Power Ranking the Top 10 Sack Artists in the NFL Today

Bill RobbinsJun 7, 2018

A QB sack is one of the most exciting plays in all of football.

Whether it comes from a crushing hit or a chase-down, sacks can be very unpredictable and make the game that much more compelling to watch.

Some of the best sack artists out there are the ones who can take down the opposing quarterback from a variety of different techniques/positions on the field.

Here are the top NFL sack artists heading into the 2011 season.

The main selection criterion for this list is how consistent each player has been at picking up sacks over the course of their respective careers.

10. Clay Matthews

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2010 Sacks: 13.5

Clay Matthews has started his NFL career with a bang, picking up 23 combined sacks in his first two seasons in the league.

He is a relentless pass-rusher who every opposing offense has to account for on each play that he is in the game.

Matthews will likely move up on this list in the future if he continues to pick up sacks at a high level.

9. Tamba Hali

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2010 Sacks: 14.5

Hali enjoyed a breakout 2010 season, where he sacked opposing QBs a total of 14.5 times, which was six more than his previous career high in that category.

He has an extremely quick burst off the edge, and is often a mismatch for left tackles who are trying to block him.

His switch to OLB in the Chiefs' 3-4 defensive system has resurrected his career and after having another year of experience as a linebacker under his belt, he should only perform better in '11.

8. Osi Umenyiora

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2010 Sacks: 11.5

Osi has been a mainstay on the Giants defensive line over the past seven seasons.

He has picked up 10-plus sacks in three different seasons, including 14.5 in 2005.

The Giants all-time leader for sacks in a single game should flourish again in 2011.

7. Trent Cole

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2010 Sacks: 10.0

Cole has been a beast on the Eagles DL over the past five seasons and is one of the best in the NFC at his defensive end position.

He has also been named to two Pro Bowls for his efforts as well.

Expect Cole to put up another solid season in 2011, garnering at least 10 sacks for Philadelphia.

6. Robert Mathis

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2010 Sacks: 11.0

Mathis is a great story because he was a fifth-round pick from Alabama A&M who has become a very good NFL defensive end.

Undersized at 6'2" and 245 lbs, Mathis has got the job done with his technique and strength.

He has four seasons of double-digit sacks and I think he has another one in him this year.

5. John Abraham

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2010 Sacks: 13.0

Abraham showed that he still has it last season, when he picked up 13 sacks, good enough for fifth in the entire league.

He is the only player on this list that is already a part of the 100-sack club, as he comes in with 102.5 for his pro career.

I don't expect Abraham to pick up 13 sacks again this season, but another strong season should be in the works for the 12th-year veteran.

4. Julius Peppers

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2010 Sacks: 8.0

Peppers had somewhat of a down year in the sacks department last season, after making the switch to the Chicago Bears.

He is still one of the best in the game at producing sacks, and this is evident from his 89 career sacks in nine NFL seasons.

I expect his sack numbers to go up in 2011, and he should be in the top five in the NFC in that category.

3. Dwight Freeney

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2010 Sacks: 10.0

Paired with fellow defensive end Robert Mathis, the two have haunted opposing offenses for years.

Freeney is definitely the better of the two players, picking up six Pro Bowl selections while nearly collecting 100 sacks for his career.

Even at 31 years old, I don't expect Freeney to slow down anytime soon.

2. Jared Allen

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2010 Sacks: 11.0

The former Idaho State has more than proved his worth in the NFL so far.

He has piled up 83 sacks over his seven-year stint in the league, while collecting 14-plus QB takedowns from 2007-09.

Allen will once again be the main pass-rushing threat on a Vikings defense that will be in search of its identity this season after a rough 2010 campaign.