Fantasy Football: Patrick Willis, Justin Tuck and the Top 20 IDPs for 2011
There's finally been reason for optimism in the ongoing talks between NFL owners and players, and as it grows so does the hope that we'll see a full 2011 season and the anticipation that grips fantasy football fanatics as draft season kicks into high gear.
With that in mind here's an early look at the top 20 Individual Defensive Players for fantasy football leagues that include IDPs. These rankings are based on fantasy scoring that awards one point for tackles, half a point for assists, two points for forced fumbles and fumble recoveries, four points for sacks, interceptions, and safeties, and one point for passes defensed.
20.) LaRon Landry: SS, Washington Redskins
1 of 20
2010 Stats: 9 games, 85 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 INT
2010 IDP Finish: DB54
Washington Redskins strong safety LaRon Landry led all defensive backs in 2010 with 10.6 fantasy points per game and likely would have been the year's top IDP DB had an Achilles injury not cut his season short. That said, while Landry may well be the top fantasy defensive back in 2011 his spot in the top 20 is tenuous at best, as it's a deep position IDP owners should generally wait on in hopes of finding steals later in their drafts.
19.) Barrett Ruud: LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2 of 20
2010 Stats: 16 games, 118 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 FF, 1 INT
2010 IDP Finish: LB22
Uncertainty about free agent middle linebacker Barrett Ruud's team in 2011 keep him from climbing higher on this list, but should the eight year veteran remain with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or land in a similar role with another team (he'll have any number of suitors on the open market) a fifth straight 100+ tackle campaign and third top 20 IDP finish should be well within reach.
18.) Julius Peppers: DL, Chicago Bears
3 of 20
2010 Stats: 16 games, 54 tackles, 8 sacks, 3 FF, 2 INT
2010 IDP Finish: DL7
Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers logged his fourth top-10 fantasy finish at his position in five years in his first season in the Windy City, and while he can be maddeningly inconsistent, dominating one Sunday and disappearing the next there's no reason to believe that at season's end Peppers won't be one of the Top IDP performers among defensive linemen again in 2011.
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17.) D. J. Williams: LB, Denver Broncos
4 of 20
2010 Stats: 16 games, 119 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 1 FF
2010 IDP Finish: LB12
The defensive merry-go-round continues for the Denver Broncos, with the Broncos headed back to a 4-3 defensive alignment under new head coach John Fox and linebacker D.J. Williams headed back outside after playing inside in 2010. Williams has shown the capability for statistical production regardless of position, with top-12 IDP finishes three of the past four seasons, but the possibility that he'll be suspended after being arrested for DUI last year may mean a fantasy draft day slide that could net you an LB2+ on the cheap.
16.) London Fletcher: LB, Washington Redskins
5 of 20
2010 Stats: 16 games, 136 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 3 FF, 1 INT
2010 IDP Finish: LB8
The elder statesman on this list at 36 years young, Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher has seemingly been putting up solid IDP numbers since the days of leather helmets. Although Fletcher made his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2010 his statistical production slowed somewhat, with Fletcher failing to notch 90 solo tackles for the first time since 2001, but he still tallied a mind-boggling 11th consecutive Top 20 IDP finish at his position, so even should be backslide a bit LB2 numbers should be well within his reach.
15.) Ray Lewis: LB, Baltimore Ravens
6 of 20
2010 Stats: 16 games, 139 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 FF, 2 INT
2010 IDP Finish: LB3
A whopping two weeks or so younger than London Fletcher, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis has enjoyed a much bigger spotlight in the NFL than Fletcher over his Hall of Fame career while doing just as good a job of holding Father Time at bay. Given that Lewis, in his 15th NFL season, posted his highest fantasy finish since he was the top linebacker in 2003 a year ago, he certainly doesn't seem to be slowing down, so while his age brings with it some risk the wheels don't appear to be falling off his wagon just yet.
14.) Derrick Johnson: LB, Kansas City Chiefs
7 of 20
2010 Stats: 16 games, 121 tackles, 1 sack, 4 FF, 1 INT
2010 IDP Finish: LB10
The proverbial light bulb came on for Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson last season, as his IDP production finally meshed with his considerable talent en route to the first Top 10 fantasy finish of his career. The former inhabitant of coach Todd Haley's doghouse is now entrenched as the WILB in Kansas City's 3-4 defense, at 28 Johnson is in the thick of his prime, and the former Texas Longhorns star should represent a low-end LB1 or top LB2 selection with considerable upside for fantasy football owners in 2011.
13.) Terrell Suggs: DL, Baltimore Ravens
8 of 20
2010 Stats: 16 games, 68 tackles, 11 sacks, 2 FF
2010 IDP Finish: DL5
Baltimore Ravens defensive end Terrell Suggs is a bit of an anomaly in that he's a 3-4 DE (albeit a "hybrid" one that also lines up at OLB) that has shown the ability to post solid tackle numbers and be a consistent fantasy football producer, with two top-five IDP finishes at his position over the past three seasons. A cornerstone of one of the most feared defenses in the NFL coming off the second highest sack total of his career, the nine-year veteran is still only 28 years old, and barring an unforeseen calamity Terrell Suggs should remain an elite fantasy football defensive lineman for the foreseeable future.
12.) Lawrence Timmons: LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
9 of 20
2010 Stats: 16 games, 135 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 FF, 2 INT
2010 IDP Finish: LB4
2010 was a coming out party for Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons, as the fifth-year pro from Florida State led the Steelers with a career-high 135 tackles and 95 solos on his way to 153.5 fantasy points and a fourth place finish among IDP linebackers. It's not inconceivable to think that Timmons, at only 25 and locked in the middle of Dick Lebeau's zone blitz 3-4 in Pittsburgh, could improve on his IDP numbers in 2011 with a few more big plays, but even should his tackle numbers slide a bit he's a pretty safe bet for top-10 fantasy numbers and decent anchor for an IDP LB corps.
11.) DeMeco Ryans: LB, Houston Texans
10 of 20
2010 Stats: 6 games, 54 tackles, 1 sack
2010 IDP Finish: LB112
Linebacker DeMeco Ryans of the Houston Texans likely has more questions surrounding his 2011 IDP value than any player on this list. On the plus side, Ryans has shown the ability to produce in the past, with two top-five fantasy finishes to his credit, he's by no means an old man at only 26, and the attacking 3-4 defense of new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has shown itself to be viable for IDP purposes. On the down side, Ryans missed 10 games a year ago, hasn't finished in the top 20 at his position since 2007, and a new scheme means a new position. DeMeco Ryans could well be primed for a return to glory, but he's a risk/reward selection for IDP owners that like to gamble.
10.) Curtis Lofton: LB, Atlanta Falcons
11 of 20
2010 Stats: 16 games, 118 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 FF, 1 INT
2010 IDP Finish: LB20
Curtis Lofton backed up his breakout 2009 season with another strong year in 2010, as the Atlanta Falcons middle linebacker topped 100 tackles and finished in the top 20 among fantasy LBs for the second consecutive season. The fourth-year pro from Oklahoma is the prototypical three down 4-3 MLB, and while Curtis Lofton doesn't post a lot of big plays, has yet to crack the top-10 IDP linebackers in his brief career, and may not have the high ceiling of some other top individual defensive players his steady production ensures he doesn't have a low floor either.
9.) Trent Cole: DL, Philadelphia Eagles
12 of 20
2010 Stats: 15 games, 65 tackles, 10 sacks, 1 FF
2010 IDP Finish: DL8
Trent Cole has anchored both the Philadelphia Eagles defensive line and many an IDP lineup over the past five seasons, averaging over 65 tackles and 10+ sacks a year while finishing in the top 10 at his position each season during that span. At 28 Cole is the linchpin of Philly's aggressive 4-3 defense, and given his consistent statistical production the argument can be made that he should be the first defensive lineman selected in IDP drafts this summer.
8.) Desmond Bishop: LB, Green Bay Packers
13 of 20
2010 Stats: 15 games, 103 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 FF, 1 INT
2010 IDP Finish: LB23
Green Bay Packers linebacker Desmond Bishop exploded onto the fantasy scene in 2010 after Nick Barnett's wrist injury forced him into the starting lineup, startling IDP owners by topping 100 tackles in only 12 starts, cracking the Top 25 fantasy linebackers for the season, and earning a four-year, $19 million contract from the Packers. The 5th year veteran has supplanted Barnett as the starting WILB in Dom Capers zone blitz 3-4 in Titletown, and over a full season Desmond Bishop should have every opportunity to continue his ascent up the ranks of elite IDPs.
7.) Jared Allen: DL, Minnesota Vikings
14 of 20
2010 Stats: 16 games, 60 tackles, 11 sacks, 1 FF, 2 INT
2010 IDP Finish: DL3
Even though his 2010 season got off to a frustratingly slow start, with only one sack in his first seven games Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen still posted a solid IDP season, finishing in the top five among fantasy defensive linemen for the sixth consecutive year. The eighth year pro may no longer be the indisputable top IDP defensive lineman, but there's no arguing that Jared Allen is still an elite option in IDP leagues more than capable of anchoring a lineup.
6.) Justin Tuck: DL, New York Giants
15 of 20
2010 Stats: 16 games, 76 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 6 FF
2010 IDP Finish: DL1
Justin Tuck supplanted Jared Allen as fantasy's top defensive lineman in 2010, racking up the highest tackle and second-highest sack totals of his career on the way to 131.5 fantasy points and a trip to Honolulu. The foundation of possibly the NFL's most feared defensive line the former third-round selection is in his prime at 28 and has more than a fair chance of posting his third DL1 finish in four seasons in 2011.
5.) James Laurinaitis: LB, St. Louis Rams
16 of 20
2010 Stats: 16 games, 114 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 INT
2010 IDP Finish: LB17
St. Louis Rams middle linebacker James Laurinaitis continued to be a tackling machine in his sophomore season in the NFL, once again topping 95 solo tackles and finishing in the top 20 among fantasy linebackers. Entering his third season all that's needed is an increase in big plays or a little more love from a notoriously stingy St. Louis stat crew that regularly awards very few assists to propel Laurinaitis from low-end LB1 to elite IDP option, and there's reason enough to believe that the talented youngster will make that leap in 2011.
4.) Jon Beason: LB, Carolina Panthers
17 of 20
2010 Stats: 16 games, 121 tackles, 1 sack, 2 FF, 1 INT
2010 IDP Finish: LB21
2010 was a bit of a disappointment for IDP owners of Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Jon Beason, as the fifth-year pro posted the lowest tackle total and worst IDP finish of his career.while strong side linebacker James Anderson led the team in tackles and shot into the top 10 among IDP LBs. The presence of Anderson, a healthy Thomas Davis, and a new coaching staff are all question marks entering this season, but Jon Beason has 100+ solo tackle upside (he topped that mark in 2007, 2008, and 2009), and that potential is enough to keep him in the top five.
3.) Paul Posluszny: LB, Buffalo Bills
18 of 20
2011 Stats: 14 games, 151 tackles, 2 sacks
2010 IDP Finish: LB11
Buffalo Bills inside linebacker Paul Posluszny rolled to the best statistical season of his four-year career in 2010, topping 100 solo stops for the first time and posting his best IDP finish despite missing two games. The abundant tackle opportunities afforded "The Poz" playing in the middle of Buffalo's putrid 3-4 defense make it fairly likely that he will improve on that finish yet again, and some fantasy pundits would make the argument that Paul Posluszny is the top IDP entering 2011, but durability concerns (he's played in 16 games only once and averages almost five missed games a season) prevent him from rising any higher than third.
2.) Jerod Mayo: LB, New England Patriots
19 of 20
2010 Stats: 16 games, 175 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 FF
2010 IDP Finish: LB1
Linebacker Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots claimed the title of fantasy football's top individual defensive player in 2010, tallying career highs across the board while leading the National Football League with 175 tackles. It's possible that we've seen the IDP ceiling of the former Tennessee Volunteer, but even a slight statistical regression would leave Mayo as an elite fantasy linebacker, and should he somehow improve on last year's outstanding numbers back-to-back IDP titles may be in the cards.
1.) Patrick Willis: LB, San Francisco 49ers
20 of 20
2010 Stats: 15 games, 128 tackles, 6 sacks, 2 FF
2010 IDP Finish: LB9
It's a testimonial to the ridiculous numbers usually posted by 49ers">San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis that a 128 tackle campaign and LB9 finish could be considered a disappointment, but that's how many IDP owners felt after Willis had career lows in those categories and failed to play in 16 games for the first time in 2010. However, Willis remains one of the most physically talented linebackers in the NFL, hadn't finished outside the top three at his position until a year ago, those numbers likely represent his fantasy floor, and he did manage to rack up a career-high six sacks last season, so should his tackle numbers revert back to near their pre-2010 levels Patrick Willis should reclaim his title as king of the IDP mountain.
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