NFList

Abraham leads the pass-rushing talent from 2000 draft

By Joel Buchsbaum, Contributing editor
As published in print Nov. 19, 2001

Packers DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila

The 2000 draft was loaded with potential pass rushers. With this in mind, we asked NFL insiders to name the players from the class of 2000 they believed would rank among the league‘s sack leaders in 2001. All comments were made anonymously.

1. DE John Abraham / Jets — "Explosive speed rusher with great first-step quickness and the closing speed of a rocket. Is basically a speed rusher, but he can counter and spin and is learning to use his hands. Has really come on after a slow start."

2. DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila / Packers — "Started out the year like he might lead the NFL in sacks with nine in the first four games, but after teams adapted to him and started setting up short, he has struggled in recent weeks."

3. DE Darren Howard / Saints — "Big and strong enough to be an every-down player and started as a rookie. Not a pure speed rusher like the others, but he has great vision and feel for the rush. Also, having three Pro Bowl-type linemates and a terrific linebacker behind him works in his favor because he rarely, if ever, sees a double-team block and will get some garbage sacks when the other players flush the passer into his lap."

4. OLB Marcus Washington / Colts — "Starts at outside linebacker, but he is a pass rusher on passing downs. Speed rusher who can counter."

5. DT Corey Simon / Eagles — "Best inside rusher from the 2000 draft. Combines power with the movement skills of a linebacker. In the Warren Sapp mold but needs time to develop more moves and to learn all the tricks of the trade."

6. DT Cornelius Griffin / Giants — "Big and very mobile player who starts inside but is fast enough to come off the edge."

7. OLB Julian Peterson / 49ers — "Will be used a lot like the Colts use Washington if he can stay healthy, but he has been set back by injuries both last year and this year. Has superior quickness for the first 10 yards. Can be an impact player if he can stay healthy."

8. DE James Hall / Lions — "Undersized for an end and not superfast, but he has great first-step quickness and plays faster than he times."

9. MLB Brian Urlacher / Bears — "Could be the best pass-rushing middle linebacker already and has a great upside."

10. DE Courtney Brown / Browns — "Could eventually be the best of the lot if he can stay healthy."

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