Imagine building an NFL roster from scratch. It would go something like this:
Step 1: Find a starting quarterback.
Step 2: Find an elite pass-rusher. (Well, there's some debate regarding which position is prioritized second, but a straw poll conducted among football minds would likely put pass-rusher No. 2.)
A pass rush can be the best antidote to disrupting even the league's finest offenses; a quarterback and passing game without a rhythm is one without much effect.
The value of pass-rushers is highlighted in the draft and in free agency. The last defensive player taken No. 1 overall who was not a pass rusher was Dan Wilkinson in 1994 (there have been three other defensive players taken first overall since). Then there are players such as New York Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon (five years; $85 million) and Oakland Raiders linebacker Bruce Irvin (four years; $37 million), who were among the most coveted this past offseason.
With the importance of pass-rushers on the mind, we turned to a half dozen coaches and personnel men around the NFL to pick their brains on who the best pass rusher is in football right now. Four players garnered votes -- including two who will be playing in Denver in Week 17 -- but there was a clear winner. Check out the list below:
