Understanding IDP Dynasty Rankings

Posted 8/19 by Anthony Borbely, Exclusive to Footballguys.com

As a long time IDP dynasty league player, I believe understanding dynasty rankings will go a long way in helping you put together a solid core of players that will help you contend for championships for many years. This article focuses on building a solid IDP dynasty team, and also learning how to analyze rankings. I will be including some of my IDP dynasty rankings with this article, with an explanation of why the players were ranked where they were.

There are several factors involved in dynasty rankings that are vastly different from redraft rankings. I will briefly explain how the various factors impact my thinking when I do my dynasty rankings, and then I will get more specific regarding the IDP rankings that I am including with this article.

First on the list, to the surprise of nobody, is the fact that you have to peer into the future in dynasty leagues. A player's age is a key factor in determining where a player gets ranked. The goal should be to build a solid core that will allow you to contend for several years. That is best accomplished with young, talented players. But it doesn't mean you should ignore older players altogether. I generally will have older players ranked at a point where I would not be able to pass them up if I was in a draft. A prime example is Miami Dolphin DE Jason Taylor. I have him ranked second in redraft, but seventh in dynasty because he is going to be 33 years old when the season starts and is at an age when defensive linemen start to slow down. I believe the six players I ranked higher than Taylor are better long-term dynasty players. At the same time, he is still a dominant player and I can't rank him lower than the players currently below him because he is simply a lot better than any of them. Determining where to rank older players is one of the hardest things to do in dynasty rankings. You have to try and project how they will do going forward.

The same thing holds true for rookies and other young, unproven players. The talented rookies have to be ranked somewhere, but where? You have to use your knowledge, scouting reports, news from beat writers, and other things to determine a rookie's long-term outlook with the team that drafted him. Slotting an unproven player in the middle of proven NFL players in dynasty rankings is not easy. There are several factors that go into play in ranking rookies. I consider talent to be at the top of the list, along with opportunity and the scheme they will play in.

Another thing you should be aware of is a players contract situation. Some players may be changing teams in the next year or two, and that can drastically affect their long-term value. A great example is my ranking of Jonathan Vilma. I have him ranked 11th in dynasty. You may ask why I would have him so high, when he really struggles in the 3-4 defense installed in New York by Jets coach Eric Mangini. The reason is because I know Vilma's contract expires after the 2009 season. There are several scenarios' that are possible. One is that Vilma has another subpar season in the 3-4, and the Jets will want to trade him after the season, rather than losing him to free agency. Another is that he may leave as a free agent after the 2009 season because the Jets will not want to pay him as much as he could command on the open market. People sometimes forget that Vilma was the top fantasy LB in 2005, when he played MLB in the 4-3 defense. Should he go to a team that plays a 4-3 defense, he could very well be a top stud LB again. He may not be putting up big numbers right now, but if you look ahead at the possibilities, you may be able to acquire a future top five LB for a great price. As you can see, there are times when it can pay to look ahead regarding the status of a players contract. If you do that and your competition doesn't, you can often find some tremendous value that the other owners will never see.

A player's contract situation not only affects him, it also affects his backup. If there is a player who plays a prime fantasy position and/or has a talented player behind him, you should be targeting the backup before the starter potentially leaves. You want to do it now because the backup has low current value. A great example is the Lance Briggs situation with the Bears. There are two players who appear to be the main contenders for the likely open position next year. One is Michael Okwo, who I ranked 45th in dynasty because next year, he may be starting in one of the prime fantasy positions, the WLB in the Tampa-2 defense. Even if I am wrong, the ranking is not all that high and a mistake in drafting will not be costly. The reward could be huge and it is definitely a situation worth monitoring. If you notice players like this ranked higher than you think he should be, instead of dismissing it, you should try to find out why he may be ranked where he is. In reality, if Okwo lands the WLB job next year, he could significantly outdo his current dynasty ranking. However, he is not guaranteed the job, and is unproven, so there is no way I can justify a higher ranking.

The coaching situations also need to be looked at. If a coach is on the hot seat, you should be prepared for the changes that may occur in the event there is a coaching change. This not only includes the head coach, but also possible changes at both offensive and defensive coordinator. Scheme changes go hand in hand with a coaching change, and can have a drastic effect on a player's value. As stated above, Vilma's last two seasons show how much a coaching or scheme change can affect a player's fantasy value. He was an elite fantasy LB playing MLB in the 4-3 defense, and dropped off significantly when the Jets switched to the 3-4 defense. Unfortunately, it's hard to know what a new coaching staff will do, but if you suspect a player may be in a new scheme due to a coaching change, you should be on top of the situation and prepare several strategies to account for the various possibilities that may occur.

There are a few other things that factor into dynasty rankings, including talent and upside, opportunity to play, the quality of the team a player is on, and the injury history of a player. These items apply to all rankings, not just dynasty. I place a high value on talent in dynasty rankings. Talented players have the best chance to be fantasy studs and I rank them higher than good players who are in a good scheme, and also higher than players who benefit from opportunity, but who don't have elite talent. I look for players with upside and often will have them ranked ahead of players who are more productive, but who don't have as high of a ceiling. The hard part is determining where to rank these players in dynasty rankings. As I stated above, the objective is to build a long-term core of players that can make your team a contender for several years. The middle of the road players who put up decent numbers, but have no upside are easy to find compared to the talented players with a high ceiling. They contribute to a winning team, but studs win championships in fantasy football.

I'm going to delve into my IDP dynasty ranking criteria and explain some of the things I consider when generating my rankings. All of the topics I have discussed to this point are relevant to both offensive and defensive players.

There is one key thing that I give a high priority to when building an IDP dynasty team. I want the majority of my IDP lineup to put up consistent fantasy numbers from week to week and this shows in my rankings. This assumes you aren't in a league that is weighted toward big plays. My rankings use FBG scoring, which is balanced pretty even between tackles and big plays. The most consistent players at any IDP position are those who get a lot of tackles, solo tackles in particular. If most of my starters can put up solid and consistent tackle numbers, it lessens the chance of having a really bad week from your IDP squad because it would be unlikely to see an entire team of consistent tacklers all have a bad week at the same time. If you start anywhere from 8-11 defensive players, and the majority are solid tacklers, you will find that the bad weeks are few and far between. It is fine to have a player or two who are considered big play Adept's, but if you have too many, I think you risk the chance of a bad week because these kind of players tend to have a lot of highs and lows. The benefit is they also are more capable of putting up huge numbers at any time, so a strategy of mostly consistent player, mixed in with a couple of big play performers can be the best of both worlds.

My rankings reflect my strategy in building a championship dynasty team. I place a greater weight to consistent tacklers, so when looking at my rankings, you have to take that into consideration. The point here is that everyone who ranks dynasty players has certain criteria that are a higher priority than other things. It is important to be able to read someone's dynasty rankings and have an understanding of how they determine where to slot the various players. If you understand, then you can use the rankings to your advantage, even the ones you disagree with. Nobody is perfect when ranking, but I think dynasty rankings that come with an explanation can be beneficial to the building of your championship team. As one of the newest staff writers here at Footballguys, I think this article, and associated IDP dynasty rankings will help the fantasy owners understand why I have players ranked where they are.

I have included some of my IDP dynasty ranking with this article. What I did was rank my top 24 players at DL, LB, and DB, and then explain why they are ranked where they are. I also listed "the best of the rest", which are the next 12 players in my rankings.

I hope this article and the associated IDP dynasty rankings will help everyone gain an understanding of the criteria I use to determine where to rank players. I want to wish everyone the best and I hope this information will help you build a championship IDP dynasty team. After all, the objective is to win your league championship. And if you build the correct dynasty team, you can contend for many years to come. Good luck in your quest to build a great IDP dynasty championship team.

IDP Dynasty Rankings - Defensive Backs

Adrian Wilson, Arizona Cardinals
Wilson is the best all around safety in the NFL. He combines great size and speed, and can make plays all over the field. He has been a top 10 DB in four of the last five seasons, including leading the DB scoring in 2005. He is always near the lead among DBs in tackles. Over the last four years, Wilson has had 14 sacks, ten forced fumbles, eight interceptions, and 38 passes defended. I have Wilson as the top ranked DB because I believe he is clearly the best DB in fantasy football. He is a great player to build your IDP dynasty team around.

Kerry Rhodes, New York Jets
Rhodes had a tremendous season in 2006, finishing third in DB scoring. He puts up high tackle numbers (over 200 total tackles in two years) and makes plays in pass defense. Rhodes is only 25 years old and should continue to get better. I have Rhodes ranked second because he is solid in all aspects of the game and should put up solid numbers across the board for a long time to come. He is an elite IDP and anyone should be happy to have him as a cornerstone of an IDP dynasty team.

Sean Jones, Cleveland Browns
Jones rebounded from a disappointing injury plagued rookie season and had an outstanding year in 2006. He had 111 total tackles, five interceptions, and defended 16 passes, which propelled him to a sixth place finish in DB scoring. I have Jones ranked third because he is an up and coming stud DB who is capable of combining high tackle and pass defense numbers. He is a player who can anchor an IDP squad for a long time.

Roy Williams, Dallas Cowboys
Williams had a huge decline in his tackle numbers in 2006, but help may be on the way in the form of new Dallas head coach Wade Phillips. Williams is expected to primarily be used in run support and will have more pass rushing opportunities. This should dramatically increase his fantasy numbers. I ranked Williams fourth because I believe the new coaching staff will utilize his skills the way they should be used, and that should translate into some big fantasy numbers. Dynasty owners should be glad to have a stud DB like Williams as part of their dynasty core.

LaRon Landry, Washington Redskins
Landry was the sixth overall pick by the Redskins in the 2007 draft, and he comes into the league highly regarded. He has every skill you want in a strong safety and has the speed and athletic ability to make big plays in coverage. Despite his rookie status, I ranked him fifth in my dynasty rankings. I believe one day he could be the number one fantasy DB. I feel his upside is so immense that even as a rookie I would feel good about drafting him as my first DB. He should be a great one for a long time.

Chris Hope, Tennessee Titans
Hope had a career year in 2006, finishing second in DB scoring. Prior to last year, his best finish was 25th. He had 121 tackles, which was first among all DBs. I have him ranked sixth in dynasty. I considered having him higher but I am a bit leery about his because he really came out of nowhere last year, and also because he is not an elite talent, but his huge numbers last year are too good to ignore. I ranked him in a spot where I would feel comfortable taking him, and he should be a solid DB1 for your dynasty team.

Bob Sanders, Indianapolis Colts
Sanders is a tremendous talent who has been plagued by injuries throughout his career. But when he steps on the field, he is as good as any DB in the game. He is undersized, but is still one of the hardest hitters in the league. I have Sanders ranked seventh in dynasty leagues because of his talent and high level of play. But he is a risk because of the history of injuries, so if you take him, you might want to have some solid depth behind him. I don't have any reservations having Sanders as a key player on my IDP team. He has the talent to be an elite fantasy player for a long time, but he has to stay healthy to do it.

Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers
Polamalu is one of the best football players in the NFL. He has great size and speed and makes plays all over the field. The Steelers line him up in a variety of ways, and that hurts his tackle numbers. He has only finished in the top ten in DB scoring once. I am ranking Polamalu eighth in my DB rankings because of his elite talent, and also because he makes so many plays. If the Steelers ever decide to play Polamalu closer to the line of scrimmage, he has the ability to be the top ranked DB. There is some risk ranking him this high because he often plays in coverage, but I would have no problem having Polamalu as my number one DB for the long haul.

Charles Tillman, Chicago Bears
Tillman is one of the best CBs in fantasy football. He has had 80 or more total tackles in three of his four seasons. He was third in DB scoring in 2005, and likely would have had a top ten season in 2006 if not for missing two games due to an injury. I ranked him ninth because he always has solid tackle numbers and usually makes a respectable amount of big plays in pass defense. He should be a solid DB1 for any dynasty team.

Sean Taylor, Washington Redskins
Taylor is one of the most athletic safeties in the game, and he can make plays all over the field. He can play in the box if needed, but he has such elite coverage skills that the Redskins will play him at free safety. That will take a bite out of his tackle numbers. I have Taylor ranked tenth because he is an elite talent and will make a lot of plays in coverage. I can't justify a higher ranking because he will likely see a decrease in his tackle numbers playing free safety. Despite that, I feel that he still makes a solid DB1 for a dynasty squad.

Gibril Wilson, New York Giants
Wilson is one of the better tackling safeties in the league, with back-to-back seasons of over 100 total tackles. He missed one game last year, or could have had another top ten finish in DB scoring. He ranked third in DB scoring in 2005. I ranked Wilson 11th because of his solid tackle numbers. The Giants moved him to free safety, and if he remains there, this ranking would represent a bit of a risk. If he returns to strong safety, he could once again rise in the DB scoring. I think his future is at strong safety, and that is why I have him ranked this high. He should be a solid lower tier DB1 for your dynasty team, but there are risks.

Brian Dawkins, Philadelphia Eagles
Dawkins is still one of the best all around safeties in the game and has been an elite fantasy DB for a long time. Over the last five seasons, Dawkins has played in all 16 games three times, and in each of those years he finished in the top seven in DB scoring. Dawkins will be 34 years old during the season, and there are natural concerns about how long he can play at a high level. I have him ranked 12th because he always puts up solid fantasy numbers. I would feel good having Dawkins as a low end DB1, but if you have him, you should have plans in the works to replace him over the next couple of seasons.

Ronde Barber, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Barber has been an elite fantasy DB for several years and has averaged over 90 total tackles over the last five seasons. He has been in the top 11 in DB scoring for four consecutive years. Barber is 32 years old, but shows no signs of slowing down. I have ranked him 13th because of his consistently high tackle numbers. I can't justify a higher ranking due to his advancing age, but he should be a great DB2 for any dynasty team.

Antoine Winfield, Minnesota Vikings
Winfield is one of the best tackling cornerbacks in the NFL, and has finished with 90 or more total tackles in three of the last four years. He has ranked in the top 11 in DB scoring in three of the last four seasons. I have Winfield rankled 14th because of his tremendous tackle numbers. He is one of the safest dynasty DBs you can find, and should be a solid high end DB2 with possible DB1 upside for the foreseeable future.

Madieu Williams, Cincinnati Bengals
Williams is a solid tackler who also can make plays in coverage. As a rookie in 2004, he cracked the top ten in DB scoring, and was 22nd in 2006, and in both years he had 90 or more total tackles. Williams is one of the few free safeties that is worthy of a top 20 ranking. I have Williams ranked 15th because he is capable of solid tackle numbers from his free safety spot, and combined with his ball hawking skills, he should be a solid DB2 for a long time. I can't rank him higher because free safeties have a limit to what they can do and the players ranked above Williams seem to be safer picks due to their higher tackle numbers.

Champ Bailey, Denver Broncos
Bailey is the best cover corner in the NFL. Over the last two seasons, he has had a combined 18 interceptions and 44 passes defended. Bailey had a career high 86 total tackles in 2006. I ranked Bailey 16th in my dynasty rankings. He was a very hard person to rank because he had very high interception numbers the last two seasons, but prior to that he had only 21 in his first six seasons. He also set a career high in tackles in 2006, on his way to the number one ranking, but I question whether he can put up numbers like that again. I felt safer having him as a solid DB2 because big play DBs are not as consistent as the top tacklers.

Bernard Pollard, Kansas City Chiefs
Pollard heads into his second year as a pro and will be the starter at strong safety for the Chiefs. He has had a great camp, and is making plays in both run defense and coverage. Pollard still has a lot to learn, but he has a bright future. I ranked Pollard 17th because he is a prototypical in-the-box safety who should rack up solid tackle numbers. He has improved in coverage and I feel he will be a solid DB2 for many years to come, with possible low end DB1 upside in the future.

Roman Harper, New Orleans Saints
Harper was well on his way to being in the top 20 in DB scoring in 2006 before being injured. He is a solid tackler, but has some deficiencies in coverage. I ranked Harper 18th because I feel he will put up solid tackle numbers and make just enough plays in pass defense to be a solid DB2. Like Pollard, he has a chance to be a long-term low end DB1, but with him coming off an injury and being relatively unproven, I feel a mid level DB2 is an appropriate ranking. He should be a solid piece to a dynasty core for a long time.

Donte Whitner, Buffalo Bills
Whitner had a solid rookie season, finishing with over 100 total tackles. He did not make many big plays in coverage, which was part of the reason he didn't crack the top 40 in scoring among DBs. I have Whitner ranked 19th in my dynasty rankings because I think his big play abilities will improve as he gains experience and learns exactly where to be on the field. He is a physical player who should put up solid tackle numbers. Whitner should be a solid DB2 for a dynasty team, and like Pollard and Harper, he has DB1 upside. But it's hard to rank these young players higher at this point in their careers.

Richard Marshall, Carolina Panthers
Marshall had a solid rookie season and finished 15th in DB scoring. Despite not being a starter, he still managed to rack up 70 solo tackles. Marshall has good ball skills and should put up solid overall numbers. I have Marshall ranked 20th because he is a sure tackler with good ball skills. I can't rank him higher because he was a target as a rookie and I question how much teams will go after him once he has more experience. I would feel very good having a young player like Marshall as my dynasty league DB2.

Nate Clements, San Francisco 49ers
Clements has finished in the top ten in DB scoring in two of the last three years. He has solid ball skills and is a good all around cornerback. San Francisco signed Clements as a free agent during the offseason. I have Clements ranked 21st because of his consistency, but can't justify a higher ranking because he has only had more than 60 solo tackles one time in his career. I think he is a respectable lower end DB2, but really lacks the upside to count on him to be anything more in the future.

Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens
Reed is the best big play safety in the NFL. In the four seasons that Reed played in all 16 games, he has 26 interceptions and has finished 17th or higher in DB scoring in three of those four years, including a second place finish in 2004. I have Reed ranked 22nd because of his tremendous ball skills, but since he plays in coverage so much, I can't rank him higher because he will not have high tackle numbers. He should be a solid DB2 for any dynasty team.

Michael Huff, Oakland Raiders
Huff did not make many plays as a rookie and barely cracked the top 100 in DB scoring. He has tremendous speed and ball skills, and should benefit from another year of experience. I ranked Huff 23rd and he is one player who I think could outdo his ranking in the long-term. He will play free safety in 2007, which will limit him somewhat in terms of tackle numbers. I could not justify a higher ranking because of that. His talent and upside are solid and he makes a decent low end DB2 right now, and if he plays to his potential, he could put up borderline DB1 numbers in the future. I don't see him doing much better than that unless he moves to strong safety.

Dawan Landry, Baltimore Ravens
Landry had a solid rookie season with the Ravens and finished 35th in DB scoring. With Ed Reed being so dominant in coverage, Landry should get a lot of opportunities to play close to the line of scrimmage, which will likely result in solid tackle numbers. I ranked Landry 24th in dynasty leagues because his tackle numbers should be good enough to make him a solid low end DB2. With Adalius Thomas gone, Landry should get more opportunities to make tackles in run defense. He is a hard player to rank because he has so many playmakers around him, but I think he is a relatively safe low end DB2 for your dynasty team.

Best of the Rest (Defensive Backs)

Antoine Bethea, Indianapolis Colts
Sabby Piscitelli, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dunta Robinson, Houston Texans
Nick Collins, Green Bay Packers
Eric Weddle, San Diego Chargers
Brodney Pool, Cleveland Browns
Rashean Mathis, Jacksonville Jaguars
Antrel Rolle, Arizona Cardinals
Jarrad Page, Kansas City Chiefs
Michael Lewis, San Francisco 49ers
Oshiomogho Atogwe, St. Louis Ram
Daniel Bullocks, Detroit Lions

IDP Dynasty Rankings - Defensive Lineman

Julius Peppers, Carolina Panthers
Peppers is the most talented and complete defensive lineman in the NFL. He has finished in the top four in DL fantasy scoring in two of the last three years. Peppers is capable of putting up huge fantasy numbers at DL. He is just entering his prime and I think he is clearly the best dynasty defensive lineman right now. I ranked Peppers at the top because I don't think any other DL has the kind of long term upside that Peppers does. He is capable of putting up monster fantasy numbers for a long time.

Terrell Suggs, Baltimore Ravens
Suggs has been a model of consistency for the Ravens. He has racked up 46 or more solo tackles for three consecutive years, and he also puts up solid sack numbers. Suggs has finished seventh in DL scoring the last two seasons, and at 24 years old, his best years are ahead of him. Suggs should be an anchor at DL for many years to come. I ranked Suggs second because he has already been a top DL, and he is still young enough to improve on his numbers. He should be a top dynasty stud for a long time.

Aaron Schobel, Buffalo Bills
Schobel has been a top fantasy DL for several years and has finished no lower than sixth in fantasy scoring in the last three years. He is annually among the league leaders in tackles and sacks. Schobel will be 30 years old when the season starts, and he should be an elite fantasy DL for several years. I ranked Schobel third because of his consistency, and also because he still has a few years left as a top fantasy producer. Players like Schobel are what you want at the top of your IDP lineup.

Aaron Kampman, Green Bay Packers
Kampman had a monster season in 2006, finishing with a career high 15 sacks. He has had back-to-back seasons of 59 solo tackles. Kampman has shown significant improvement in each of his five seasons, and finished third in fantasy scoring in 2006. He may not keep up the sack numbers of last season, but his consistently strong tackle numbers should make him a prime target at the DL position in your dynasty draft. I ranked him fourth because of his huge tackle numbers, and even if he doesn't get the monster sack numbers he had in 2006, he should still be a top point producing DL for several more years. His tackle numbers alone make him a player who is worthy of being a top IDP dynasty DL.

Jared Allen, Kansas City Chiefs
Allen is one of the best two-way defensive linemen in the NFL. He was sixth in fantasy scoring in 2005, and improved to second last year. Allen had 50 solo tackles in 2005, and followed that up with a whopping 66 last year. He has never had fewer than eight sacks in any of his three seasons. I ranked him fifth because his tackle numbers are high, his sack totals are solid, and at 25 years old, he has his best football in front of him. He will miss the first two games in 2007 due to a suspension, but that should not factor into your dynasty strategy.

Osi Umenyiora, New York Giants
Umenyiora is one of the most talented defensive linemen in the game and still has not reached his full potential. He had a monster season in 2005, finishing with 48 solo tackles and 14.5 sacks, both career highs, and was the second in DL scoring. He missed five games in 2006 due to a hip injury. He is young and should be a top fantasy DL for many years to come. I considered ranking him higher, but he has only had one elite season in his four-year career, and I can't justify ranking him higher than sixth. He has the upside to be ranked with the likes of Julius Peppers, but he needs to show he can play at the level of his monster 2005 season on a consistent basis.

Jason Taylor, Miami Dolphins
Taylor has been a dominant DL for his entire ten-year career, and has finished first in DL scoring in three of the last five seasons. He puts up big numbers across the board, and is arguably the number one fantasy DL today. Taylor will be 33 years old when the season starts and there are legitimate questions regarding how long he can play at his current level. I ranked him seventh for that reason. I believe the players above him are better picks because Taylor is at the age where many DL tend to slow down some. I believe he should be strong again this year, but long term, I don't see him producing the high numbers he has maintained throughout his career. However, he is just too good to rank any lower than seventh.

Tamba Hali, Kansas City Chiefs
Hali burst on the scene as a rookie in 2006, finishing 11th in DL scoring. He had an impressive 44 solo tackles and added 7.5 sacks. He was somewhat raw coming out of college and many expected him to take longer to develop. Hali will benefit by having Jared Allen playing on the other side of the defensive line. I ranked him eighth because he has tremendous upside, but could not justify a higher ranking because he is not a pure pass rusher and may not put up elite level sack numbers. His tackle numbers should be solid throughout his career, and he will be a solid two-way DL for a long time. I feel he is one of the most overlooked DL in fantasy football.

Robert Mathis, Indianapolis Colts
Mathis is one of the fastest DL in the league and puts constant pressure on QBs. He has finished eighth in DL scoring in back-to-back years and has had 31 sacks over the last three seasons. Mathis is light at 235 pounds and some question how durable he can be long term. He is not great in run support, but has been an every down player the last two years because he is such a tremendous playmaker. I ranked him ninth because I question how long he will play as an every down DL, but his big play abilities and solid tackle numbers are good enough to rank him in the top ten. He should be a solid dynasty DL for many years.

Mario Williams, Houston Texans
Williams came into the league under immense pressure after the Texans passed on Reggie Bush and local hero Vince Young to make Williams the first overall pick in the 2006 draft. He was plagued by a foot injury and struggled in his rookie year. He has tremendous upside and has the size, speed and athletic ability to be a dominant DL. I have ranked him tenth because he has every skill needed to be an elite DL for a long time, and his upside is virtually limitless. I believe he has the talent and upside to be the top ranked DL in the future, but tenth is the highest I can rank him right now due to mild concerns about his performance last year.

Gaines Adams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Adams was one of the best pure pass rushers in college last year and is a great fit in the Tampa-2 defense. He has the talent to be an elite pass rusher. There are some concerns about his ability to be solid in run defense. I decided to rank Adams 11th because he has much more raw talent and upside than the remaining defensive linemen, and because his skills are that of an elite fantasy DL. He will put a lot of pressure on QBs and create a lot of big play opportunities for himself and the rest of the defense. As long as he is at least average in run defense, he should be an elite DL for a long time.

Charles Grant, New Orleans Saints
Grant is one of the best all around DL in the league and consistently puts up solid tackle numbers. He has finished in the top 12 in DL scoring in three of the past four years, including a first place finish in 2004. His sack numbers have declined in the last two years. I ranked him 12th because of his solid year-to-year tackle numbers and his consistency. I could not rank him higher because of his lack of upside and mild concerns about his sack numbers. He should be a solid fantasy DL for several years. If the studs are gone, he makes a solid and relatively cheap low end DL1 for your dynasty team.

Will Smith, New Orleans Saints
Smith is a solid two-way DL, with the size to be an effective every down player. He has the skills to be a top pass rusher, but thus far hasn't put up elite sack numbers. He was 14th in DL scoring in 2005 and 20th last year, despite missing two games. I have him ranked 13th, right behind teammate Charles Grant. He still has room to improve, but he is inconsistent at times and that prevents him from being a top ten DL right now. There is no question he has the talent to be a top ten DL, but his tackle numbers are too inconsistent to justify a higher ranking.

Mark Anderson, Chicago Bears
Anderson had a tremendous rookie season and was one of the biggest surprises in the NFL. He is an explosive pass rusher, and finished the 2006 season with 12 sacks. Considering he was not a starter, those were very impressive numbers. He is undersized and may have problems in run defense, but his big play abilities should get him more playing time. I have Anderson ranked 14th, and the only reason he is not higher is because he is undersized and may wear down if he is an every down player. He is one player who I think could outperform his ranking in the future.

Justin Smith, Cincinnati Bengals
Smith is one of the better tackling defensive linemen and is also very consistent. His sack numbers are pedestrian, but he still has managed to finish in the top 15 in DL scoring three times. Smith is durable and has only missed one game in his five-year career. I have him ranked 15th due to his solid and consistent tackle numbers. I also feel his durability is a big plus. Smith's average sack numbers and lack of upside prevent him from being ranked any higher. He will be a solid DL2 on your dynasty team.

Leonard Little, St. Louis Rams
Little is one of the best pure pass rushers in the league and mixes in enough tackles to be an every week fantasy starter at DL. He has finished 17th or higher in DL scoring in four of the last five years. Little will be 33 years old during the season and that is an age when linemen tend to slow down. I have him ranked 16th because he is very consistent and I would feel very good having a player of this caliber as your DL2. If you get two solid years out of him, it's worth taking him as the 16th DL.

Jamaal Anderson, Atlanta Falcons
Anderson was the eighth overall pick in the 2006 draft and should be a solid two-way defensive lineman. He has great size for a defensive end, which will allow him to play in all situations. He should be a solid run defender right away, and has the skills to be a good pass rusher in the future. I have him ranked 17th due to his upside and because he looks to be a DL who should put up solid tackle numbers every year. If he develops as a pass rusher, he could be a future top ten DL, but I can't rank him that high just yet.

Trent Cole, Philadelphia Eagles
Cole had a great year in 2006 after replacing the injured Jevon Kearse. He finished the year with 43 solo tackles and eight sacks, and wound up 13th in DL scoring. Cole will benefit if Kearse can remain healthy. I currently have him ranked 18th, because he is only 24 years old, has some upside, and is a solid two-way DL. But I can't rank Cole higher because he is not an elite pass rusher, and also because the Eagles like to rotate their defensive linemen to keep them fresh. He should be a solid DL2 with possible DL1 upside in the future.

Derrick Burgess, Oakland Raiders
Burgess exploded onto the scene in his first year as a Raider in 2005, and led the NFL in sacks with 16. He finished fourth in DL scoring that year. He drew more attention last year and did not have the huge season he had in 2006, but still put up solid numbers (43 solo tackles, 11.5 sacks), and finished 18th in DL scoring. I have him ranked 19th right now. I did not want to rank him higher because he has only had one elite season, and I don't consider him an elite talent. I think this ranking is fair because he has been at this level or higher for the last two seasons. He will be a solid mid level DL2 starter or better for many years, and, like Cole, he has DL1 upside.

Kyle Vanden Bosch, Tennessee Titans
Vanden Bosch had a breakout season in 2005 and set a career high with 12.5 sacks, to go along with 41 solo tackles. That propelled him to a ninth place finish in DL scoring. He improved to 54 solo tackles in 2006, but his sack totals fell off and he wound up finishing 16th in DL scoring. I have Vanden Bosch ranked 20th because he is a solid all around DL. He has not proven he can maintain the sack numbers of his 2005 campaign, and thus I can't justify ranking him higher. His tackle numbers should allow him to remain a solid DL2, but I don't expect much more from him going forward. He is a safe DL2 for your dynasty team.

Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis Colts
Freeney had his worst season as a pro in 2006, finishing with a career worst 5.5 sacks. It was the only time in his five-year career that he had fewer than ten sacks. He had ranked no lower than 22nd in DL scoring in his first four years before plummeting to 64th last year. I currently have Freeney ranked 21st. I expect him to bounce back to his past sack levels, but his low tackle numbers make it hard for me to raise him any higher. He should be a viable DL2 for the long term, although his numbers may fluctuate from week to week due to his low tackle numbers.

Dewayne White, Detroit Lions
White was signed to a five-year contract by the Lions, and they expect him to be an every down DL this season. He started the last eight games for Tampa Bay last year and racked up 21 solo tackles, and in those eight games he totaled 39 fantasy points. Projected over a full season, that would have put White in the top 25 DL. He should improve his moderate sack numbers with more playing time. I ranked him 22nd because he performed at that level in the last half of 2006 when he started. He should put up solid tackle numbers, and has the upside to become a solid two-way DL. He has the upside to be a top 20 DL in the future, but for now, I consider him a lower tier DL2.

Patrick Kerney, Seattle Seahawks
Kerney was signed by the Seahawks as a free agent, and they are hoping he can provide them with a consistent pass rush. He has had double-digit sack totals twice, and in each of those years he finished as a top ten DL. He was hampered by injuries last year and his play was below par. I ranked him 23rd because he has twice been a top ten DL, and should he remain healthy, he is capable of being a solid DL2. He has had 45 or more solo tackles twice and if he can remain healthy, he has a chance to be a top 20 DL.

John Abraham, Atlanta Falcons
Abraham has been a top ten fantasy DL twice in the last five years, and it happens to be the only two seasons he has remained healthy. There is no questioning his talent, but his durability is a major issue for fantasy owners. Abraham is one of the best edge rushers in the league and also can hold his own in pass defense. I ranked him 24th because he has huge upside, but there is just no way I can rank him higher because he always seems to be hurt. For those dynasty league owners who like to take a chance on upside, I can't think of many better values than Abraham. Of course, the injury issue will be there, but if Abraham can stay healthy, he has the upside to be a DL1. Abraham is the classic risk/reward player.

Best of the Rest (Defensive Lineman)

Luis Castillo, San Diego Chargers
Ty Warren, New England Patriots
Adewale Ogunleye, Chicago Bears
James Hall, St. Louis Rams
Michael Strahan, New York Giants
Ikaika Alama-Francis, Detroit Lions
Ebenezer Ekuban, Denver Broncos
Robert Geathers, Cincinnati Bengals
Alex Brown, Chicago Bears
Quentin Moses, Oakland Raiders
Corey Redding, Detroit Lions
Vonnie Holliday, Miami Dolphins

IDP Dynasty Rankings - Linebackers

DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans
Ryans had a tremendous rookie season and his 155 total tackles were the most by a rookie in 20 years. He has exceptional instincts and quickness and makes plays all over the field. Ryans had five or more solo tackles in all 16 games and added enough big plays to make him the top fantasy LB in 2006. I had an easy time ranking him as my top dynasty LB, because he is a great tackler and has every skill you want in a middle linebacker. He is only 23 years old and should be a stud LB for a very long time. The scary thing is he should get better as he gains experience. Having a young stud LB like Ryans as the centerpiece of your dynasty team is a big advantage over the competition.

Keith Bullock, Tennessee Titans
Bullock has been one of the best fantasy LBs for several years. He has had five consecutive years with 99 or more solo tackles. He has ranked sixth or better in fantasy scoring among LBs for the last four years. I ranked Bullock second among dynasty LBs and easily could have ranked him first. Ryans and Bullock are clearly a level above the other fantasy LBs and the only reason Ryans is ranked over Bullock is because Ryans is younger. Bullock is a great player to have as the rock of your IDP dynasty team.

Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears
Urlacher has been a top ten fantasy LB in three of the last five years, including being first in 2002. Urlacher regularly gets close to 90 solo tackles, and before being shut out in the sack department last year, he had averaged 4.5 sacks in the previous four years. I ranked Urlacher third due to his consistency and big play abilities. He is hitting his prime and should anchor your dynasty team for several years.

A.J. Hawk, Green Bay Packers
Hawk had a solid rookie year with 117 total tackles and four sacks, and would up with a 14th place finish among fantasy LBs. Hawk had 76 fantasy points in his last eight games. If projected over a full season, that would have placed him sixth in LB scoring. The sky is the limit for Hawk. I have him ranked fourth because he has as much upside as any LB in the game, and I will not be surprised to see him at the top of the scoring list someday. At 23 years old, he is a great LB1 for your long-term IDP dynasty core.

Antonio Pierce, New York Giants
Pierce has found a home with the Giants and was the seventh ranked fantasy LB in 2006…and if not for injury, he likely would have been in the top ten in 2005. He had a career high 109 solo tackles last year. I rankled Pierce fifth due to his consistency and solid tackle numbers. You can feel safe with Pierce as a long-term LB1.

Will Witherspoon, St. Louis Rams
Witherspoon had a solid year in his first season as a middle linebacker, exceeding the 100 solo tackle mark and finishing just outside of the top ten in LB scoring. He should improve with experience. Witherspoon mixes in enough big plays to make him a solid LB1. I ranked him sixth due to his upside and I believe he will improve his numbers as he gains experience as a MLB. I would feel at ease having a player like Witherspoon as my first fantasy LB.

Lofa Tatupu, Seattle Seahawks
Tatupu is a solid LB with great instincts and has been in the top 15 in LB scoring in each of his first two seasons. He is very knowledgeable for a young player. Tatupu saw his sack numbers drop, which prevented him from climbing into the top ten in LB scoring in 2006. I have Tatupu ranked sixth because he is a young intelligent player, and with his instincts, he is usually around the ball. His tackle numbers should continue to increase, and I think he will be a fine long term LB1 for a dynasty squad.

Ernie Sims, Detroit Lions
Sims had a solid rookie season, finishing with 125 total tackles. He has excellent speed and athletic ability. He is playing the prime WLB in the Tampa-2 defense, and as he learns the nuances and responsibilities of the defense, his numbers should increase across the board. I have Sims ranked eighth due to his immense upside and natural playmaking ability. He should be a stud LB for a long time to come and is a perfect fit as a LB1 for any dynasty team.

Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers
Willis comes into the NFL with rave reviews. He is a tremendous athlete with great size and speed, and he should be an impact player. I have Willis ranked ninth due to his talent and upside. I think he has as much natural abilities as any LB in the game and I think he will be a stud for a long time. I would love to have a young player like this as the cornerstone of my IDP dynasty league core.

London Fletcher-Baker, Washington Redskins
Fletcher-Baker is has been a premier fantasy LB for a long time. He ranked second in LB scoring in 2006, and has been a regular in the top ten. He is always near the 100 solo tackle mark and mixes in enough big plays to make him a big time IDP producer. I ranked him tenth only because he is older than the other players in this part of the rankings, and the young LBs ahead of him have too much upside to rank lower. He is a great fantasy LB and he should have a few good years left, although at 32, you have to watch for warning signs of a slowdown.

Jonathan Vilma, New York Jets
Vilma had a disappointing 2006 season, and struggled to make plays in the 3-4 defense. He should feel more comfortable in the defense and it should make him a little better. I think the top 20 is about his limit in this defense, although the Jets are reportedly running more 4-3 looks in practice. I have Vilma 11th for a couple of reasons. First, I think he should at least be close to the top 20 this year, and more important, his contract expires in 2009. If he doesn't show improvement in the 3-4, the Jets may consider trading him, instead of waiting until 2009 and losing him to free agency. If he happens to go back to playing MLB in a 4-3, he will once again be a stud fantasy LB. I feel eventually he will, and thus deserves this high of a ranking. It was only two short years ago that he was the clear number one fantasy LB. He is still only 25 years old and has his best football in front of him. Now may be the time to buy low, and possibly reap the big rewards in the future. His value will never be this low.

Lance Briggs, Chicago Bears
Briggs had a breakout season in 2006, racking up 113 solo tackles on his way to a fifth place finish in LB scoring. Playing the WLB in the Tampa-2 defense is one of the premier scoring positions in fantasy football. I have Briggs ranked 12th in my dynasty LB rankings. I think he would be a top ten LB if he can remain in a Tampa-2 defense, but if he leaves the Bears as expected after this season, there is a possibility that he will not play in this defense, which could reduce his numbers. There are many who question how well he could do out of this defense, and I have enough concerns about that to have him ranked as a lower tier LB1. If he finishes in the top five again, he may be a good sell high candidate before he hits the free agent market.

D.J. Williams, Denver Broncos
Williams has not had any fantasy relevance for the last two seasons, but that is about to change in a big way. Williams is moving to MLB and his athletic ability should propel him in or near the top 10 LBs. He is a great athlete and has elite playmaking skills. I have Williams ranked 13th, and I think he has top five potential. However, I can't rank him higher because he has to show he can play in the middle and this is a spot where I feel safe taking him. I just prefer to have him as my LB2, just in case he doesn't do as great as I think he can. Taking a risk is not a big deal when it is your LB2, but making a mistake with your LB1 can come back to haunt you. I believe it's better to take him here and hope he reaches his full potential.

Shawne Merriman, San Diego Chargers
Merriman had a ridiculous 17.5 sacks in only 12 games in 2006, and was the number one LB in PPG scoring. The question is whether he can put up those monster numbers again. He is one of the most talented players in the NFL. I had a hard time figuring out where to rank him, and decided on 14th. I am one who likes having solid and consistent tacklers as my LB1, and despite his huge year, I am not sure how many sacks he can get from year to year. He needs a lot to offset his low tackle numbers. I am more comfortable with this kind of player as my LB2, paired with a solid tackler at LB1. He probably has as much fantasy upside as anyone, and I would not blame anyone who has him ranked in the top ten.

Kirk Morrison, Oakland Raiders
Morrison is a solid LB who had over 100 solo tackles in 2006, on his way to being 12th in LB scoring. He is a sure tackler and has good football instincts. I have Morrison ranked 15th because he doesn't make enough big plays. He is a solid LB2 on any dynasty team, and if he ever increases his big play numbers, he could vault into the top ten.

Paul Posluszny, Buffalo Bills
Posluszny was the all time leader in tackles at Penn State, and that is an impressive achievement consider all of the great LBs they have produced. He is a sure tackler and should be a solid fit in the middle of the Buffalo defense. I have him ranked 16th because he is a solid tackler with great instincts. I believe he has LB1 upside. But it's hard to rank him higher without seeing him produce at this level. I do like his chances and feel he will be a solid part of a dynasty team. He reminds me of former Lion great Chris Speilman.

Jon Beason, Carolina Panthers
Beason was a first round draft pick by the Panthers, who are looking to shore up their LB group. Beason will likely start at WLB, but also has a good chance to wind up in the middle, considering the injury history of starting MLB Dan Morgan. I have him ranked 17th because of his upside. As with Posluszny, the proof is in the pudding, but I feel comfortable with a young talent like Beason as my dynasty LB2. He also has LB1 upside, so there is some extra rewards possible. As with most rookies, there is a bit of risk, but overall, I have him ranked right where I think he should be.

Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens
Lewis is one of the best to ever play the game. He has put up some monster numbers, and he still commands respect in the fantasy world. He was the top point producing LB in 2003, sixth the following year, and likely would have been in the top ten last year if not for missing two games. I have him ranked 18th due to him getting up in years, and also because he has had some injury problems the last two years. He has the chance to put up top ten numbers this year, but long term there are questions as to how long he can play at a high level. At 32 years old, and with his recent injuries, there are questions about him breaking down. But I feel he should be solid for a couple of years and that makes him a viable LB2 in dynasty leagues.

Zach Thomas, Miami Dolphins
Thomas has been a top producing fantasy LB for a long time, and has ranked in the top six in LB scoring in four of the last five years. He is always among the top tacklers, and has had a staggering 781 total tackles over the last five years. He is getting up in years at 34, and one has to wonder just how long he can maintain his high level of play. I have him ranked 19th because I question how long he can keep up his ridiculous numbers. I think he is a solid LB2 in dynasty leagues, but if you take him, you should have a plan in place to have a solid replacement within the next year or two.

Mike Peterson, Jacksonville Jaguars
Peterson missed most of last season because of a torn pectoral muscle, but prior to that, he was in the top 11 in three of the previous four seasons. He is a tackling machine who has had over 100 total tackles in every year he has played more than ten games. I have him ranked 20th due to some mild concerns about his injury, but if he is healthy, he should be a solid LB2 for a few more years, with the upside to crack the top ten.

Chad Greenway, Minnesota Vikings
Greenway missed the entire 2006 season after tearing his ACL before the season. He plays WLB in the Tampa-2 defense, which is a prime IDP position. Greenway has great instincts and athletic ability. I have Greenway ranked 21st. I think he has top 15 upside, but much like a rookie, he has to prove he can play at this level. There is a point where you have to rank unproven players and I feel good with where I have ranked Greenway. He appears to have a solid future as a dynasty starter.

Gary Brackett, Indianapolis Colts
Brackett has had more than 120 total tackles for two consecutive seasons. He finished 17th in LB scoring in 2005 and likely would have had a similar 2006 output if not for missing two games. Brackett is a solid fantasy LB, but not an elite talent, so there are some mild long-term concerns about his future as a starter. I have him ranked 22nd because of that. I think he is safe for a couple of years and possibly could be a top 15 LB. I feel safe having him 22nd, but that's as high as I can rank him, especially with some of the impressive rookies entering the league.

Demarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys
Ware is one of the few 3-4 OLBs who is capable of being a LB2 or better. He finished 19th in LB scoring in 2006, and now gets to play in the aggressive 3-4 defense that Wade Phillips runs. I have Ware ranked 23rd in my dynasty rankings. Similar to Merriman, I am more conservative with players who have moderate tackle numbers. He has a chance to be a LB1, but the low tackle numbers lessen the chances for consistency and that prevents me from having him ranked higher.

Bart Scott, Baltimore Ravens
Scott vaulted into the top ten in scoring in his first full season as a start in 2006. He is a solid run defender, and had an impressive 9.5 sacks to go along with 103 total tackles. I ranked Scott 24th because I am not sure he will maintain the lofty sack numbers. He should be a solid low end LB2 for your dynasty team, and should he keep up the sack numbers, he could be a great value pick.

Best of the Rest (Linebackers)

Nick Barnett, Green Bay Packers
Keith Brooking, Atlanta Falcons
Donnie Edwards, Kansas City Chiefs
Andra Davis, Cleveland Browns
Demorrio Williams, Atlanta Falcons
James Farrior, Pittsburgh Steelers
Derrick Brooks, Cincinnati Bengals
Angelo Crowell, Buffalo Bills
Julian Peterson, Seattle Seahawks
Thomas Howard, Oakland Raiders
Ahmad Brooks, Cincinnati Bengals
Freddie Keiaho, Indianapolis Colts