Clay Matthews

Completing his eighth year with the Packers in 2017, Matthews remained effective in bursts but struggled to consistently generate a pass rush. He'll remain a starter for the Packers this season and figures to play extensively given the team's lack of depth at outside linebacker. He should be motivated to bounce back with his contract set to expire after 2018, so the "Claymaker" should still make some plays. However, don't expect him to come close to the top of the leaderboard for most tackles at his position. Matthews will need to recover from a broken nose suffered during a charity softball game during the offseason, but it's unlikely the injury will be a concern when the regular season rolls around.

Injuries took their toll on Matthews last season, and over 12 games he accumulated just 24 tackles and five sacks -- the lowest marks of his career. He will continue starting games for the Packers when healthy, but it remains to be seen if he can again be the high-impact player he was earlier in his career.

Matthews selflessly and successfully assumed a role as an inside linebacker for the majority of the previous two seasons due to lack of talent at the position, but head coach Mike McCarthy has since decided that it's in the team's best interest to reestablish the pass-rushing specialist in his natural outside linebacker alignment. Should the remaining inside linebackers stay healthy and effective during 2016, Matthews could tally double-digit sack numbers for the fifth time in his career. However, the nature of manning the inside linebacker position, opposed to that of the outside linebacker position, may deserve credit for keeping Matthews upright for a full 16-game schedule, essentially twice. In comparison, Matthews recorded just one fully-healthy season in his first five campaigns at OLB.

Matthews got off to a slow start last season playing exclusively on the edge, but he was moved into an outside/inside linebacker role mid-way through the campaign, and tallied 8.5 sacks over his final eight regular season games to finish the season strong. Matthews has expressed a desire to move back into solely a pass-rush role, but the Packers added just one linebacker during the offseason, so he could be back in the hybrid role again in 2015. While that may not be ideal for Matthews, there's little doubt the Packers' defense -- and his fantasy production -- was much better with him playing inside.

Matthews missed five games last season due to a broken thumb and has now been sidelined for nine games over the past two seasons, while failing to complete a campaign since his rookie year. In his 11 appearances during last season, Matthews proved to be a low-tackle, high-sack IDP option, evidenced by 41 tackles (26 solo) and a team-best 7.5 sacks. He also forced three fumbles. Looking at 2014, Matthews is a great fantasy contributor that is very capable of double-digit sacks when healthy, but his recent track record indicates that a full season shouldn't be expected from him. Additionally, there are other outside linebackers that can offer more tackles and similar sack numbers. Nonetheless, Matthews should benefit from the presence of accomplished edge rusher Julius Peppers opposite of him, potentially resulting in Matthews taking on fewer blocks and opening up opportunities to make game-changing plays.

Matthews led the Packers with 13 sacks in 2012, and will continue to provide a rush presence off the edge for the Packers.

Matthews registered just six sacks in 2011 and saw constant double-teams. The Packers drafted almost exclusively defense and hope that will free him up a bit more. He doesn't rack up big tackle numbers so his value takes a big hit if he isn't getting sacks.

Matthews has the look of the rare 3-4 outside linebacker with the ability to provide both tackle and sack production. Matthews finished his 15-game regular season in 2010 with 60 tackles (54 solo), 13.5 sacks, an interception returned for a touchdown and two forced fumbles. He needs to show even more production in the tackle department if he’s going to rise up the rankings, but Matthews has the look of a player who isn’t done improving. He’s clearly one of the best 3-4 outside linebackers available this year.

Matthews had a tremendous rookie season in 2009, recording 50 tackles and 10 sacks. He should get more playing time in 2010, but will also see more double teams. The Packers will need to find a rushing complement or his production might suffer.