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The measurables: These two pass rushers are an interesting comparison because of their respective paths. Both were drafted in the 2011 NFL Draft, but Miller was taken second overall by the Broncos while Houston fell to the Chiefs in the third round due to off-field concerns. Since coming into the league, Houston's had a clean off-field run while Miller's dealt with various issues, including a suspension in 2013 that involved issues with urine collection. He has also been frequently injured.

One of those injuries is a torn ACL suffered in 2013 (rough year!) which Miller returned from last season. It makes the linebacker's performance even more impressive. Miller recorded 14 sacks, 66 total tackles, two passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. For a guy whose career felt in the balance heading into 2014, it was a statement season.

In terms of raw numbers, it fell short of Houston's 2014, however. Take Texans freakshow and superhuman J.J. Watt out of the equation and Houston has a legitimate case for Defensive Player of the Year in 2014.

The Chiefs outside linebacker recorded an NFL-high 22 sacks (a half-sack shy of the NFL record), 68 total tackles, five passes defensed and four forced fumbles. He was an absolute monster down the stretch, recording 10 sacks in Kansas City's final six games.


The sacks came in spurts for Houston, but he still only had three games without a sack. He also recorded 56 total quarterback hurries, according to Pro Football Focus data. By comparison, Miller finished with 40 quarterback hurries per PFF.

Miller graded out better against the run, posting the second-highest run score by any linebacker at PFF. You can see Miller working as a spy against speedy quarterbacks too, nullifying their ability to change the field with their feet. As Prisco wrote, Miller's "ability to influence the quarterback is much greater than that sack total."


He's not alone, though. Houston was good against the run too, totaling 50 stops ("solo defensive tackles which constitute an offensive line failure") per PFF. Miller recorded 37.

Both guys have the benefit of playing on impressive defenses. Miller plays across/near DeMarcus Ware, while Houston gets Tamba Hali (and a stout Chiefs defensive line anchored by Dontari Poe).

The difference in defense here is an interesting one. Houston gets a slight advantage rushing the passer out of the 3-4, while Miller is probably asked to do more moving around as an outside linebacker in a 4-3 formation.

That will change in 2015 with Wade Phillips taking over Denver's defense and shifting the Broncos to a 3-4 full time. There were plenty of principles in use with John Fox's regime, but Phillips is a diehard 3-4 guy and has a nice setup to operate with when it comes to the Broncos.

"I think we have guys who can play in lots of spots," Miller said. "I think you look at the guys we have, we can do a lot of things, we can line up in whatever defense they want us to and make plays."

If we're basing this strictly on flatulence, Miller is gassing Houston.

Bottom line: You would be perfectly happy taking either guy, because as it turns out, having a top-10 NFL player -- or one who is close to the top 10 -- on your team is a good thing.

Right now, based off of 2014, Houston is the pick. He produced a better statistical season; if the argument is Miller's year was more well rounded well that's just fine.

Predicting forward is a little more tricky. In 2015 Miller might not just be the safer play but the higher upside play too. Houston has only produced one season above 11 sacks and it came in 2014, when he was playing for a contract.

Miller has only produced one season under 11 sacks, his troubled 2013.

Phillips has a history of transitioning highly talented pass rushers from 4-3 defenses to 3-4 and seeing a lot of success, so it's no stretch to think Miller could absolutely explode under his tutelage next season.

Last year's comparison of these two pass rushers is a bit of apples to oranges. With both in 3-4 defenses -- and facing similar divisional schedules too -- we'll have a very nice apples/apples matchup after the 2015 season.