This week will be all about my defensive back busts that I continually see drafted higher than they should be and quite frankly, they just aren’t going to find their way on my IDP teams unless I’m in a REALLY deep 16+ team league.

Before we get started, our ALL-IDP Radio Show (IDP REPORT RADIO) is hosting an ALL-IDP League and our draft will be this coming Labor Day on Monday evening. Look for a break-down and analysis on our following Tuesday night’s show that will feature a lot of familiar names from the Fantasy Sports Channel(www.FSC.fm) chat room.

We’ve tweaked our site’s rankings and we also have a special radio guest scheduled for the month of September so check back soon!

With the announcements out of the way, it’s time to get to the quick hits…

• It’s looking more and more like Malcolm Jenkins will get his first legitimate shot at becoming a regular starter at free-safety with Darren Sharper still unable to practice this pre-season due to micro-fracture surgery on his left knee. It’s very possible that Sharper could start the year on the PUP and miss the first 6 weeks of the season.
• While this last week’s pre-season games have had some moments, nothing beats an offensive player that can’t tackle who thinks he can, ala Joseph Addai and Kyle Orton. Both players had the tables turned on them and proved exactly why they play on offense, tackling is an art that they simply have not studied.
• Vontae Davis, the younger brother of Vernon, appears to be coming into his own and was all over the field in the Dolphins last pre-season game, racking up 7 solo tackles and forcing a fumble in the process. While his older brother may draw more praise now, it’s clear that Vontae is a future star at the corner back position.
• Another thing that has jumped out at me this week was Bob Sanders’ 4 solo tackle performance. What impressed me the most is that we got to see that same explosion back on the field that he brings. Sure it’s only pre-season but I want to tell you all, Sanders was all over Ryan Grant like white on rice and he just might be a factor this year if he can avoid the injuries that have plagued him the past few seasons.
• Speaking of the Colts, we got a really nice preview of their future at the middle linebacker position in Pat Angerer who had a healthy stat line of 7 solo tackles and 3 assists while playing for an injured Gary Brackett.
• I know we’re all looking for sleepers everywhere but anyone still counting on Derrick Johnson getting out of coach Todd Haley’s doghouse can pretty much throw in the towel. Not only has Johnson been a no-show in the pre-season but Demorrio Williams has been excellent in run support the past two weeks and has also racked up two sacks in the Chiefs last game.

Sweet, it’s time to Bust It!

Danieal Manning - S - Chicago: Sure Manning is a great athlete and there’s no denying the kid’s kick return ability but there’s a reason the club went to get Chris Harris back in free agency. Even before the season was over, the Bears were experimenting with multiple lineups that incorporated Al Afalava and Craig Steltz more at free safety. Harris is most likely the start at strong safety but the other spot is still up for grabs and it’s not that Manning won’t be on the field a lot, I just don’t see him coming anywhere close to his 2009 totals that saw him atop the DB list at times during the year. Also, don’t count out rookie Major Wright, who has shown flashes during camp, factoring into this mess at safety. Point being, the only sure thing in the backfield is Harris.

Earl Thomas - S - Seattle: Yes, this kid is great in space and yes, he’s going to be starting from day one but I’m just not sold this year. There is a reason some scouts thought he could also play corner back at the next level and it’s his coverage skills & natural instincts. The down-side is that his IDP value this season will be limited playing at the free safety spot while a very active linebacker corps and a veteran strong safety, Lawyer Miloy, will be sucking up all the tackle opportunities in the Emerald City. Don’t get me wrong here, I think very highly of Thomas and his talent, I just can’t buy into him being an IDP factor in 2010.

Ed Reed - S - Baltimore: Where to begin here. Reed is the epitome of toughness, the gold standard by which all defensive backs should be judged but even though he’s one of today’s best, the same can’t be said of his fantasy game. Reed plays a ton of center field and has a multitude of coverage assignments each game, taking away from his opportunities in run-support and chances at assists. Couple that with a nagging hip condition that has his first 6 games in doubt, I strongly recommend fantasy owners to take a pass no matter how much the name value may jump out at you.

Michael Lewis - S - San Francisco: Lewis has been a tackle machine at every stop and he’s an ideal fit as a box safety that can be an extra linebacker at times because of his hitting ability. The downside is that Lewis has been plagued by concussions the last two seasons and the 49ers drafted a player that definitely fits the “box-safety” mold in rookie Taylor Mays form Southern California. While Lewis is still only 30 years old, I’m not going to try to squeak out one more good season from him when I expect the 49ers to incorporate Mays into the starting lineup as the season progresses.

Thanks a ton for reading and please bang out some feedback or comments below. You can also e-mail our staff questions, comments, and even complaints to joe@idpreport.com

It’s hard to believe that we’re only 15 days away from the start of the NFL season but there’s still a few IDP drafts yet to be conducted and our ALL-IDP podcast, IDP REPORT RADIO, is already fired up so it’s definitely a good time for some more late round sleepers.

As always though, we star first with the quick hits…

• It’s a sad day at IDPReport.com headquarters here on account of one of the cooler names in our little IDP world, Sabby Piscatelli, is losing his job. As I have feared for the entire off-season, the Buccaneers have named Sean Jones as their starting strong safety, so IDP lovers should take note and get Jones on your rosters. Don’t forget about Piscatelli though, as he might resurface elsewhere if he’s released by Tampa because he is a good athlete.
• The Dallas Cowboys look to be getting a nice preview at how rookie Sean Lee handles the starting middle linebacker spot now that veteran Keith Brooking could be sidelined for the next 2-3 weeks but who’s to say that Brooking will get his job back when he returns?
• Speaking of strong-safeties, did somebody press the rewind button on for this year? Now that Gibril “Hampster” Wilson is out for the year with a torn ACL, the Bengals are back to the same rotation they had last season with Roy Williams and Chinedum Ndukwe splitting time at the position again.
• It was great seeing EJ Henderson back in action on Sunday night after Brandon Graham, has finally cracked the starting lineup according to the team. To find out what I think about his IDP Fantasy football impact check out Tuesday night’s IDP Report.
• I’ve been getting a lot of complaints on how lame the pre-season is and yes, it’s not as entertaining as the regular season but it’s more of an experimental stage like lab work before you put your formula up to test. A necessary evil if you will. While the nation focused on Old Man River from Mississippi aka the Silver Fox, I was really enjoying the revamped 49ers offensive line going against one of the best defensive lines in the entire league in the Vikings. We also got a great example of why Patrick Willis is the King with that “welcome back to the NFL” sack on Brett Favre. Willis also was chasing down Adrian Peterson, arguably one of the better running backs in the league, on the next series. Pre-season or no, that’s one of the better show-downs we have the opportunity to see in the league and I might add that Willis was all over ADP like stink on shhhhhh… o_O Yes, pre-season may turn off the casual NFL fan but it’s still football and that trumps any reality-TV, CSI Bumbletucky, or Dancing w/ the stars any day of the week.

OK, my ranting is out of the way so we can get to the latest edition of THREE & OUT…. I’ll give you three more late round sleepers and an overrated player I’m staying away from.

Mark Anderson - DE - Chicago: While everybody knows that the big point producer from the Chicago Bears’ defensive line will be Julius Peppers, it’s not out of the question that the attention he draws from offensive coordinators could open things up for the man playing opposite him. Enter Mark Anderson, a pass rushing specialist, who stands to have much more playing time than last year and could thrive on the other side of this D-Line. The cover-2 is designed for speed rushers to collapse the pocket and Anderson just might be able to play that supporting role well enough to score you fantasy points in key match-ups.

Demorrio Williams - LB - Kansas City: This Nebraska Cornhusker has gone out and produced and when given the oportunity he has been a major fantasy contributor in tackle-heavy leagues. It’s like people forgot he had 117 combined tackles last season or that Derrick Johnson is still firmly entrenched in the Todd Haley doghouse. I just don’t understand why his ADP remains so low but don’t be sorry, just go ahead and snag this guy late while other owners waste high draft picks on players they feel are “sure bets”. Williams being the man in the middle for Kansas City is sure enough for me outside the top-40 LBs taken.

Wesley Woodyard - LB - Denver: Sure I may be having a knee-jerk reaction to the recent release of Akin Ayodele but you have to remember that Woodyard is not that far removed from a 5 week span of games in 2008 that he actually got the opportunity to start and produced 43 combined tackles. Sure that was a much different scheme but I like Woodyard’s chances of sliding into more playing time next to DJ Williams and filling the role of Andra Davis, now in Buffalo, who racked up 90 total tackles for Denver last year. Sure Woodyard might not be an exact duplicate in “Wink” Martindale’s 3-4 system but this guy can be had at the very end of your IDP drafts if you’re in a deeper league.

Eric Berry - S - Kansas City: I know and love this kid just a much as the rest of you but I just can’t see him making the fantasy impact that some are expecting from him when he’ll be dropped back deep for a majority of the time, playing the role of the center fielder because he’s excellent in coverage. Sure, he’s a great athlete and a terrific tackler but if he’s lining up at free safety deep, there might not be high enough tackle numbers to justify his lofty ADP. While he may produce more big plays in the way of interceptions and forced fumbles, expect his tackle numbers to result in some inconsistent point totals from week to week.

Thanks a ton for reading and please bang out some feedback or comments below. You can also e-mail our staff questions, comments, and even complaints to joe@idpreport.com

It’s time for an off-season version of THREE & OUT. Since this is usually a regular season waiver column, I’m going to give you three IDP players who are rising up my draft board and I’ll close with a player I’m telling all fantasy owners to stay away from. As always, we start with the quick hits. . .

• Falcons rookie LB Sean Weatherspoon started at weak-side linebacker in the place of injured Mike Peterson and played well in his pre-season debut, so much so that he drew some praise from LB Curtis Lofton.
• The athletic freak of nature from South Florida, Jason Pierre-Paul, was on display Monday night and notched a sack for the Giants against Jets’ right tackle Damian Woody. Still a very raw player, but you can see the potential already.
• Don’t be surprised to see Chiefs LB Derrick Johnson moved via trade to the Lions now that they’re without the services of backup Jordan Dizon. My thinking is that his old defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham would love to work with him again in Detroit.
• Rookie Tackle Ndamukong Suh has arrived! He only played 11 snaps in the Lions recent pre-season game but he gave Lions’ fans a nice glimpse of what to expect this season, as he consistently drew the double team and freed up ends Kyle Vanden Bosh and Cliff Avrill to make plays.
• It looks like the Julius Peppers honeymoon in Chicago is going well, with Urlacher recently stating “He’s the best football player I’ve ever seen”. That’s definitely an improvement over his comments regarding last year’s prized free agent.
• Rookie DE Greg Hardy who the Panthers snagged in the 6th round has already impressed with a 2-sack performance against the Bears. Not only that, but he’s also running with the first team and according to Carolina Growl, he has an outside chance to start.

Alright enough of the quick hits, it’s time to kickoff the first edition of “THREE & OUT”. . .

Daryl Washington - LB - Arizona: I’ve been a big fan of this kid from the get go and I’m one of the few folks who post IDP Rankings for the world to see that has Daryl Washington ranked ahead of fellow rookie Rolando McClain. Not only that, I expect Washington to perform like an LB#1 this season in tackle heavy leagues. He has little to no competition for a starting spot and the team needs him on the field early due to his skills in coverage. I’d also like to point out the loss of Kurt Warner, the suspect play of Matt Leinart, and the recent injury to Larry Fitzgerald could all factor into more playing time for the rookie out of TCU. If this kid plays 16 games, I’d be shocked if he finishes outside of the top-20 in any scoring system.

Connor Barwin - DE - Houston: I know you’re saying to yourself right now; “Mario Williams is the defensive end to get in Houston” and YES, he is a premier player but the guy you can get much later in IDP drafts that will also factor into the equation is Connor Barwin. Super Mario draws so much attention away from the other linemen that I could see Barwin, a very raw player with tons of potential, start to shine opposite Williams. Barwin played most of his collegiate career as a tight end but was moved to defensive end because of his terrific range and his fast first step, so you have to consider the fact that he’s only been playing the DE position for the past 2-3 years. In his first season he notched 4.5 sacks in limited playing time, expect a significant spike in those numbers this season.

Morgan Burnett - S - Green Bay: I can’t say enough about this guy. Not only did the Packers hit a home run by drafting this kid, but he’s going to be the answer to their long-time needs at the strong safety position. He’s an excellent open field tackler and he’s also very good in coverage, but his athleticism and explosiveness will be put to good use in Dom Capers 3-4 scheme. He has the ability to rack up a ton of tackles playing as a box safety and the fact that he’s been basically running with the first team since the day camp started. Look for Burnett to be a producer that you can definitely snag in your drafts in the later rounds.

Darren Sharper - S - New Orleans: This is another guy that has a much bigger name than actual stats. Sure he’s a ball-hawking safety that has a nose for the ball and he somehow finds a way to get interceptions but the 34-year old is coming off of knee surgery and there’s just no way he can match the 9 INT total he had last year. His tackle numbers have been on a decline and he continually is missing more and more time due to injury. I see last year as the exception and look for a down-fall for the veteran from William & Mary.

Thanks a ton for reading and please bang out some feedback or comments below. You can also e-mail our staff questions, comments, and even complaints to joe@idpreport.com

The impact of these injuries can prove disasterous in IDP leagues compared to non-IDP leagues that utilize a defensive unit. In non-IDP leagues an injury to a key defensive player may or may not affect the overall fantasy production of a fantasy defense. However, in IDP leagues where you must rely on the production of each individual defensive player, an injury can mean the difference between a championship contender and a  proverbial league cellar dwellar. This is especially true if the injury occurs to a player that you burned a high draft pick on because unlike in non-IDP leagues, the talent pool isn’t as deep in IDP leagues.

To IDP leaguers who haven’t had their drafts yet, may the following list of key defensive injuries serve to  inform you. For those of you who have drafted these players on this list…my condolences.

Elvis Dumervil, LB, Denver Broncos–As the NFL leader in sacks in 2009 with 17, his torn pectoral muscle will likely wipe out his season and the seasons of those IDP owners who drafted him to be their No. 1 linebacker. The Broncos defensive unit, which was considered as a sleeper going into the season, will be nothing more than waiver wire fodder without Dumervil’s ability to sack the quarterback.

Aaron Curry, LB, Seattle Seahawks–Curry missed several days of training camp after getting his bell rung on the first day of practice. This may be nothing at all but be forewarned, concussions have a tendency to reoccur and Curry could miss practices and/or games during the season.

Scott McKillop, LB, San Francisco 49ers–McKillop, who is lost for the season with a torn ACL and patella tendon, was a top linebacker pick in dynasty leagues in 2009. Going into 2010, McKillop was slated to backup starter Takeo Spikes, whom at his age probably wouldn’t have been counted on to remain healthy all season. With the 49ers drafting Navorro Bowman in the third round, McKillop isn’t worth keeping rostered.

Gerald Hayes, LB, Arizona Cardinals–Hayes had back surgery this offseason and his return before Week 1 is in doubt.  The Cardinals already lost Karlos Dansby to the Miami Dolphins so his return is crucial for the Cardinals’ defensive success. Rookie Darryl Washington has a great opportunity to step up and make a name for himself in Hayes’ absence.

David Thornton, LB, Tennessee Titans–Thornton, who once was an IDP star, is 31 years old and trying to recover from a shoulder injury. Unfortunately, his recovery isn’t going well and with Gerald McRath facing a four game suspension rookie Rennie Curran could start this season if he impresses in preseason games.

A.J. Edds, LB, Miami Dolphins–In many IDP rookie league drafts, Edds was worthy of a draft pick as one of the few rookie linebackers expected to receive playing time this season. Unfortunately, Edds season was cut short with a torn ACL.  If you drafted Edds in a dynasty league you would be smart to drop him to open up a much more valuable roster spot.

Donald Butler, LB, San Diego Chargers–Third round pick Butler had a promising future for the Chargers before a torn achilles’ tendon ended his season. He was expected to see plenty of playing time as a rookie this season and replace Stephen Cooper in the starting lineup in 2011. Butler was the fourth linebacker taken in most IDP rookie drafts this offseason.

Sergio Kindle, LB, Baltimore Ravens–The Ravens second round pick had a horrific fall down a flight a stairs that resulted in a fractured skull. Needless to say, Kindle’s season is likely over after being projected as an edge rusher on passing downs and as Jarrett Johnson’s eventual replacement.

Atari Bigby, DB, Green Bay Packers–Bigby, who was already being pushed for the starting job by rookie Morgan Burnett, underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle. Burnett looks to be the starting strong safety for the Packers this season.

Louis Delmas, DB, Detroit Lions–Delmas’ season could be ended prematurely should he reaggravate a groin injury that could require surgery. He’s a great IDP defensive back when healthy so draft accordingly.

Ed Reed, DB, Baltimore Ravens–Reed is no where close to playing football after offseason hip surgery. Tom Zbikowski is expected to start in Reed’s absence and could be a huge sleeper.

Marcus Spears, DE, Dallas Cowboys–Spears will miss 4-6 weeks due to a MCL sprain and possibly lose his starting job if his replacement Jason Hatcher impresses early in the season.

Osi Umenyiora, DE, New York Giants–Umenyiora has decided to ignore his doctor’s advice to have hip surgery. He’ll likely be playing in pain all season and could lose his starting job to Mathias Kiwanuka sooner than later.

Phillip Merling, DE, Miami Dolphins–Starting defensive end Merling will miss the entire season after tearing his achilles’s tendon. This opens the door for promising first round pick Jared Odrick to start immediately.

By John Willette FantasyNuthouse.com on Friday, 6th August 2010

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I thought so. And NO, I’m not talking about guys like DeAndre Levy or Rolando McClain because both of those situations are blatantly obvious! Taking on the challenge of Independent Defensive Players is no small task, in fact I find some of my best and most knowledgeable competition in my IDP leagues.

It’s for this reason, that you need to be prepared to go a round or two later at a position if your guy is gone and shop smart. Let other owners select Rolando McClain way too high and take an upstart like Levy a round or two early, just keep this list of IDP Values to be had when you go shopping for defensive talent in the mid-rounds.

Also tonight, you can hear the season debut of IDP Report Radio at 11:30pm EST right here. If you’ve got any questions, topics to discuss, or you just want to hear the defensive side of things please tune in every Tuesday night!

Charles Johnson - DE - Carolina: Most might believe Everette Brown will be the guy in Carolina to make up for the absence of Julius Peppers but Charles Johnson showed some pass rushing potential and the ability to stuff ball carriers. Tyler Brayton played most of the season opposite Peppers last year, but the team appears ready to use Charles Johnson a lot more this year. He racked 4 sacks in limited playing time last season, so I see him being even more productive now that he’s a bigger part of the rotation at DL this year.

Rocky McIntosh - LB - Washington: This guy has great ability and while he comes with injury concerns, he’s a good athlete that can play well in coverage. The Redskins are changing schemes to a 3-4 defense which will move Rocky from the weak-side OLB spot to the weak-side ILB spot in Haslett’s defense. McIntosh has a knack for making plays and forcing fumbles, so he should have a lot of opportunities to do just that. London Fletcher-Baker remains the other starter at ILB and cannot be counted out, but it’s not like there won’t be plenty of tackles to go around either. I look at McIntosh and see a guy you can snag much later with plenty of upside and not a lot of downside.

Dan Connor - LB - Carolina: With Thomas Davis out for the year, this should be obvious to most IDP vets and while some say this is no lock, I think it is. This isn’t NFL Betting, it’s Fantasy Football and Dan Connor is the ideal player on the inside. Jon Beason is actually expected to replace Davis on the weakside and Connor would man the MLB spot, it’s expected that both will be 3-down linebackers which would give Connor a significant upgrade in playing time. This guy showed some flashes late in the year when the Panthers went through a rash of injuries at the position, so this could be the start of something big for him and potentially your fantasy team.

Dannell Ellerbe - LB - Baltimore: I know this one shouldn’t be a secret, but a lot of fantasy owners just don’t do the research. Ellerbe was an athletic phenom coming out of Georgia with major character concerns that the Ravens signed as an un-drafted free agent after the 2009 draft. He basically beat out Traveres Gooden as the weak-side ILB playing next to Ray Lewis and showed that he has skills in coverage with terrific reaction speed. Ellerbe took the job and ran with it and really turned it on in the post-season with a 10 solo performance against the Colts in the playoffs. The kid can definitely play and I’m very excited to see what he can do with a full season under his belt. Definitely a great value for your 2010 IDP drafts.

Chris Harris - S - Chicago: The Windy City welcomes back Chris Harris after a 3-year stint in Carolina in which he was very productive playing the strong safety spot. The Bears need a true box safety that plays disciplined football and will be a force in the running game. Harris has a great ability to cause fumbles and rack up tackles, as he has averaged 75 tackles & 4 forced fumbles per season the last 3 years. I look for a return to IDP greatness for Harris and he’s definitely a DB that you can draft later after the Pollards, Branchs, Otagwes of the world are off the board.

Gibril Wilson - S - Cincinnati: It doesn’t matter where Hampster Wilson goes, he always produces. I realize that Chris Crocker, Chinedum Ndukwe, and Roy Williams are still on the roster, but there’s a reason Cincy brought Wilson in. The guy is much better in coverage than any of the current safeties on the roster and he produced 93 tackles from the free safety position last year, so don’t expect Wilson to be sitting on the bench. The guy is a 3-down safety that will be on the field making plays and I’m shocked to see how late he’s falling in some drafts. This guy will be a regular in your starting lineup, so don’t miss out and target him late in your IDP drafts.

Thanks a ton for reading and please bang out some feedback or comments below. You can also e-mail me questions, comments, and even complaints to joe@idpreport.com

The same can be said of projecting which rookies will hit it big and fit in with their new teams.

Playing in so many dynasty leagues, most of which are IDP, it’s become essential to rank the rookie class in preparation for an all-rookie draft. You can read the offensive version here: LINKAGE.

This top-50 is set for a more tackle-heavy scoring system and caters to dynasty leagues.   These rankings are more for the next 2-3 years, as opposed to 2010’s re-drat value.

Having said that, let’s break these rooks down!

1. Rolando McClain - LB - Oakland: Duh!  Sorry Kirk Morrison but the Raiders just gave your car keys to McClain and he’s going to drive right away with them.  The Raiders defense will still be on the field a lot, regardless of the improvements made on the offensive side of the ball and McClain should easily be the team’s leading tackler in his rookie season.

2. Daryl Washington - LB - Arizona: This appears to be a similar situation to Oakland, as Dansby exits stage right and Washington enters stage left.  The Cardinals defense lost a lot this off-season and I think it’s safe to say that Washington will get a lot of playing time right out of the gate.  His only competition for playing time on the inside looks to be Gerald Hayes and Paris Lenon, solid backers but not exactly world beaters. Washington should make an instant impact.

3. Sean Weatherspoon - LB - Atlanta: I really like this guy and he should get into the lineup sooner rather than later at one of the outside spots this year.  I’m still of the opinion that he could play inside, but there’s nobody moving Curtis Lofton out of that spot just yet.  The bottom line is that Spoon offers up great read and reaction skills, combined with his terrific athleticism and playing strength. He will be a great locker-room presence and a leader on this defense.

4. Derrick Morgan - DE - Tennessee: I know; “a defensive end???“.  No it’s not conventional but, not only will this guy hit the ground running in the Titans’ 4-3 scheme, I think he’s going to be a perennial all-pro.  Morgan has the size, playing strength, and quickness to dominate at the pro level. He’s a perfect fit in Tennessee, so don’t be surprised to see him racking up sacks on a regular basis at an NFL stadium near you.

5. Donald Butler - LB - San Diego: I’m not as high on the fit as I am the player, but that won’t stop me from ranking Butler in my top-5.  He’s a rangy backer that knows how to read a quarterback in pass coverage and he enjoyed a stellar senior campaign where he was all over the field for the Huskies.  He has a chance to play middle linebacker in San Diego for a long time.

6. Sean Lee - LB - Dallas: Lee is one heck of an athlete that plays very physical and has a lot of ability in coverage as well.  The Cowboys actually had Lee graded as a 1st round prospect, so you know they’ve got big plans for the Penn State product.  Lee might have to spend a year learning behind Keith Brooking, but it won’t be long before he’s a regular starter in Big-D.

7. Jason Pierre-Paul - DE - New York (G): I know that Pierre-Paul is only a one-year wonder and I’m fully aware that he has a ton of bust potential to go along with his upside, but I simply can’t ignore the guy’s freakish athleticism.  While most scouts will scream; “Vernon Gholston”, I’d like to take a chance on a guy that could become a double-digit sack-master for the G-Men.

8. Rennie Curran - LB - Tennessee: Curran absolutely destroys Gerald McRath’s already putrid fantasy value, as he’s an ideal fit for the weak-side in Tennessee.  He’s a very smart player who will be a natural leader and coach on the field.  Curran is a package of dynamite that flies all around the football field making plays, so look for him to land a starting spot before the year is out.

9. Brandon Graham - DE - Philadelphia: The Eagles traded up to get Graham and while it addresses a need, it’s still somewhat of a surprise.  They’re obviously planning for the future at defensive end and you should to with the Wolverine standout.  The most impressive aspect of Graham’s game is that he produced year in and year out, even though Michigan changed defensive coordinators on him three times.

10. Phillip Dillard - LB - New York (G): Dillard is in a terrific spot to take charge in the middle with only Jonathan Goff and Chase Blackburn in his way.  Whoever wins the job will definitely be in store for some stats, but Dillard still has great dynasty value because he can also play all three linebacker positions.  While he was only a one-year starter at Nebraska, he does have the coverage ability and instincts needed to play the middle.

11. Jamar Chaney - LB - Philadelphia: Crazy right?  Crazy like a FOX! I know ranking a 7th rounder this high is a huge reach, but I’m completely sold on Chaney making an impact at the pro level.  He’s a phenomenal athlete that has great instincts vs the pass and he possesses the ability to make plays all over the field.  Call me crazy now, but please try to be around when Chaney is racking up tackles for the Birds to say; “You’re not so dumb after all”.

12. Navarro Bowman - LB - San Francisco: I know that the 49ers have Patrick Willis and that Navorro Bowman is an outside linebacker but he’s going to be lining up at middle linebacker for San Francisco for years to come.  Takeo Spikes won’t be around for much longer, so look for Bowman to establish himself in that rotation this year but expect him to be a starter by 2011 right next to Willis on this inside.

13. Jerry Hughes - DE - Indianapolis: When the Colts take a player in the first round, they’ve got a plan in place to get them on the field early.  While Freeney and Mathis aren’t going anywhere, I see Hughes getting into the rotation at some point this year and he could be a starter in a couple of years if Freeney’s health continues to be an issue.  Regardless, I think Hughes will be a good player for the Colts with his quick first step and high motor play.

14. Taylor Mays - S - San Francisco: While I don’t think Mays is a good safety coverage-wise, I know he’s a good tackler that has elite speed. I could see him taking over at strong safety where the 49ers could cover up his sub-par coverage skills, but they could also keep him close to the box and use his speed to terrorize ball-carriers all over the field. He could be a solid starter in a tackle heavy league.

15. Pat Angerer - LB - Indianapolis: I’m fully aware that the Colts have three experienced starters already in place, but I think they really like Angerer’s smarts, instincts, and intangibles. Angerer doesn’t fit the traditional ultra-athletic Colts mold, but he more than makes up for a lack of quicks with his extra effort, character, and playing strength. The standard Polian rule applies here as well, as the Colts don’t select a player in second round without having intentions of them contributing in the very near future.

16. Morgan Burnett - S - Green Bay: Burnett has a tremendous opportunity in Green Bay, with only Atari Bigby in his way for playing time at strong safety. The Packers weren’t satisfied with Bibgby’s play last year and they selected Burnett with the 71st overall pick, so there’s definitely a plan in place to get him on the field quickly. This guy really has a great chance to make an instant impact.

17. Koa Misi - LB - Miami: Misi is entering an excellent situation with only Charlie Adams and Cameron Wake standing in his way at outside linebacker. Koa Misi is a collegiate defensive end that will be a pass rushing presence for the Dolphins and should be a nice fit for Mike Nolan’s 3-4 scheme with his versatility. Misi should give fantasy owners great value in big-play leagues that reward more points for sacks.

18. T.J. Ward - S - Cleveland: What!?!? “Ward was a reach” you say? I would tend to agree that the Brownies did indeed reach for Ward, but that won’t prevent him from being a big-time source of tackles. He’s a natural strong safety type of player that will be just outside of the box and help enforce the run game, while disrupting the short passing lanes. It won’t be long before Ward is a fixture in the defensive backfield for the Browns.

19. Eric Norwood - LB - Carolina: Norwood holds school records at South Carolina for all-time sacks and tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He’ll fit in nicely on a Carolina team that needs help at outside linebacker, after being hit with a rash of injuries last season. Norwood is a solid tackler and has the ability to be a very effective blitzer at the next level with his great first step and tremendous quickness.

20. Perry Riley - LB - Washington: With Washington’s brand new coaching staff and a change to the 3-4 scheme, expect to see some new faces on defense for the Redskins. While London Fletcher-Baker looks to be starting alongside Rocky McIntosh in the middle, don’t be surprised to see Riley find some playing-time this season and work his way into the starting lineup by next season. He comes from a great college program and should be able to excel as an inside ‘backer in Jim Haslett’s defense.

21. Eric Berry - S - Kansas City: I know this might seem low for a player of Berry’s caliber, but I honestly see Berry doing a lot of work playing center-field in deep coverage. He’s going to be a dynamic free safety and a true leader for the Chiefs defense for years to come. In my opinion Berry will be a classic case of a great NFL player that won’t have the stats to translate as an IDP star.

22. Gerald McCoy - DT - Tampa Bay: If there was an incarnation of Warren Sapp, then McCoy is it because he’s the prototype for Tampa Bay’s aggressive one gap scheme. McCoy is a naturally powerful big man who has very quick feet to beat would be blockers with his pass rushing ability and his brute strength. He could be a very valuable source for of sacks and tackles for loss in leagues that require a starting DT.

23. Jason Worilds - LB - Pittsburgh: The Steelers really went out of their way to add a lot of depth at outside linebacker and it starts with Worilds. He’s a classic hybrid athlete that might be able to contribute early in nickle/dime pass rushing roles and special teams. The Steelers like Worilds’ dynamic first step and quick twitch moves, but look for more of a dynasty impact a couple of years down the road here.

24. Jermaine Cunningham - LB - New England: He could either be Vernon Gholston part II or he might be a younger version of Shaun Phillips with more speed. Cunningham has the versatility that the Pats desire in their players and he should be worked into the rotation quickly with New England in need of some playmakers coming off the edge. Cunningham has great dynasty value.

25. Sergio Kindle - LB - Baltimore: Kindle is a phenomenal athlete that not only possesses great pass rushing potential, but he’s also very good in coverage with his elite speed. Kindle likely fits in as a hybrid outside linebacker in the Ravens defense in the mold of Adalius Thomas and he should do very well in that role if his trick knee holds up. His injury history is concerning, but don’t be shocked to see him making plays all over the field for the Ravens sooner rather than later.

26. Joe Haden - CB - Cleveland: Haden looks to start right out of the gates and has potential playing opposite Eric Wright, which should result in a lot of attention from opposing quarterbacks. Haden is a physical corner back that should be able to hang with receivers, but still experience a large enough learning curve that he’ll end up with some respectable tackle numbers. Smart player that will be involved early.

27. O’Brien Schofield - LB - Arizona: Schofield has a true NFL pedigree, he has two cousins that were former NFL players.(Vonnie Holiday & Bobby Engram) He’s a smallish defensive end with a excellent first step and a very high motor. The downside is that he tore his ACL in Senior Bowl practice and might spend the first 6 games of his rookie year on the PUP. Still, he’s got tremendous potential as a pass rushing outside linebacker in the Cardinals 3-4 system.

28. Carlos Dunlap - DE - Cincinnati: Dunlap has all-world potential with his size and speed combination but his effort and maturity have also been questioned, resulting in his draft-stock taking a big hit. I just can’t get past his potential as an every down player if the light turns on and he takes advantage of his opportunity by taking his life more seriously. Dunlap is a classic Boom/Bust player.

29. Brandon Spikes - LB - New England: This is another case of a guy that might have actually done better coming out last season, because there’s a good chance he may have fit somewhere in the back half of the first round in last year’s draft. Either way, with Jerod Mayo firmly entrenched as the starting middle LB, he will have to compete with Gary Guyton and Tyrone McKenzie for the rights to the other starting middle linebacker spot. He remains a two-down backer with his lack of speed and elite athleticism.

30. Dekoda Watson - LB - Tampa Bay: Watson doesn’t have a clear alley to a starting spot at the moment but he’s a really nice fit on the weak-side in Tampa’s scheme, so there’s definitely potential to be a factor IDP-wise because the team doesn’t look to have any long-term answers on the outside. Bottom Line, you’ll have to hang on to him a year or two before he gets his shot.

31. Earl Thomas - S - Seahawks: Thomas is likely to step right into the starting lineup from day one for the Seahawks and while that playing time could translate into some instant fantasy points, I still see Thomas as the traditional center-fielder that will have more assignments coverage-wise than anything else. Regardless, Thomas isn’t a bad dynasty pick and he’ll be playing free safety for the Hawks for a long time because he’s solid in coverage.

32. Ricky Sapp - DE - Philadelphia: This is another guy that I’m still shocked to have seen fall so far in the draft, but it’s not going to keep me from targeting him late in my dynasty drafts. Sapp is a special athlete with blazing speed, having been a track phenom in high school and something tells me that Philadelphia will find a way to use his explosiveness come Sundays.

33. Tyson Alualu - DE - Jacksonville: Alualu is one hell of a player, but that doesn’t mean that Jacksonville didn’t totally reach by selecting him with the 10th overall pick. Regardless, he’s going to get on the field and be given every opportunity to be a playmaker on Jack Del Rio’s defense. Exactly “where” that will be could change if the coaching staff gets fired, but Alualu’s versatility playing multiple positions at Cal will only benefit him in the event of a coaching change.

34. Kareem Jackson - CB - Houston: While I never advise selecting a cornerback high, Jackson is almost assured a starting spot with the absence of realistic competition on Houston’s roster at the cornerback position. With only Jacques Reeves, Glover Quinn, and Brice McCain as his main competition it’s highly likely that Kareem Jackson will not only be starting by year one, but he’ll also be in the position to play quite a few years in the Texans’ starting lineup.

35. Nate Allen - S - Philadelphia: Philadelphia’s defense did not weather the departure of Brian Dawkins well. Their defense needs a true ball-hawk to play free safety and that’s exactly what Nate Allen excels at. He’s a very good athlete that possesses superior coverage skills. While there’s not going to be another Brian Dawkins, Allen has a chance to cement his own legacy in the Eagles backfield.

36. Devin McCourty - CB - New England: Devin McCourty, the brother of Titans’ cornerback Jason McCourty, is a very good cover corner that has excellent kick return ability. While he won’t be a starter right out of the gates, he will be starting by next year but he should see immediate action on special teams and in obvious passing situations. He should make an instant impact in leagues that reward return yardage.

37. Ndamukong Suh - DT - Detroit: I really love this guy and I’m ashamed to have him ranked so low, but I expect offensive coordinators to game plan around him. YES, I said game plan for a rookie DT! I’m thinking Suh will see a lot of double teams, but he’ll find his way to some tackles and a few sacks. Still, Suh’s biggest impact will be to free up his teammates, help in run support, and disrupt the pocket.

38. Chad Jones - S - New York(G): The Giants had a leaky secondary last season that was compounded by inefficiencies in the linebacker corps. Jones is an outstanding box safety that not only hits like a ton of bricks, but has excellent straight-line speed for a man his size. We know that Antrel Rolle will be in the starting lineup at free safety, but the starter opposite him has yet to be decided and Jones could make a case for himself with a strong showing in training camp.

39. Greg Hardy - DE - Carolina: Talk about worlds of potential. Hardy was dubbed a future all-pro after a standout sophomore year in which he racked up 10 sacks and practically lived in the opponent’s backfield. Injuries and off-field issues plagued his junior & senior years, but if he can possibly regain some of that form, the Ole-Miss standout could be an impact player for Carolina off the edge.

40. Chris Cook - CB - Minnesota: Cook is a massive corner that the Vikes want to feature in their cover-2 defense. Their starting cornerbacks are surrounded by question marks, as Cedric Griffin and Antoine Winfield are both coming off of major injuries. While it’s not likely that Cook will be a starter in his first year, don’t be surprised if he’s in the lineup as a regular by the beginning of next season.

41. EJ Wilson - DE - Seattle: Wilson is a player that was a bit over-shadowed by some of the other big names at North Carolina, but coming into the draft process Wilson really started to show why he may be a better pro than a collegiate. He’s got the size & base strength to survive as a 4-3 end and he’s also extremely quick off the edge. Right now, he’s more of a project but his upside and potential are more than intriguing enough to garner interest as a late round pick.

42. Kyle Wilson - CB - New York(J): Wilson is a very good corner in man coverage and he is a very smart player when asked to sit in a zone. He’s locked out of a starting job at this point with Antonio Cromartie inked in as the starter opposite Darrelle Revis, but Cromartie is merely keeping Wilson’s seat warm for him in my opinion. Look for Kyle Wilson to earn a starting job by next season.

43. Everson Griffen - DE - Minnesota: Griffen has ideal size and a nice first step, but his best asset is his hand strength, able to re-direct blockers at will. The Vikings may have snagged a gem here, especially since he could be very effective as a rotational pass-rusher right now. The reason he slipped is questionable motivation and inconsistent tape, especially in games he should have dominated. The concern is that he plays down to the level of his competition but if properly motivated, he has a lot of potential.

44. Daniel Te’o-Nesheim - DE - Philadelphia: Te’o-Nesheim is a high-motor player who converted a lot of plays with extra effort and intensity for the Huskies. The Eagles love to collect depth and talent for their defensive line, doing so with Te’o Nesheim in the 3rd round. He’ll likely be a rotational player in year one with upside to be much more down the road.

45. Jerome Murphy - CB - St. Louis: Murphy is another member of the talented South Florida class that entered this year’s draft. He’s a very physical corner who has great coverage skills, but has been known to take too many risks. His aggressive style of play sounds like exactly what the Rams need for their 25th ranked secondary.

46. Corey Wootton - DE - Chicago: Wootton fell to the 4th round due to a torn ACL that took his level of play down last season at Northwestern. Regardless, Wootton has great size and good explosion off of the edge to be a quality pass-rushing defensive end. He’s a great pick in the 4th since he has an excellent chance to outplay his draft position.

47. Keenan Clayton - LB - Philadelphia: The Eagles really went out in this year’s draft to address the depth and talent at the linebacker position which was a disappointment last season. Clayton is very quick and shifty enough to weave through traffic, avoiding would-be blockers effectively. Could be a fit on the weakside or at middle with his read/reaction skills.

48. Austen Lane - DE - Jacksonville: Lane is a monster of a man who should be groomed as a pass rusher behind Aaron Kampmann and Derrick Harvey but has some versatility if the Jags do switch to a 3-4 which I keep getting the sneaking suspicion that they’re preparing to do. Either way, Lane is a very interesting small school product from Murray State that is loaded with upside.

49. Hall Davis - DE - St. Louis: Davis is a very raw player that has a ton of athleticism being a former basketballer. He’s going to need a lot of coaching up, but he’s got a ton of potential with his great speed and terrific range. He could be a great pass rushing end for the Rams if the light turns on and he devotes himself to the game.

50. Darrell Stuckey - S - San Diego: Stuckey is a true ball-hawking safety that can read the quarterback’s eyes and cover a lot of ground quickly to react to the thrown ball. The Chargers haven’t had an answer opposite stud safety Eric Weddle, but Stuckey could end up starting a lot of games after he learns the system. Great sleeper pick late.

• Patrick Robinson - CB - New Orleans: The Saints liked what Robinson can bring to their secondary, but right now he’s buried on the depth chart behind Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter. The team is very high on both players, so look for Robinson to see work as a dime back and in specialty passing packages.
• Reshad Jones - S - Miami: Jones is an amazing athlete that hits like a ton of bricks and flies all around the field. The biggest knock on him is playing undisciplined and missing too many tackles going for the big knockout hit, which would make a lot of sense why such a talented athlete fell all the way to the 5th round.
• Javier Arenas - CB - Kansas City: Arenas isn’t likely to see much action on defense in year one but his real value should come immediately on special teams, as he’s a dynamic return man. He’s got the potential to be a solid nickle back in future years, but if your league rewards return yardage then scoop this guy up late in your rookie drafts.
• Thaddeus Gibson - OLB - Pittsburgh: The Steelers continued loading up in this year’s draft with a lot of hybrid athletes for their 3-4 defensive scheme. Gibson has some nice athleticism and explosion off the edge but he enters a very crowded depth chart in his first year, so he’ll have to make an impact on special teams if he wants to stick around.
• Willie Young - DE - Detroit: I think I’m the only person that likes this guy and it’s not very smart to draft a 7th rounder in all-rookie drafts, but I see a very natural bender who can create plays from the edge if he decides to bulk up and take the game seriously.
• Major Wright - S - Chicago: Wright has a chance to play for the Bears if he can fit into Chicago’s version of the cover-2. It certainly says a lot that the team used their first pick of the draft (75th overall) to select the Florida Gator. Chicago has been looking for the free safety of the future and Major Wright could be in a good position to take the job.
• Alex Carrington - DE - Buffalo: Carrington is a very interesting pass rushing prospect that is likely going to play as a 5-technique with the Bills moving to the 3-4 defense. Carrington is a very long defensive end and he’s got big-time potential, but he’ll need to be coached up before he’s a force on gamedays. He’s got great dynasty value if he takes to the Bills’ scheme.
• Amari Spievey - CB - Detroit: Spievey is a very physical corner who should excel in Jim Schwartz’s zone scheme. The former Hawkeye will have a year to learn but expects to start by his second season at the least.
• Larry Hart - DE - Jacksonville: Hart is an undersized defensive end that I expected to get drafted by a 3-4 team looking to change him to linebacker. That still may happen, as Hart could make a nice transition to outside linebacker with his speed and quickness.
• Roddrick Muckelroy - LB - Cincinnati: Muckelroy was a very productive tackler at the collegiate level and could make an impact for a 4-3 team, but he’s found himself on the Bengals’ roster which happens to be very crowded at the linebacker position. Special-teamer now, but still has potential to be more.
• AJ Edds - LB - Miami: Edds isn’t the greatest athlete, but he is a very high motor player that has gotten by on toughness and grit at the collegiate level. He might not be more than a special teamer but he’s got some nice intangibles and playing strength that should keep him on Miami’s roster.
• Jared Odrick - DT - Miami: I know it’s not right to have a first rounder ranked SO low but let’s be honest here. Odrick is a going to be a great NFL player, but it’s just not going to show up on the stat sheet for your IDP teams. If your leagues require a DT, then he’s an ideal pick but he’s not a premium pick outside of that.

Thanks a ton for reading and please bang out some feedback or comments below. You can also e-mail me questions, comments, and even complaints to joe@idpreport.com

I know it’s ridiculous but it’s never too early to get your rankings set and sort out your thoughts. Of course these rankings will change each week and of course the NFL Draft and Free Agency will tear apart these rankings but it’s still fun.

It’s also a head-start for me to tweak things early and get a nice early base for what my eventual 2010 rakings will be. You can always tear these rankings apart on IDP Report Podcast Live on The Fantasy Sports Channel at: IDP Report Show

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Thanks a ton for reading and please bang out some feedback or comments below. You can also e-mail questions, comments, and even complaints to show@idpreport.com

• Why isn’t Brian Orakpo being mentioned in the rookie of the year discussions with his 11 sacks on the year?
• Maybe the rookie discussions have been dominated by Jairus Byrd and his league leading 9 Interceptions?
• Great blast from the past on Monday Night seeing Ahmad Brooks rack up 3 sacks against the Cardinals. Maybe there’s still some hope for the former Virginia Cavalier?
• Speaking of blasts from the past, how about Jeramiah Trotter back w/ the Eagles racking up tackles like the good old days.
• James Anderson, Dan Connor, Chris Harris… none of them are Thomas Davis and none of them are coming close to the monster numbers Davis was putting up before the injury.
• Chargers LB Shaun Phillips is quietly having a solid season and is tied for the league lead in forced fumbles to go with his 7 sacks.

Alright enough of that, it’s time to find you some waiver players in the latest edition of “3 & Out”. . .

LB Leroy Hill - Seattle Seahawks

He’s no glamor pickup and while Hill has always had a ton of talent, he was slowed early this season by a lingering groin injury but is just now getting close to full gear again. Now that Leroy Hill is back, rookie Aaron Curry had been relegated to 2 downs only but with Curry now potentially missing time with a hip pointer, Hill is looking like a nice fill-in on IDP rosters. Hill should be a nice addition if you’re in a deeper league because the Seahawks don’t really have a lot figured out on offense and Hill is an unquestioned 3 down LB at this point.

S Tyrone Carter - Pittsburgh Steelers

Now it’s no secret that the Steelers have been stinking up the joint with sub-par play on both sides of the ball but it’s not bothering IDP owners that have been smart enough to scoop up Polamalu’s backup, Tyrone Carter, because he’s been producing great numbers. His tackle numbers are very respectable and teams see him as a weak spot, making him a likely target on a lot of play calls. Not only have the numbers been steady but I have my doubts on Polamalu and his hair making a come-back this season, which makes Carter a nice DB to close out the season in tackle-heavy leagues.

DE Corey Williams (CLE) @ Kansas City Chiefs

After seeing the Browns play the Steelers this last Thursday, I thought I was watching the ‘85 Bears defense with the elaborate blitzes and multiple fronts. One of the key performers for the Browns in that game was Corey Williams, who broke free for two sacks and 5 tackles. He also had 5 solo tackles last week and looks to be a major player in the DL rotation for the Browns going forward. You’ve gotta like his match-up against a Kansas City offensive line that is very reminiscent of swiss cheese. Might be a nice DL fill-in for week 15.

LB Justin Durant (JAX) vs Indianapolis Colts

I don’t care if I’ve got to beat it into the ground but the Colts are one of the most stingy teams when it comes to giving up points to linebackers. I like Justin Durant a lot and he’s definitely one of the top LBs to target next year but not this week. I’m leaving him on the bench for better days against teams that don’t air it out with deadly precision like Peyton Manning and company are known for doing on a regular basis. It’s doubtful that you’ve got a better option at this point and while I’m not crazy about Durant this week, I do have to remind folks that he did get 10 total tackles the last time these two teams played. The Colts will look to beat the Jags through the air and I don’t see Durant having a lot of say in this one statistically.

Thanks a ton for reading and please bang out some feedback or comments below. You can also e-mail our staff questions, comments, and even complaints to show@idpreport.com

• It’s a sad week for OJ Atogwe owners the world ’round, as the IDP super-stud may be done for the year w/ a shoulder injury.
• Also a tough week for EJ Henderson, who’s done for the year with one of the most gory injuries that I’ve seen all year.
• Jamar Williams was amazing, playing in absence of Lance Briggs. If the Bears put Briggs of the shelf for the rest of the year, Williams is going to be an IDP star to close out the year.
• With Broncos’ right tackle Ryan Harris out, Chiefs OLB Tamba Hali beat Denver for 3 sacks, so look for the Colts’ Robert Mathis to have a big day against the Broncos Sunday.
• Elivs Dumervil’s sack count is at 15 after last week and that means he’ll need to get 2 sacks a game from here on out if he wants to catch Strahan.

Alright enough of that, it’s time to find you some waiver players in the latest edition of “3 & Out”. . .

LB Jasper Brinkley - Minnesota Vikings

Alright, I’m not going to get carried away with this one but it must be acknowledged that Jasper Brinkley is going to see a lot of the field with EJ Henderson out for the year. Brinkley doesn’t have top-notch speed but he does hit with authority and is a good athlete. The Vikings’ version of the cover-2 should help mask Brinkley lack of experience and most of the slack will be picked up initially by Chad Greenway and Ben Leber but I’m of the opinion that the South Carolina Gamecock is ready to step up to the plate here. He’s got a ton of upside and he’s definitely worth a pick-up in your league if it’s tackle-heavy scoring.

LB Jonathan Goff - New York Giants

Well the club wasn’t lying when they said they’d give Jonathan Goff the starting nod at middle linebacker, as a result of his 8 total tackles in his first start. Chase Blackburn was a total no-show last week with Goff rarely leaving the field. Both he and Michael Boley led the way at the linebacker position in tackles and nothing appears to be changing in the near future. The secret may already be out on this guy but the Vanderbilt Commodore looks to be the club’s future answer at the position, so if you’re in a dynasty league now’s the time to snag this kid.

LB Jamar Williams(CHI) vs Green Bay Packers

As mentioned above, Lance Briggs is still resting a knee injury which may cause him to miss the rest of the season. While this is terrible news for Briggs owners, it’s another great opportunity for Jamal Williams to showcase his stuff. In Briggs’ absence, Williams had 18 total tackles playing the weak-side linebacker position and with Chicago’s continuous struggles on offense, I can only the same healthy tackle numbers that we saw last week. If Briggs comes back healthy during the week of practice, then throw all this out the door but my guess is that they’ll shut down their starter since the season is all but lost anyways. Williams is definitely a great play this week if you can grab him.

LB Elvis Dumervil (DEN) @ Indianapolis Colts

Sure, everybody loves the Elivs Dumervil story and I’m honestly rooting for him to prove me wrong here but I can’ see Indianapolis giving up a sack to him. We’re talking about Peyton Manning here. The guy has eyes in the back of his head and a precise internal clock. While the Broncos version of the 3-4 has been extremely effective it has been exposed by teams that run the no-huddle and the Colts run the no-huddle exclusively. I see this game not even being a contest and I’m not sure about Elvis Dumervil’s quest for the sack record unless he burns some team for 5 in one game. It won’t be happening against Peyton Manning & Company, so you’d be best served to leave Elvis on the bench this week.

Thanks a ton for reading and please bang out some feedback and comments below. You can also e-mail our staff questions or comments to show@idpreport.com

• Say good-bye to Shaun Rogers for the season folks. The massive DT is out for the year w/ a broken ankle or torn achilles. The bottom line is that the lowest ranked run defense in the league just got a whole lot worse.
• Who’s leading the league in sacks? That’s right, Elvis Dumervil has 14 sacks but it’s not looking like he’ll be breaking any records with the way the Broncos have been using him.
• Sure Drew Brees is off the chain but so is Will Smith aka - “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”. With 10 sacks on the year, he’s had a bit of a renaissance and it’s really good to see him being mentioned among the likes of Trent Cole, Jared Allen, and Jame Harrison again.
• Is there anything more consistent in the world of IDP these days than starting David Hawthorne of the Seattle Seahawks? I know we’ve talked about him plenty but this is a LB you could set your watch to.
• The Jets Darrelle Revis is awesome. End of story…. but seriously, the guy shut down Steve Smith for less than 10 yards and intercepted two passes, taking one to the house. If there’s a better corner in the league, then don’t tell Revis about. He might shut him down to.

Alright enough of that, it’s time to find you some waiver players in the latest edition of “3 & Out”. . .

LB James Anderson - Carolina Panthers

OK, I’ll be the first to admit that picking up Dan Connor was a “swing and a miss” but now realizing my flaws and learning the truth, its’ become obvious that James Anderson is the pick here. He’s taking over on the weak-side and he’s got the inside track to a lot of tackle opportunities. We all know that Jon Beason is going to be taking up a lot of tackles but Carolina’s still not stopping anybody on 3rd downs and there’s PLENTY of tackles to go around. The proof is already in the pudding w/ Anderson’s 10 total tackles last week but if he’s still out there on your waivers, then scoop him up and enjoy.

LB Chase Blackburn - New York Giants

With Antonio Pierce now on injured reserve with a bulging disk, Chase Blackburn has now found himself in the fabled cat-bird seat. The club has paid some lip service to Jonathan Goff lately, saying that he’s got a shot to be the starting MLB of the future but I doubt the Giants go that way in the last five games of the year. Point being, Blackburn is here to stay in the middle of another struggling defense that can’t get off the field like it used to in the past. Blackburn’s numbers last week against the Broncos were solid but I’m expecting an even better performance this week against a Cowboys team that loves to run the ball. If he’s out there, he can definitely help your fantasy team going forward.

S Mike Adams (CLE) vs San Diego Chargers

Normally I would be so high on a safety but this is the Browns all around worst rushing defense in the league that just lost their best run stuffer for the year. This is going to result in every single play making it to the next level and with the lack of talent left standing at the linebacker position, the secondary is sure to be very busy. Enter Mike Adams, who’s replacing Brodney Pool(concussion) at free safety. The guy is a decent tackler but with the uptick in playing time, the Chargers tenancy to run the ball, and the likely-hood that the defense will be on the field all day, I’ve gotta think that Adams could be a nice one-week filler if you’re in need of a spot fill in after suffering an Eric Weddle injury?

LB Stephen Tulloch (TEN) @ Indianapolis Colts

Sure, he got 11 total tackles the last time the Titans played the Colts but I think you can all agree that was a very different Titans team that Indianapolis matched up against. With their new-found offensive chemistry under Vince Young’s leadership, the Titans area team to be reckoned with and their defense is no longer on the field all day long with no way to stop opposing receivers from converting 3rd downs. Stephen Tulloch has been a great story this year and I can respect that but I think this is the week to avoid him if you’ve got a better option with the Colts being notoriously stingy on giving up pts to LBs.

Thanks a ton for reading and please bang out some feedback and comments below. You can also e-mail our staff questions or comments to show@idpreport.com