The linebacker position is to individual defender player (IDP) leagues, what running backs are to traditional offensive orientated leagues.  If you’re in a IDP league, your linebacking corps should be your bread and butter.  Since most leagues allow you to start 2 linebackers, it is essential to have solid depth at a potentially high scoring position.  Since most leagues reward 1-3 points per tackle, the most important stat to look at when selecting a linebacker is tackles (Note: be sure to note whether or not your league credits assisted tackles). While sacks, interceptions, and fumbles can really rack up some serious points, be careful not to place too much emphasis on stats that are the exception to the norm.  It is never a wise bet to bank on a player repeating numbers based on flukey turnovers.  With that, here are the GNUru’s 2007 Linebacker Rankings!

1. Brian Urlacher, CHI
2. DeMeco Ryans, HOU
3. Keith Bulluck, TEN
4. Zach Thomas, MIA
5. Keith Brooking, ATL
6. Lance Briggs, CHI
7. London Fletcher-Baker, WAS
8. Antonio Pierce, NYG
9. A.J. Hawk Hawk, GB
10. Adalius Thomas, NE

For those in Individual Defensive Player (IDP) fantasy football leagues, the defensive lineman position can either be feast or famine.  Defensive lineman rarely get enough tackles in a given game to make a huge difference, however, many league heavily reward sacks.  Sacks are unpredictable so the strategy in selecting linemen can be tricky.  Take for example Justin Smith last year.  He had 6.5 sacks in his first 7 games but only had ½ a sack the rest of the season (9 games).  If a linemen is too successful early on they are likely to see double teams and their production drops significantly.  The elite linement aside (who are used to seeing double teams), it is essential to play the hot hand and to not get caught up in the name game.  That’s why IDP leagues are so much more fun…it takes much more skill to forecast how a particular defensive player will perform against the opposing offense.  Will the team be trying to pressure the opposing rookie QB or will the defense sit back and wait for mistakes?  Reading up on scouting reports can keep you ahead of the game!

1. Terrel Suggs, BAL
2. Jason Taylor, MIA
3. Julius Peppers, CAR
4. Aaron Kampman, GB
5. Aaron Schobel, BUF
6. Osi Umenyiora, NYG
7. Derrick Burgess, OAK
8. Dwight Freeney, IND
9. Kyle Vanden Bosch, TEN
10. Mark Anderson, CHI
 

Ok, so kickers are pretty irrelevant in the big fantasy football picture.  That said, you shouldn’t go into your fantasy football draft not knowing which kickers will be the most productive in the 2007 NFL season.  Most kickers at the NFL level are fairly equivalent in terms of skill- the main difference amongst fantasy kickers are the teams that they play for.  Good fantasy kickers are often on teams with potent offenses capable of getting the ball in field goal range.  On the downside, you don’t necessarily want a kicker on an offense that is too good (see the Indianapolis Colts).  That means more extra points and few field goal attempts.  The best strategy to play when selecting a kicker is to pick a kicker on a good team and take the consistent extra point attempts over the variability that comes with field goals.   

1. Nate Kaeding, SD
2. Jeff Wilkins, STL
3. Robbie Gould, CHI
4. Shane Graham, CIN
5. Adam Vinatieri, IND
6. Jason Elam, DEN
7. David Akers, PHI
8. Neil Rackers, ARI
9. Stephen Gostkowski, NE
10. Olino Mare, NO