Justin Tuck

Tuck appears to be declining, but he heads into a situation where he'll work with a big play-count. That's both because he'll be depended on as one of Oakland's two best defensive linemen, as well as the fact that the Oakland offense doesn't appear to have much talent, meaning the defense might have to carry the team through many three-and-outs. Tuck is coming off a season in which he totaled 63 tackles and 11 sacks, but 4.5 of those sacks came in the last four weeks, giving reason to think his sack total will regress in 2014, although the tackle total should remain similar.

Injuries look like the primary culprit in Tuck's decline the last two years, a span in which he's totaled just 82 tackles and nine sacks. That said, his upside makes him a good gamble once the more reliable defensive linemen are off the board. Injury prone or not, Tuck is still a player on a talented defensive line who should have a big role awaiting him, and he's only two years removed from a 76-tackle, 11.5-sack showing.

In terms of injury luck, 2011 could not have been much more disruptive for Tuck. He played in only 12 games and played hurt in many others, dealing with groin, neck, ankle, shoulder and toe issues throughout the year, resulting in just 37 tackles (26 solo) and five sacks. With a full offseason to get healthy, though, Tuck should bounce back in 2012. He had at least 59 tackles in the four years prior to last, including three years with 65 or more tackles, and he totaled 29.5 sacks and 14 forced fumbles over that span, too. Considering how bad his numbers were a year ago, Tuck should present good bargain value in all IDP leagues this year. His value looks especially good given the emergence of fellow Giants end Jason Pierre-Paul. As effective as he is, opposing offensive lines likely won't worry much about Tuck as long as Pierre-Paul is on the field, and Tuck should avoid double teams this season as a result.

After a down 2009 season that saw him total only six sacks, Tuck bounced back in a big way last year and emerged as the top IDP lineman in many formats, thanks to 11.5 sacks and career highs in tackles (76, 48 solo) and forced fumbles (six), Given that he finished with at least 65 tackles and double-digit sacks in three of the last four years, there's little reason to expect a drop-off anytime soon. The Giants are stockpiled with defensive line talent, which makes it hard for offenses to zero in on Tuck. And his ability to play inside or out complicates matters for offenses even further – it's tough to game plan for Tuck because you never know where he’ll line up.

Like his New York Giants as a whole, Tuck was a major disappointment in 2009. Tuck’s sack numbers plummeted from a high of 13 in 2008 to a mere six last season, and his typically healthy tackle numbers (59) weren’t enough to make up the difference. Although he played in all 16 games, he fought injury most of the season; his shoulder needed offseason surgery. A return to 100 percent health – or as close to it as NFL players get – the return to full speed of his bookend DE Osi Umenyiora, who missed the entire 2008 season, and the addition of promising edge rusher Jason Pierre- Paul to the mix should help Tuck return to first tier status this season.

In four years, Justin Tuck has graduated from afterthought to superstar. A third-round selection out of Notre Dame in 2005, Tuck was credited with just 19 tackles and one sack as a rookie. His sophomore season was even less impressive – a Lisfranc injury limited him to four tackles in five games. But he emerged as a do-everything lineman during the Giants’ Super Bowl run in 2007 – able to play DE behind Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora or to shift inside to one of the tackle spots – totaling 63 tackles and a shocking 10 sacks. In 2008, with Strahan retired, Tuck was expected to take on a larger role. His responsibilities increased even further when Umenyiora was lost for the season before playing a single snap. Being the focus of the opposition’s game-planning didn’t bother Tuck much; he used his strength and quickness to improve on his breakout 2007 campaign to the tune of 13 sacks, 66 tackles, an interception, a touchdown and first-team All-Pro honors. With Umenyiora back this season, and the Giants sporting a tremendously deep front seven, Tuck is well-positioned to be even better in 2009.

Tuck surprised most observers by posting 10 sacks and 63 tackles in 2007. He often lined up at defensive tackle with Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora at end. As witnessed in Super Bowl XLII, the Giants had a formidable defensive line last year, which surely benefited Tuck. But his success was not merely a product of his teammates' prowess or the Giants' system. His strength and quickness make him a legitimate sack threat even from the inside and a strong run-stuffer. Tuck's role should expand in 2008 and could go sky high if Strahan retires, which would give Tuck more snaps at end.

Tuck will attempt to return from season-ending foot surgery to secure a spot as a reserve defensive end. It's possible he could also see time at defensive tackle.

Tuck showed some promise as a reserve last season, but with Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora around as well as first round draft pick Mathias Kiwanuka, Tuck might end up seeing some of his action at defensive tackle - essentially a death sentence in IDP terms.

Tuck will back up the defensive end position during his rookie year.