(Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
By now, Davis should have an inside and out understanding of the outside position and his role for that Carolina defense. Davis is an under-the-radar playmaker who can cause trouble for offenses with his speed, hitting skills, and coverage ability.
I would like to see more turnovers caused by Thomas, but he is still one of the most effective players regardless.
17. Clint Session (IND)
He really came into his own last season. Session runs down hill every play like a missile when running into the back field. He is one of the more underrated blitzers in the league, and has the ability to come up and stop any running situation.
His awareness was impressive for the most part last year, but he still needs to work on becoming a more consistent player in clutch situations. His heart and overall attitude toward the game is one of the best, and his mentality to only make his team succeed can make Session a consistently productive player down the road.
18. Julian Peterson (DET)
Peterson is a reliable veteran backer who can make players like Ernie Sims and Louis Delmas better just by his presence. His play recognition, awareness, and toughness make him a solid playmaker for any line backing core.
Peterson is not as dominant as he was in the past, but overall he can still produce not necessarily the numbers, but the progression of the talent around him. He should be one of the leaders of that defense and play with an attitude and determination to teach the youth surrounding him.
His tackling, awareness, and football skills already make him a dangerous player, but now he has the chance to use his experience and leadership skills to develop those around him. Peterson's presence (in essence) could make the Detroit defense better, but he will have to play hard, aggressive, and productive, which I think he still can.
19. Derrick Johnson (KC)
Johnson has been a mystery to me ever since joining the league. His athletic talent is some of the best, but his consistency as a reliable playmaker comes and goes almost every week.
I have witnessed Johnson makes great plays on the balls which have led to turnovers and broken plays. I have also witnessed Johnson get pulled seven or eight yards down a field by Michael Turner. His overall football skills are some of the best developed, but Johnson doesn't seem to have the confidence of a great player throughout the entire season.
Johnson seems to play out of sync in the middle of season as if his game was stuck in the twilight zone. He had better step up and play to his full potential on a consistent basis, but other than that, Johnson's athleticism and football skill can make him a top player for years to come.
20. David Thornton (TEN)
Thornton is one of the toughest, smartest, and most reliable backers in the league. He is another big body backer who can read plays extremely well and blow them up quickly.
His turnover capability is often overlooked and sets up others well to make great plays. His tackling skills are very impressive, but he lacks in the coverage game. He will make big plays when given the opportunity, and rarely misses his assignments.
An all around solid player any franchise can be successful with because of his pure football talent throughout his entire game.
21. Calvin Pace (NYJ)
Since I don't use notes or other resources when writing these rankings, I can't remember how many games Pace is suspended for (someone help me out). Regardless, he has some of the best size and speed that allows him to power over or get by many blockers in his path.
His coverage skills are weak because his size and build is much greater than his actual speed. Pace is a game changing player who can create big plays when you least expect it. He is another player who does what is asked of him by being fundamentally sound and mentally focused.
Whenever Pace comes back, he will be just as effective as he was last season.
22. Shaun Phillips (SD)
Phillips is an overall underrated backer that can blitz as well as any other in the league. His overall awareness, when it comes to attacking specific holes, is very impressive. His hitting surprises me more than anything, mainly because he has an unorthodox style of bringing down ball carriers.
His turnover capability is still one of the best and will probably increase with a returning Merriman. I'm not sure what Phillips' future holds (mainly because they drafted Larry English), but he is an athletic player with big play ability in any given situation.
23. Larry English (SD)
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