IDP Update

By Jeff Chudnofsky – Staff Writer

Three weeks into the 2006 season, no one should be surprised by Julius Peppers’ four sacks or the 28 tackles from Derrick Brooks. Performances from the elite defensive players are to be expected. While they fly under the radar, lesser known defensive players like Bart Scott are putting up big numbers for their IDP fantasy owners. (If you use Yahoo! for your IDP format, linebackers and defensive lineman are pooled into one position.) If you haven’t tried an IDP league yet, I recommend trying one out next year.
Here is the top ten at each position based on a combination of current stats and potential performances:

Defensive Line
1. Julius Peppers (Eighteen tackles with four sacks is great production through three weeks)
2. Aaron Kampman
3. Justin Smith
4. Shawn Merriman (Lights out)
5. Brian Young
6. Terrell Suggs
7. Trent Cole
8. Osi Umenyiora (Osi has only sacked the quarterback once this season, but keep in mind he played Peyton Manning, Donovan McNabb and Matt Hasselbeck)
9. Terrell Suggs
10. Robert Geathers

Linebackers
1. Bart Scott (Tied for NFL lead with five sacks)
2. Adalius Thomas
3. Keith Bulluck
4. London Fletcher (He is about as consistent as they come)
5. Derrick Brooks
6. Joey Porter
7. Ray Lewis
8. DeMeco Ryans (Leads NFL with 26 solo tackles)
9. Brian Urlacher
10. Jonathan Vilma

Defensive Backs
1. Kerry Rhodes (25 tackles, three sacks, int, three forced fumbles)
2. Jermaine Phillips
3. Antoine Winfield
4. Ronde Barber
5. Chris Hope (Leads all DBs with 31 combined tackles)
6. Michael Lewis
7. Adrian Wilson
8. Rashean Mathis
9. Ken Hamlin
10. Madieu Williams