Best of the AFC West: Outside linebacker editon
By Brandon Fry
Dec 28, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston (50) celebrates after a sack against the San Diego Chargers in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Last we week covered the running backs of the AFC West where Jamaal Charles was my top-ranked back in the division. Today we’re going to head over to a darker place where players roam around like lions seeking out quarterbacks to devour reside, the outside linebacker position.
The AFC West is one of the top divisions in terms of the outside linebacker position. In Kansas City you have two of the NFL’s top pass-rushers in Justin Houston and Tamba Hali. The Denver Broncos have two household names in Von Miller and veteran DeMarcus Ware. The Oakland Raiders’ outlook at the outside linebacker position is the best it’s been in years with Khalil Mack. Then you have the San Diego Chargers … and let’s just say they’re looking for answers.
So who are the best and the worst of these destroyers of offense? Bear in mind this is based off of last year.
#1 Justin Houston
There could be some argument from other teams but when you come within a half a sack of the all-time record in sacks in a season you get the nod. Houston, 26, and now the richest linebacker in the league, is a freak athlete and by all means unblockable. Houston led the league in sacks with 22 and finished the season with 40 tackles, fifth-best among 3-4 outside linebackers. According to Pro Football Focus, Houston had 56 quarterback hurries which was the best among 3-4 OLBs.
PFF graded Houston at a +51.1 grade which was tops at the position. His best performance came against Oakland in Week 12 where he had a +7.4 overall grade and his worst grade of the season came in Week 10 against Buffalo where was graded at a -2.3.
#2 Von Miller
Von Miller is an animal. Had Houston not demolished him by seven sacks, Miller would be ranked best in the division. Miller was graded as playing the run better than Houston and finished with 15 sacks last year, the best for a 4-3 linebacker. Miller, like Houston, specializes in bringing havoc on the quarterback and had 47 QB hurries, according to PFF. That number was best among 4-3 linebackers.
PFF graded Miller at a +54.0 overall which was ranked second-best in the league just under Khalil Mack. Just like Houston his best game of the season came against Oakland where was graded at a +7.9 and his worst performance came against San Diego with a -2.5.
#3 Khalil Mack
This 2014 rookie has major game and will be right up there with the top linebackers in the league for years to come. He’s gifted with great football instinct and is exceptionally good at stopping the run along with rushing the passer although his stats didn’t reflect that on his sack total. In 2014 Mack finished the season with 61 tackles with was 10th best among the outside linebackers in the 4-3 system that took 75% of the snaps. Mack finished the season with only 4 sacks although he pressured the quarterback 40 times according to Pro Football Focus which was second best in the 4-3 defense.
PFF graded Mack actually higher than Miller with a positive 55.3 overall grade for the season however he did have about 70 less snaps than Miller did. His best game of the season came against Buffalo where he was graded with a + 7.8 and his worst game was against Denver with a – 2.9 grade.
#4 Tamba Hali
Hali is getting older but no matter the age a lion is still a feared creature. Like any lion in the wild, if he’s not hunting Hali is training his young how to hunt which increases his value even more. In 2014 Hali finished the season with 44 tackles which was the most among 3-4 outside linebackers and 6 sacks. Pro Football Focus recorded Hali having 31 quarterback hurry ups which was nineth best among 3-4 olbs.
PFF graded Hali at a + 11.2 grade for the season which was 13th best in the league. His best performance came against Denver with a + 3.2 grade and his worst performance was against Pittsburgh with a – 2.4 grade.
What do you think, Addicts?