2011 NFL Predictions: 12 Defensive Players Who Are Locks for 10-Plus Sacks

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Since the mid-1980s, the NFL has been a passing league. It was a slow transition, but by last season a league that could once be characterized as "three yards and a cloud of dust" had a run-pass ratio of 55:45.

And as is the natural order of things, defensive changes mimic their offensive counterparts (and vice-versa).

While stopping the run is still critical, getting to the quarterback has become the No. 1 priority for defenses league-wide.

With that said, let's take a look at a few players who I think are locks to register double-digit sack totals in the 2011 season.

(Again, assuming there is a season. But I'm growing exponentially more confident with every day, so I'm less worried about jinxing it.)

No. 12: Carlos Dunlap, Cincinnati Bengals

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This one I'm taking a chance on, but I firmly believe he is a lock for at least 10 sacks.

As a rookie in 2010, Dunlap didn't start a single game. Yet in the 12 games he did see time, he amassed an impressive 9.5 sacks.

Tell me he won't be a force in 2011.

No one can doubt his talent, as an athletic 6'6" and 290-pound mountain.

After finding the field more and more towards the end of last season (where he had 5.5 sacks in December), Dunlap will get the double-digit mark this season.

No. 11: Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions

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Suh proved he's the real deal in his rookie season, getting to the quarterback 10 times.

And the Lions went out and added to their already impressive defensive line, taking Auburn standout Nick Fairley in the first round.

That help, along with Suh's added maturity of having a full season under his belt, should make him a lock for 10-plus sacks.

No. 10: Mario Williams, Houston Texans

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Williams is shifting to a 3-4 and will apparently be lining up as an outside linebacker.

Some see this as a problem, or perhaps a reason why he may take a step back.

I disagree.

Wade Phillips, the man responsible for the switch in schemes, has always been a great defensive coordinator. He knows how to get the most out of his players.

One way or another, he'll get Williams into the right position, whether it's as a stand-up linebacker or a defensive end.

I also think the fact that Houston spent a large number of draft picks on defense will help Williams' sack totals, since Houston's pass defense wasn't particularly solid last season.

No. 9: Justin Tuck, New York Giants

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Tuck has proven himself on the biggest of stages (Super Bowl XLII).

He's also shown that he can make regular tackles and do more than simply rush the passer (his containing of Mike Vick's scrambling in their first regular season matchup was very good).

Yet his No. 1 job in the Giants defense is to attack the quarterback.

It's a job he's become very proficient at, notching 10-plus sacks in three of the last four seasons.

No. 8: Osi Umenyiora, New York Giants

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The other half of the Giants pass-rush may not actually be a Giant next season if the contract dispute between Umenyiora and the front office continues.

Yet more recent rumors suggest he might be patching up his relationship, as his meeting with Giants owner John Mara might indicate.

Either way, he should be highly motivated going into a season where the Giants have unfinished business.

Despite a phenomenal 10 forced fumbles and double-digit sack total last year, Umenyiora will look to improve and help the Giants get back into the playoffs.

No. 7: Trent Cole, Philadelphia Eagles

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Entering his eighth season, Cole manages to fly below many people's radar (unless you play a lot of Madden or are an Eagles fan).

Yet he's undeniably one of the best defensive ends in the league, having compiled 10-plus sacks in three of the last four seasons (the exception being 2009 when he had nine).

Since the Eagles have gotten a little bit away from their traditional game plan of blitzing heavily, more of the pass-rush duty could fall to Cole, who would be more than happy to oblige.

No. 6: James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers

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All interviews aside, no one doubts that Harrison can play football.

So while he might not be great at reining in his mouth, he's superb at reining in opposing passing games.

Advancing in age will not help eighth-year man from Kent State, but I don't see him slowing down anytime soon.

Especially because he won't get double-teamed all the time when teams are worried about the next player on the list...

No. 5: LaMarr Woodley, Pittsburgh Steelers

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Harrison's counterpart on the other side of the line, Woodley is still very young (26) and has registered 10 or more sacks in every season he's played since his rookie year (2007).

Even though he's younger and more fresh, Woodley generally receives less attention than his more loud-mouthed teammate at right outside linebacker.

Yet while Harrison and Woodley aren't the same personality, their on-field production is evenly destructive towards opposing teams.

No. 4: Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers

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The Packers possibly losing Cullen Jenkins would be a blow, so we'll see how that situation plays out when free agency (hopefully) starts soon.

Yet regardless of anything else, Packer fans can take solace in the fact that one of the game's brightest young stars will still be playing for them.

Matthews showed in the Super Bowl that he's more than simply a speed rusher, forcing a key fumble against Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall.

His primary calling card is the relentless rush of the quarterback, a skill at which he's proven to be extremely proficient.

In his only two years in the NFL, he's had 10 and 13.5 sacks respectively.

No. 3: Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings

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He had a bad year in 2010, by all accounts.

And yet he still managed 11 sacks. That's a bad year that 90 percent of the players at his position in the NFL would take.

Plus, the Vikings were playing from behind in many of their games, thus meaning Allen had fewer situations where the opposition was passing the ball (meaning fewer chances to get a sack).

I feel like he's due for another big season, or at the very least another completely satisfactory "bad" year.

No. 2: Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis Colts

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The pride of Hartford, Conn., has been a pass-rushing machine for a decade.

Eight of Freeney's 10 seasons in the NFL have ended with 10-plus sacks. That's a mark of distinction few players can claim through the NFL's history.

He's played hurt, he's played in defenses with poor pass-coverage and yet he's always managed to get the quarterback.

And playing in the favorable conditions of the Colts' domed stadium, his quickness will once again terrorize whomever the Colts are playing that day.

No. 1: DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys

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As a Giants fan, the fact that I'm ranking him No. 1 should speak volumes to how good Ware is.

He's the closest thing to a sure thing in the NFL when it comes to registering sacks right now.

In the last three seasons, he's averaged an astonishing 15.5 sacks. That's insane.

So provided Ware remains upright in the 2011 season, he's a bona fide lock to get at least 10 sacks.