Our final entry for the defensive line, we’ll be moving on to another position next week, and continuing with the NFL News and Predictions of course.

We can’t vouch that these will be the best players in absolute terms, have the biggest fantasy upside or even be any good (though they might be)… but they’re players that we like to watch.

Sharing some love away from the Ends, today’s player is Darnell Dockett.

Dockett came to football fairly late, and wasn’t great to start with. Though athletic, he didn’t understand the game – once gaving up a safety after running the wrong way with a fumble – and struggled to get into a three-point stance. But he stuck with it, encouraged by his uncle and trying to stay out of trouble as in his own words, he was a “delinquent”.

Dockett celebrates one of his three Superbowl sacks

Despite a promising college career, Dockett was suspended for the Sugar Bowl for an “incident” at a mall. Acts like that, and Steve Spurrier’s assertion that he was playing to deliberately hurt other players made his stock fall heading into the 2004 Draft. It was the third round before his name was called, and Dockett was heading to Arizona.

Dockett was a starter immediately, and apart from one game in 2004 has started every game in an impressive streak over five season. Not just being there, but making crucial plays – interceptions and sacks – when they are really needed. He was an important contributor in the post-season run of 2008 that took the Cards to the Superbowl, sacking Roethlisberger three times to tie a Superbowl record.

All of this in itself is impressive. But even moreso when you remember that aged 13 he walked into his home to find his mother shot dead. Four months later he lost his father to cancer. Moving from his grandmother’s before living with his uncle, this was a kid who experienced two extremely traumatic experiences in a very short period of time.

But he’s overcome that, to find success on the field and I hope happiness and peace too.

Previous favourite DLs:
Renaldo Wynn
Will Smith
Mario Williams