Joey Porter

Porter is expected to replace Chike Okeafor as a starting outside linebacker. That position is often asked to rush the passer as a hybrid linebacker/defensive end in the Cardinals' 3-4 scheme. Porter has familiarity with the role, since he spent eight years with the Steelers, who employ a similar system. On paper, Porter is now Arizona's biggest sack threat. A return to IDP prominence (double-digit sacks) could be in order if he's able to stay healthy and maintain peak conditioning with his new club.

Porter finished the 2008 campaign with 17.5 sacks but certainly wore down as the season progressed. The addition of Jason Taylor should take some of the pressure away from Porter to pressure the quarterback, but it will also limit his playing time as both Porter and Taylor are weak side linebackers and the Dolphins wish to keep Porter fresh as the season wears on.

Porter never fully picked up Dom Capers' variation on the 3-4 last season, but didn't feel it fully utilized his abilities anyway, and he recorded just 5.5 sacks. Now, defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni remains committed to using Porter as he was used in Pittsburgh: a pass-rushing outside linebacker in the 3-4. This season, Porter appears poised to back up his unwavering confidence with solid play, but he won't have Jason Taylor attracting coverage on the other side this year. Porter has recorded 10.5 sacks twice in his career, most recently in 2005; it wouldn't be surprising for him to approach that number with eight or nine sacks on top of 60-70 total tackles. Those of you who miss out on Taylor in IDP leagues might look to Porter as a poor-man's version a few rounds later.

If healthy, playing opposite Jason Taylor should free Porter up to, at the very least, equal the 10.5 sacks he posted in the Steelers' 2005 championship season.

Porter rebounded from a training camp knee injury in 2005 that had some onlookers calling for his removal from the starting lineup. After starting the season slowly, the 29-year-old outspoken linebacker tallied a career-high 10.5 sacks by season's end. He's having knee problems once again in camp, but Porter has established himself as one of the Steelers' go-to guys and he'll get his sacks so long as he's healthy.

Porter may have made the 2004 Pro-Bowl more on reputation more than performance, but the seven-year vet saved his best regular-season game for the best team. Against New England on Halloween night, Porter totalled seven tackles, three sacks and forced two fumbles. Including the playoffs, the 28-year-old finished with eight sacks, but only one in his last seven games. Add to that nagging shoulder problems and knee surgery during training camp, and Porter is not the sure thing he might appear to be.

Porter had a monster season in 2002, collecting 61 tackles, nine sacks, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries. The Steelers will continue to use Porter as as a pass rusher and blitzer in its 3-4, so look for another season of play-making from him.