Height/Weight: 6-3/259
| Birthdate: 03/14/1984
| Birthplace: Fairfax, VA, USA
| Team: San Francisco
| College: Virginia
| NFL Experience: 6
| Owned/Started%: 2/1 | Average Draft Position: 239.00
News: San Francisco LB Ahmad Brooks is on quite the sack streak after notching another on Sunday in Week 9 at Washington. Brooks took down Washington QB John Beck in the game and now has four sacks in his last three contests for San Francisco. Brooks added four tackles against the Redskins.
Analysis: Brooks has five sacks on the season and four in his last three games for the 49ers. He's not a huge source of tackles, but if he keeps sacking people at this rate, his value will skyrocket in Fantasy IDP formats.
News: 49ers LB Ahmad Brooks registered his third and fourth sacks of the season in Week 8 against the Browns. Brooks sacked Colt McCoy twice in the 20-10 contest, including in the first quarter which caused a fumble that San Francisco would recover. He suffered a busted lip on the platy and finished with three solo tackles on the afternoon
Analysis: Brooks now has four sacks this season, which is one off his total from last season. He continues to establish himself as a legitimate pass rusher off the outside and has thrived playing under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Consider him a low-end Fantasy LB heading into Week 9 against the Redskins.
News: New San Francisco defensive coordinator Vic Fangio mentioned backup LB Ahmad Brooks specifically Friday when asked if he sees any potential quality pass rushers on the roster. "He's a guy that has some ability but we have to figure out why he hasn't done it on a consistent basis and can he or can't he," he said.
Analysis: Brooks finished with five sacks and matched a career high with 31 tackles last season. The fourth-year linebacker also recorded his first career interception against Arizona in Week 17 that he nearly returned for a touchdown. It's promising that he was singled out by Fangio, but until we see him consistently contribute, he should not be owned in Fantasy leagues for 2011.
News: 49ers LB Ahmad Brooks got his first career interception in Week 17 against the Cardinals. He almost returned it for a touchdown, but would be pushed out of bounds by QB John Skelton. Brooks added four tackles and a sack in San Francisco's 38-7 win.
Analysis: Brooks finished the season with 31 tackles, five sacks and one interception. Those numbers the best of his career, but he still isn't worth owning in Fantasy IDP leagues yet. Ignore him on Draft Day in 2011.
News: San Francisco LB Ahmad Brooks had his best performance of the season in the Week 13 loss at Green Bay. Brooks got his first sack since Week 8 against Denver and didn't stop there. He finished with two sacks in the game for the first time all season. Brooks make four tackles in all.
Analysis: Brooks had his best tackling game of the season as four is a season high. He now has four sacks on the year. Numbers like that keep him a low-end Fantasy option in IDP leagues, despite his great game this Sunday.
News: 49ers Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky on why LB Ahmad Brooks hasn’t had a breakout year: “He’s got to keep on working at his craft. I think physical ability can only take you so far. Plus, he got hurt in training camp and was out for six weeks.”
Analysis: Brooks has managed just 17 tackles and two sacks this season in nine games. He suffered a lacerated kidney during the first week of camp. Continue to ignore him in Fantasy play.
News: 49ers LB Ahmad Brooks totaled two solo tackles and one sack in Week 8 against the Broncos. He also had one forced fumble. Brooks has two sacks this season and 10 in his career.
Analysis: Brooks usually rotates with Manny Lawson at the left outside linebacker position. His stats aren't always coming on a consistent basis, so Brooks really has marginal Fantasy appeal.
News: 49ers LB Ahmad Brooks was been ruled active for Week 2 against the Saints. Brooks suffered a lacerated kidney during the first week of camp and has yet to play this season.
Analysis: Brooks recorded a career-high six sacks and tied a franchise record for a linebacker with four forced fumbles last season in a career year. However, he will likely not play enough snaps to be worth owing in IDP leagues.
News: 49ers LB Ahmad Brooks was been ruled active for Week 2 against the Saints. Brooks suffered a lacerated kidney during the first week of camp and has yet to play this season.
Analysis: Brooks recorded a career-high six sacks and tied a franchise record for a linebacker with four forced fumbles last season in a career year. However, he will likely not play enough snaps to be worth owing in IDP leagues.
News: 49ers LB Ahmad Brooks, who suffered a lacerated kidney during the first week of camp, declared that the injury was “90 percent healed,” on Monday. He is scheduled to get a CT scan next week, in hopes of being cleared to practice for the second game of the season against New Orleans. It seems likely he'll miss Week 1 in Seattle.
Analysis: Brooks recorded a career-high six sacks and tied a franchise record for a linebacker with four forced fumbles last season in a career year. While he'll likely play a big role in the Niners pass rush, he doesn't figure to make enough of an impact to be targeted on Draft Day in IDP leagues. Also, he seems like a good player to keep grounded for Week 1 with injury.
News: Niners LB Ahmad Brooks (lacerated kidney) seems to be ratcheting up his workouts with the trainers and is doing a series of shuttle sprints. He's on track to return by the start of the season. Brooks was injured during practice on Aug. 6.
Analysis: Brooks had a breakout season last year when he recorded a career-high six sacks and tied a franchise record for a linebacker with four forced fumbles. He became a regular during third-down pass-rushing situations over San Francisco's final six games, recording five sacks in the last five games. While he'll likely play a big role in the Niners pass rush, he doesn't figure to make enough of an impact to be targeted on Draft Day in IDP leagues.
News: 49ers LB Ahmad Brooks, who has missed most of camp due to a lacerated kidney, is on track to be ready for the regular season, according to coach Mike Singletary. "Our trainers feel very positive about it, but we're being smart about it," Singletary said. Brooks was injured during practice on Aug. 6.
Analysis: Brooks had a breakout season last year when he recorded a career-high six sacks and tied a franchise record for a linebacker with four forced fumbles. He became a regular during third-down pass-rushing situations over San Francisco's final six games, recording five sacks in the last five games. While he'll likely play a big role in the Niners pass rush, he doesn't figure to make enough of an impact to be targeted on Draft Day in IDP leagues.
News: 49ers LB Ahmad Brooks is out at least two weeks due to a lacerated kidney. He was hurt during Friday's morning practice. The injury originally was diagnosed as a bruised rib before tests revealed more extensive damage Saturday. The 49ers gave no timetable for Brooks' return and said he will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
Analysis: Brooks had a breakout season last year when he recorded a career-high six sacks and tied a franchise record for a linebacker with four forced fumbles. He became a regular during third-down pass-rushing situations over San Francisco's final six games, recording five sacks in the last five games. While he'll likely play a big role in the Niners pass rush, he doesn't figure to make enough of an impact to be targeted on Draft Day in IDP leagues.
News:Manny Lawson wants a new contract from the 49ers. The outside linebacker showed up for a mandatory minicamp on Thursday after missing the 49ers voluntary workouts. He says he needed a change in scenery and that he is in the best shape of his life. Lawson started all 16 games last year for the first time in his career, leading the 49ers with a career-high 6.5 sacks. Since then, San Francisco has extended the contracts of other young players the team feels are key to its future. Lawson is in the final season of the five-year, $7.5 million deal he signed as the second of San Francisco's two first-round draft picks in 2006. His base salary of $630,000 pays him less than two of the team's other outside linebackers. The 49ers may be inclined to wait and see what Lawson can do during a contract push this season. He can become a free agent in 2011. "I would like a new contract," Lawson said. "I want to be here. I want to be a San Francisco 49er. But everybody wants a new contract, and I'm about everybody getting what they deserve." Ahmad Brooks has taken Lawson's place with the first-unit defense so far during spring drills, but Lawson said he's ready to resume his role as a starter now that he's back with the team.
Analysis: Keep an eye on what happens with Brooks and Lawson, but even if Brooks starts he still has minimal Fantasy value. Brooks should only be drafted in deep IDP leagues this season.
News: The 49ers have tendered a contract offer to linebacker Ahmad Brooks. The move Monday gives San Francisco the right to match any offer sheet the restricted free agent signs with another team or receive a second-round draft pick as compensation. Brooks had a career-high six sacks last season and tied a franchise record for forced fumbles by a linebacker with four. Brooks was a third-round pick by Cincinnati in 2006 and joined the Niners in 2008.
Analysis: Brooks might be on his way to starting with the 49ers following this news. He's not considered a worthy Fantasy option just yet.
News: The 49ers defense created six turnovers on Sunday in a Week 16 win over the Lions. Detroit QB Drew Stanton was picked off three times by the Niners. Patrick Willis, Dre Bly and Dashon Goldson accounted for the three interceptions. Bly, Takeo Spikes and Mark Roman all recovered fumbles in the game as well. Ahmad Brooks forced two fumbles in the game and Bly forced one. Willis was also the team’s leading tackler with nine.
Analysis: The Niners defense should have a field day again in Week 17 as they take on the Rams, a team they shut out back in Week 4. Think of Willis and Goldson as solid Fantasy options in IDP formats while the rest of these layers have little to no Fantasy value.
News: 49ers LB Ahmad Brooks had his first multi-sack game on Monday night against Kurt Warner and the Cardinals in Week 14. He finished with three sacks in the game to go with three tackles and two forced fumbles.
Analysis: Brooks came up huge on Monday night but only has 16 tackles and five sacks for the entire season. He's not likely to duplicate this performance Week 15 at Philadelphia so keep him on waivers in most leagues.
News: Notable 49ers defenders from their Week 7 loss at Houston include: DB Dashon Goldson (nine total tackles, forced fumble), DE Justin Smith and LB Patrick Willis (10 total tackles each), LB Manny Lawson (five total tackles, sack) and LB Ahmad Brooks (two solo tackles, sack).
Analysis: Of these players, Willis and Smith are must-start options while Goldson and Lawson are low-end options to consider in deeper leagues. The 49ers defenders will be plenty busy in Week 8 at Indianapolis.
News: 49ers LB Ahmad Brooks (knee) has been ruled out for Week 2 vs. Seattle. Brooks, who did not practice all week, will miss a second straight game.
Analysis: Brooks is expected to be sidelined a few weeks after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in late August. Brooks is merely a backup LB when healthy and has little to no Fantasy value.
News: 49ers LB Ahmad Brooks (knee) has been ruled out for Week 1 at Arizona.
Analysis: This come as no surprise since Brooks was expected to miss the opener after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in late August. Brooks is merely a backup LB when healthy and has little to no Fantasy value.
News: San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Monday to remove a small bone fragment, a procedure that likely will keep him out the team's season opener Sept. 13 at Arizona. Brooks had an MRI exam on his knee late Sunday and it was determined he needed surgery, which was done at nearby Stanford University. He is likely to be sidelined two or three weeks. Coach Mike Singletary said Brooks might have initially hurt the knee in practice, then aggravated it during the team's preseason win at Dallas on Saturday night.
Analysis: Brooks, a fourth-year pro in his second season with San Francisco, is a backup outside linebacker to Parys Haralson. He wasn't active for any games last season and is not expected to be a viable Fantasy option this year in IDP leagues.
News: The 49ers listed QB Jamie Martin, DB Marcus Hudson, DB Reggie Smith, RB Thomas Clayton, LB Ahmad Brooks and TE Sean Ryan among their inactives for Week 17 hosting Washington.
Analysis: None of these players ever does enough statistically to matter in Fantasy. Leave them all on waivers and do not worry about them in Fantasy drafts next season.
News: The 49ers listed QB Jamie Martin, DB Marcus Hudson, DB Reggie Smith, RB Thomas Clayton and LB Ahmad Brooks among their inactives for Week 16 at St. Louis.
Analysis: None of these players ever does enough statistically to matter in Fantasy. Leave them all on waivers.
News: The Niners listed QB Jamie Martin, DB Allen Rossum, DB Nate Clements, DB Dashon Goldson, LB Ahmad Brooks and WR Josh Morgan among their inactives for Week 14 against the Jets.
Analysis: These guys don't do enough statistically to matter in Fantasy even when healthy. Leave them all on waivers.
News: The 49ers will re-sign LB Ahmad Brooks, who was waived Saturday so the club could activate WR Chris Hannon from the practice squad. Brooks, who hasn't cracked the lineup since joining San Francisco on Sept. 1, still was at the 49ers' training complex Monday.
Analysis: Brooks doesn't figure to make enough of a statistical contribution to have any Fantasy impact. Leave him on waivers.
News: The 49ers listed QB Jamie Martin, DB Dashon Goldson, TE Delanie Walker, LB Ahmad Brooks and WR Arnaz Battle among their inactives for Week 11 against the Rams.
Analysis: None of these players contributes enough statistically to matter in Fantasy. Leave them all on waivers.
News: 49ers DB Dashon Goldson, QB Jamie Martin, DB Reggie Smith, LB Ahmad Brooks, TE Sean Ryan and WR Arnaz Battle have all been ruled inactive for Week 10 at Arizona.
Analysis: Battle is the only player among the inactives that has some Fantasy value when he is on the field. Most of the these players are reserves for the 49ers and play a marginal role when active. Continue to keep them reserved Week 10 and likely in the coming weeks as well.
News: The 49ers listed DB Dashon Goldston, QB Jamie Martin, DB Reggie Smith, LB Ahmad Brooks and DL Ray McDonald among their inactives for Week 8 against the Seahawks.
Analysis: None of these players does enough statistically to matter in Fantasy even when healthy. Leave them all on waivers.
News: The 49ers listed the following players as inactive for Week 7 at the N.Y. Giants: QB Jamie Martin (third QB), DB Marcus Hudson, DB Reggie Smith, RB David Kirtman and LB Ahmad Brooks.
Analysis: None of the players on this list should be considered viable Fantasy option. They are not in a position to contribute regular stats as they aren't in line for regular playing time. They've got some depth chart climbing to do and should be left on the waiver wire.
News: San Francisco hosts the Eagles in Week 6 and they have listed the following players as inactive for the game: QB Jamie Martin (3rd QB), DB Reggie Smith, DB Shawntae Spencer, LB Roderick Green, LB Ahmad Brooks and LB Manny Lawson.
Analysis: None of these players have any Fantasy value, so continue to ignore them in all formats.
News: The 49ers have announced the inactives for their Week 5 game vs. the Patriots. Not in uniform will be: QB Jamie Martin, DB Reggie Smith, DB Shawntae Spencer, LB Roderick Green, LB Ahmad Brooks and LB Manny Lawson.
Analysis: None of these players have any Fantasy value, so continue to ignore them in all formats.
News: The 49ers listed the following players as inactive for Week 3 against Detroit: QB Jamie Martin (third QB), DB Marcus Hudson, DB Donald Strickland, DB Shawntae Spencer, LB Ahmad Brooks, OL Cody Wallace, OL Jonas Jennings and LB Tully Banta-Cain.
Analysis: None of the players on this list are going to be in line for considerable playing time anytime soon. Leave them on the waiver wire in all Fantasy leagues until further notice. They've got some depth chart climbing to do.
News: San Francisco has listed the following players as inactive for Week 2 at Seattle: LB Tully Banta-Cain, QB Jamie Martin, DB Marcus Hudson, DB Donald Strickland, DB Reggie Smith, LB Ahmad Brooks and TE Cooper Wallace.
Analysis: Martin was recently signed by the 49ers. He won't see much playing time this season behind starter J.T. O'Sullivan. The other guys all have little to no Fantasy value, whatsoever.
News: San Francisco listed the following players as Week 1 inactives against Arizona: DB Marcus Hudson, DB Tarell Brown, DB Reggie Smith, LB Ahmad Brooks and LB Tully Banta-Cain.
Analysis: None of the aforementioned players have any Fantasy relevance at this time.
News: The 49ers claimed and were awarded LB Ahmad Brooks off waivers from the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Brooks had been waived Saturday by the Bengals.
Analysis: Brooks was coming off a year that saw him play just two games and be placed on IR. This year he was attempting to move to a new position and obviously didn't put forth the effort the Bengals were hoping for. He had little Fantasy value in IDP leagues before and that hasn't changed yet.
News: Cincinnati waived the following players in order to trim their roster down to the requisite 53 players Saturday, reports The Cincinnati Enquirer: LB Ahmad Brooks, DE Antwon Burton, S John Busing, DE Eric Henderson, QB Jeff Rowe, DEs Angelo Craig, Anthony Hoke and Dan Howell, RB James Johnson and WRs Clyde Logan, Maurice Purify and Mario Urrutia.
Analysis: Brooks was coming off a year that saw him play just two games and be placed on IR. This year he was attempting to move to a new position and obviously didn't put forth the effort the Bengals were hoping for. He had little Fantasy value in IDP leagues before and has none now unless he catches on elsewhere. None of the other aforementioned players have any Fantasy relevance at this time. Should any of them catch on elsewhere and become viable in Fantasy, we'll let you know.
News:The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Bengals LB Ahmad Brooks was beaten twice in goal-line situations for touchdowns earlier this week in practice. "That stung him a little bit," linebackers coach Jeff FitzGerald said. "I'm glad to see it stung him. He seems to be applying himself a little bit more of late." Brooks, a third-year pro, was also dropped on the depth chart from second-string to third at strong-side linebacker.
Analysis: Brooks only played in two games in 2007 after tearing his groin. He was placed on injured reserve and missed the rest of the season. He finished the year with six tackles (five solo), one forced fumble and one sack. This season, Brooks moved from middle linebacker to the outside and must learn the new position. That accounted for the depth chart drop. He doesn't figure to see the field nearly enough in 2008 to be considered in Fantasy IDP leagues.
News: Bengals LB Ahmad Brooks only played in two games in 2007 after tearing his groin. He was placed on injured reserve and missed the rest of the season. He finished the year with six tackles (five solo), one forced fumble and one sack.
Analysis: Brooks was coming off a decent rookie season, so hopefully he will bounce back at 100 percent. Go into the season with Brooks as a low-end LB in IDP leagues with the chance to see his value rise during the year.
News: Middle linebacker Ahmad Brooks will have surgery for a torn groin muscle, another setback for the Cincinnati Bengals' reeling defense. The Bengals placed Brooks on injured reserve Wednesday, ending his season. He played in a season-opening 27-20 victory over Baltimore, but hurt his groin in the first series against Cleveland a week later. He hasn't played since then.
Analysis: Brooks was only a low-end Fantasy LB when healthy, so the news he is out for the year isn't huge Fantasy news. Cut him in all leagues.
News: For the Bengals, DL John Thornton (neck), WR Skyler Green (coach's decision), LB Ahmad Brooks (groin), LB Caleb Miller (back), DB David Jones (coach's decision) and emergency third QB Jeff Rowe were all named inactive for their Week 9 game at Buffalo. For the Bills, DB Ashton Youboty (ankle), LB Leon Joe (back), TE Matt Murphy (coach's decision), WR Sam Aiken (hamstring), DL Copeland Bryan (coach's decision), DL Jason Jefferson (coach's decision) and RB Fred Jackson (emergency third QB) were all named inactive for the Bills.
Analysis: None of these players have any significant Fantasy value at this time, but should all be benched for Week 9.
News: Bengals LB Ahmad Brooks (groin) has already been ruled out for Week 9 at Buffalo. It will be the sixth straight game he will miss. Brooks has six tackles, one sack and one forced fumble in two games this season.
Analysis: Brooks should regain his starting spot once healthy, but he has struggled to overcome the groin injury in recent weeks. Continue to keep him sidelined. When healthy, he is a low-end Fantasy LB.
News: The Bengals inactives for Week 8 against the Steelers include LB Ahmad Brooks, LB Caleb Miler, WR Marcus Maxwell, DB David Jones, DL Frostee Rucker and QB Jeff Rowe (3rd QB).
Analysis: None of these players should be used in Week 8 against the Steelers. Keep them reserved in all Fantasy leagues.
News: Bengals LB Ahmad Brooks (groin) has already been ruled out for Week 8 vs. Pittsburgh. It will be the fifth straight game he will miss. Brooks has six tackles, one sack and one forced fumble in two games this season.
Analysis: Brooks should regain his starting spot once healthy, but he has struggled to overcome the groin injury in recent weeks. Continue to keep him sidelined. When healthy, he is a low-end Fantasy LB.
News: The Bengals inactives for Week 7 against the Jets include QB Jeff Rowe, DB David Jones, LB Corey Mays, LB Ahmad Brooks, LB Caleb Miller and WR Antonio Chatman.
Analysis: Keep all of these players reserved in Week 7. They have minimal Fantasy value even when healthy.
News: Bengals LB Ahmad Brooks (groin) is out for Week 7 vs. N.Y. Jets. It will be the fourth straight game he will miss. Brooks has six tackles, one sack and one forced fumble in two games this season.
Analysis: Brooks should regain his starting spot once healthy, but he has struggled to overcome the groin injury in recent weeks. Continue to keep him sidelined. When healthy, he is a low-end Fantasy LB.
News: The Bengals list of inactives for Week 6 at Kansas City includes LB Rashad Jeanty, DB Ethan Kilmer, WR Tab Perry, LB Ahmad Brooks, LB Caleb Miller, DL Jonathan Fanene and QB Jeff Rowe.
Analysis: These players are all either reserves on offense or minor statistical contributors on defense. Keep them on the waiver wire.
News: The Bengals' list of Week 4 inactives for Monday night against the Patriots includes LB Rashad Jeanty, DB Ethan Kilmer, WR Tab Perry, LB Ahmad Brooks, LB Caleb Miller and QB Jeff Rowe.
Analysis: These players are all either defenders, meaning they don't contribute useful Fantasy statistics, or reserves. Don't start them in any Fantasy format.
News: According to the Dayton Daily News, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said MLB Ahmad Brooks "should be back (against New England)." Brooks' return from a groin injury is welcome news for the defense because Caleb Miller could be sidelined after straining his lower back at Seattle. "It'll be nice to have (Brooks) out there," DE Bryan Robinson said.
Analysis: Miller replaced Brooks as starter late last season and should get his job back once healthy again. However, neither player puts up enough statistics to warrant use in standard IDP league play.
News: Notable inactives from Week 3's Cincinnati-Seattle game include: Bengals LB Ahmad Brooks, QB Jeff Rowe (No. 3/emergency QB), DB Nedu Ndukwe, DB Ethan Kilmer, WR Tab Perry, DL Frostee Rucker and LB Rashad Jeanty. For the Bengals, OT Levi Jones will not start. LBs Lemar Marshall and Caleb Miller will start for the Bengals. The Seahawks' inactives are: DL Jason Babin, LB Kevin Bentley, QB Charlie Frye (No. 3/emergency QB), WR D.J. Hackett, TE Bennie Joppru, RB Maurice Morris and WR Ben Obomanu.
Analysis: Perry and Hackett remain sidelined for their respective teams and should be benched in Fantasy play as well. The remainder of the players listed here aren't reliable Fantasy owners.
News: Bengals LB Ahmad Brooks suffered a groin injury in the first half at Cleveland, an injury not reported by the media. Heach coach Marvin Lewis said Brooks, an important player in the struggling defense, has a chance to play Sunday at Seattle.
Analysis: Brooks has only six tackles in two games, so isn't worthy of much consideration in any IDP leagues.
News: The Cincinnati Bengals have declared C Rich Braham, LB Ahmad Brooks, LB John Busing, WR Skyler Green, No. 3 QB Doug Johnson, LB A.J. Nicholson, DL Shaun Smith and C Ben Wilkerson inactive for Week 15 at Indianapolis.
Analysis: None of the players mentioned above are worthy of any Fantasy consideration.
News: The Bengals started Caleb Miller at LB instead of rookie Ahmad Brooks, who had started the previous five in a row in the middle. Miller responded with a fumble recovery on defense, one of four Cincinnati takeaways. Miller bounced on Madieu Williams' fumble at the end of Williams' interception. And Miller had a team high 14 tackles, 12 solo, and broke up one pass. Coach Marvin Lewis explained his decision to bench Brooks, who has been suffering with a shoulder injury and did not play: "Just felt like Caleb was better for us to be in the starting lineup," he said.
Analysis: Consider Miller a decent starter at LB in IDP leagues and keep Brooks reserved while he's on the bench.
News: Bengals LB Ahmad Brooks (groin) is listed as probable for Week 11 at New Orleans.
Analysis: Brooks has been playing for the injured Brian Simmons, who is likely to miss another week. Brooks will likely play on Sunday and has been a suitable replacement. Consider Brooks a low-end Fantasy option in IDP leagues for Week 11.
News: With starting LB Brian Simmons limited because of a neck injury, rookie Ahmad Brooks made his second consecutive start and played his second solid game in a row. He had five tackles, including his first NFL sack, knocked down one pass and hurried Panthers QB Jake Delhomme into an incomplete pass in what would be the Bengals' 17-14 victory.
Analysis: Keep Simmons reserved until he returns, but Brooks is proving to be a nice replacement for IDP leagues.
News: The Bengals DST gave up 14 points against Carolina with three sacks and one interception. DB Madieu Williams had seven tackles, LB Ahmad Brooks had five tackles and a sack, DL Robert Geathers had three tackles and a sack, DL Justin Smith had one tackle and a sack and DB Kevin Kaesviharn had an interception.
Analysis: The Bengals DST should be considered a No. 2 DST against Atlanta in Week 8. Consider using all these players in your IDP leagues.
News: Bengals rookie LB Ahmad Brooks moved back to the middle two weeks ago, made his first NFL start and led the Bengals with 11 tackles Sunday at Tampa Bay. Teammates said he played well with very few schematic errors, though coaches did simplify the game plan.
Analysis: Brooks is worth a flier in IDP leagues, but he'll miss out on some tackles once Brian Simmons returns to the field.
News: Notable defensive performances for the Bengals in Week 6 include: LB Ahmad Brooks (11 total tackles), LB Landon Johnson (10 total tackles), FS Madieu Williams (11 total tackles) and DE Justin Smith (six total tackles, sack).
Analysis: Brooks and Johnson saw significant playing time with Brian Simmons and Rashad Jeanty out. Williams and Smith are reliable IDP options when starting. The Bengals play vs. Carolina in Week 7.
News: Bengals rookie Rashad Jeanty, a strong-side linebacker with three years of experience in the CFL, is expected to come back in Week 6 at Tampa Bay after suffering a foot injury that had him out for Week 4 against New England. Jeanty has played well in place of David Pollack, who was lost for the season with a broken neck in Week 2. Rookie linebacker Ahmad Brooks has been switched from the middle to strong side in the past two weeks, and Brooks said he is learning the defense quickly. He could have a larger role in upcoming games.
Analysis: Neither Brooks or Jeanty are viable Fantasy options at this time, but that could be changing in the coming weeks. The Bengals are pleased with the progress of both players and that could mean more playing time. Keep an eye on these two guys as potential sleepers in IDP leagues down the stretch.
News: Bengals defenders LB Ahmad Brooks (neck) and DT Sam Adams (knee) are listed as probable for Week 1 on the official NFL injury report.
Analysis: These guys are not great IDP options, but they are apparently healthy enough to play.
News: Linebacker Ahmad Brooks, taken in the supplemental draft, will get a chance to play the middle lineback spot in Odell Thurman's (suspension) absence. Brooks was impressive at Virginia, but got hurt and then kicked off his team, prompting him to head to the NFL after his junior year. "He's a savvy, smart kid that has brought a level of intelligence that's impressive right now," defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan said. "So, we'll see how he handles it."
Analysis: Brooks is nothing more than a long-term keeper IDP option at this point. Ignore him in yearly leagues.
