Fantasy Football: Patrick Willis and the Top 10 IDPs for Your Fantasy Roster

If you play fantasy football, you're probably used to picking one entire NFL defense for your team. Drafting an entire defense position by position would be far too much to deal with for most fantasy lovers.

A new trend occurring is the individual defensive player (IDP). Instead of picking a team's defense, fantasy football leagues now have a spot for one specific player on defense.

IDP keeps it simple and is a change of pace from the typical style of fantasy football. If you're new to this whole IDP thing, you may be looking for some advice on who to pick.

Players on defense are awarded points for tackles, sacks, interceptions, touchdowns, forced fumbles, and a few other statistics. The stats listed are the main ones you should look at, and there are several defenders who stand out for fantasy football.

Jon Beason, LB, Carolina Panthers

At 26 years old, Jon Beason is in the prime of his career. After four years in the NFL, Beason has 541 tackles, recording over 100 tackles each season.

He saw a slight dip in production in 2010, finishing with 121 tackles, a career low for Beason. You know he's doing something right though when 121 tackles is the lowest he's ever recorded, which is why you should have no problem drafting him this season.

Jerod Mayo, LB, New England Patriots

Who led the league in tackles last season? That's right, Jerod Mayo finished with 15 tackles more than anyone else at 175 total.

Mayo has averaged 100+ tackles in his first three seasons, and it doesn't look like he's slowing down anytime soon. After leading the NFL in tackles, Mayo should be a top choice for your IDP.

Stephen Tulloch, LB, Detroit Lions

Stephen Tulloch will be playing in a dome for all of his home games this year. After departing from the Tennessee Titans, Tulloch signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions.

Tulloch finished second in the NFL in tackles in 2010 with 160. He has seen an increase in playing time the past couple of season to go along with an increase in production. The Lions defense will definitely benefit from having Tulloch on their team, and you could too if you draft him.

Paul Posluszny, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars

There seems to be a recurring trend here of linebackers who are in their mid to late 20's, and Paul Posluszny continues this trend.

At 26 years old, Posluszny has played for four season with the Buffalo Bills, and has recorded over 100 tackles in three of them. He suffered a broken forearm in his rookie year, which kept him out of most of the season.

He signed a six-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars in the offseason. Posluszny made 151 tackles in 2010, and should produce similar numbers this season as well.

Demarcus Ware, LB, Dallas Cowboys

Demarcus Ware knows how to get to the quarterback, plain and simple. He had 15.5 sacks in 2010 to give him 80 total sacks for his six-year career.

Ware is not a tackling machine like everyone else listed so far, but he gets his fair share. He also has 25 forced fumbles in his tenure in the NFL, so there's another plus for your fantasy team. Ware is sort of a mix between defensive end and linebacker, so he can give your team more than just tackles, if that's what you're looking for.

Justin Tuck, DE, New York Giants

See, the list isn't filled with only linebackers. Defensive ends can be just as effective in fantasy football.

Justin Tuck had a great season in 2010. He recorded 76 tackles, 11.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and five fumbles recovered.

The Giants defense, specifically their secondary, has taken some hits this offseason due to injuries. Tuck will have to step up and continue to perform well to anchor their defense.

James Harrison, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Despite his never-ending quarrels with Roger Goodell, James Harrison shows up to play every Sunday and impresses everyone.

Harrison had 100 tackles, 10.5 sacks, two interceptions, and six forced fumbles in 2010. He'll probably continue to get fined by the league for some of the hits he makes, but that doesn't hurt your fantasy team.

Devin McCourty, CB, New England Patriots

It doesn't hurt to throw in some other positions for your IDP. Devin McCourty is a defensive back who has already blown people away in just one season.

In his rookie season McCourty made the Pro-Bowl squad. He finished the season with 87 tackles, two forced fumbles and seven interceptions. If he continues to pick the ball off like he did last season, he's bound to score a touchdown or two.

You may choose to go with a linebacker for your IDP, but McCourty wouldn't be a bad choice.

Lawrence Timmons, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Lawrence Timmons finished with a career high 135 tackles in 2010. Playing for one of the best defenses in the NFL, Timmons is starting to break out as a star linebacker.

He also had three sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions last season. Selecting him or his teammate James Harrison would be a wise decision for your fantasy needs.

Patrick Willis, LB, San Francisco 49ers

Here he is, the title player. Patrick Willis is one of the most dominant players in the NFL. He's sure to continue his success in 2011.

Willis had 128 tackles, six sacks and two forced fumbles last season. He has averaged well over 100 tackles in each of his four seasons as a pro, and it doesn't look like anything will stop the streak this season. 

Defensive players typically get selected towards the end of each fantasy draft—Willis will most likely be the first to go in many leagues.