Tamba Hali

Entered training camp on the preseason PUP list but the veteran is considered just day-to-day with an undisclosed ailment. When healthy, the 32-year-old Hali is locked in as one of the team’s primary pass-rushers. However, he’s finished with the lowest sack totals (6 and 6.5) in his last two seasons since his rookie campaign in 2008 and may continue to decline.

Hali boosted his tackle total from 46 (39 solo) in 2013 to 59 (47 solo) last season. However, his sack total saw a big drop off, as the 31-year-old failed to top eight sacks (finished with six) for the first time since 2009. He restructured his contract in the offseason to remain with the Chiefs, but his age may have finally caught up with him.

Hali remains an elite pass rusher, but one concern from an IDP standpoint is his declining tackle totals. Over the last three seasons, Hali has recorded 66, 51 and 46 stops, respectively, although he managed to rack up 32 sacks in the span. The Chiefs drafted LB Dee Ford in the first round of the draft this season, and he could very well be Hali's replacement after this season. Hali will cost the Chiefs a ton in 2015, so the early writing on the wall is that this could be his final season in Kansas City. Hali will likely try to earn his payday through sacks, but an increase in his tackles would do more for his IDP value.

Hali was second on the team with nine sacks last season. He will start again at right outside linebacker and provide a pass rush off the edge.

Hali had a career year in most IDP scoring systems in 2011, finishing with 66 tackles (48 solo), 12 sacks and four forced fumbles. It was only the second time in his career he surpassed 58 tackles, however, so it might be overly optimistic to expect him to approach his 2011 total this year. Still, with 26.5 sacks the last two years Hali has clearly arrived as a pass rusher, and he gets a value boost in leagues that track forced fumbles as he has four in each of the last three seasons.

Hali had shown glimpses of brilliance during most of his first four years in the NFL, but the former Penn State star finally turned the corner in 2010, racing his way to 14.5 sacks and forcing four fumbles. With those 14.5 sacks coming over a span of 10 games, Hali did a good job of spreading his production out, providing valuable consistency for his owners. There’s concern over whether Kansas City has enough threats on defense to keep opponents from singling out Hali in pass protection, but Hali generally has the look of a star who has arrived, and he should get his numbers one way or another.

Many players struggle with the move from 4-3 defensive end to stand-up outside linebacker in a 3-4, and Hali's 6-3, 275-pound frame seemed especially ill-suited to make the transition. Yet he handled the switch quite gracefully, and despite some inevitable ups and downs, emerged as a usable IDP in some leagues thanks to his 8.5 sacks. His subpar tackle numbers will prevent him from ever being a top-shelf fantasy performer, but with new defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel in town and an improving defense around him, a double-digit sack season isn't out of the question.

After racking up 15.5 sacks in his first two years, Hali seemed poised to fill the top pass-rushing role vacated by Jared Allen before the 2008 season. But without Allen attracting double-teams on the opposite side of the line, Hali struggled to cause any disruption in the backfield and finished the year with just three sacks. His move to OLB in the Chiefs' new 3-4 defense may help him get to the passer more frequently, but it also means he'll be grouped with other IDP linebackers who will get a lot more tackles. He'll be more valuable in fantasy leagues that give him lineman eligibility.

Overshadowed by Pro Bowler Jared Allen, Hali has been consistent in his first two seasons – seven sacks and 60 tackles in 2006 followed Tackles Are the Key by 7.5 sacks and 58 tackles last year. Now the spotlight is his with Allen traded to Minnesota. Hali will move into Allen's vacated spot at right defensive end this season, which could produce double-digit sacks. Playing right end will allow Hali to attack the quarterback's blind side, usually without having to go through the tight end. Hali might also benefit from the presence of first-round pick Glenn Dorsey in the middle. If the 300-pound defensive tackle pans out, he'll help keep blockers off Hali. Hali's best two tackle totals of the 2007 season came in Weeks 15 and 17, offering further evidence of improvement and durability.

Despite being limited by a midseason hip injury, Hali racked up 58 tackles, a team-high eight sacks, and five forced fumbles in his rookie season. Hali presents loads of youthful upside entering his second campaign, and the best part is that you can probably get great value for him late in your draft. Last year’s numbers are a safe estimate of Hali’s production for 2007, with the understanding that he has the potential to post even higher totals.

Hali has an excellent chance to open the season as a starter, and he will be plenty involved regardless if he's starting. Coach Herm Edwards and the Chiefs appreciate Hali's skills, and he's been lining up with the first team defense during training camp.