3. Shaq Barrett, Buccaneers (8)
It may seem early to put Barrett as a top ten NFL edge rusher, but when you put up 19.5 sacks, you deserve some credit even if it seemed to come out of nowhere. Barrett had 14 sacks in five seasons in Denver. He goes to the Buccaneers and explodes. A change in scheme and scenery seems to be all it took. He’s still in Tampa, so there’s no reason to think he hasn’t simply arrived.
4. Von Miller, Broncos (11)
While Barrett is coming up, his former teammate in Denver is approaching his twilight. But he isn’t there yet. Miller is still riding a six-season Pro Bowl streak. Last season was the first time in his career he didn’t hit double-digit sacks over a full season. He had eight sacks, but his 77 pressures were still among the league’s best. At 31, he is far from done. He is still an elite pass rusher.
[lawrence-newsletter]