Getting on the Defensive: Breakout players

Sack leaders | INT leaders | Tackle leaders

One of the more interesting parts of an Individual Defensive Players league, or IDP league, is that the players who are well-known defenders aren't always good for Fantasy Football. For instance, quality NFL players like Marcus Trufant, Shaun Rogers, Derrick Johnson, Mike Peterson, Nate Clements and Nnamdi Asomugha are all guys you'd want to have on your NFL team, but through three weeks, they don't register as top-150 IDPs in leagues that count tackles!

Meanwhile, players who weren't previously sought after like Bryant McFadden, Freddie Keiaho, Mike Adams and Eric Weddle are all posting solid stats and rank as top 50 IDPs. The name of the game is stats, not household-name recognition, so going with the unknown over the impact player everyone knows is the right move -- so long as the unknown player can keep up the work.

Here's a look at some surprise defenders through three weeks of the NFL season:

Gaines Adams, DE, Buccaneers: Helped by an interception-return for a touchdown in Week 3, Adams has nice stats (two sacks, a pass defensed, seven total tackles) as he enters his second NFL season.
Can he keep it up? The INT-TD was such a joke of a play as Bears QB Kyle Orton threw the ball right to him, so stuff like that won't happen much for him. But the sack totals should rise as Adams is a big, physical and fast end who should emerge. Tackle production is the only question.

Chris Gamble, CB, Panthers: Gamble was a big hit in 2005 but trailed off in the two years thereafter. In 2008, he already has a touchdown, one interception, two fumble recoveries and 17 total tackles. It's no surprise that Gamble is in a contract year.
Can he keep it up? Gamble is helped by an improved front seven in Carolina. So long as Julius Peppers and Jon Beason put some pressure on opposing quarterbacks, he should roll.

Michael Griffin, SS, Titans: Tennessee's defense has come around thanks in part to Griffin, a second-year man who already has matched his rookie total of three interceptions. He's also pitched in a sack, three pass breakups and 15 total tackles.
Can he keep it up? The Titans sure hope so. This is the kind of player who can develop into an IDP stud for years to come. He should be starting in all leagues.

Freddie Keiaho, LB, Colts: Opportunity met talent, and that's why Keiaho is a decent stat producer. Through three games, he has 31 total tackles -- 23 solo -- as a member of the Colts' linebacking corps.
Can he keep it up? If the Colts can't contain the run, coach Tony Dungy is going to start reassigning roles to his players, and Keiaho might get moved or demoted. Use him while he's getting plenty of playing time.

Dhani Jones, LB, Bengals: The veteran, bow-tie wearing linebacker is about the only bright spot for Cincy's defense so far this year. He hasn't been a regular NFL starter for a couple of years now, and his tackle numbers suffered because of it. But with 32 total tackles through three games, Jones has re-emerged as a quality defender.
Can he keep it up? It helps that he's starting in the middle of the Bengals' woeful defense. He has the opportunity to keep those tackles coming.

Bryant McFadden, CB, Steelers: With DeShea Townsend injured for Pittsburgh, McFadden has picked up some playing time and done well with it, totaling two interceptions and five passes defensed. His play has helped the Steelers' secondary gain added momentum.
Can he keep it up? Maybe, if given the chance. This is essentially the Steelers' nickelback posting solid numbers, but what happens to his playing time when Townsend is healthy? He's a short-term Fantasy answer.

Fred Robbins, DL, Giants: Back-to-back weeks of quality play from Robbins has made him an interesting waiver-wire pick up. One of the benefits of playing defensive tackle for a blitzing team like the Giants is picking up some scrap sacks and additional stats. Robbins is enjoying that right now.
Can he keep it up? Defensive tackles aren't stat mavens, so consistency is a huge issue here. Think of him as a bye-week replacement at best.

LB matchups

Panthers vs. Falcons' run game: Atlanta is ranked in the top three in rushing attempts and the bottom three in pass attempts. Carolina will see a lot of Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood on Sunday.
LBs to check out: Jon Beason, Thomas Davis, Na'il Diggs

Vikings vs. Titans' run game: Usually it's the Vikings' defensive line expected to dominate, but the Titans' strength is their run game. Expect them to run at the Vikings more than most teams do. Between the slippery Chris Johnson and grinding LenDale White, the Vikings' linebackers will amass some tackles.
LBs to check out: E.J. Henderson, Chad Greenway, Ben Leber

Texans vs. Jaguars' run game: Between the success they had last week running the ball and their success against Houston in the past, look for the Jaguars to run Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor early and often.
LBs to check out: DeMeco Ryans, Zach Diles, Morlon Greenwood

Chargers vs. Raiders' run game: Oakland's passing offense is still developing, and they'll ride the run as long as they can. Containing an injured Darren McFadden and Michael Bush won't be tough for the Bolts, even on a short week.
LBs to check out: Matt Wilhelm, Shaun Phillips, Jyles Tucker, Derek Smith

DB matchups

Browns vs. Bengals' pass game: Cincinnati nearly pulled off an upset last week thanks to Carson Palmer hitting T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Antonio Chatman time and again. The Bengals will likely use that same formula against the Browns' awful secondary.
DBs to check out: Mike Adams, Nick Sorensen, Eric Wright, Brandon McDonald

Saints vs. 49ers' pass game: The Niners are more balanced than we're used to seeing from a Mike Martz-led offense, but they're going to try and take advantage of mismatches against the Saints' weak secondary in what should be a high-scoring game.
DBs to check out: Kevin Kaesviharn, Roman Harper, Tracy Porter

Redskins vs. Cowboys' pass game: Washington's pass defense has been excellent, holding the Giants, Saints and Cardinals all under 220 yards passing. They've yielded three passing TDs and picked off four passes. All that said, Dallas will still sling the ball at will. The Redskins' DBs might make them pay.
DBs to check out: LaRon Landry, Carlos Rogers, Shawn Springs

DL matchups

Bills vs. Rams' offensive line/run game: This should be a huge week for the Bills' D-line playing on turf against a sagging offensive line and a quarterback known just as much for the hard hits he's taken as his good arm in Trent Green. The Rams should also provide a heavy dose of Steven Jackson, and the Bills' front four should be up to the challenge of keeping him down.
DLs to check out: Aaron Schobel, Chris Kelsay, Marcus Stroud, Kyle Williams

Broncos vs. Chiefs' offensive line: The Chiefs have tried to pass the ball, and through their last two games they've been highly unsuccessful. Denver's defensive line isn't much, but they should be able to get to Tyler Thigpen.
DLs to check out: Elvis Dumervil, Ebenezer Ekuban, John Engelberger

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