2012 IDP Fantasy Football Week 6: Defensive Linemen Rankings

This continues to be a frustrating season for defensive linemen that were considered elite on draft day. Over the years, it has been sound advice to go after one of the top options at this position as your first individual defensive player (IDP) selection because of the inconsistency at the position overall.

Grab a Jared Allen, Jason Pierre-Paul or Trent Cole and usually that means a no brainier to start weekly.

Unfortunately that hasn’t been the case in 2012.

Cole and Jason Babin are struggling as the Eagles prefer to use a rotation on the line. Pierre-Paul was a superstar last year and still is today, but unfortunately every team in the league knows that now and will continue to double-team him and chip him going forward.

As for Allen, to his credit he has posted a sack in each of the past three games, a few nagging injuries can be part to blame for his slow start.

What is even more interesting is that the struggles at the defensive line position don’t end with these three, as other would-be DL1 or at least DL2 options have struggled this year, like Jabaal Sheard and Mario Williams to name a few.

What makes this season even more confusing is that of all things, a lineman who suffered a dislocated elbow in the preseason is leading the pack, as J.J. Watt has eight sacks on the season.

Watt appears to be an all-time great already.

Sure, he has a long way to go but perhaps it’s his never-say-die attitude and ability to play through pain at a high level that is taking him to possible icon status.

At least in the minds of his IDP owners and Texans fans anyway.

 

What Did We Learn From Week 5?

- Geno Atkins continues to be a one-man wrecking crew to the quarterback.

With six sacks on the year, Atkins is one of the elite defensive tackles for IDP leagues and while he won’t have a high tackle total, his ability to penetrate will keep him in fantasy lineups weekly.

- Elvis Dumervil may always find himself fighting through injuries, as he’s probably better suited to play as an outside linebacker rather than with a hand down as an end.

Still, his fantasy value is much better on the front line, and he’s doing a good job of disrupting of late.

Sean’s Week 6 Watch List

- Both Chris Long and Robert Quinn got on the right track against the Cardinals last week and should have a chance to keep it going in Miami. Ryan Tannehill is doing a good job of staring down the pass rush and throwing the football with a quick release.

Still, the Rams bookends will have chances.

- It has been an underachieving year overall for the Bills front four that lost Mark Anderson for the season. Chris Kelsay should be his replacement, as all four linemen are worth throwing in your lineup against a weak Cardinals offensive line.

1	J.J. Watt	Packers
2	Cameron Wake	Rams
3	Robert Quinn	@ Dolphins
4	Elvis Dumervil	@ Chargers
5	Jared Allen	@ Redskins
6	Chris Clemons	Patriots
7	Geno Atkins	@ Browns
8	Mario Williams	@ Cardinals
9	Calais Campbell	Bills
10	Justin Smith	Giants
11	Michael Johnson	@ Browns
12	Chris Long	@ Dolphins
13	Justin Tuck	@ 49ers
14	Jason Pierre-Paul	@ 49ers
15	Kyle Williams	@ Cardinals
16	Trent Cole	Lions
17	Michael Bennett	Chiefs
18	John Abraham	Raiders
19	Jason Babin	Lions
20	Jabaal Sheard	Bengals
21	Chandler Jones	@ Seahawks
22	Haloti Ngata	Cowboys
23	Randy Starks	Rams
24	Matt Shaughnessy	@ Falcons
25	Marcell Dareus	@ Cardinals
26	Kamerion Wimbley	Steelers
27	Derrick Morgan	Steelers
28	Ndamukong Suh	@ Eagles
29	Chris Kelsay	@ Cardinals
30	Darnell Dockett	Bills

Week 6 IDP Rankings – QB | RB | WR | LB | DB |