The Top Fantasy IDPs

August 14, 2008 at 8:49 am | Article by Paul Hickey |

The Top Fantasy IDPs Each and every year, a plethora of fantasy football owners decide to partake in an IDP league for the first time. Let me tell you, while it’s exciting to leave behind the boring world of team defense and add six new starting line-up positions, it definitely opens up a whole new realm of research that needs to happen for each and every one of the new owners.

Then, on top of the newbies, there are the IDP lifers who are always still looking to get that edge. What are the two questions that I get asked the most by both audiences? Easy…

1. “Who are the top IDPs this year?”
2. “Who are the top sleeper IDPs this year?”

I’ve written articles on what strategies to implement in order to win IDP leagues, as well as simply when to start drafting IDPs, but in the end, it all comes down to which players to choose. Let’s take a look at the top IDPs, and the top sleeper IDPs for leagues that require starters at defensive line, linebacker and defensive back, and award larger points for sacks, interceptions, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries and TDs than they do for tackles.

Top DL
Mario Williams, Houston Texans – Conventional wisdom may say Jared Allen is the best, but first of all I don’t follow conventional wisdom – really ever, and secondly Allen was the best, but a new king of the defensive line has arrived. Williams is 6’7”, 291 pounds, and lighting quick and speedy. Many of the NFL’s offensive linemen and quarterbacks still haven’t seen the likes of his pass rushing skills and are not looking forward to it. After struggling as a rookie in 2006, Super Mario recorded two sacks during the opening week of the 2007 season, and finished with at least one sack in six of his last seven games, including 3.5 QB take-downs against Denver in Week 15. In leagues that award big points for sacks, Williams and Allen are head and shoulders above the rest of the defensive linemen. What makes Williams the top choice in 2008 is his upside, and the fact that he’s settled in nicely in Houston. Allen will still produce, but it may take him longer as he adjusts to his new surroundings in Minnesota.

Top Sleeper DL
Justin Tuck, New York Giants – The 25 year old former third round pick from Notre Dame had a breakout season in 2007, racking up 9.5 sacks, forcing a fumble and most importantly, recording 48 solo tackles and 16 assisted. Tuck is versatile enough to play DT and DE, but will start and play DE full time due to the retirement of Michael Strahan. Not only is he lining up across from Osi Umenyiora, but his run stopping ability is uncanny for a defensive end. Look for him to be one of the most consistent producers week-in and week-out at this position in 2008.

Top LB
Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers – The 11th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft was looked down upon by many IDP pundits heading into last season due to being in a 3-4 defense. Not me. I actually drafted the kid in the second round of my dynasty rookie-only draft last season (He-Man) and rode him to many victories. He recorded five or more solo tackles in all but one game, while racking up six double digit solo tackle performances, including back-to-back 17 solo tackle games in Weeks 12 and 13. He’s primed to produce every week, regardless of the circumstances, and has the ability to take over a fantasy match-up and win it for your team. Along with Mario Williams and Jared Allen, Willis is one of a handful of IDPs worthy of drafting before round 10 in seasonal leagues.

Top Sleeper LB
Paul Posluszny, Buffalo Bills – It was a tough call between Poz and Saints MLB Jonathan Vilma – who returns healthy to a nice 4-3 set-up in New Orleans – but the Buffalo Bills’ second year man won the preseason honor. Poz would have lit up the fantasy scoreboard last year if not for an early upper body injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Not only is he back fully healthy and ready to start at MLB in 2008, but he’s also wearing the team’s defensive headset, which means he’s looked at as a leader – and he’ll be on the field constantly. Poz has DT Marcus Stroud occupying blockers in front of him and should be in on virtually every run play in 2008. He’ll be a tackle machine, and produce just as much as higher priced guys like Brian Urlacher and Nick Barnett.

Top DB
Bob Sanders, Indianapolis Colts – Always an injury risk, Sanders keeps this spot due to the fact that when he plays – he always produces. Sanders is a ball hawking tackle machine, and easily the most consistent fantasy defensive back when on the field.

Top Sleeper DB
Antrel Rolle, Arizona Cardinals – As you may be able to guess, defensive back is probably the hardest position for IDP owners to predict week-in and week-out. When points are awarded for tackles, a horrible NFL defensive back can be rewarded just as much – if not more so – than a solid one. A guy like Ed Reed or Champ Bailey may break up a ton of plays, thus not allowing a player to catch the ball. In most leagues, this is worth zero points, while a lesser DB who gets burned or loses their man and makes a tackle, gets points. With that said, one of the most exciting play-making corners in the league has now moved to free safety. Antrel Rolle now has more opportunities at big plays, and can pursue more tackles. Look for him to fall deep into IDP drafts, but finish as a top 10 defensive back producer in 2008.

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