Ballhawkin': Let's Get It Started

Think IDP leagues are the way to go? Then Ballhawkin' is for you. Here, we pick out a few Individual Defensive Players that could have huge weeks and are possibly sitting in your free-agent pool.

All IDP leagues are created differently. I have one that starts five defense guys from any position each week. I have one that starts two DLs, two LBs, two DBs, and two flex defenders each week. I have another with different settings than those two, but you get the picture. As such, it makes it extremely difficult to figure out who's going to be available in your league on a weekly basis.

So what I'll do is avoid the top 30 LBs, top 25 DBs, and top 20 DLs, according to league ownership numbers. Once we get a few games under our belts, I'll start looking for guys using points scored as my criteria instead. If you tend to find that none of my suggestions are available in your league, let me know in the comments area.

Linebackers

1. E.J. Henderson, Vikings. He missed most of 2008 with a foot injury, but Henderson is back in the middle of the Vikings defense, where he notched 110 total tackles or more in 2006 and 2007. He also sprinkles a few sacks in each season, something he'll have a shot at doing on Sunday when he faces untested QB Brady Quinn. Since Henderson is expected to wear the defensive headset, he should see most (if not all) of the snaps on defense.

2. Stephen Cooper, Chargers. Cooper has averaged over 100 tackles and three interceptions the last two years. Last year he had to endure without Shawne Merriman and his numbers didn't take a hit at all. in fact, considering he missed four games in 2008, he was actually much better last year. Expect more of the same on Sunday against a run-first Raiders team. Ten tackles isn't out of the question.

3. James Laurinaitis, Rams. One of the front-runners for Defensive Rookie of the Year heading into the season, Laurinaitis was immediately installed as the Rams' starting middle linebacker. Without much run-stopping power in the middle of the defensive line, Laurinaitis should see plenty of tackle opportunities all year. I think he averages 7 total tackles a game, and I expect to see him post at least that in Week 1.

Defensive Backs

1. Louis Delmas, Lions. Welcome to the league, rook. Against Drew Brees' Saints, Delmas is going to have a tough time keeping up with all the air traffic in his first professional game. There should be a lot of yards gained by New Orleans, which means there should be a lot of tackles to be had. Don't expect any INTs from Delmas, but if you're in a tackle-heavy league, he should suit you just fine this week.

2. Kerry Rhodes, Jets. He's been surrounded by talent in the New York back seven. The onus is on him to once again prove he's one of the best safeties in the league. Playing next to Jim Leonhard, maybe Rhodes has a little Ed Reed in him. Against Houston, I like Rhodes to have a very productive day. If he's sitting on your wire and you need a Troy Polamalu replacement for the next few weeks, I'd give him a look.

Defensive Lineman

1. Jason Taylor, Dolphins. Taylor had a terrible 2008 from a fantasy perspective as a part-time player for the Redskins. But back with Miami, and with run-stopper Matt Roth out, Taylor could recapture his old form very quickly. He'll be taking on the run-first Falcons this week, so he might have trouble getting a sack, but he should prove to have a handful of tackles each week, with a better than 50-50 chance of landing a sack each time out.