1. Malik Jackson
When big-name guys like Aqib Talib, T.J. Ward and DeMarcus Ware can’t get a sniff at an All-Pro selection, I can’t imagine Malik Jackson is all that surprised when he was left off the list, but he is absolutely deserving.
There are very few defensive lineman as well-rounded as Jackson is, and that’s one of the reasons why he is in line for a major payday this offseason. Not only has he been an integral part on the Denver Broncos’ run defense, but next to Von Miller, he may actually be the Broncos’ best pass rusher.
Nobody will give him credit for that, of course; they’ll point to DeMarcus Ware, Shaquil Barrett or Shane Ray before they point to Jackson. But in reality, it’s not even that close.
As expected, Miller leads the Broncos will 50 quarterback hurries on the season, but it’s Jackson, not Ware, who trails him, with 44, according to PFF. The next closest is Ware at 27 — projected to 16 games, he still would have fallen short at 39.
And to be able to bring that kind of rush up the middle creates a whole new problem for opposing offenses. Much like Michael Bennett has been one of the most important players on the Seattle Seahawks defense these last few years, Jackson is critical to everything the Broncos do.
