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#126 Overall, Tremaine Edmunds, Chicago Bears Linebacker, #9 Defensive Lineman/Linebackers: Interior Lineman
2023 Pre-Season Rank #103, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #107, 2021 Pre-Season Rank: 120, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #142. Peak Period: 2018-22.
A Pro Bowl Selection in 2019 and 2020, Tremaine Edmunds's push for greatness has stalled in his last two years with the Bills. Edmunds joined a very interesting Chicago Bears squad in 2023, but he would have to return to a previous level for any serious chance.
#11 Overall, T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers, #2 Defensive Lineman/Linebacker Pass Rusher
2023 Pre-Season Rank #15, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #24, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #68, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #102.
T.J. Watt has rocketed through this rank, winning the AP Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 while placing second in 2020 and 2023. Watt is a three-time Sack-leader, a two-time Tackles for Loss leader and is in the conversation for the best pass-rusher of the last five years.
Turning 30 this year, Watt is already a four-time First Team All-Pro and shows no signs of decline. Now, Watt is on pace to join his brother J.J. in Canton. Sadly, their busts won’t be beside each other in the Hall!
#55 Overall, Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Linebacker, #5 Defensive Lineman/Linebacker: Interior Lineman
2023 Pre-Season Rank: #53, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #63, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #83, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #94. Peak Period: 2012-16
We argued that Lavonte David was one of the most underrated players of the 2010s, and that is even more true in overall football history. Let's say that is true, as underrated players (in their time) have made the Hall, but it is challenging for the career Buccaneer to crack the plane that will give him Canton consideration.
Hopefully, the Bucs will honor him in some capacity when his career concludes.
#57 Overall, Danielle Hunter, Houston Texans, #11 Defensive End: Defensive Linemen/Linebackers: Pass Rushers
2023 Pre-Season Rank #87, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #102 2021 Pre-Season Rank #102, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #90. Peak Period: 2017-19/2022-23
We said a couple of years ago that “Hunter is a pick for a lot of people to have a breakout defensive campaign, and he is coming off of back-to-back Pro Bowl and 14.5 Sack years”. That didn’t happen, as he missed the entire 2020 season with a neck injury and was not great in 2021. Healthy in 2022, Hunter responded with two straight Pro Bowl years and is coming off his highest Sack number (16) and a league-leading 23 Tackles for Loss.
After eight years in Minnesota, Hunter is now a Houston Texan, and if he can build off of his 2023 campaign, Hunter could make a Hall of Fame run.