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Factoid

May 15, 2017

Rookie sacks

Expectations should be modest for incoming pass rushers

The Browns selected Myles Garrett at No. 1 overall, and the 49ers took Solomon Thomas at No. 3. Both players had 8.5 sacks in their final years of college. What should be expected out of them as rookies?

Over the last 20 years, 16 rookies have reached double-digit sacks; so, a little under one per season. Forty-four have recorded at least 7 sacks; about two per season. And Garrett and Thomas won't necessarily be the players to get there; a couple of other first-rounders, Philadelphia's Derek Barnett and Washington's Jonathan Allen, are also strong candidates.

Certainly, it's possible, as Joey Bosa proved. He had 10.5 sacks in just 12 games as a rookie. Maybe Garrett or another rookie can be even better.

Best rookie sack numbers from the last 20 years are below, with 2016 rookies in bold.

ROOKIE SACK TOTALS, 1997-2016
YearSacksPlayerPos
199914.5Jevon Kearse, Tenn.DE
201114.0Aldon Smith, S.F.OLB
200213.0Dwight Freeney, Ind.DE
200612.0Mark Anderson, Chi.DE
200312.0Terrell Suggs, Balt.OLB
200212.0Julius Peppers, Car.DE
199711.5Peter Boulware, Balt.OLB
201111.5Von Miller, Den.OLB
200911.0Brian Orakpo, Wash.OLB
200611.0Kamerion Wimbley, Clev.OLB
200011.0Darren Howard, N.O.DE
201610.5Joey Bosa, S.D.DE
200310.5Kevin Williams, Minn.DE
201010.0Ndamukong Suh, Det.DT
200910.0Clay Matthews, G.B.OLB
200510.0Shawne Merriman, S.D.OLB
20109.5Carlos Dunlap, Cin.DE
20009.5Corey Simon, Phil.DT
20049.0Jared Allen, K.C.DE
20019.0Kendrell Bell, Pitt.ILB
20149.0Aaron Donald, St.L.DT
20068.5Elvis Dumervil, Den.DE
20018.5Justin Smith, Cin.DE
20008.5Shaun Ellis, NYJDE
20118.5Jabaal Sheard, Clev.DE
20138.0Ziggy Ansah, Det.DE
20128.0Bruce Irvin, Sea.DE
20068.0Tamba Hali, K.C.DE
20058.0DeMarcus Ware, Dall.OLB
20028.0Carlos Hall, Tenn.DE
20008.0Brian Urlacher, Chi.MLB
19988.0Lorenzo Bromell, Mia.DE
19988.0Vonnie Holliday, G.B.DE
20168.0Yannick Ngakoue, Jac.DE
20158.0Preston Smith, Wash. DE
20057.5Leroy Hill, Sea.OLB
20047.5Will Smith, N.O.DE
20117.5Adrian Clayborn, T.B.DE
20117.5Ryan Kerrigan, Wash.OLB
20027.0Charles Grant, N.O.DE
19977.0Kenny Holmes, Tenn.DE
20117.0Sam Acho, Ariz.OLB
20117.0Karl Klug, Tenn.DT
20167.0Leonard Floyd, Chi. OLB

--Andy Richardson

Myles Garrett Solomon Thomas Joey Bosa
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