IDP Analysis: Emergence of the 3-4 ILB

09/30/2010 11:02 AM -  Mike Woellert

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Every once in a while, my mind will start to wander and I’ll start paying attention to different names or different trends.  Upon doing that, I’ll totally forget what I was originally trying to accomplish, for example, going to the store and not picking up the taco seasoning for our dinner the next evening, like I have some sort of adult version of ADHD.  But I digress.  When it comes to IDP leagues, however, one stead-fast rule that has seemed to stick in IDP circles and one that I’ve learned to follow; the 4-3 MIKE is king.  Another rule is that linebackers are pretty much your butter on the garlic toast.  To go along with MLB in the 4-3, the weak-side linebacker in a 4-3 is also a wise draft choice.  But, like all fantasy theories, things tend to shift.  Like the stud running back theory, the 4-3 MIKE/WILL theory is starting to shift and there is a strong collection of inside linebackers that call the 3-4 their scheme and are becoming extremely productive and valuable in IDP leagues.  Most teams were using a 4-3 base defense but, as defenses have shifted from a 4-3/Tampa-2 style defense, they are moving towards a 3-4 scheme with 2 down linemen, a nose tackle and 4 linebackers.  The outside linebackers in a 3-4, typically will rush the quarterback or eat up blockers for the inside backers to make plays.  In 2010, a few more teams that ran the 4-3 scheme switched to a 3-4 (Buffalo and Washington), so a few more of those MIKEs switched to the inside.  IDP fantasy owners need to adapt, as the NFL does and target those linebackers that are fantasy gold as an ILB in this defense.

Not only are ILBs becoming more and more relevant in IDP, they are typically drafted as LB1s in most IDP formats.  For the past 3 seasons, Patrick Willis has been an IDP stud playing in the 49’ers 3-4 defense, where he has averaged over 150 total tackles per season.  While 4-3 linebackers will still remain the majority in IDP drafts, you cannot overlook these backers either.  Two names that might be notably absent are London Fletcher and Paul Posluszny.  This is their first year in a 3-4 scheme as they have spent their careers as MIKEs in a 4-3.  However, even in the shift, Fletcher and Poz were drafted amongst the tops of the LBs in most IDP drafts.  Here are some other ILBs that should be on most IDP squads:

Karlos Dansby, ILB, MIA: Dansby emerged as a fantasy option beginning in the 2007 season where he notched 78 solos and 99 total tackles and now has two straight seasons of 100+ total tackles.  He was signed by the Dolphins during the offseason and has 25 tackles and a sack in the first three weeks of the 2010 season.  In most IDP drafts, Dansby was drafted as an LB1.

Ray Lewis, ILB, BAL: Not much needs to be said about Ray Lewis, as he’s been one of the most dominant linebackers in recent memory.  In a career spanning 15 season, he has notched 2,368 tackles and just when age comes into question, he just continues to prepare and keep himself in shape and continue to dominate.  He was probably drafted among the top 15 LBs in most IDP leagues.

Lawrence Timmons, ILB, PIT: Timmons became an everydown backer in 2009 after posting respectable tackle digits in his rookie year.  Timmons racked up 7 sacks and 78 tackles on the inside in 2009 and is having a break-out third year campaign with 33 total tackles in just 3 games thus far.  He was probably drafted as a low LB2 and is producing as an LB1.

Derrick Johnson, ILB, KCC: Johnson might be one of the more underappreciated LBs in the NFL but us IDP’ers have always seen something in him.  He’s extremely talented and can make plays.  He found himself in Todd Haley’s doghouse last season and just coldn’t get on the field as he played in 344 of the team’s 990 defensive snaps.  Romeo Crennel was hired as the defensive coordinator and has utilized his talents and has been on 197 of the 204 defensive snaps.

DJ Williams, ILB, DEN: Williams went from 4-3 MIKE to 3-4 MIKE when Mike Nolan was hired as defensive coordinator from the 49’ers.  Denver made the move in 2009 and Williams went on to posted 122 tackles and notch 3.5 sacks.  Williams was drafted among the tops of the LBs in most IDP drafts in 2010.

Jerod Mayo, ILB, NEP: Jerod Mayo reminds of a character from Seinfeld, only his name was Joe Mayo.  Since entering the league in 2008, it was unclear how he’d be utilized in the Patriots defense.  Well that was put to rest after he notched 128 tackles his rookie campaign and went on to post 103 in 2009 and has made it clear, that he’s one of the top ILBs in fantasy leagues.  He was drafted among the top 10/15 LBs in 2010 and has compiled 27 tackles and a sack so far in 2010.

Bradie James, ILB, DAL: DeMarcus Ware gets most of attention in Dallas but Bradie James is probably the better overall linebacker in Dallas.  James emerged as an IDP option in 2005 season, posting 93 tackles and 2.5 sacks.  Since 2006, he has averaged 108 tackles and is good for about 2.5 to 3 sacks per season.  He was drafted among the top 30 LBs in most IDP formats.

David Harris, ILB, NYJ: Harris made big mark in IDP leagues in 2007 when he posted 126 tackles and 5 sacks.  His play tailed off in 2008 and he battled injuries, as well.  He was drafted as a bargain in 2009 and posted 127 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 2009.  He has emerged as one of Rex Ryan’s guys and is one of the more dominant ILBs in the NFL.

Daryl Washington, ILB, ARI/Paris Lenon, ILB, ARI: Washington came into the league with huge potential and gained a lot of momentum heading into IDP drafts with the he played during the pre-season. Coupled with a trip to the PUP for ILB Gerald Hayes, Washington found his way into the starting lineup. In 3 contests, he has 20 total tackles (19 solo) and the linebacker play, as a whole for Arizona, is improved. Paris Lenon, who’s been a journeymen, has 23 solo tackles (27 total) through 3 games. Both Washington and Lenon are playing extremely well and a monkeywrench could get thrown into the mix once Gerald Hayes returns. For now, Washington and Lenon seem to be strong ILBs.

Some other up and coming 3-4 ILBs:

Kevin Burnett, SDC

Brandon Siler, SDC

Sean Lee, DAL

Rocky McIntosh, WAS

As always, please e-mail me mike@fantasyfootball.com for comments and questions

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