AFC North Top 5: Defensive Linemen
Sep 7, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) reacts after registering a sack against the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The Baltimore Wire’s AFC North Top 5 series continues as we head over to the defensive side of the ball. The North has two players at top of the bunch, in Cameron Heyward and Geno Atkins. The rest are either unproven or on the rise.
Here are the top 5 defensive linemen in the AFC North for 2015.
Honorable Mention:
Stephon Tuitt, Steelers
Michael Johnson, Bengals
Desmond Bryant, Browns
Randy Starks, Browns
5. Carlos Dunlap, Cincinnati Bengals
Dunlap’s size and athleticism continue to serve him well. He’s a freak, standing 6-foot-6, 290 pounds. Last season, Dunlap recorded 66 tackles, eight sacks and two forced fumbles. These are very solid numbers. But, even as he enters his sixth NFL season, Dunlap has yet to reach his full potential. He is a talented pass-rusher, but he needs to learns how to finish the deal and maybe he could reach double-digit sacks for the first time in his career.
4. Timmy Jernigan, Baltimore Ravens
Dec 14, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan (97) hits Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) during the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore Ravens defeated Jacksonville Jaguars 20-12. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jernigan is one of the top breakout candidates in the NFL at any position for 2015. As a rookie, he played just 330 snaps, but he really stepped up late in the season, when Haloti Ngata was serving his four-game suspension. He finished the season with 23 tackles and four sacks. Jernigan has shown the skill set that earned him All-American honors back at Florida State. He’s a run-stopper, who’s also a gifted pass-rusher. Jernigan expects to be in contention for the Pro Bowl in 2015 and who are we to say he can’t do it?
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3. Brandon Williams, Baltimore Ravens
If you aren’t aware of who Brandon Williams is now, you should probably get to know him. Williams is one of the more underrated players on the entire Ravens roster. He’s quietly going about his business as one of the league’s best run-stoppers. Williams has freakish strength and isn’t very tall, so he has an advantage because of his low center of gravity. The stats might not show how good he actually is. He commands double-teams, opening up lanes for his linebackers to make plays. In return, I’m sure they make sure he eats well.
2. Geno Atkins, Cincinnati Bengals
Oct 26, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins (97) against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. Bengals defeated the Ravens 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Before Atkins injured his ACL in 2013, he was a one-man wrecking crew, wreaking havoc on anyone who got in his way. The two seasons prior, Atkins racked up a total 100 tackles and 20 sacks. However, he looked average in 2014, only recording 34 tackles and three sacks. He still made the Pro Bowl, but he’s much better than that. The Bengals’ coaches have been raving about him this offseason, so if he can return to his old form, everyone better watch out.
1. Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers
Heyward is a star in the making, so it’s understandable why the Steelers just locked him up for six more years. He really came on strong in the latter portion of last season. Heyward finished the season with 53 tackles and 7.5 sacks. He’s a pretty good run defender, but where he does most of his damage is when he is rushing the passer. He has an opportunity to build on last season’s success and truly make a name for himself in 2015.