Veteran Tyler Brayton, a hard-working blue collar-type player, manned the defensive end opposite Julius Peppers, and put together a solid-but-unspectacular performance in 2008. He recorded 40 tackles, five sacks, and one forced fumble on the season.
Also working his way into the rotation at defensive end was second-year player Charles Johnson, who had 15 tackles, six sacks, and one forced fumble in a backup role.