By Dan Arkush
July 22, 2008

The growing IDP (individual defensive players) phenomenon in fantasy football revolves around selecting consistently effective defensive playmakers, with a premium on top tacklers.

It should come as no surprise that high-energy linebackers who are adept at both defending the pass and the run dominate Pro Football Weekly’s following breakdown of the top 10 IDP prospects heading into the 2008 season: 

Patrick Willis

2.  Colts FS Bob Sanders — The NFL’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year operates more like an extra linebacker than a safety in an Indianapolis defense that depends heavily on his superb playmaking skills and bone-crushing hitting ability. In addition to knocking on the 100-tackle door last season with 96, Sanders also registered 3½ sacks, two interceptions and six pass breakups in 15 games.

3.  Cowboys ROLB DeMarcus Ware — After finishing second in the NFC with 14 sacks last season, in addition to recording 84 tackles, this versatile third-year pro is the pick of many for top defensive honors in 2008. The fact his coverage skills continue to improve makes him an even more dangerous IDP candidate.

4.  Bears MLB Brian Urlacher — Despite a chronic back ailment that resulted in some rough stretches last season, Urlacher still played in every game, racked up over 120 tackles for the third straight season (123, to be exact) and became only the third player in team history to register five sacks and five interceptions in the same season. Urlacher’s new contract should allow him to stay totally focused on his game.

5.  Vikings DE Jared Allen — The first D-lineman to crack our top 10 list, Allen shapes up as a legitimate 20-sack possibility in new surroundings. After compiling a league-leading 15½ sacks in only 14 games for the Chiefs last season, Allen figures to be even more of a threat this season on a line also featuring arguably the league’s top DT duo in The Williams Boys (Pat and Kevin).

6.  Rams MLB Will Witherspoon — This former Panther is coming off a Pro Bowl-caliber season in which he led the Rams in tackles for the second straight season and also registered a career-high seven sacks. Witherspoon instantly looked like a natural once Rams defensive coordinator Jim Haslett started employing him as a rusher off the edge. Look for him to continue shifting around and wreaking havoc.

7.  Packers MLB Nick Barnett — Green Bay’s leading tackler in 2007 for the fourth time in his five-year career, Barnett also made major strides as a pass defender last season and was much more active on the line of scrimmage. With the Packers reportedly planning on blitzing more in ’08, Barnett could be the chief beneficiary. 

8.  Cardinals SS Adrian Wilson — Wilson should be further motivated by his desire for a new contract. Expected to fully recover from the heel injury that limited him last year and resulted in season-ending surgery, he’s a top-grade playmaker, when healthy, who can do damage from a number of different spots on the field. Wilson and converted CB Antrel Rolle just might end up being the most dangerous safety duo in the league in ’08.

9.  Texans MLB DeMeco Ryans — The extremely underrated Ryans has been a tackling machine in his short time in the NFL, racking up 283 tackles the last two seasons, including 155 two seasons ago, which was the league’s second-best total. Operating behind an emerging line featuring first-round DL talents Mario Williams and Amobi Okoye, Ryans figures to just keep getting better and better — whether he’s recognized for his efforts or not.

10.  Seahawks MLB Lofa Tatupu — A Pro Bowl pick as well as Seattle’s leading tackler in each of his three seasons, Tatupu does a terrific job of directing traffic and making plays sideline to sideline against both the run and the pass. Flanked by Julian Peterson and the underrated Leroy Hill, he anchors arguably the league’s strongest starting LB corps.