Patrick Willis, SF           

With 137 solo stops in his rookie campaign last year, Willis emerged as simply the best IDP in any fantasy format. Playing in a 3-4 front may scare some away, but Willis proved them wrong. But keep in mind that last year’s boffo numbers will be tough to duplicate. Expect a slight decline in numbers but Willis is a lock to finish in the top-5. 110 solo tackles-5 sacks- 1 INT

David Harris, NYJ                  

Harris didn’t start until Week 8 last year but still managed 90 solo tackles. Jonathan Vilma tanked with the Jets in this same position two years ago, so there is some reason for skepticism going into this year, whether Harris’ numbers last year are for real or not. While the Jets did upgrade the defense in the offseason, the team will still be bad so even with a drop off, Harris is still likely top-5. 103-4-1

DeMeco Ryans, HOU             

Ryans was slowed a bit late in the season by a knee injury, but he is now healthy. He has produced studly numbers the past two years and there is little reason to think it will stop now. Willis and Ryans should be the first two of the Top 3 players chosen in any IDP league. 105-2-1             

Brian Urlacher, CHI        

Urlacher’s tackles have been trending downward over the past three seasons while his injuries (back and neck) have been trending upward, and that is not a good sign. At age 30, Urlacher may very well be on the downside of his career. Just entering the Top-5 should be his ceiling this year. There is also talk of Urlacher holding out going into camp, so watch closely. 92-4-2                           

London Fletcher, WAS         

Fletcher has finished in the top-10 in the past six seasons, making him one of the most consistent performers on the defensive side of the ball (not to mention he hasn’t missed a game in 9 years!). With no major changes on defense for Washington coming into this season, there is no reason to think Fletcher won’t continue to rack up tackles. 100-1-2

Kirk Morrison, OAK               

The Raiders stink but Morrison doesn’t. He has finished in the top-10 the past two years while manning the middle. His 10 passes defended and 4 INTs last year might be an indicator that his playmaking skills are on the rise. He can definitely make a legit claim to a top-5 spot this year. 98-1-2

Will Witherspoon, STL          

He was good in Carolina and is even better in St. Louis. He likely won’t repeat 7 sacks (considering he hadn’t had over 3 going into last season) but 90+ solo tackles is nothing to sneeze at. His numbers may fluctuate since the Rams figure to be better on both sides of the ball this year but top-15 is a near certainty. 93-2-2         

Nick Barnett, GB           

After a down year in 2006 (61 solos), Barnett rebounded with 102 solos last season. Outside of the 2006 season, Barnett is always around the 90 solo tackle range and there is little reason to think it drops off this year. 92-2-2    

Jon Beason, CAR         

If rookie Dan Conner impresses in preaseason, Beason might be moved to the weakside, which would cut into his value. However, if he remains in the MLB slot all year, 95+ solo’s are not out of the question. Monitor this situation closely in preseason. 97-1-1

Keith Bulluck, TEN        

Bulluck was hampered by knee and thigh injures last year but still played all 16 games, which resulted in his solo tackle number plummeting to a mere 68. The big question: is 70 solo tackles his new norm or does he rebound to his previous self (top-5 finish and 100 solo tackles)? Based on his track record (finishing in the top-5 from 2001-2006), bet on the latter. 90-2-2

Paul Posluszny, BUF                     

Over the past six seasons, the Bills’ MLB slot has averaged 94 solo stops per season during this span. Posluszny suffered a broken arm in week 3 last year and missed the rest of the season. In a seemingly golden situation, if Posluszny can stay healthy (no certainty), he will be productive. 95-1-1     

E.J. Henderson, MIN             

Henderson’s solo numbers have jumped by 20 solo’s per year for the past 2 seasons, to the point where he ended the 2007 season with 95 solo tackles. The addition of Jared Allen to an already stout defensive line will continue to lift Henderson into rarified air. A top-10 finish is certainly not out of the question. 92-2-1             

Karlos Dansby, ARZ              

Has yet to play all 16 games in a season but he’s playing on a one-year contract, so one would think he’ll be as motivated as ever heading into the 2008 season. Despite the change to a 3-4 last year, Dansby was still productive. A good guy to gamble on come draft day: hope he’ll play a full schedule but know he likely won’t. 82-4-2

Lance Briggs,CHI                          

He missed 2 games with a groin injury last year but is one of the best OLBs in the business. With Urlacher seemingly breaking down physically more often, consider Briggs a safer and better option of the two at this point. 94-1-1

Barrett Ruud, TB                

A nagging knee injury limited him somewhat in 2007 but he still had 83 solo tackles. If healthy, 90+ tackles are a virtual lock. 90-1-2

Lofa Tatupu, SEA                  

He’s averaged 87 solo stops of the past three years and is one of the more consistent IDP options. A top-12 finish would seem to be within reason. 86-2-2  

Ernie Sims, DET       

A virtual lock to finish in the top-25 due to the Tampa-2 defense the Lions use and the fact the Lions stink. He’s one of the better MLB linebackers in the league. A few more big plays and Sims could sneak into the top-10.       92-1-1    

Ray Lewis, BAL                  

He hasn’t played a full 16-game schedule since 2003 (taking into account the 2005 season where he only played 7 games) and he is 33 years old. He is still very solid when healthy but is no longer at the elite level. Draft him expecting 14 games, and anything more is gravy. 84-2-2            

Jonathan Vilma, NO          

There are many questions that will be answered this season for Vilma:

is he healthy? He is supposedly on schedule after off-season reconstructive knee surgery.

how much of the poor play with the Jets the past two seasons was related to the Jets 3-4 scheme and how much of it was related to Vilma ? It would be unfair to lump Vilma’s struggles entirely to the 3-4. The Saints play a 4-3 with talented defenders on the defensive line so Vilma should have lots of room to roam in New Orleans.

If healthy, he returns to his normal high level of play.      90-0-1    

Antonio Pierce, NYG                     

A sprained ankle in the second half of the season contributed to Pierce having only 77 solos stops. He was especially disappointing considering his 109 solo tackle season in 2006. Pierce always seems to be around the 80 solo tackle range (he had 87 in 2004 and 80 in 2005 but contributes little in the sacks and interception columns) but even taking that into account, he has a real shot at top-15 this year. 87-1-1            

Mike Peterson, JAX      

Last year, he was on pace for 97 solo stops before a broken hand sidelined him. The big problem is he has now missed 17 games over the past two seasons with hand and pectoral injuries. If you draft Peterson, you should also draft teammate Justin Durant as a handcuff. What are the odds Peterson gets injured and misses significant time again? Do you really want to find out? 80-2-2                              

Donations can be made by clicking here