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


Editor's note: Robert Kirlin is our IDP Guru and answers many questions about IDP's and who to start each week on our fantasy football forums. Be sure to post your questions there for him in 2011!


Linebackers:

1) Jerod Mayo New England: That is correct! Patrick Willis is not #1 this year. Mayo has to be pretty impressive to pass him on my board.

2) Patrick Willis San Francisco: His numbers were down last year and I'm hoping for a bounce back.

3) Ray Lewis Baltimore: As a Steelers fan I hate this guy, but as an owner, I love the fact that he's ancient and others will pass him by.

4) Lawrence Timmons Pittsburgh: Had a breakout year last year, and could be #1 in tackles if he's playing for a contract this year.

5) Jon Beason Carolina: Would have ranked him lower this year as others have improved, but I took a look at the Panthers offense and realized how long the defense will be on the field.

6) Stephen Tulloch Detroit: Actually had the 2^nd best numbers on defense last year, and would have ranked him ahead of Willis, but he went from Tennessee to Detroit, he'll put up great numbers, but may take time to know the system.

7) London Fletcher Washington: Speaking of aging vets, still putting up great numbers.

8) Paul Posluzny Jacksonville: If he's healthy, he'll be the best MLB the Jags had since Mike Peterson in his prime.

9) Brian Urlacher Chicago: Three 30 something LB's in the top 10?

10) Chad Greenway Minnesota: Finally getting his due.

11) Derrick Johnson Kansas City

12) DJ Williams Denver: Switching to a 4-3, Williams will be the man in the middle and should put up great numbers, but new rookie Von Miller may steal some tackles

13) Paris Lenon Arizona

14) James Harrison Pittsburgh: A sack machine with a bad back. Not a big tackler from week to week for points. Also, this may be his last year in Pittsburgh as the Steelers have Timmons to re-sign and a lot of money invested in the LB corps.

15) James Laurinaitis St. Louis

16) Curtis Lofton Atlanta

17) James Anderson Carolina

18) Barrett Ruud Tampa Bay: WOW! Hard to believe how far he fell this year!

19) Dhani Jones Cincinnati

20) Bradie James Dallas

21) Takeo Spikes San Diego

22) James Farrior Pittsburgh

23) Desmond Bishop Green Bay

24) Kevin Burnett Miami

25) AJ Hawk Green Bay

26) EJ Henderson Minnesota

27) Daryl Smith Jacksonville

28) Lance Briggs Chicago

29) D'Qwell Jackson Cleveland: Switching to a 3-4 Defense, Jackson will be the man in the middle, but approach him with caution as he has had his season ended the past 2 years in training camp with torn pectoral muscles.

30) Karlos Dansby Miami

31) Rocky McIntosh Washington

32) David Harris NY Jets

33) Keith Brooking Dallas: Is he retired yet?

34) David Hawthorne Seattle

35) Von Miller Denver: Rookie should start at WLB

36) Will Witherspoon Tennessee

37) Akin Ayodele Buffalo

38) Demarcus Ware Dallas: Not an indictment on his talent, he's a sack machine, but doesn't make consistent tackles.

39) Clay Matthews Green Bay

40) Jonathan Vilma New Orleans

41) Nick Barnett Buffalo:  Veteran will replace the departed Posluzny, and should be the Sleeper amongst linebackers this season.

42) Terrell Suggs Baltimore: Some leagues have him as a D-lineman, take him in those, skip him as a LB.

43) Cameron Wake Miami: Another Speed Sack Machine.

44) Shaun Phillips San Diego

45) Daryl Washington Arizona

46) Aaron Curry Seattle: Former 5^th overall pick is in a make or break year.

47) Matt Roth Cleveland

48) Tamba Hali Kansas City

49) Gary Guyton New England

50) Lamarr Woodley Pittsburgh
 

Like with the Defensive linemen, 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 Defensive Lineman Rankings
 

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