20. Brandon Williams DT Baltimore Ravens
19. CJ Spiller RB New Orleans Saints
18. Rolando McClain LB Dallas Cowboys
17. Dont’a Hightower LB New England Patriots
16. Joique Bell RB Detroit Lions
15. Clint Boling OL Cincinnati Bengals
14. Wallace Gilberry DE Cincinnati Bengals
13. Linval Joseph DT Minnesota Vikings
12. Ben Grubbs OL Kansas City Chiefs
11. Eric Berry DB Kansas City Chiefs
10. Louis Vasquez OL Denver Broncos
9. Ja’Waun James OL Miami Dolphins
8. Teddy Bridgewater QB Minnesota Vikings
7. Ryan Clady OL Denver Broncos
6. DeMarcus Ware LB Denver Broncos
5. Kyle Williams DT Buffalo Bills
Lost in a defensive line laden with talent, Williams has done more than held his own. While the numbers are not eye-popping (only 5.5 sacks), anyone who saw Williams play this past season knows he is a force to be reckoned with. As a New York Jets fan, I unfortunately know it more than most.
4. Jeremy Hill RB Cincinnati Bengals
The only person that could stop Jeremy Hill in 2014 was Giovani Bernard. Despite having to split carries, Hill still had a tremendous season, as he was third in rushing touchdowns (9), and fifth in yards per carry (5.1). Will he emerge as the lead back in 2015? I think the answer is obvious.
3. Andrew Whitworth OL Cincinnati Bengals
Boasting the second-best pass blocking efficiency in the NFL in 2014 (97.7), Whitworth has proven to be a stalwart at left tackle You’d be hard-pressed to find a better left tackle in the league.
2. Eddie Lacy RB Green Bay Packers
In 2014, Lacy was third in the league in rushing touchdowns (9), seventh in rushing yards (1139), and ninth in yards from scrimmage (1566). I think it’s safe to say his 2013 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year selection was no fluke.
1. Justin Houston LB Kansas City Chiefs
Arguably the best 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL, Houston not only led the NFL in sacks (22), but he also just fell short of tying the NFL record (22.5), held by Hall-of-Famer Michael Strahan. Enough said.
