addressed their future in this year's draft as well, selecting defensive end Barry Cofield from Northwestern in the fourth round.
10. Philadelphia Eagles
Injuries absolutely crushed the Philadelphia defense in 2005. The perennial defensive powerhouse slipped to 27th in total defense at 24.3 points per game. At a glance, the biggest issue was the lack of a pass rush. Philadelphia ranked 26th in the NFL with 29 sacks. They'll look to re-establish their place at the top with former Saints star Darren Howard (11 sacks in 2004) joining Jevon Kearse, Mike Patterson and Darwin Walker.
21. Washington Redskins
The Redskins added Andre Carter from the 49ers to shore up a run defense that ranked 13th at 105.4 yards per game but allowed 15 scores. He's slotted into the left defensive end position opposite veteran Phillip Daniels (eight sacks in 2005). Washington added Carter with an eye on sealing the edge, but also for upping the pressure against division rivals Eli Manning, Drew Bledsoe and Donovan McNabb. The Redskins ranked 20th in the NFL last year with 35 sacks.
28. Dallas Cowboys
Veteran defensive end Greg Ellis is contemplating a move to the outside linebacker slot in Dallas' 3-4 scheme. That opens up a competition for his vacated spot between draft choice Jason Hatcher from Grambling State and 2005 selection Chris Canty. Dallas ranked in the middle of rush defenses (108.2 yards per game) and 11th in pass defense (192.7 yards per game) last season. The Cowboys are banking that second-year player Marcus Spears is ready to make a huge leap in productivity.
NOTE THAT ALL INFORMATION IS BASED ON HARMON'S FANTASY PLAYER INFORMATION!
My off-season fantasy caravan rolls on.
This week, I'm stepping across the line of scrimmage and giving further inspection to the defensive units. Offensive players are scrutinized with every throw, run and passing route completed. It's high time that the individual components of defenses get their just due.
Today, I'm examining the defensive lines of each NFL team. In addition to the straight personnel, I'm also evaluating the fantasy contributions we can expect heading into 2006. For example, the Browns and Broncos slide in this form of evaluation. While both are successful at cutting down on total points allowed, their overall contribution in other defensive categories were lacking.
The defending NFC champions rise to the head of the class. With a ballhawking defense and an offense that will apply pressure of its own, the Seattle Seahawks lead my list of defensive linemen.
9. New York Giants
The Giants possess two of the game's best defensive ends in Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. The duo combined for 26 sacks a season ago. However, injuries and ineffectiveness in the defensive backfield forced the Giants down to 27th in pass defense (224 yards per game and 20 touchdowns). The duo effectively works to push action back to the middle where William Joseph excels. The Giants ranked 12th against the run at 103.5 yards per game. New York addressed their future in this year's draft as well, selecting defensive end Barry Cofield from Northwestern in the fourth round.
10. Philadelphia Eagles
Injuries absolutely crushed the Philadelphia defense in 2005. The perennial defensive powerhouse slipped to 27th in total defense at 24.3 points per game. At a glance, the biggest issue was the lack of a pass rush. Philadelphia ranked 26th in the NFL with 29 sacks. They'll look to re-establish their place at the top with former Saints star Darren Howard (11 sacks in 2004) joining Jevon Kearse, Mike Patterson and Darwin Walker.
21. Washington Redskins
The Redskins added Andre Carter from the 49ers to shore up a run defense that ranked 13th at 105.4 yards per game but allowed 15 scores. He's slotted into the left defensive end position opposite veteran Phillip Daniels (eight sacks in 2005). Washington added Carter with an eye on sealing the edge, but also for upping the pressure against division rivals Eli Manning, Drew Bledsoe and Donovan McNabb. The Redskins ranked 20th in the NFL last year with 35 sacks.
28. Dallas Cowboys
Veteran defensive end Greg Ellis is contemplating a move to the outside linebacker slot in Dallas' 3-4 scheme. That opens up a competition for his vacated spot between draft choice Jason Hatcher from Grambling State and 2005 selection Chris Canty. Dallas ranked in the middle of rush defenses (108.2 yards per game) and 11th in pass defense (192.7 yards per game) last season. The Cowboys are banking that second-year player Marcus Spears is ready to make a huge leap in productivity.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:15 PM
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