by Robert Kirlin (aka The IDP Guru; 8/7/11)


It's time once again for the IDP top 50 at each of the three IDP positions: Defensive Lineman, Linebackers, and Defensive Backs. My apologies for being late as some of you have been patiently waiting, but thanks to the lockout, it put me far behind.

So again, for better or worse, I present the 2011 version of the IDP Top 50 at each position. Best of luck to everyone this year, and thank you for joining FantasyFootballStarters.com.

Defensive Lineman:

1) Justin Tuck NY Giants: He's a runaway as the best D-lineman out there, if you feel the need to do something stupid like drafting a defensive lineman early, may as well be this guy.

2) Justin Smith San Francisco: The numbers don't lie; this guy has been the most consistent D-lineman over the past several years. Always top 10!

3) Ndamukong Suh Detroit: Yes, I am crazy.

4) Jared Allen Minnesota: Ah...Finally someone that makes sense right? To be honest, only 2 points separated Allen from Smith.

5) Kyle Williams Buffalo:  Welcome to the top 10! A new player to watch annually? We hope!

6) James Hall St. Louis

7) Trent Cole Philadelphia: A slight drop for the perennial top 5 D-lineman.

8) Osi Umenyiora NY Giants: Rumblings in NY, word is Osi wants out!

9) Jason Babin Philadelphia: Had an awesome year for the Titans last year, and looks are that the Eagles have put together a juggernaut in the NFC.

10) Julius Peppers Chicago: Somehow you knew he'd make the top 10.

11) Robert Mathis Indianapolis

12) Charles Johnson Carolina: Just got a new big contract, will he earn it or will he take it easy?

13) Kamerion Wimbley Oakland

14) Haloti Ngata Baltimore

15) Glenn Dorsey Kansas City

16) John Abraham Atlanta: Aging veteran

17) Matt Shaughnessy Oakland

18) Calais Campbell Arizona

19) Chris Clemons Seattle

20) Tommy Kelly Oakland

21) Darnell Dockett Arizona

22) Barry Cofield Washington

23) Kenyon Coleman Dallas: Coming over from Cleveland might be a nice fit.

24) Israel Idonije Chicago

25) Vince Wilfork New England

26) Sione Pouha NY Jets

27) Spencer Johnson Buffalo

28) Sedrick Ellis New Orleans

29) Richard Seymour Oakland

30) Antonio Garay San Diego

31) Ahtyba Rubin Cleveland: Cleveland has switched to a 3-4 defense, which means there's a significant drop-off for him, if he gets traded or cut and ends up in a 4-3 scheme, he's a top 10 talent.

32) Kyle Vanden Bosch Detroit

33) Will Smith New Orleans

34) Chris Long St. Louis

35) Raheem Brock Seattle

36) Lamar Houston Oakland

37) Jason Jones Tennessee

38) Kendall Langford Miami

39) Ray Edwards Atlanta

40) Cliff Avril Detroit (Sleeper)

41) BJ Raji Green Bay

42) Dwight Freeney Indianapolis

43) Fred Robbins St. Louis

44) Jason Pierre-Paul NY Giants

45) Mario Williams Houston: *NOTE* Houston is switching to a 3-4 defense which means in some leagues Williams may be a linebacker, he is useless as a linebacker as the top 50 linebackers on my list should all outperform him.

46) Dave Ball Tennessee

47) Carlos Dunlap San Francisco

48) Brett Keisel Pittsburgh

49) Wallace Gilberry Kansas City

50) Jonathan Babineaux Atlanta


I'm sure many of you are asking... "Where is so and so, and why don't you have what's his name on there"?  I'm sure I neglected to add people on there, but I hope I've given everyone enough of a list to start from, and win you league!

GOOD LUCK!!!

 

Also check out Robert's 2011 Top 50 IDP Linebacker Rankings

Also check out Robert's 2011 Top 50 IDP Defensive Backs Rankings