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Defensive Notes

Haason Reddick

Eagles pass rusher hopes to build on big season

The Eagles led the NFL with 70 sacks a year ago, but some decline is in order. They lost Javon Hargrave (11 sacks) in free agency, plus the last four teams to record 60-plus sacks in a season averaged just 42 a year later. But Haason Reddick isn't backing down.

Reddick's 16 sacks a year ago ranked 2nd in the league, and he tells the Philadelphia Inquirer he's prepared to build on that in 2023. "As crazy as it sounds, I feel as if there’s still more levels for me to tap into," he says. "I’m extremely excited and looking to build on another great year. I want to continue to progress on what I did and what the team did last year."

Odds are against Reddick improving on last season, but some other top pass rushers have done it. Staying healthy will be key, and he has a good track record there. He's missed only one game in his six-year career.

Since 2000, there have been 51 other players (prior to last year) who have recorded at least 15 sacks in a season. Of those players, six have come back with at least 15 sacks a year later. Not great odds (about 1 in 8), but it happens. And 17 more have followed up those 15-sack seasons with 10-plus sacks. Collectively, about 45 percent of the 15-sack guys have reached double-digits again the following season.

The below table shows all 15-sack players since 2000, sorted by total sacks the next season.

15-SACK PLAYERS, ONE YEAR LATER (2000-PRESENT)
SeasonPlayerTeamPosSkNext?
2022Nick BosaSFODE18.5???
2022Haason ReddickPHILB16.0???
2022Myles GarrettCLEDE16.0???
2022Chris JonesKANDT15.5???
2022Matt JudonNWELB15.5???
2020T.J. WattPITLOLB15.022.5
2010DeMarcus WareDALROLB15.519.5
2021Nick BosaSFODE15.518.5
2014J.J. WattHOUDE20.517.5
2021Myles GarrettCLELDE16.016.0
2002Simeon RiceTAMRDE15.515.0
2007Jared AllenKANRDE15.514.5
2017Chandler JonesARILOLB17.013.0
2002Jason TaylorMIARDE18.513.0
2018Aaron DonaldLARRDT20.512.5
2006Shawne MerrimanSDGOLB17.012.5
2006Aaron KampmanGNBLDE15.512.0
2011Jared AllenMINRDE22.012.0
2003Simeon RiceTAMRDE15.012.0
2011DeMarcus WareDALROLB19.511.5
2008DeMarcus WareDALROLB20.011.0
2005Derrick BurgessOAKRDE16.011.0
2004Dwight FreeneyINDRDE16.011.0
2015Khalil MackOAKRDE15.011.0
2001Michael StrahanNYGLDE22.511.0
2012J.J. WattHOULDE20.510.5
2013Robert QuinnSTLRDE19.010.5
2008James HarrisonPITROLB16.010.0
2000Hugh DouglasPHIRDE15.09.5
2018Chris JonesKANRDE15.59.0
2008Joey PorterMIAROLB17.59.0
2012Aldon SmithSFOROLB19.58.5
2012Cameron WakeMIARDE15.08.5
2000La'Roi GloverNORRDT17.08.0
2019Shaquil BarrettTAMROLB19.58.0
2019Cameron JordanNORLDE15.57.5
2014Justin HoustonKANLOLB22.07.5
2011Jason BabinPHILDE18.07.0
2001Peter BoulwareBALLB/DE15.07.0
2011Jason Pierre-PaulNYGRDE16.56.5
2014Elvis DumervilBALDE17.06.0
2000Warren SappTAMRDT16.56.0
2008John AbrahamATLRDE16.55.5
2021T.J. WattPITLOLB22.55.5
2003Adewale OgunleyeMIALDE15.05.0
2016Vic BeasleyATLLILB15.55.0
2012Von MillerDENLILB18.55.0
2018J.J. WattHOULDE16.04.0
2003Michael StrahanNYGLDE18.54.0
2015J.J. WattHOURDE17.51.5
2019Chandler JonesARILOLB19.01.0
2013Greg HardyCARRDE15.01.0
2021Robert QuinnCHIOLB18.51.0
2000Trace ArmstrongMIADE16.50.5
2009Elvis DumervilDENROLB17.00.0
2013Robert MathisINDROLB19.50.0

Injury was the main bugaboo for the guys at the bottom of the table, with Watt, Dumervil and Mathis among the guys who missed all or most of the following season. Most of the guys who were able to stay on the field kept doing their thing; about two-third at least came back with 8 sacks.

Last year five guys had at least 15 sacks. I'm not sure any of them will do it again, but two of them (Bosa, Garrett) already have, as has T.J. Watt (who missed due to injury a year ago). I wouldn't bet against any at least finishing with 10-plus again this season.

--Andy Richardson

Fantasy Index