Kyle Vanden Bosch

Vanden Bosch’s 2010 season ended early due to a bulging disc in his neck, but he was productive in his 11 games, totaling 49 tackles (33 solo) and four sacks, better numbers than he posted in 16 games the previous year. Considering last year’s injury and his history of knee problems, Vanden Bosch represents more risk than most in this range. Gone are the days of 60-plus tackles and double-digit sacks. Vanden Bosch is in a favorable situation, though, if healthy, as Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley should be the main concern for offensive lines.

The hope is that Vanden Bosch's reunion with former defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, now the Lions' head coach, will help spark a revival in a career that has gone into major decline in the past two seasons. Vanden Bosch will start at end for Detroit, though the team has a few other options at the position should he struggle early.

With Haynesworth gone, Vanden Bosch is the key to the Titans defensive line. He is coming off of a groin injury that kept him out for most of the 2008 season, but he appears to be back to 100 percent health. His work ethic and desire is the essence of one of the best defenses in the NFL. He hopes to get back to being the very productive All-Pro he was before the injury and we could see a high number of sack on his stat sheet at the end of the year.

Vanden Bosch picked up 12 sacks in 2007, the second time in three seasons he has recorded at least that many. He also added four forced fumbles and 60 tackles. Vanden Bosch boasts a three-year average of 66.7 tackles per season, though he is a streaky playmaker. Half of his 12 sacks last year came in two games. Even his tackles came in bursts, with three games of seven or more and five games of one or less. Over the long run, Vanden Bosch posts dependable numbers, but he's a risky play week to week and is likely on the decline as he turns 30 in November. He's still in the top 10 at his position but doesn't have the upside of some of his peers. He does most things well and his biggest strength is his ability to will his way to the ball carrier.

Vanden Bosch's career has been a lot like that of Derrick Burgess, who spent four fruitless, oft-injured years in Philadelphia before changing teams and turning in two stellar campaigns. Vanden Bosch toiled in Arizona for four years, often injured, and then became a star in Nashville in 2005 with 65 total tackles and 12.5 sacks. His sack count dropped by nearly a half to 6.5 last year, but he increased his tackles to remain fantasy viable. He had shoulder surgery prior to last season, but that certainly didn't stop him from making 75 total tackles and playing 16 games (for the third year in a row). He might never hit 12.5 sacks again, but with 140 total tackles the last two years, it's clear Vanden Bosch only needs a handful of sacks to be worth drafting.

Vanden Bosch was a surprise stud for the Titans last season. While it's unlikely he'll duplicate his 12.5-sack Pro Bowl numbers from a year ago, he is still a threat to go hard after opposing QBs.

Vanden Bosch is competing for a starting role at defensive end. In camp, his physical ability wowed coaches, and his chances of playing signifcant time are on the rise.

Vanden Bosch is fierce and quick at the snap but suffered his third serious knee injury in 2003. He’ll have to prove he’s recovered and should begin the year as a reserve