Carlos Dunlap

Once thought of as an enigmatic height/weight/speed project out of Florida, Dunlap by now is one of the league's elder statesmen and a model of year-to-year consistency on the defensive line. Even at 31 years old, it seems like he should have another strong season after posting career-best per-snap production in 2019. Even while missing two games to injury, Dunlap's 63 tackles last year were only three less than his career high, and on nearly 200 fewer snaps than the year in question. As much as he only has one season with double-digit sacks in 10 years, he's one of the few defensive linemen with realistic 70-tackle, 10-sack upside.

While he was known as an underachiever out of college, Dunlap heads into his age-30 season a model of consistency, playing 800-plus snaps and hovering in the 50-tackle, eight-sack range for six straight seasons. His rare athleticism as a prospect (4.68 40 at 6-6, 278) eases anxiety about how his skill set might age, and there are no threats to his playing time. As much as Dunlap is known for his consistency, there's still subtle playmaking upside (13 sacks in 2015), and he's batted down 30 passes the last three years.

Though Dunlap went out with a high note in Week 17 against the Ravens with a sack, 2017 was a somewhat underwhelming season for him. He had 7.5 sacks and 46 tackles, along with seven passes defensed. In his defense, the Bengals have more depth at the outside lineman spots, thanks to the additions of Carl Lawson and Jordan Willis last season. It's not to difficult to envision Dunlap's role evolving into a pass-rush specialist in the near future.

Dunlap possesses sub-4.7 speed yet is one of the league's biggest 4-3 ends at a listed 6-6, 280, making him one of the toolsiest defensive linemen IDPs. It hasn't amounted to a truly dominant season yet as he heads into his age-28 year, but his 55-tackle, 13.5- sack 2015 season gave a glimpse of the heights he can reach. Although his stats from last year were a disappointment by comparison, he also played just 838 defensive snaps, his lowest total in three years. The Bengals' offense is likely to improve in 2017, so an increase in opponent pass attempts could also be in store.

Dunlap is likely in the tier after Wilkerson, but Dunlap's tier is still a strong one. Huge (6-foot-6, 280 pounds) but athletic (4.68-second 40-yard dash), Dunlap has the raw talent to produce even better than he already has. It might seem greedy to expect as much after a 55-tackle, 13.5-sack 2015, but Dunlap hit 66 tackles the year prior, so there's no reason he can't push for 70 tackles and 13-plus sacks in the same year. The presence of elite tackle Geno Atkins should give Dunlap continued chances to roam, and he appears to be turning a corner in his development.

Dunlap missed time with injuries in each of his first three seasons, but he stayed healthy the last two years, becoming one of the better mid-tier D-Line IDPs. At 6-6, 280, Dunlap makes an impact against the run, giving him a solid floor for tackles (62 per year the last two seasons). He's also averaged about seven sacks a season the last three years. While Dunlap's upside has been limited, he's long been known as a standout athlete and a breakout year as a pass rusher wouldn't surprise in 2015.

The Bengals have used a fairly deep defensive line rotation in the last few years, which has limited Dunlap's snap count and, consequently, his ability to rack up high level of IDP stats. With Michael Johnson off to Tampa Bay thanks to a $43.75 million deal that included $24 million guaranteed, Dunlap has one less competitor for playing time. He set a career-high with 58 tackles last season, and his sack total has increased two years in a row. Dunlap also managed to stay healthy last season, playing all 16 games for the first time in his career. If he can stay on the field, he has decent chance to reach double-digit sacks in 2014.

The defensive lineman rotation that helps the Bengals ends up hurting some of Dunlap's individual numbers, but the team gets more bang for their buck this way. He missed two games this year from a knee injury and has yet to play a full 16-game season for the team in his three years in the league.

Dunlap dealt with knee, groin and hamstring injuries at various points last year and missed four games as a result. After posting 9.5 sacks in just 12 games as a rookie, moreover, Dunlap's sack production in 2011 fell off a cliff as he finished with just 4.5. His 23 tackles (11 solo) were completely useless, too. Still, Dunlap's raw athletic talent is exceeded only by the likes of Jason Pierre-Paul, Mario Williams and Julius Peppers among 4-3 ends, and Dunlap's due for a breakout performance more in line with his rookie year numbers in 2012. With Geno Atkins spearheading a deep defensive tackle rotation on the interior, Dunlap should see single teams on the outside.

Dunlap had the talent of a top-five pick, but he fell to the second round of the 2010 draft due to questionable character and work habits. He wasn't active until Week 7, but Dunlap got his act together in time to go on a 9.5-sack rampage in the last eight weeks of the season. That showing confirmed he has more than enough ability to dominate in the NFL, but the character concerns that made him fall in the draft remain a factor.