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#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.
#65 Overall, Shaquille Leonard, Free Agent, Linebacker, #7 Defensive Lineman/Linebacker: Interior Lineman
2023 Pre-Season Rank #38. 2022 Pre-Season Rank #42, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #77. Peak Period: 2018-22
Shaq Leonard had one of the best first four seasons in Colts history. During that time, he won the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, was a three-time First Team All-Pro, and was a league leader in Forced Fumbles (8 in 2021). However, back issues reared their ugly head in 2022, and when he came back, he wasn’t the same player.
Leonard was traded to Philadelphia during the 2023 season and is currently a Free Agent. Unless he signs (and fully recovers), his Hall of Fame dream has ended.
#139 Overall, Grady Jarrett, Atlanta Falcons, Defensive Tackle, #13 Defensive Lineman/Linebackers: Interior Linemen
2023 Pre-Season Rank #139, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #150, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #147, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #149. Peak Period: 2017-21
Jarrett went to the Pro Bowl in 2019 and 2020, where he was hitting his stride. The Hall of Fame might be a tall order, but a post-career accolade by the Falcons seems doable.
#17 Overall, Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns, Defensive End, #4 Defensive Lineman/Linebackers: Pass Rushers
2023 Pre-Season Rank #34, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #53, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #99, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #144. Peak Period: 2019-23
Over the last few years, it has felt that the Browns were on the cusp of greatness, and Myles Garrett was a large part of that optimism. Cleveland has disappointed, but Garrett has not, going to five Pro Bowls and earning three First Team All-Pros in his seven years of service. Two years ago, Garrett was fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting, won it last year, and could win it again. Garrett also led the NFL in Approximate Value (20).
Notably, Garrett enters 2024 with a six-season streak of at least 10 Sacks.