LaMarr Woodley

Various injuries have cost the once-elite pass rusher 14 games over the past three seasons, but that didn't stop GM Reggie McKenzie from shelling out close to $12 million to acquire Woodley's services after the Steelers let him go. Still just 29, Woodley recorded double-digit sack totals in three straight seasons from 2008-2010 (35 total), and while he may never reach that threshold again, his presence opposite Justin Tuck on the edge should go a long way toward turning things around defensively for the Raiders in 2014. He's far more used to working out of the 3-4 base, however, something that may lead defensive coordinator Jason Tarver to deploy the set more frequently this season.

Woodley has missed nine games over the past two seasons due to ankle and hamstring injuries. He averaged 11 sacks per season from 2008 to 2011 and, when healthy, Woodley is one of the best pass rushers in the league.

Woodley was the Steelers' co-leader with nine sacks in 2011, despite missing a third of the season to injury. If he can remain healthy, he should breeze past the double-digit sack mark in 2012.

Woodley is one of the league’s clear standouts as far as pass rushing abilities go, but his role as an outside linebacker in the 3-4 leaves him with fewer tackle opportunities than most of the players against whom he’s competing. But Woodley is a bit better in the tackle department than many 3-4 pass rushers, as he made it to 60 tackles in the two seasons before last, when his total fell to 50. Either way, sacks are always the attraction with Woodley, who has three consecutive years in double-digits. Target him if that’s the sort of production you’re looking for.

Woodley had an 11.5 sack campaign in 2008, but for the first half of 2009, it almost looked like a fluke. He had just two sacks (both coming in the same game) through the first eight weeks of the season. However, he then went on an absolute tear, racking up 11.5 QB takedowns in the final eight games of the season. His 13.5 sacks led the team and was the third-highest total in the league. Woodley's low tackle numbers drag down his value a bit (he had 60 and 62 in 2008 and 2009 respectively), but his 25 sacks over the last two seasons shows he is more than capable of putting up double-digit sacks for the third straight season.

Woodley’s sophomore campaign was his first season as a starter and he did not disappoint with 11.5 sacks through his first 11 games. Although he was quiet the last four games of the season, he made up for it with a total of six sacks in the playoffs. His tackle numbers (60 total in 2008) keep him from being an elite IDP option, but he should see an increase in that category and again record double-digit sacks.

Woodley was able to notch four sacks as a rookie last year despite seeing limited playing time. With incumbent left outside linebacker Clark Haggans having moved on to Arizona, Woodley will inherit Haggans' starting position and could be a nice sleeper in IDP leagues. Though there is certainly no guarantee of how well Woodley will transition to his role as a starter in Pittsburgh's 3-4 scheme, he is very talented and has the ceiling to reach double-digit sack totals.

Woodley projects as a great situational pass rusher for Pittsburgh but it remains to be seen how smooth his transition will be to professional football. He finished with 12 sacks as a senior from the defensive end spot but also saw considerable action at linebacker for Michigan -- versatility that will help him with the Steelers.