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KC Chiefs: The Top Ten Playmakers for 2015

By Collin Stirling

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Dec 28, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston (50) celebrates after a sack against the San Diego Chargers in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

3. Justin Houston – Outside Linebacker

Of course Justin Houston was going to make the top three of my list. He’s way too good of a player to be any lower.

Houston is far and away the most effective player on the Chiefs’ defense right now. Especially after a monstrous 2014 season in which he had 22 sacks.

Since entering the NFL in 2011, Houston has never gotten less than 5 sacks. In fact, he’s hit double digit sacks every year since his rookie season.

This guy is regarded as an elite pass rusher and rightfully so. He excels at stopping the run and is very effective in pass coverage. While he may not be the fastest linebacker in the league, he at least makes the opposing quarterback think twice before throwing his way.

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    • Every time I focused on Houston last season, it seemed as though he always bulldozed through the opposing offensive line. He has the strength to bull-rush an offensive lineman but also the quickness to trick them with a finesse move.

    I understand there are issues surrounding Houston right now. Houston is unhappy with the franchise tag that was placed on him and he isn’t technically required to sign it until week 10.

    In a previous article I wrote, I proposed a way that the Chiefs could open up enough money to possibly sign Houston, but there’s a reason those guys are paid to do this and I’m not.

    All in all, Houston is the most important piece to the Chiefs’ defense. Should he decide to play all 16 games for Kansas City, I feel he’ll be the second player in NFL history to hit multiple 20-sack seasons.

    With the return of Derrick Johnson and the re-signing of Tamba Hali, the Chiefs’ linebacking corps is looking as solid as ever. Let’s hope Houston decides to play the whole season.

    Next: Proving The Doubters Wrong

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