IDP Rankings By Position: In The Trenches

The NFL pre-season is in full swing, and fantasy football general managers that play in Individual Defensive Player (IDP) leagues know that these training camp battles are crucial to setting up a successful draft board, and absolutely vital to assessing the effectiveness of each NFL team's defensive scheme.

With many teams in the process of changing alignments, integrating new faces, and dealing with holdouts and injuries, it is always a moving target to pick out the breakout players for the upcoming season.

There also are very little common scoring settings for IDP leagues, and position categories are not universal between leagues, host sites, etc. I will present a five part series outlining the players at each basic position that have the best chance at being successful this coming season. The first part will be focusing on the Defensive Tackles, followed by Defensive Ends, then Linebackers, Safeties, and Cornerbacks.

Let's kick things off with a look at the Defensive Tackles:

30. Kyle Williams, Buffalo - Stroud will get the double teams once again, opening up Williams to make the plays.  But he won't be as ignored as he was in '08.

29. Chris Hovan, Tampa Bay - The Bucs' have lots of new faces but Hovan will provide a steadying influence to build around.

28. Sedrick Ellis, New Orleans - Ellis is a big talent in New Orleans, but opponents have lots of holes to exploit and the pass-rush is fairly weak

27. Brodrick Bunkley, Philadelphia - Bunkley could be an elite DT but the Eagles' defensive line is focused on run-stopping first.

26. John Henderson, Jacksonville - Henderson is past his prime but the Jags will still relay heavily on him to produce a solid season.

25. Jonathan Babineaux, Atlanta - He stepped up his game in 2008 after having trade/cut rumors hang over his head.  He will still be effective, but won't surprise in '09.

24. Domata Peko, Cincinnati - Peko is a fighter, but the Bengals still haven't proven they have a pass rush; thus limiting Peko's upside.

23. Tommy Kelly, Oakland - He got the money, but does he have the talent?  The Raiders defense is still solid but Kelly will be called upon a lot for success.

22. B.J. Raji, Green Bay - I am putting Raji here, not because he will be the next stud NT this season, but because he looks to get significant time at DE in 2009.

21. Ronald Fields, Denver - He did his apprenticeship with Nolan in San Fran, his free agent signing was ignored, but do NOT sleep on Fields in Denver.

20. Brandon Mebane, Seattle - With Bernard gone, Mebane becomes the rock of the Seahawks line and will be a suitable player.

19. Ed Johnson, Indianapolis - The Colts are now actually going to try to stop the run, amazing eh?  Johnson is the key but opponents will still test the middle.

18. Amobi Okoye, Houston - The Texans' defense is young, talented, and now has enough experience to be a force; and Okoye will live up to his 1st round pick.

17. Peria Jerry, Atlanta - The only rookie that should make a significant impact (injuries aside) and it should be a big one for Jerry in Atlanta.

16. Tommie Harris, Chicago - Injury concerns and a lack of production last season will drop Harris' draft value, but treat this as a "contract year" for Harris.

15. Marcus Stroud, Buffalo - Season two in Buffalo should help Stroud find his niche, but the Bills' tackle will face a lot of double teams until help arrives.

14. Damione Lewis, Carolina - The Panthers' Lewis is a steady force in the middle but his upside isn't huge either and with Kemoeatu injured he won't have as much room.

13. Jovan Haye, Tennessee - Haye will have the bullseye on him to replace Haynesworth, as opposing teams will test him often. He could have a big year as a result.

12. Adam Carriker, St. Louis - Say what you will about the Rams this past season, but Spagnuolo is a master of the pass rush and Carriker will benefit.

11. Rocky Bernard, New York Giants - Another huge addition to the Giants already indomitable front seven.  Bernard will provide a strong interior force.

10. Jamal Williams, San Diego - The Bolts lose Olshansky and are getting Merriman back, but Williams is the key to the Chargers success this season.

9. Jay Ratliff, Dallas - The Cowboy's underrated NT still finds himself in the mix with opposing offenses running away from the outside pressure.

8. Shaun Rogers, Cleveland - His prolonged absence from training camp, issues with coaches, and new defense will drop him, but he still is an All-Pro

7. Vince Wilfork, New England - It's always tough to predict which Pat's D-lineman will have a big year, but Vince is in a contract year and still is a stud.

6. Darnell Dockett, Arizona - The Card's will look to play more base 3-4 this season putting Dockett on DE, but he still should qualify as DT.

5. Kris Jenkins, New York Jets - The new scheme might change his overall effectiveness but Rex Ryan will know how Jenkins can make an impact.

4. Haloti Ngata, Baltimore - Ngata IS truly a DT, and the Ravens mix up their looks a lot so if he is listed as a DT in your league this is where he belongs.

3. Kevin Williams, Minnesota - It looks like the legal issues will not affect him this season, so unless something changes he assumes his spot in top five.

2. Chris Canty, New York Giants - Canty will benefit from the Giants outstanding edge rushers getting the attention, but he will be a fantasy force at DT.

1. Albert Haynesworth, Washington - Plugging Haynesworth into this defense skyrockets him to the top, he is surrounded by lots of talent and will flourish.