Here’s a quick, early, pre-CBA (enough already, make with the signing) look at the Ball’s Top Ten linebackers for IDP leagues for the 2011 season. Linebackers are the backbone of most IDP rosters, as their high tackle numbers equate to the sort of consistent fantasy production that keeps teams in the “W” column. These rankings are, as always, based on Default IDP Manor Scoring.
1.) Patrick Willis – ILB, San Francisco 49ers: You know a guy’s a stud when a 128 tackle, 6 sack, IDP LB9 season is considered a disappointment, as Willis’ 2010 campaign was.
2.) Jerod Mayo – ILB, New England Patriots: Last year’s top dog among fantasy linebackers, Mayo may be hard pressed to rack up 175 tackles again, especially with this year’s change in the way the NFL awards solos vs. assists.
3.) Paul Posluszny – ILB, Buffalo Bills: The impending free agent will likely end up manning the middle of the Bills porous defense again in 2011, which makes for tackle opportunities galore.
4.) Jon Beason – MLB, Carolina Panthers: Beason has four consecutive top 25 finishes at his position under his belt, finished in the Top 10 among linebackers in 2008 and 2009, and should return to that level again in 2011.
5.) James Laurinaitis – MLB, St. Louis Rams: If the Son of Animal can mix in a few more big plays with his already solid tackle totals then the prototypical 3-down 4-3 MIKE will become an elite IDP option.
6.) Desmond Bishop – ILB, Green Bay Packers: Bishop exploded onto the IDP scene last year with an out-of-nowhere 100+ tackle, Top 25 season and is now entrenched as an every down WILB in Titletown.
7.) Curtis Lofton – MLB, Atlanta Falcons: The fourth-year pro is the consummate steak over sizzle selection, lacking a high ceiling due to a dearth of big plays but also highly unlikely to bust.
8.) Lawrence Timmons – ILB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Emerged from the shadow of Harrison, Farrior, and Co. in 2010 with a team-leading 135 stops and Top 5 IDP finish.
9.) DeMeco Ryans – ILB, Houston Texans: The switch to 3-4 ILB and Ryans’ 2010 Achilles injury make selecting him a bit risky, but he could return to his IDP heyday as the WILB in Wade Phillips’ D.
10.) Derrick Johnson – ILB, Kansas City Chiefs: The former Longhorn finally seemed to put it all together last season, posting an impressive 95 solos and cracking the Top 10 for the first time in his six year career.
