Clay Matthews and the Top 10 Young Pass Rushers in the NFL

A great pass rusher can give opposing quarterbacks nightmares.  They truly are to be feared and respected.

Players like Terrell Suggs, DeMarcus Ware and John Abraham make their presence felt, and can shift the momentum of a game when they sack a quarterback. But, some of these great pass rushers are starting to get old.

Fear not NFL fans, as always, there is an entire new generation of vicious quarterback killers set to take their place.

In this slideshow I have ranked the top 10 young pass rushers in the league. The only requirement is that the player be no older than 26-years-old.

So lets take a look at some of the most menacing young players in the NFL.

10. Matt Shaughnessy, DE, Oakland Raiders

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 03: Matt Shaughnessy #77 of the Oakland Raiders stretches on the field before the game against the Seattle Seahawks on September 3, 2009 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Shaughnessy recorded seven sacks in his second NFL season last year for the Raiders. The former Wisconsin Badger is not known for his speed, instead he likes to use his power to get to opposing quarterbacks.

Much of Shaughnessy’s success can be attributed to the exceptional pass rushers he plays with, linebacker Kamerion Wimbley and defensive tackle Tommy Kelly. Because he shares the field with those two, he is usually the forgotten man. But if he puts up numbers like he did last season again, nobody is going to forget about Matt Shaughnessy again.

9. Cliff Avril, DE, Detroit Lions

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TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 19: Defensive end Cliff Avril #92 of the Detroit Lions sacks quarterback Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Avril had a breakout season in 2010, recording 8.5 sacks despite missing three games.

Unlike Shaughnessy, Avril is one of the fastest defensive ends in the league. He consistently beats offensive tackles off the ball, making him hard to slow down.

If Avril was not plagued by injuries last season, he may have finished with double digit sack totals. The 24-year-old has a lot of room to improve, but carries with that tons of potential. With a little luck and hard work, he could become one of the best pass rushers in the league someday.

8. Chris Long, DE, Rams

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Kurt Warner #13 of the Arizona Cardinals attempts to throw a pass under pressure from Chris Long #72 of the St. Louis Rams during the first quarter of the NFL game at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on December

Son of NFL legend Howie Long, Chris Long is better known for his run stopping ability than his pass rush. In his first two seasons in the NFL he only recorded nine sacks. But last season Long almost doubled his career total, by getting 8.5 sacks.

The 25-year-old will probably never be a top-notch pass rusher, but don’t be too surprised if he records a few 10+ sack seasons in his career. The former second overall pick has a lot of skills, and should be a great player for years to come.

7.Brian Orakpo, LB, Washington Redskins

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LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 12: Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is chased by Brian Orakpo #98 of the Washington Redskins at FedExField on December 12, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins led the Buccaneers at the half 10-3 00-00. (Photo by L

When Brian Orakpo was drafted two years ago, scouts were buzzing about his freakish physical abilities. Orakpo can bench press 515 pounds, power clean 380 pounds and can run a 4.6 40 yard dash. That is unreal.

Orakpo has been phenomenal since day one in the NFL. During his rookie season in 2009 Orakpo recorded 11 sacks, and last season he tallied 8.5 sacks. At only 24-years-old, Orakpo plays like a 10-year veteran.

6. Carlos Dunlap, DE, Cincinnati

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GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 7: Defensive end Carlos Dunlap #8 of the Florida Gators rushes quarterback Mackenzi Adams #9 the Vanderbilt Commodores on November 7, 2009 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty

Dunlap was very impressive in his rookie season. After the beginning of his season was slowed by injuries, he stepped up his game in the second half of the year. He sacked the quarterback 9.5 times in 2010, 8.5 of which came in the last six games of the season.

Dunlap is listed at 6’6” and 277 pounds, but runs like a gazelle. His combination of size and speed makes him a mismatch for almost any lineman in the league.

He is one of the youngest players in the league at 21-years-old, and has the potential to be one of the top pass rushers the NFL has ever seen.

5. Mario Williams, DE, Houston Texans.

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LANDOVER - SEPTEMBER 19: Mario Williams #90 of the Houston Texans sacks Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins at FedExField on September 19, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Texans defeated the Redskins 30-27 in overtime. (Photo by Larry French/Get

Mario Williams is most famous for being taken first overall in the 2006 NFL draft over Reggie Bush. The Texans were criticized for that pick, but Williams has proven to the detractors that taking him was a good decision.

Williams is just under 300 pounds and runs a 4.65 40 yard dash. In 2007 set the Houston Texans record for sacks in a single season with 14. He is a two time Pro-Bowl player and has also been named to the All-Pro team twice.

It is hard to believe Williams is only 26-years-old considering how much he has accomplished. Last year Williams was sidelined at the end of the season, but still managed to record 8.5 sacks. As good as he is now, I believe Williams’s best days are still ahead of him.

4. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Detroit Lions

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 26: Lineman Ndamukong Sue #90 celebrates a sack against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Suh is one of the most physically intimidating guys in the NFL. In his rookie season last year he proved he doesn’t just look tough, but he is tough. Suh led all rookies in 2010 with ten sacks.

Many believe Suh is one of the best defensive lineman prospects ever, and that might be true. Suh uses pure brute strength to get to the quarterback. If Suh continues to develop over the next couple years, he is going to be unstoppable

3. LaMarr Woodley, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: LaMarr Woodley #56 and Brett Keisel #99 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrate after sacking Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylva

Woodley has been one of the most consistent pass rushers over the past three seasons. He has averaged at least ten sacks in each of the past three years.

Woodley is a key part of the Steelers defense. Teaming up with James Harrison, the Steelers are considered the best pass rushing team in the league.

Most people don’t realize that Woodley is only 26-years-old and just a four year player in the NFL—probably because he developed so quickly.

Woodley will be a big part of Steelers defense for a long time.

2. Charles Johnson, DE, Carolina Panthers

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 27: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants is chased down Charles Johnson #95 of the Carolina Panthers at Giants Stadium on December 27, 2009 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

When Johnson first was drafted by the Panthers in 2007, he was behind Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker in the depth chart. He did not see action as a full time starter until 2009. Then in 2010 he a break out season in which he recorded 11.5 sacks, tied for seventh most in the NFL.

Like Chris Long, Johnson is better known for his run stopping ability. But in 2010 he developed a knack for pass rushing. Was it a fluke? I guess we will find out in 2011.

1. Clay Matthews, LB, Green Bay Packers

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after a sack against the Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelp

Clay Matthews has been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks since day one of his pro career. In his second season Matthews recorded 13.5 sacks, good enough for fourth in the league. He also had 3.5 additional sacks in the playoffs.

With his long blonde hair, Matthews has become one of the most popular players following his Super Bowl victory.

Last season Steelers safety Troy Polamalu edged out Matthews for the Defensive Player of the Year Award. It is hard to imagine that Matthews wouldn’t be a favorite to win the award next season.