2009 IDP Dynasty Keepers – DL

All Fantasy football IDP leagues are different, and reward sacks, passes defensed, and interceptions with different point values.

The only constant is tackles, and my list generally focuses on tackles with the rest of the stats bumping someone up or down. The talent pool in IDP leagues is always deep, so it may be wise to take a flyer on a low-tackle high-sack guy. But here’s a list of guys that wont shit the bed.

1. Patrick Willis – San Francisco 49ers – 1985

• Far and away the best defensive fantasy contributer out there. Willis is a tackle-machine that adds in a little bit of everything else. The guys up front are big enough to keep guards off him, and occasionally he’ll come on a blitz.  The passes defensed are nice, but you cant count on them.

2. DeMarcus Ware – Dallas Cowboys – 1982

• I’m not a fan of putting an OLB that predicates his game on the pass rush this high, but Ware has a great combo. Ware racks up enough tackles to warrant putting him at 2, and the sacks will at least hit 10 every year assuming Dallas’ offensive allows for an aggressive defense.

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3. Jon Beason – Carolina Panthers – 1985

• Another tackle machine behind a great defensive line. Beason doesn’t blitz all that much because the line’s so solid but when he drops into cover he makes things happen

4. Barrett Ruud – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 1983

• Ruud is boring as hell, but puts up numbers across the board.  Ruud isn’t as talented as the other guys this high, but being in the Tampa defensive system allows him to put up tackles, sacks, interceptions, and PD.

5. Jonathan  Vilma – New Orleans Saints – 1982

• One of the most talented LB in the NFL. I wasn’t sure if the switch from NYJ to the Saints would effect Vilma’s tackle numbers, but it appears he’s fine. Vilma’s just entered his prime, so expect at least a solid 4 to 5 years.

6. Chad Greenway – Minnesota Vikings – 1983

• Greenway missed his rookie season due to injury and came back in 2007 and put up 105 tackles.  With Pat and Kevin Williams up front, Greenway will always have room to roam. With EJ Henderson out, Greenway has shown his blitzing skills.

7. Kirk Morrison – Oakland Raiders – 1982

• The Raiders are so bad that their defense often gets overlooked. Morrison will provide top tier tackles, and the occasional sack, forced fumble, etc.

8. James Harrison – Pittsburgh Steelers – 1978

• Harrison is having one of the best IDP seasons in recent memory. He’s putting together great tackle numbers in Pittsburgh scheme, and he’s also blitzing constantly. He and Lamaar Woodley are reaping havok at the  OLB  spots.

9. David Harris – New York Jets – 1984

• Harris is having an off year due to a groin injury this year.  He’s still a great talent, surrounded by great talent, and will put up great fantasy numbers. With the acquisition of Kris Jenkins and Calvin Pace, the Jets wont need to blitz Harris as much, but he should still put up 3 or 4 a year.

10. Curtis Lofton – Atlanta Falcons – 1986

• A great second round pick for the Falcons.  Lofton is putting up great numbers in the surprising Falcons’ MLB spot. Lofton’s a smidgen undersized but makes up for it with his speed, and playing behind Jamaal Anderson, John Abraham, Jonathan Babineaux, and Grady Jackson.  Lofton’s going to be great, but if Atlanta moves him outside his numbers could drop.

11. Terrell Suggs – Baltimore Ravens – 1982

• Another OLB in a rush happy offense.  Suggs isn’t quite as versatile as Ware, but the system tends to be a bit more aggressive. He’ll put up great numbers across the board, every year for the next 3 or 4 seasons.

12. LaMarr Woodley – Pittsburgh Steelers – 1984

• Along with Harrison, Woodley is putting up staggering numbers.  Woodley would put up solid numbers if he weren’t in Pittsburgh, but not spectacular numbers.  Woodley should only increase production as Harrison slows down. 10 Sacks a year for the next 5 years isn’t out of the question.

13. Jerod Mayo – New England Patriots – 1986

• You knew he was good if you watched an ounce of Tennessee Volunteer football last season. The Patriots made a great pick, as their linebackers were  constantly called old last year. He’s got a little bit of Aldalius Thomas in him.  The Patriots will use  him in every aspect of the defense, and as he learns the system instead of just relying on his athletic ability, he’ll be dominant.

14. DeMeco Ryans – Houston Texans – 1984

• Ryans is having an off year this year and I was thinking about dropping him lower.  His Sacks and Tackles have decreased each year since 2006. Most of his game is based on getting to the ball carrier, so this is a problem.

15. D.J. Williams – Denver Broncos – 1982

• Williams is quick fast, and still pretty damn big at 6′1″ – 242 lbs. His Ranking is based on ability rather than production right now. He put up dirty numbers last year, and isn’t approaching them this year. Williams could easily put up 100 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 2 Interceptions, 5 PD, and a bunch of forced fumbles every year if he were used to his potential.

16. Thomas Davis – Carolina Panthers -  1983

• Davis was originally a Safety out of Georgia, and Carolina has spent the past couple seasons slowly converting  him to a solid LB. He’s still a bit small, but he can get to the ball. Around 100  Tackles, 3 Sacks, an interception or two is how he gets it done.  He’ll improve as he ages, bumping up the periphrial numbers while keeping his tackles around 100.

17. Thomas Howard – Oakland Raiders – 1983

• The Ying to Kirk Morrisons Yang.  Morrison racked up the tackles, and Howard is more of the coverage guy.  Who knows how many picks Howard will pull down, but he’s always capable of grabbing 4 or 5 in any given year. A bit  of a risk as the tackle numbers aren’t elite, but you can count on him dropping into coverage and making things happen.

18. Ernie Sims – Detroit Lions – 1984

• Top Ten based on talent but the Lions are awful. If he were a MLB, he’d benefit from the  opponent running to protect the ball.  Sims has a shit tonne of talent, and could have 10 sacks a year if he were set free. If Detroit ever uses Sims properly, he’ll contribute to Sacks, Ints, FF, and PD.  He’s incredibly versatile.

19. D’Qwell Jackson – Cleveland Browns – 1983

• I thought Jackson was undersized and slow. Shaun Rogers and their D-Line has helped Jackson tremendously. He’s put up great tackle numbers, some sacks. I’m not his biggest fan, but he’ll contribute.

20. Brian Urlacher – Chicago Bears – 1978

• One of the most skilled MLB out there. His age is starting to show, and Briggs is making most of the plays.  When Urlacher’s on, he’s dropping into coverage, making tackles, and getting to the QB from time to time.  This year, hasn’t been his year.  Maybe he deserves to drop further.

21. Shawne Merriman – San Diego Chargers – 1984

• All of the talent in the world.  Gets tackles with his crazy sack numbers.  If he can stay healthy, he’s a top 10 guy.  Otherwise, he’s just an injury prone superstar.

22. Paul Posluszny – Buffalo Bills – 1984

• Too undersized for my liking.  As a MLB, he’ll get overwhelmed quite easily. Right now he’s got Stroud and Williams in front of him, which is as good as it gets for Posluszny.  He’ll put up great numbers across the board, but i dont know what happens to him if the DT spots aren’t occupied by 350lb giants.

23. Lance Briggs – Chicago Bears – 1980

• Not sure why  I ranked Briggs this low. He’s younger and better than Urlacher right now.  I just dont know what his future holds — so here hesits. Feel free to rank Briggs wherever you’d like. He’s got the talent to be a top 10, so if you like him at 5, put him there.

24. Karlos Dansby – Arizona Cardinals – 1981

• Solid, Solid, Solid.  One of the safest LB out there.

25. Keith Rivers – Cincinnati Bengals – 1986

• Hines Ward broke his face, too bad. Rivers and Mayo are ridiculous players, and are going to be superstars.  Rivers was my favorite coming into this year, but there’s so much uncertainty that he cant go higher than 25.

26. Derrick Johnson – Kansas City Chiefs – 1982

• Amazing talent out of Texas although I’m not certain what the Chiefs are trying to do with him.  A change of scenery would be good for him.  He’s going to continue to put up solid numbers across the board. He’ll hit you just as hard as Mr. Lights Out Merriman.

27. Stewart Bradley – Philadelphia Eagles – 1983

• Bradley has been a pleasant surprise in Philly this year.  Who knows if he’ll stickat the MLB spot though.  Bradley is probably the biggest risk guy out there.  There isn’t that much reward, other than the fact that he plays in Jim Johnson’s defense.

28. Julius Peppers – Carolina Panthers – 1980

• I do not like DEs when it comes to putting up consistant fantasy numbers. Peppers will be great for the next few years, but if he fails to get to the QB, he has very little value. If you don’t hate DE’s like i do, I’d put Peppers at 8.

29. Bradie James – Dallas Cowboys – 1981

• Take him for the Tackles, Enjoy the rest. Only has a few “good” years left in him

30. Lofa Tatupu – Seattle Sweahawks – 1982

• Does it all: Tackles, Interceptions, Sacks. He’s a great player (along with Peterson) on a terrible team. Solid Keeper.

31. Justin Tuck – New York Giants – 1983

• Same as Peppers with a couple more tackles. The Giants get creative when they use him, but i’m not sure how he’ll fair once Osi is back. Once again, a top 15 player if you like risk/reward type guys.

32. Will Witherspoon – St. Louis Rams – 1980

• Bad Year but still a crazy-good player.  Don’t build your defense on him, but he’s a nice 2nd or 3rd option.

33. A.J. Hawk – Green Bay Packers – 1984

• Where does he play? OLB? MLB? I dont know where to rank him. He’s filled in nicely for Barnett, and he is a great player  that’ll only get better.

34. Freddy Keiaho – Indianapolis Colts – 1982

• Lots of upside and is beginning to capitalize on all of this potential. Could start bouncing up this keeper list.  The Indianapolis Colts still have issues stopping the run without Sanders.  Keep your eye on Freddy

35. Channing Crowder – Miami Dolphins – 1983

• Doesn’t do much other than tackle. Gets lots of tackles, and has ballin hair. Should have killed Matt Light two weeks ago. He could see some sacks once J. Porter’s gone.

36. Jared Allen – Minnesota Vikings – 1982

• One of the best in the game, but he looks like the world’s largest douche-bag. I’m not ranking him in the top 20.  Have you ever met someone wearing #69 that isn’t a douchebag? He has a dirty mullet with lightening bolts, and DUI charges. He’s either the funniest guy in the NFL, or is bound to beat his wife in the next 5 years.