DL Darryl Tapp, SEA (5 solos, 4 sacks, 1 FF, 1 PD)
Despite briefly leaving the game with a broken hand, Darryl Tapp returned
with a large cast and tied a team record with 4 sacks. Tapp had just 4.5 sacks
in his last 22 games since entering the league a year ago. If he can emerge
as a consistent threat along with OLB Julian Peterson, the Seahawks defense
will really start to make things miserable for opposing QBs.
DL Justin Tuck, NYG (4 solos, 2 asst, 1.5 sacks)
The Giants trio of pass rushing DEs (Strahan, Umenyiora, and Tuck) all had
great games against the 49ers this week. Despite not starting in most games,
Tuck now has a very impressive 28 solos and 6.5 sacks in 7 games.
DL Charles Grant, NO (5 solos, 1 sack, 1 FF)
After a slow start with 0 sacks in his first 4 games, Grant appears to be
turning things around along with the rest of the Saints team. He has a sack
in each of his last 2 games and he tied a season-high with 5 solo tackles
this week. He should have another good name next week when the Saints travel
to San Francisco.
DL Dewayne White, DET (7 solos, 1 asst, 3 sacks, 1 PD)
White had a huge game in the season opener but failed to record a single sack
in the 4 games since then. As a result, few teams probably started him this
week when he had another huge game against his former team. Although he needs
to become more consistent, White clearly has the potential for some huge weeks
in the Lions defense.
DL Trent Cole, PHI (7 solos, 1 sack)
Cole has been quietly putting up good numbers this year once again and he
recorded the Eagles only sack of Brian Griese this week. His value still relies
rather heavily on sacks, but his 7 solo stops this week tied for the team
lead. Cole now has 7 sacks in 6 games and could be headed for a historic season
if he keeps up this pace.
LB DeMeco Ryans, HOU (9 solos, 2 asst, 1 sack, 1 FF, 2 FR, 1 TD)
Ryans came into this season as pretty much the consensus #1 ranked fantasy
LB after his huge rookie season (126 solos, 30 assists, 3.5 sacks, 1 INT).
He had been playing well this year, but this is the type of performance that
helps separate him from his peers. And he did it despite being limited in
practice this week with an ankle injury.
LB London Fletcher-Baker, WAS (10 solos, 3 asst, 1 INT, 2 PD, 1 TD)
Fletcher-Baker hasn't been nearly as productive in Washington this year
as he was during his time in Buffalo, but he made up for it a bit this week
with a huge game. In addition to reaching double digit solo tackles for the
1st time since the opener, he also added an interception return for a TD.
LB Calvin Pace, ARI (9 solos, 1 asst, 1 sack, 1 INT, 1 PD)
Through 7 games, Pace has 26 solo tackles, 1 INT, and 2 sacks. He's having
a great season and seems to be a great fit at SLB in the Cardinals new defense.
LB Rocky McIntosh, WAS (8 solos, 1 asst)
McIntosh has finished with 6 or more solo tackles in all but one game so far
this year, while also contributing 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. As crazy
as it sounds with London Fletcher-Baker playing alongside him now, McIntosh
might just be the best Redskins LB to have on your fantasy squad for the rest
of this season.
DB Rodney Harrison, NE (7 solos, 1 asst, 1 sack)
Harrison came into the season with 28.5 career sacks, which ranked him first
all-time among defensive backs. He's added a sack in each of his last
two games and is now starting to produce like a stud fantasy DB again.
DB Adam Archuleta, CHI (5 solos, 2 asst, 1 sack)
One week after being benched for missing tackles, Archuleta responded with
a very solid game against the Eagles this week. The Bears were hoping that
he could help as a blitzer this year so hopefully this sack is a sign of more
to come.
DB Nedu Ndukwe, CIN (3 solos, 1 sack)
Ndukwe is a rookie safety who the Bengals have been playing at linebacker
due to the rash of injuries they've suffered at the position this year.
He's making a contribution with 3 solos and a sack in each of his last
two games.
DB Michael Huff, OAK (6 solos, 2 PD)
Huff was a very high draft pick a year ago who hasn't quite lived up
to expectations due to a lack of game-changing plays. However, he does consistently
put up pretty good tackle numbers and the big plays should come as the team
around him continues to improve.
DB Aaron Ross, NYG (6 solos, 2 asst, 1 sack)
Ross has been a very pleasant surprise for the Giants and IDP owners alike.
His tackle numbers have been inconsistent, but he's been making big plays.
Over his last 3 games, Ross has come up with 3 interceptions and 1.5 sacks.
DB Nick Harper, TEN (8 solos, 2 INT, 1 FR, 2 PD
Harper is having an excellent season replacing Pacman Jones in Tennessee.
In addition to recording 32 solo tackles in 6 games, he also added his first
2 interceptions of the season this week in a crazy game against the Texans.
DOWNGRADES
DL Bryant Young, SF (0 tackles)
Despite coming off the extra rest on the 49ers bye week, Young was shutout
on the stat sheet for the second game in a row. Considering that he only had
1 solo and 3 assists in the two games before that, it's looking like
Young's fantasy value may be at rock bottom.
DL Gaines Adams, TB (0 tackles)
The player who was expected to replace some of the production lost by the
departures of Dewayne White and Simeon Rice was held scoreless on Sunday.
Adams was coming off two solid performances and was limited in practice this
week so it's probably best not to read too much into this, but it's
disappointing that he wasn't able to show up on the stat sheet at all
after starting.
DL Leonard Little, STL (1 solo)
Little has been battling a toe injury that forced him to miss most of practice
this week. Like many other Rams players, he's having a really disappointing
season so far with just 16 solos and 1 sack in 7 games. Probably a good idea
to sit him until he shows that he's healthy and over his injury.
DL Antonio Smith, ARI (1 asst)
Smith has been one of the biggest fantasy surprises of the year so far with
18 solos and 3.5 sacks in his first 6 games. He had a rough outing against
the Redskins this week, however, as he only finished with 1 assist. Additionally,
Redskins tackle Chris Samuels alleges that Smith spat on him during the game,
although Smith denies it.
LB Keith Ellison, BUF (1 solo, 3 asst)
Ellison came into the season with a lot of promise but he suffered an injury
early on and has gotten very little playing time of late since he's not
in the team's nickel package. Angelo Crowell and John DiGiorgio look
like the only Bills LBs with fantasy value right now.
LB Victor Hobson, NYJ (0 tackles)
All of the Jets linebackers had poor games this week, but Hobson's 0
tackles stood out the most. After 7 games, he has compiled just 21 solo tackles
and 1 sack, which is far behind most defensive tackles. Doesn't look
like he'll be able to repeat last year's impressive 66 solo, 6 sack
performance.
LB Kawika Mitchell, NYG (3 solos, 1 asst)
Mitchell showed some signs of becoming a productive player with an 8 solo
performance early this season, but he's finished with 3 or fewer solo
tackles in 4 of the 5 games since then. He's also not making any big
plays.
DB Mark Roman, SF (1 asst)
Roman won the starting FS job in San Francisco this preseason, but he's
been very inconsistent thus far. He followed up an 8-solo game against the
Seahawks in week 4 with just 1 solo (and 4 assists) over his last 2 games.
DB Ken Hamlin, DAL (1 solo, 1 asst)
Hamlin figured to be a solid addition to the Cowboys secondary as he was easily
the most talented FS they've had in awhile. However, after 7 games, Hamlin
hasn't made much of an impact with just 18 solo tackles. His 2 interceptions
are making what has otherwise been a pretty disappointing season.
DB Adrian Wilson, ARI (2 solos)
Wilson is pretty widely regarded as the #1 fantasy DB in the league, but his
numbers this year have been rather underwhelming. After recording 13 sacks
over the past 2 seasons, Wilson has yet to record one this year. His tackle
production is also down and he's now trying to play through a hamstring
injury. Might not be a terrible idea to shop him around as another team will
likely pay heavily given his past production.
DB Charles Tillman, CHI (2 solos, 2 asst)
Tillman has consistently been one of the most productive CBs in the league,
but he hasn't played like his old self since returning from an injury
a few weeks ago. He had 6 solo stops in each of his first 3 games but has
just 7 solo tackles in the 3 games since then.
