by Robert Kirlin; aka The IDP Guru (7/22/12)


Another year is here, and I hope you are all as anxious to get started with Fantasy Football as I am, particularly if you are in an IDP League.

This year features some familiar names at the top, as well as some surprising new ones, and in some cases, some of our old favorites have gotten too old, and the stats are no longer there and dropped off the list.

I will make some comments along the way as always and hope that it helps you win your league. Good Luck to all!


2012 Top 50 Defensive Lineman for IDP Leagues:
 

1. Jason Pierre Paul: NY Giants. Paul came on like a storm last year and never quit. Why is it the Giants always seem to have the dominant D-Lineman? From Strahan, to Umenyiora to Tuck and now Paul, these guys are nonstop tackling machines.

2. Jared Allen: Minnesota. I worry age and his style of play may catch up to him, but he and Paul are the top 2 by far, there is a large drop off after this on D-Line, so if someone takes one or the other and you have the next pick, you need to grab one of these top 2.

3. Calais Campbell: Arizona. Has come on in the 3-4 scheme, surprisingly, a D-lineman in this scheme who also gets sacks.

4. Ahtyba Rubin: Cleveland. Really impressed by him, after Cleveland switched to a 3-4 last year, Rubin became the NT, a position not renown for scoring points, but he has not only adapted, he has excelled.

5. Jeremy Mincey: Jacksonville. Let's be serious, Jacksonville is a bad team, and they are going to be getting a lot of opportunities on defense this year.

6. Jason Babin: Philadelphia. Looking for another Eagles defensive lineman right here? Yeah... Me too!

7. Justin Smith: San Francisco. Look for this guy on my team! He's one of my personal favorites.

8. Jabaal Sheard: Cleveland. Guys out of Pitt so I saw him here quite a bit and knew how good he could be, solid pick.

9. Haloti Ngata: Baltimore. If you hear some loud cussing coming from the Western Pennsylvania area, it's probably the week the Ravens play the Steelers and they still have not figured a way to stop this guy yet.

10. Kam Wimbley: Tennessee. Solid numbers for this veteran.

11. Chris Clemons: Seattle

12. JJ Watt: Houston

13. Cliff Avril: Detroit (Having contract issues)

14. Trent Cole: Philadelphia (Injury, missed 2 games).

15. Brian Robison: Minnesota

16. Israel Idonije: Chicago (Not a fan of Chicago's rotating D-lineman in and out, but this guy gets the most of his time).

17. Julius Peppers: Chicago (Guys skill level dropping)

18. Mario Williams: Buffalo (Could be a steal here going back into a familiar 4-3 defense where he excelled).

19. Michael Bennett: Tampa Bay

20. Domata Peko: Cincinnati

21. Tommy Kelly: Oakland

22. Sione Pouha: NY Jets

23. Chris Long: St. Louis (Not living up to 1st round pick).

24. Cameron Wake: Miami (Many leagues have him as a Linebacker, mainly a pass rushing specialist).

25. Elvis Dumervil: Denver

26. Geno Atkins: Cincinnati

27. Greg Hardy: Carolina

28. Jurrell Casey: Tennessee

29. Antonio Garay: San Diego

30. Charles Johnson: Carolina (Huge disappointment)

31. John Abraham: Atlanta (Older vet still putting up decent numbers).

32. Darnell Dockett: Arizona

33. Adrian Clayborn: Tampa Bay

34. Lamarr Houston: Oakland

35. Kyle Vanden Bosch: Detroit

36. Michael Johnson: Cincinnati

37. Brett Keisel: Pittsburgh

38. Muhammad Wilkerson: NY Jets

39. Justin Tuck: NY Giants (WOW, HUGE DROP)!

40. Vince Wilfork: New England

41. Shea McClellin: Chicago

42. Marcell Dareus: Buffalo

43. Jarvis Jenkins: Washington

44. Andre Branch: Jacksonville

45. Ray McDonald: San Francisco

46. Chandler Jones: New England

47. Kevin Williams: Minnesota

48. Ndamukong Suh: Detroit (I've seen him as high as third on some boards, but by the stats he puts up, this is where he belongs).

49. Mark Anderson: Buffalo

50. Ray Edwards: Atlanta (Thought coming over from Minnesota he would be a nice compliment to Abraham, but he's been a big letdown).


see Robert's 2012 Top 50 Linebackers for IDP Leagues

see Robert's 2012 Top 50 Defensive Backs for IDP Leagues