Ranking the 10 Best Young Pass-Rushers in the NFL

In today's pass-happy NFL, pass-rushers are the most important weapons for a defense. A core crop of young pass-rushers is quickly emerging to challenge the established order of DeMarcus Ware, Jared Allen and Terrell Suggs.

Two such youngsters stood out above the rest and defined defensive performance in the 2011/12 season. New York Giants rush end Jason Pierre-Paul and San Francisco 49ers rookie Aldon Smith dominated quarterbacks all season long and combined for 30.5 sacks.

Although they led the way, Smith and Pierre-Paul weren't the only young pass-rushers creating pressure and headlines in 2011. Here is a ranking of the 10 best young pass-rushers in the NFL.

These players have been chosen with an age range of no older than 26 and no more than five seasons experience.

10. Jabaal Sheard, DE, Cleveland Browns

Once he was switched to the strong side of the lineup, Cleveland Browns rookie Jabaal Sheard overcame his struggles and became a constant threat to opposing quarterbacks. Sheard led an improving Browns defense with 8.5 sacks, and his pressure was a big reason why Cleveland ranked second overall in pass defense.

One Sheard's most impressive attributes is his knack for knocking the ball loose once he gets to the quarterback. He forced five fumbles and should continue to be a force on the edge in his second season.

9. Calais Campbell, DL, Arizona Cardinals

Twenty-five-year-old Calais Campbell has registered 21 sacks in the last three seasons. That's an impressive number for a 3-4 defensive end.

The 6'8", 300-pounder is an intimidating physical specimen who relies on explosive initial burst and raw power to collapse the pocket. Campbell is able to pressure the passer from base 3-4 looks and is particularly useful as an interior rusher in nickel fronts.

He has steadily overtaken Darnell Dockett as the chief playmaker on the Cardinals defensive front and is a key part of Arizona's ability to get to the quarterback.

8. Geno Atkins, DT, Cincinnati Bengals

There are few better young interior pass-rushers in the league than Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins. In two seasons, Atkins has compiled 10.5 sacks from the defensive tackle position as part of a deep defensive line rotation in Cincinnati.

Atkins is blessed with excellent leverage and tremendous off the snap speed. The 6'1", 300-pounder is able to quickly split the gaps in blocking schemes and has the agility to close on the quarterback.

The 24-year-old registered 7.5 takedowns in 2011 and alongside run stuffers like Domata Peko, Devon Still and Brandon Thompson, Atkins can be expected to post similar numbers this season.

7. Sam Acho, OLB, Arizona Cardinals

It's fair to say that the Arizona Cardinals defense only began to show signs of improvement once rookie Sam Acho emerged as a consistent pass-rusher on the outside. The former Texas standout recorded seven sacks and forced four fumbles in only 10 starts.

At 6'2" and 257 pounds, Acho has the frame and leverage to be a power rusher from the outside as well as being able to utilise impressive first-step quickness. He ended the 2011 season with sacks in consecutive games after a three-week barren stretch.

If Acho can learn consistency and continue to refine his technique, he should be primed for double-digit sacks this season.

6. Von Miller, LB, Denver Broncos

Von Miller sparked a defensive revival that played a significant role in the Denver Broncos' run to the playoffs. Miller is perhaps the finest young hybrid pass-rusher in the game.

The ex-Texas A&M star notched 11.5 sacks and became the key weapon in the schemes run by head coach John Fox. Miller lined up ostensibly as a strong-side linebacker in Denver's base 4-3 defense.

Yet in sub-packages, he was rushed from various angles and positions. Miller lined up at defensive end and also blitzed the A-gaps from a standing position.

His versatility allowed Fox to employ multiple fronts and increase the range of the Broncos' pressure packages. Fox's scheming will allow Miller to continue posting impressive sack totals.

5. Brian Orakpo, OLB, Washington Redskins

Brian Orakpo is the best pure pass-rusher on the Washington Redskins defense and one of the finest pressure specialist in the entire league. In three seasons, Orakpo has accumulated 28.5 sacks.

Although he possesses deceptive quickness, Orakpo's best attributes are his brute strength and natural leverage. The 6'4", 260-pounder has been slowed by injury and having to learn the nuances of the 3-4, since his spectacular rookie campaign in 2009.

However, entering his third year in the system, Orakpo should be expected to exceed the 10-sack mark this season.

4. Clay Matthews, OLB, Green Bay Packers

Clay Matthews suffered in 2011 without the aid of the interior pressure provided by Cullen Jenkins. As a result, opposing teams focused their blocking schemes entirely on Matthews, and his numbers suffered.

Yet despite registering a mere six sacks last season, Matthews remains one of the best young pass-rushers in the game. His natural athleticism and playmaking skills can be matched by only a small number of players.

Quick and relentless off the edge, Matthews uses his hands well and has the range of movement all good pass-rushers need. However, a lot of his sacks are also a result of scheming on the part of Dom Capers, and Matthews struggled to win one-on-one matchups last season.

The addition of defensive tackle Jerel Worthy in the draft should see Matthews return to his 2010 level, and he remains a vital part of Capers' plan.

3. Charles Johnson, DE, Carolina Panthers

Charles Johnson is currently the best young 4-3 defensive end in the league. The 25-year-old has posted 20.5 sacks in the past two seasons and offers a rare combination of speed, power and agility.

Johnson is versatile enough to attack from over a tight end or on the open-side of the formation. At 6'2" and 275 pounds, he is a stout force able to bull rush blockers into a quarterback and still be quick enough to go around them.

Johnson has quickly developed a wide range of pass-rush moves and is the main threat to the quarterback on the Panthers defense. His production is even more impressive considering the Panthers' weakness at defensive tackle.

2. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, New York Giants

The Giants received no small amount of criticism when they selected raw and inexperienced South Florida defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul with their first pick in the 2010 draft. However, the 23-year-old has wasted no time proving the choice was inspired.

Pierre-Paul has rare athleticism for the defensive end position. His movement skills, length and fluidity make him too much to handle for most offensive tackles.

The 6'5", 278-pounder has the off-the-snap speed and agility to get by most blockers before they have even properly set their feet. He enjoyed a monster year in 2011 and carried the Giants defense throughout the 2011 regular season.

Pierre-Paul will continue to cause havoc this season and force offensive coordinators around the league to scheme ways to prevent him from living behind the line of scrimmage.

1. Aldon Smith, DE, San Francisco 49ers

Aldon Smith is without a doubt the most naturally gifted young pass-rusher in the NFL. The San Francisco 49ers rookie terrorised the league and finally gave the Bay Area team the dominant rusher they had lacked for so long.

Smith's first-step quickness is phenomenal, and he combines a natural speed with excellent power, length, range and coordination. An inside twist move is currently the most devastating weapon in Smith's arsenal.

However, working for a defensive guru like Vic Fangio will certainly see Smith quickly expand his repertoire. That's a truly scary thought for the rest of the league, most of whom failed to cope with the rookie who posted 14 sacks.

With a fearsome front seven still intact, expect the 49ers to unleash Smith to similar effect this season. Smith concludes the ranking, but feel free to suggest any youngsters who fit this criteria and may have been neglected by their omission from this list.