The San Francisco Chronicle reports that University of California defensive end Cameron Jordan‘s versatility is one of his biggest assets as he prepares to enter the NFL. The 6’4, 283 lb. Jordan, who had 51 tackles, 6 sacks, and a forced fumble as a Senior, said “I’m a defensive lineman, a Sam backer, I’m whatever you need me to be.” The Ball Says: Jordan isn’t incredibly fast or explosive, but he has great strength and instincts, enjoyed a solid week [...]

Numbers in parentheses denote Final Preseason Ranking/2010 Finish. Fantasy football stats based on Default IDP Manor Scoring. MOST VALUABLE PLAYER Tyvon Branch – S, Oakland Raiders (DB5/DB6) After only two defensive backs that started the 2009 season in our top 10 ended it there 2010 saw that number shrink to one (although Redskins safety Laron Landry, who led all Defensive Backs with 10.6 fantasy points per game, would have been a second had his season not been cut short by [...]

One of the defensive standouts in this week’s Senior Bowl practices has been Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller, according to a report in the Dallas Morning News. The 6′ 3″ 243 lb. Miller had 68 tackles and 11 sacks for the Aggies in 2010. The Ball Says: Miller lacks some size and projects fairly strictly as a pass-rushing OLB in a 3-4 defense in the NFL (with ESPN’s Adam Schefter predicting the 2010 Butkus Award Winner be a top-five pick [...]

Numbers in parentheses denote Final Preseason Ranking/2010 Finish. Fantasy football stats based on Default IDP Manor Scoring. MOST VALUABLE PLAYER Jerod Mayo – ILB, New England Patriots (LB7/LB1) Most IDP pundits had Mayo pegged as an LB2 entering the 2010 season, and more than a few had him outside their Top 20, and while we were higher on the third year pro than most, ranking him seventh at his position in our last set of preseason rankings, even we didn’t [...]

Numbers in parentheses denote Final Preseason Ranking/2010 Finish. Fantasy football stats based on Default IDP Manor Scoring. MOST VALUABLE PLAYER Justin Tuck – DE, New York Giants (DL4/DL1) Tuck and teammate Osi Umenyiora were the two most productive defensive linemen in fantasy football in 2010, with the former tallying career highs in tackles (76), and forced fumbles (6), as well as notching 11.5 sacks. A midseason dip may have worried his IDP owners a bit, but with two three sack [...]