1. J.J. Watt, Houston Texans
Watt is coming off one of the best defensive performances in the history of the National Football League. He put up 20.5 sacks, a ridiculous 16 passes defended and four forced fumbles. That was enough to net Watt owners 8.2 fantasy points per outing. Needless to say, he's the No. 1 fantasy defensive end heading into Week 1.
This is only magnified with Watt going up against rookie right tackle D.J. Fluker on Monday Night Football. There is absolutely no reason, even with extra blockers to his side, that Watt won't dominate this matchup.
Projected Statistics: Seven tackles, five solo, 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble.
2. Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings
Much like what we are going to see with Watt against the San Diego Chargers, Allen matches up favorably versus the Detroit Lions on Sunday. The veteran defensive end did see a drop off from 22 sacks in 2011 to 12 last year, but he was still a consistent force in the offensive backfield.
That will not change going up against an inexperienced left tackle in Riley Reiff. You can expect elite production from the future Hall of Famer here.
Projected Statistics: Six tackles, five solo and two sacks.
3. Charles Johnson, Carolina Panthers
Carolina possesses an elite defensive end tandem in Johnson and Greg Hardy. While it was a hard decision to go with Johnson here, he's primed to have a solid performance against what has to be considered a lackluster Seattle Seahawks offensive line. Johnson is averaging double-digit sacks over the course of the last three seasons and topped out at 12.5 last season. The additions of Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short only promises to help Carolina's elite pass rushers on the outside.
Johnson will be going up against Breno Giacomini, who Pro Football Focus graded out as the 61st-ranked pass-protecting offensive tackle in the NFL last season. Needless to say, this is a solid matchup for the soon-to-be Pro Bowl performer.
Projected Statistics: Five tackles, four solo and 1.5 sacks
4. Robert Quinn, St. Louis Rams
Quinn might not be on the radar of mainstream IDP owners, but he's primed to have a breakout campaign for the up-and-coming Rams this season. That's only magnified with four games against lackluster pass-protecting offensive lines in the form of the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks.
He goes up against Levi Brown and the Cardinals this week. Brown, who missed the entire 2012 season due to injury, received the second-worst grade in pass protection by Pro Football Focus back in 2011. With a pocket passer in the form of Carson Palmer under center for Arizona, expect Quinn to have a rather big game.
Projected Statistics: five tackles, four solo and 1.5 sacks
5. Justin Smith, San Francisco 49ers
The younger Smith is getting most of the play this week with San Francisco taking on the Green Bay Packers at Candlestick Park, but "Cowboy Up" is going to have himself a nice little game against rookie left tackle David Bakhtiari, who just doesn't have the experience to go up against a Pro Bowl performer. While Smith recorded only three sacks last season, he did put up the second-most quarterback pressures of any 3-4 defensive end, right behind teammate Ray McDonald last season. Expect him to acquire a sack or two in this one.
Projected Statistics: Five tackles, four solo and 1.5 sacks.