Pat's Dline Rankings.

[koolkatluke]

Ranking the NFC South defensive linemen

June 8, 2009 10:59 AM

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

We're resuming our NFC South position rankings with defensive linemen.

I'm combining defensive ends and tackles into one big group and, as I'm looking at the rosters, I'm mildly surprised that this group isn't stronger. That's especially true at defensive tackle, but there's hope here because I think young players like Atlanta's Peria Jerry and New Orleans' Sedrick Ellis can be very good, very soon.

The overall quality of defensive linemen in the division is a little down right now because Carolina and Tampa Bay don't have the outstanding lines they once did. The ends are a little stronger than the tackles and can become even more so if some young players like Atlanta's Jamaal Anderson, Carolina's Everette Brown and Tampa Bay's Gaines Adams emerge this year.

Anyway, here's the list:

John Abraham, DE, Atlanta. Sure, go ahead and call him one dimensional. But aren't dominant pass-rush skills the dimension you want most from a defensive end?

Julius Peppers, DE, Carolina. Easily the division's most talented defensive lineman. But there are questions about his motivation and intensity with Peppers wanting out of Carolina. Those questions aren't really new.

Jonathan Babineaux, DT, Atlanta. Very quietly, he's become the most solid interior lineman in the division.

Will Smith, DE, New Orleans. No, he didn't play to his potential last year and he's facing a four-game suspension at the start of this season. But this guy plays the run well and has shown pass-rush skills in the past.

Sedrick Ellis, DT, New Orleans. Has the ability to unseat Babineaux as division's top tackle and could do that very soon.

Gaines Adams, DE, Tampa Bay. You can argue that this ranking is way too high. But look at the rest of the division. Adams had 6.5 sacks last season. If he adds a couple of moves, he easily can reach double-digit sacks.

Peria Jerry, DT, Atlanta. He's only a rookie, but there's little bust factor with this guy. He should be a factor right away.

Charles Johnson, DE, Carolina. We're going to rank him ahead of the rookie Brown based on the promise Johnson showed last year. He had six sacks in a part-time role and has the potential to do big things.

Ma'ake Kemoeatu, DT, Carolina. He doesn't do anything except take up space. But that's his job.

Charles Grant, DE, New Orleans. Exact same story as his teammate Smith. But the guy does have a couple of double-digit sack years in his background and you never know what new coordinator Gregg Williams might be able to pull out of him.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Position rankings, defensive linemen, Peria Jerry, Sedrick Ellis, Jamaal Anderson, Everette Brown, Gaines Adams, John Abraham, Julius Peppers, Jonathan Babineaux, Will Smith, Charles Johnson, Ma'ake Kemoeatu, Charles Grant, Gregg Williams

I don't see how a Part time player gets more prop then a full time player.

[scpanther22]

because that part time player still got 16.5 sacks

[koolkatluke]

because that part time player still got 16.5 sacks

Full Time player got 14.5 and didn't get too rest while the other team was running the ball.

Abe is one dimensional and we all know the reason why he's a part time player. If he played the full game he will get hurt. That has too factor in some where.

[scpanther22]

Full Time player got 14.5 and didn't get too rest while the other team was running the ball.

Abe is one dimensional and we all know the reason why he's a part time player. If he played the full game he will get hurt. That has too factor in some where.

this is true but like pat said

Sure, go ahead and call him one-dimensional. But aren't dominant pass-rush skills the dimension you want most from a defensive end?

[nosuchthingasapanther]

like him or not, john abraham is the most feared defensive lineman in the nfcs.

period.

for pure pash rushing capabilities, i'd take a part time abraham over a full time peppers without hesitation.

[carolinarolls]

the "full time player" on the defensive line will be a thing of the past very soon and already is in some circles. I even foresee an expansion in the roster limitations coming during the next CBA discussions so that players can become more specialized and as a result play longer careers. Probably a long shot but I think it could happen. Expand the roster size and institute a rookie cap and you may have just found the compromise we need to be able to value a top 5 draft pick in the future.

[TerriblePizza]

I think its a toss up between Abraham and Peppers. But, I like the ranking.

[pantherclaw]

Abraham is a beast. To bad he can't stay healthy, and is a one trick pony.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

Nice to see him recognize Johnson's potential.

[rayzor]

the "full time player" on the defensive line will be a thing of the past very soon and already is in some circles. I even foresee an expansion in the roster limitations coming during the next CBA discussions so that players can become more specialized and as a result play longer careers. Probably a long shot but I think it could happen. Expand the roster size and institute a rookie cap and you may have just found the compromise we need to be able to value a top 5 draft pick in the future.

i think you're right here. adding a game or two is most likely going to result in adding roster spots and salary cap. imo, most of that extra space generated on the roster will go towards the line on both sides. rotation is going to be pretty essential and will end up being a lot more specialized because of it. we won't and really shouldn't have every down DLinemen.

one of the reasons i think we will be going with 9-10 DL this year is not just for injuries sake, but we really need to be rotating those guys in a whole lot to keep them fresh against these big offenses we have on the schedule. i wouldn't be surprised to see peppers limited to just 2 downs a series, even with that salary cap #.

[koolkatluke]

like him or not, john abraham is the most feared defensive lineman in the nfcs.

period.

for pure pash rushing capabilities, i'd take a part time abraham over a full time peppers without hesitation.

You can't depend on him because he is injury prone.

[AKPantherFan]

johnson part time = 6

full time = 12

[Saint J]

Bobby McCray needs to be on there, ahead of Grant for sure.

[Peppers90 NC]

Nice to see him recognize Johnson's potential.

I thought the original post was about how is Johnson ranked higher than Grant, not that I am wondering that