Ranking NFC East Pass Rushers

Disclaimer: These rankings are not based only on past successes they are also based on future projections for the 2013 season and trends. Also I will only be ranking 3-4 OLBs or 4-3 DE so this will be about outside pass rushers.

1. Demarcus Ware - Lets get this out of the way, there are tons of good pass rushers in the NFC East but Ware is the best. In the last 2 seasons alone he has recorded 31 sacks including 19.5 during the 2011 season. The closest to that number is Jason Pierre-Paul who has recorded 23 in the last 2 seasons. It will be interesting to see how he performs as a 4-3 DE because he will now have to focus on the run more and the position takes more of a physical toll. However, Ware is still the premier pass rusher in the NFC East.

2. Trent Cole - Despite worry that Cole has declined and is no longer the kind of pass rushing threat he used to be he is still #2 on this list. Yes, last year Cole only recorded 3 sacks but players do have bad years from time to time. Not to mention when looking at some of the great pass rushers in NFL history most of them went on to have success well past age 30. Expect Cole to rebound in a big way this year even with the switch to the 3-4.

3. Brian Orakpo - Orakpo is possibly one of the most underrated pass rushers in the NFL. While he has failed to reach double digit sacks since his rookie season he has still put up 9 and 8.5 sacks in 2010 and 2011. While he was hurt last season look for him to come back strong. Last year was supposed to be the year for Orakpo but unfortunately he was knocked out for the season during the 2nd game. He has set lofty goals for himself this year and if he can even get close to where he wants to be he might be moving up a spot on this list. However, if he doesn't produce he will be moving down a few spots.

4. Jason Pierre-Paul - Pierre-Paul has the ability to be #1 or 2 on this list but one great season and two ok seasons just isn't enough. He is almost the opposite of Cole at this point, while sometimes great players have poor seasons the reverse is also true. Sometimes, good players can have great seasons and so far that is what Pierre-Paul has shown. In his sophomore season he recorded 16.5 sacks but in his other two seasons only had 4.5 and 6.5. If he can return to 2011 season form then look for him to battle Ware for the #1 spot but for now I need to see more.

5. Ryan Kerrigan - As the player on this list with the fewest seasons in the NFL Kerrigan probably has the best chance of making a big jump in production. Often overshadowed by Orakpo, Kerrigan has recorded 7.5 and 8.5 sacks in his first two years in the NFL. So far it does not seem like Kerrigan is likely to become Demarcus Ware but he has shown solid improvement and could surprise some people. With Orakpo back on the other side this season Kerrigan should see fewer double teams and I would expect his numbers to go up this year.

6. Anthony Spencer - Spencer is a very talented all around player but his pass rushing skills are not top tier. He had a great season last year recording 11 sacks but I expect that to be a career season for him. I am not trying to undermined his talent because he does have an argument to be a little higher on this list but at his age a huge increase in consistent production seems unlikely. He is not old by any means but if people are considering Trent Cole (30) old then Spencer (29) isn't far behind.

7. Connor Barwin - Barwin and JPP have had similar careers at this point. Both have two seasons of mediocre to poor production and both have another season where the sack total skyrockets. Barwin had a season ending injury in 2010 but returned in 2011 to record 11 sacks including a 4 sack game against the Jaguars. However, in 2012 his sack total dropped back down to a mere 3 sacks. Because of this he is a bit of a question mark. I am not sure what to expect of him this year but he should benefit from having the likes of DeMeco Ryans and Trent Cole on the same team.

8. Justin Tuck - If this was 2010 or earlier Tuck would be much higher on this list. However, his last two seasons have been unimpressive. He could probably be put ahead of Barwin but age is a factor in this list and Barwin has potential to improve while Tucks seems to be declining.