2016 NFL Most Sacks Futures
By Loot, NFL Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
Ah, finally something having to do with the big guys. After all, the big guys in the trenches and even linebackers don't get a ton of statistical adulation. For a big guy on the field, the "sack" is the only type of statistical recognition they can receive. And for this award, there are a lot of compelling candidates. We see some steady pass-rushing veterans, along with some rising youngsters that are beginning to forge reputations as key-disruptors of opposing quarterbacks.
Last season, Houston Texans defensive end JJ Watt led the league in sacks. He had 17.5 sacks, 2.5 sacks ahead of 2nd-place Khalil Mack. Just behind him was Ezekiel Ansah, another young and rising pass-rusher. Watt's title as sack champion of 2015 was the second time he led the league, also doing so in 2012. He remains the favorite to lead the league in sacks again this season, though some injury issues linger. In 2014, it was Justin Houston who led with a near-record 22 sacks. In 2013, Robert Mathis led with 19.5 sacks. Houston missed part of last season with a knee injury and remains a top candidate this season to lead the league, though he is also dealing with injuries in camp. Mathis is coming off injuries and a drug suspension and is now 35 and considered past his prime.
Other former sack-leaders remain in the mix, such as two-time leader DeMarcus Ware, with the Denver veteran now 34. Elvis Dumervil led this category back in 2009 and has seen his sack totals fluctuate wildly through the years, though he still had 17 sacks in 2014. There have been some unsuspecting sack-leaders over the years. Before the season began, there weren't a lot of people who had Mathis picked in 2013, Shawne Merriman in 2006, Derrick Burgess in 2005, or LaRoi Glover in 2000. Some players have just had great single seasons before and led the league in sacks, never to really be heard from again. That means that while the top picks are certainly toward the top of the list, one can be justified in looking a little further down the chart for higher-odds picks.
Here are our top picks for players to lead the NFL in sacks this season, followed by a full list of odds for all the candidates.
Our Best Picks for Players to Lead the League in Sacks
Khalil Mack (+400): Mack is a rising commodity in the league and in his second NFL season with the Raiders in 2015, he bumped up his sack total by 11 to finish second in the NFL with 15. Working well with head coach Jack Del Rio, look for Mack to have another big season and be in the mix for the lead in this category.
Chandler Jones (+1600): He has racked up impressive sack totals before and that was in the system-heavy New England defense. He may find more room for individual achievement in the Cardinals' defense. Last season, Dwight Freeney, who couldn't do much with the Chargers looked like he was in his prime again in this "D." They're hungering for a premier pass-rusher and Jones could see his numbers spike.
Ezekiel Ansah (+2000): In his third season last year, Ansah became the edge presence the Lions had hoped for, registering 14.5 sacks and establishing himself as one of the better young pass-rushers in the game. He hasn't played football his whole life, having been born in Ghana and could have more unrealized upside. If he does, he would be in for a look at 20-to-1.
Jason Pierre-Paul (+7500): We're going a bit outside the box with this one. Last season was a near-loss, with JPP still recovering from a fireworks incident that cost him the parts of some digits. This could be a nice bounce-back spot for a prideful player with a lot to prove. He has notched as many as 16.5 sacks before and is still only 27. Might not be bad value at 75-to-1.
PLACE YOUR BETS ON WHO WILL LEAD THE LEAGUE IN QUARTERBACK SACKS THIS SEASON USING THESE ODDS AT THE WEB'S BEST SPORTSBOOK: 5DIMES
Odds for Most Sacks in 2016
J.J. Watt +350
Khalil Mack +400
Von Miller +450
Justin Houston +500
Robert Quinn +1200
Chandler Jones +1600
Ryan Kerrigan +1600
Ziggy Ansah +2000
Everson Griffen +2500
Cameron Wake +2500
Clay Matthews +2500
Aaron Donald +2500
Connor Barwin +4000
Carlos Dunlap +4000
Tamba Hali +4000
Robert Mathis +5000
Cameron Jordan +6600
Julius Peppers +6600
Michael Bennett +6600
Jason Pierre-Paul +7500
Olivier Vernon +10000
Brian Orakpo +10000
DeMarcus Ware +10000
Jadeveon Clowney +10000
Ndamukong Suh +10000
Rob Ninkovich +10000
Vic Beasley +10000
Joey Bosa +10000
DeForest Buckner +10000
Jacquies Smith +12500
