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NFL Player Power Rankings Week 5: The defensive players

By Lyle Graversen

Dec 22, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates a sack against the Denver Broncos during the second half at Reliant Stadium. The Broncos won 37-13. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates a sack against the Denver Broncos during the second half at Reliant Stadium. The Broncos won 37-13. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 22, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) runs out an interception during the third quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Chicago Bears won 27-19. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) runs out an interception during the third quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Chicago Bears won 27-19. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 10-6

10. Kyle Fuller – CB – Chicago Bears

No defensive player has surprised more so far early this season than rookie Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller. He is tied for the league lead in interceptions with three, has 22 tackles, seven passes defended, and even two forced fumbles. I don’t know if the rookie can sustain it, but he’s been one of the best defensive players in the NFL early this season.

9. Ndamukong Suh – DT – Detroit Lions

There may not be a more physically intimidating defensive player than Ndamulong Suh. While Suh may not have put up huge numbers so far, there is no denying his freakish upside. I believe the stats to back up that upside are coming sooner rather than later, but until then he’ll have to settle for being ranked behind some of the other defensive linemen in the top ten.

8. Von Miller – OLB – Denver Broncos

Von Miller is a special player for the Denver Broncos. Not only does he have an impressive 13 hurries through only three games, but he’s tied for the best run defense grade amongst 4-3 OLBs by PFF. While the addition of DeMarcus Ware may have helped bolster the Denver defense, it’s Miller that is the elite difference maker.

7. Calais Campbell – DE – Arizona Cardinals

If Kyle Williams is the most underrated player in these rankings, Calais Campbell is a close second. I don’t think a lot of NFL fans even know who Campbell is, but you can bet that the offensive linemen that have to go head to head with him sure do. He does already have two QB sacks and eight QB hurries, but possibly even more impressive is that he’s already been credited with 13 “stops” or plays that stop what the opposing team was trying to do.

6. Richard Sherman – CB – Seattle Seahawks

If this list was based on who thinks they are the best in the league, Richard Sherman would be the clear number one guy. While Sherman hasn’t been able to rack up any real stats to speak of that is because he has only been thrown at eleven times total in three games. Sherman has been so successful that many teams are simply willing to forget about throwing to his side altogether this season. That speaks volumes about what teams think about him and if that doesn’t do it for you I’m sure Sherman would be happy to talk to you about just how good he thinks he is.

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