NFL Predictions 2011: Early Predictions for Defensive Player of the Year

After only one week, the race for Defensive Player of the Year in the NFL is wide open. While the award will have some familiar names in the mix at season's end, there will also be some new names considered for the award.

Guys that win Defensive Player of the Year are downright scary. They are the guys on teams that you have to completely change your game plan around.

There is plenty of time to improve their stocks in this year's race, but there are a handful of candidates that have had tremendous starts to the season.

In no particular order, here are a handful of players that will be in the mix for Defensive Player of the Year.

Brian Urlacher

In Week 1 Brian Urlacher had an incredibly strong start in the Bears 30-12 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Urlacher had 10 tackles, an interception and a fumble return for a touchdown. If that isn't a good start to a season, then I don't know what is.

Urlacher won the award in 2005 and knows the level of play that it takes to win it again. On Sunday, he looked like he did in his younger years as he was all over the field making plays.

Two seasons ago Urlacher had a season ending wrist injury in Week 1, which ironically could have been a positive part in his career. That season off gave Urlacher a chance to rest his body and heal the bumps and bruises that a typical offseason is not long enough for.

If Urlacher can play anywhere near as well as he did Sunday for the rest of the season, he will definitely be in consideration for the award. 

DeMarcus Ware

Another strong candidate for the award and also a candidate for the scariest defensive player in the league is Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware.

Ware is a terror for whatever offense attempts to contain him. After recording 15.5 sacks last season, many believe that Ware can top that number this season. It shouldn't come as much of a surprise, seeing as in 2008 Ware recorded a ridiculous 20.0 sacks.

If Ware is looking to top his total from last year or better yet, his total from 2008, he definitely started it off the right way by recording two sacks in the season opener. Ware is a sack machine and definitely a player that should be considered for the award.

Ed Reed

One of he greatest ball hawks in the history of football, Ed Reed is another guy that has started his season off the right way. If there is a ball thrown against the Baltimore Ravens defense, there is a very good chance that Ed Reed will come down with it and not the guy that it was intended for.

Another former winner of the award, Reed is trying to win the award for the second time to go along with his Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2004.

Reed started the season out right by recording six tackles and two interceptions in the Ravens Week 1 demolition of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Reed is a menace for opposing offenses because he is a master of memorizing offensive tendencies and using these tendencies to bait quarterbacks into throwing interceptions. With already two interceptions after only one game, look for Ed Reed to tally a very large number of takeaways this season.

Ndamukong Suh

Although he didn't make any plays that light up the stat book, Ndamukong Suh is one of the best defensive players in the league and has all the talent to win this award.

After a stellar rookie season in which he recorded double digit sacks, Suh is looking to repeat and show that even though he is only 24 years old, he is the best defensive player in the league.

Suh's impact is one that often cannot be seen in the stat book, but opposing coaches know how special this guy is. Offenses are altered and planned to avoid him due to his presence in the middle of the defensive lines.

It is almost impossible to run the ball up the middle against the Lions, and that is in large part due to Suh. If he doesn't end up winning it this season, look for Suh to be in the mix for Defensive Player of the Year for many years to come.

Darrelle Revis

Arguably the best cornerback in all of football, Darrelle Revis is a huge part of the New York Jets' defense and a major reason why they have made it to back-to-back AFC Championship games.

Revis started the season off right by recording one interception in the season opener against the Cowboys. He is a game changer and a name that should be known all along the league at this point in his career.

By barely giving his opponents room to breathe, Revis sticks wide receivers as well as any one in football. He routinely shuts out opponents and doesn't allow them to receive a single catch.

For NFL players going to New York to play the Jets, there is one word of advice: Stay away from Revis, or else you will have a long day on Revis island.

James Harrison

Finally we have the man that you would least want to see in a dark alley, James Harrison. Harrison is a phenomenal tackler and also won Defensive Player of the Year in 2008.

Throughout the offseason Harrison made the headlines by publicly criticizing Commissioner Roger Goodell, and that frustration is ready to be let loose onto the rest of the league.

Harrison recorded nine tackles, seven solo, in the season opener but did not record a sack. The Steelers defense is too good to get dominated as much as they did against the Ravens, so expect them to bounce back and for Harrison to be a major reason why.

As the season goes on, you will see both Harrison's number of tackles and sack total skyrocket. He may even have a few big hits to see as well.