Because Individual Defensive Players are so interchangeable, particularly defensive backs and linebackers, finding out which IDPs have the most upside is more important than it is for fantasy players on the opposite side of the ball. It's legitimately difficult to find an elite RB2 at midseason. It isn't hard to find a top-notch DB2.
Anybody can draft Cedric Griffin and anticipate 80 tackles, but one or no picks. This column takes into account those DBs, LBs, and DLs that can put it all together and give you production across the board while also posting massive tackle counts.
This is not a ranking of our top players at each position. Those can be found in the 2008 Rotoworld Draft Guide. Instead, this is a ranking of players with the highest ceilings. If you draft them and things go right for these guys, you should dominate your IDP league.
Defensive Linemen Highest Ceiling Ranks1. Jared Allen, RE Vikings - Should be first player picked at any position in all IDP drafts.
2. Mario Williams, RE Texans - Another leap could set records. Only 23.
3. Justin Tuck, LE Giants - He'll replace Michael Strahan, and then some.
4. Julius Peppers, RE Panthers - Back at his natural position and in a contract year. Panthers changed from a read-and-react scheme to a penetrating defense.
5. Jason Taylor, LE Redskins - Will see time at both end spots, get more tackle chances now that he's mostly a strong-side end.
6. Kyle Vanden Bosch, RE Titans - When Albert Haynesworth plays next to you, you're automatically freed up.
7. Terrell Suggs, RE/ROLB Ravens - If he can combine his 9.5 sacks from '06 with his 78 tackles from '07, Suggs will be the NFL's richest defensive end in 2009.
8. Justin Smith, RE/ROLB 49ers - Relentless and will blitz more than he did in Cincinnati while playing hands up.
9. Osi Umenyiora, RE Giants - Avoiding streakiness could result in 16-sack season.
10. Will Smith, RE Saints - Addition of Sedrick Ellis helps.
11. Trent Cole, RE Eagles - Brodrick Bunkley getting better next to him.
12. Patrick Kerney, LE Seahawks - Seahawks upgraded on the opposite side with first-round pick Lawrence Jackson.
13. Derrick Burgess, LE Raiders - Tommy Kelly will draw more double teams than Warren Sapp inside. Burgess is playing for a raise.
14. Gaines Adams, RE Bucs - Will rarely rotate out in a pressure-based scheme.
15. Ray Edwards, LE Vikings - Won't see an offensive chip all year with Jared Allen opposite him and Pat and Kevin Williams beside him.
Sports
1. David Harris, ILB Jets - Skilled blitzer, driven to be the best, gets added protection help from new NT Kris Jenkins.
2. Patrick Willis, ILB 49ers - Led NFL with 174 tackles last year despite playing with a broken hand for nine weeks. Incredible in pursuit and born to bury ball carriers.
3. Stewart Bradley, MLB Eagles - 130 tackles, 6 sacks isn't out of the question.
4. Jonathan Vilma, MLB Saints - Health is the only thing preventing Vilma from being a preseason top-five LB. Will be protected much better than he was in New York.
5. Will Witherspoon, MLB Rams - Rushes off the edge in Rams' 3-4 fronts.
6. London Fletcher, MLB Redskins - Calls the plays, benefits from WLB Rocky McIntosh slowing down.
7. Brian Urlacher, MLB Bears - Does a little bit of everything, lots of tackling.
8. DeMarcus Ware, OLB Cowboys - Has chance at an 80-tackle, 15-sack season.
9. Nick Barnett, MLB Packers - Successfully appealed one-game suspension. WLB AJ Hawk's injury could mean increased early-season tackle opportunities.
10. Kirk Morrison, MLB Raiders - Oakland's defense is run on so much he's a lock for 110 tackles. Makes tons of plays on coverage.
11. Chad Greenway, WLB Vikings - Now playing behind Jared Allen. Should emerge as Vikes' best linebacker.
12. Keith Rivers, WLB Bengals - Already best linebacker on his team, by a long shot.
13. D.J. Williams, WLB Broncos - Don't like that he's moving from the middle, but like that he'll play there on passing downs.
14. Ernie Sims, WLB Lions - Rarely blitzes, but could improve on his 134-tackle season if Detroit is on defense more. Expect more fumbles caused.
15. DeMeco Ryans, MLB Texans - Lacks as high a ceiling in big-play leagues, but Houston's offense will improve and he'll see more opportunities in coverage.
16. Adalius Thomas, ROLB Patriots - Will be more comfortable in his second year of Bill Belichick's scheme. Thomas rushes from the weak side and will play OLB full time.
17. Barrett Ruud, MLB Bucs - Wearing the defensive headset. Should improve in second stint as a full-time starter.
18. Thomas Davis, WLB Panthers - Excellent blitzer adds value on the weak side behind Julius Peppers.
19. Paul Posluszny, MLB Bills - Marcus Stroud helps in front of him, but Poz may not be a three-down 'backer.
20. Curtis Lofton, MLB Falcons - Not a lock to start on opening day; will come off on third down.
1. Roman Harper, SS Saints - Will be better a year removed from ACL surgery. A candidate to lead all DBs in tackles and coordinator Gary Gibbs loves blitzing him.
2. Gibril Wilson, SS Raiders - The backend of Oakland's defense is a tackle hotspot.
3. DeAngelo Hall, CB Raiders - Would be first if not for hand injury, which could cost him a few picks early.
4. Adrian Wilson, SS Cardinals - Virtual lock to be a top-five DB if he eeks out 16 games coming off a torn Achilles' tendon.
5. Yeremiah Bell, SS Dolphins - Five-category (TCK, FF, INT, SCK, PD) player if he can stay healthy.
6. Darrelle Revis, CB Jets - A 6-7 pick season is in his future. Also a sure tackler.
7. Bernard Pollard, SS Chiefs - Will play in the box, blitz more than last year.
8. Daniel Bullocks, SS Lions - Would be higher if not for lingering knee issues.
9. O.J. Atogwe, FS Rams - Easily the best player in St. Louis' secondary.
10. Leon Hall, CB Bengals - Good hands + willing tackler + entrenched starting job - shutdown ability = IDP stud.
11. Chris Harris, SS Panthers - Probably won't pop seven fumbles again, but he'll benefit from the added experience in Carolina's scheme.
12. Sean Jones, SS Browns - Four-category player in a contract season. Hopefully he doesn't have to help in coverage all year.
13. Quentin Jammer, CB Chargers - Playing full time opposite Antonio Cromartie, he'll have more interception opportunities.
14. Kenny Phillips, FS Giants - May be the best rookie defender in the league this season.
15. Brandon Flowers, CB Chiefs - First-rate ball skills and fills hard against the run.
