JUSTIN HOUSTON

Why he’ll break it: Houston, who came within a half-sack of tying the record last season, knows how to get his sacks in bunches, and he’s among the NFL’s biggest and strongest outside linebackers. It also helps that he plays on a defense that includes a strong nose tackle (Dontari Poe) to occupy multiple blockers and has a solid pass rush partner in Tamba Hali on the other side.

Quotable: “I'm very blessed to be able to be this big and this fast and to move and to have quickness. I can do speed rush, and I can also do power. I can switch it up. I'm just blessed with a unique ability,” said Houston, on what separates him from other members of the 2011 draft class.