IDP Defensive Linemen (DL)

This year is being touted as the ‘Year of the Quarterback’ which inevitably makes defensive lineman more valuable to their team in comparison to years’ past IF they can create a solid defensive front against the pass and the rush. Some teams have been throwing the ball twice as much as they have been running it and defenses have had to adapt. Getting to the quarterback has never been so important.

IDP Week 6 - Mario WilliamsWith that said, the Houston Texans’ received a huge blow when they recently learned that Mario Williams suffered a torn pectoral muscle and will miss the rest of the season. This is terrible news, especially since ‘yours truly’ picked him to be a dominant force in IDP this season. He had recorded his fifth sack of the season before going down with the injury last week, only for his team to eventually lose to the Oakland Raiders. But it is what it is though, so owners need to look at other options going forward.

Take a look at Carolina Panthers’ Greg Hardy, who has three sacks heading into Week 6. He’s worth a waiver and should be available in most leagues. Hardy is only in his second year out of Mississippi and lines up opposite of Charles Johnson, who usually draws the extra attention in pass blocking. Hardy has also recorded decent tackle numbers with 17 solo tackles and four assist this season and should continue to get better.

If your league requires a DL position (both defensive ends and tackles), then it’s also worth considering getting tackle Cullen Jenkins of Philly in shallow leagues. He is on a roll so far this season with five sacks in as many games, but is only owned in a little more than a quarter of ESPN leagues. The veteran seems to be fitting in well playing in his new defensive front since coming over from the Green Bay Packers this offseason in free agency.

There are a couple matchups to watch out for in Week 6, including rookie Ryan Kerrigan going against the Eagles and Michael Vick who has already gotten beaten up in the past weeks. Kerrigan had been mentioned before as a player to pick up before, so pull the trigger if he’s still available. His knack for making big plays should continue after resting on a bye week. Kerrigan should have 3-5 solo tackles, a sack and forced fumble if all goes well for him and the Skins.

The other one that should be highlighted is Minnesota’s Jared Allen, who is having a monster season with 8.5 sacks in five contests, going to Chicago to get after Jay Cutler who has been sacked 18 times already this year. Allen should get at least a pair of sacks and you might see his teammate, Bryan Robinson get into the action too. Robinson is worth a roster spot in deeper IDP leagues after racking up a pair of sacks of Arizona’s Kevin Kolb last Sunday giving him 4.5 total. The two players, along with Everson Griffen rotating in, could make a formidable pass rush if the Vikings can get and sustain a lead to need it.

Happy hunting to all the lineman with quarterbacks in their crosshairs. They shouldn’t be hard to find.

Fantasy Couch Store