Peppers is a threat to break Strahan's sack record-- but he's also stout against the run.

Jason Taylor, MIA
Taylor is the standard by which other defensive linemen are measured, and he has been for a number of years.  He is special, because he is not just an elite pass rusher.  Taylor has steadily improved against the run over the years, despite his slender frame.  His tenacity and technique allow him to overcome his lack of pure size.  Taylor’s consistency makes him the obvious number one pick at his position.

Julius Peppers, CAR
If there is one defensive lineman who can knock Taylor off his pedestal, Peppers is the one.  His combination of size and speed is above par with anyone at his position, and he has not yet reached his full potential.  Peppers is one of the leading candidates to break Michael Strahan’s single season sack record, but that’s not the only reason he’s number two on the list.  Peppers is also a good against the run, and that’s not something you can say for most defensive ends in this day of specialization.  He may not be quite as good a pass rusher as Dwight Freeney, but he makes up for it and then some with his superior tackle and assist numbers.

Jared Allen, KC
Allen would rank higher on the list if it weren’t for his two-game suspension at the start of the upcoming season for multiple DUIs.  He is the best lineman on the Chiefs by a wide margin, and he has the potential to get a lot better.  Allen has a high-end motor and never stops hustling on the field.  He has surprising strength for someone so tall and lean, but he has a knack for making himself “skinny” when rushing past offensive tackles to sack the quarterback.

Aaron Kampman, GB
Prior to last season, Kampman was considered an “effort” player without the skills to be a top pass rusher.  Well, obviously you can’t say that anymore.  He shocked the league by garnering 15.5 sacks last year.  Kampman’s strong play against the run and his excellent tackle numbers ensure that he belongs in the top five at his position.  Those qualities should allow him to maintain his lofty status even if his sack numbers go down this year.  It’s unlikely that he will get 15 sacks this season, because he’ll undoubtedly attract plenty of double-teams.  Kampman also plays on an average defensive line, so he won’t likely have fellow linemen divert much of the attention from opposing blocking schemes.

Leonard Little, STL
Little’s presence here might surprise some of you, but it should not.  He’s been a superior pass rusher for some time now, and his play against the run has improved.  Little won’t ever be a run stuffer like Kampman, because he lacks the latter’s frame and ballast.  Little won’t quit on the play though, and his improved technique prevents his from being a liability against the run.  Much of his infamy stems from a vehicular homicide earlier is his career, and that’s a shame.  Little has been the Rams' best D-lineman for nearly a decade.