T-1. OLB Shaq Barrett
It is no secret to anyone who follows the pewter and red that Shaquil Barrett is the best player to come through this organization in the better part of a decade. Through the first quarter of the season, Barrett is garnering real Defensive Player of the Year buzz and interest, and deservedly so.
Currently, Barrett leads the league in sacks, is tied for second in forced fumbles, and is grading out at an elite 90.2 according to PFF. Barrett even added an interception to his stat sheet this weekend after picking off Jared Goff on a fourth and short attempt by the Rams; what can’t this guy do?
With nine sacks on the season, Barrett is on pace to break Warren Sapp’s franchise sack record and shatter the league record as well. While he signed with the pewter and red for just $4 million on a one year deal this offseason, Barrett is on pace to quadruple that number on his next deal as he is staring at a massive pay day right in the face.
Barrett is the highest graded player on the defensive side of the ball according to PFF, and is the highest graded player on the team, tied with Godwin. With Barrett putting together a historic season, who could possibly be graded above him?