This article is part of our IDP Analysis series.
RISERS
LaRon Landry, S, WAS - Landry currently leads the NFL in tackles after he somehow totaled 13 solo tackles and added four assists against Dallas in Week 1. Don't look for Landry to be much of a force as far as turnovers go, but most IDP leagues tend to focus on tackles; and with that in mind, Landry may have already proven himself to be an elite IDP option this year.
Patrick Chung, S, NE - Second to Landry's lead in tackles at this point is Chung, a second-year safety from Oregon built to stop the run. He did nothing to question his reputation as a tackling machine in Week 1. He was a heat-seeking missile against the Bengals, totaling 12 solo tackles and adding four assists. It wouldn't be surprising if he led the Patriots in tackles this year.
Clay Matthews, LB, GB - Matthews not only posted three sacks against Philadelphia in Week 1, but he also led the Packers with seven solo tackles and forced a fumble. That sort of performance can change the course of a head-to-head matchup in IDP leagues. Matthews has the ability to lead the league in sacks, but don't expect him to keep up a rate of seven solo tackles per game.
T.J. Ward, S, CLE - Ward was underrated by most draft observers and was thus mistakenly labeled as a reach by many when Cleveland selected him with the 38th overall pick in the 2010 draft,
RISERS
LaRon Landry, S, WAS - Landry currently leads the NFL in tackles after he somehow totaled 13 solo tackles and added four assists against Dallas in Week 1. Don't look for Landry to be much of a force as far as turnovers go, but most IDP leagues tend to focus on tackles; and with that in mind, Landry may have already proven himself to be an elite IDP option this year.
Patrick Chung, S, NE - Second to Landry's lead in tackles at this point is Chung, a second-year safety from Oregon built to stop the run. He did nothing to question his reputation as a tackling machine in Week 1. He was a heat-seeking missile against the Bengals, totaling 12 solo tackles and adding four assists. It wouldn't be surprising if he led the Patriots in tackles this year.
Clay Matthews, LB, GB - Matthews not only posted three sacks against Philadelphia in Week 1, but he also led the Packers with seven solo tackles and forced a fumble. That sort of performance can change the course of a head-to-head matchup in IDP leagues. Matthews has the ability to lead the league in sacks, but don't expect him to keep up a rate of seven solo tackles per game.
T.J. Ward, S, CLE - Ward was underrated by most draft observers and was thus mistakenly labeled as a reach by many when Cleveland selected him with the 38th overall pick in the 2010 draft, but he's showing so far that Cleveland was wise to take him. He led the team with 10 tackles (seven solo) and forced a fumble in Week 1, and he has athleticism to keep himself around the ball going forward.
Marcus Stroud, DE, BUF - Stroud probably won't experience much success on the actual football field with Buffalo, but he's looking like a nice pickup for those who need help on the defensive line. Despite posting just two solo tackles against Miami in Week 1, he added five assists, showing that he'll be in the middle of the traffic as Buffalo gets run over this season.
FALLERS
Paul Posluszny, LB, BUF - If it weren't for injuries, Posluszny just might be able to make a run at Patrick Willis for the top IDP distinction. Unfortunately, he can't stay healthy, and it's looking more and more that he never will. Posluszny gets injured constantly and is always finding new ways to do it, with a new and innovative ailment replacing each one he recovers from. Posluszny totaled eight tackles (six solo) and a sack against the Dolphins in Week 1 but is expected to miss at least a couple weeks with a knee injury he suffered during the game.
Brandon Graham, DE, PHI - Graham is a starter for Philadelphia and a very talented player, but the Eagles used him primarily as a defensive tackle outside of the base 4-3 defense. That's bad, of course, because the defensive end spot is much better for rushing the passer. Graham didn't do much in the role against Green Bay last week, and it's hard to see them moving him outside given how well Juqua Parker did last week.
Keith Bulluck, LB, NYG - Although Bulluck was expected to start at middle linebacker for the Giants after he was signed in the summer, he didn't play much of a role against the Panthers in Week 1. He totaled just two assists in the game, and it's looking like Jonathan Goff might have the lead for playing time at middle linebacker.
Erik Coleman, S, ATL - Coleman puts up very nice IDP numbers, but we have to wonder if his time as a starter in Atlanta is nearing its end. The team drafted William Moore in the 2nd round of last year's draft, and Coleman made himself the goat of Atlanta's overtime loss against Pittsburgh by taking an awful angle that allowed Rashard Mendenhall to run for a game-winning, 50-yard touchdown.
Bradie James, LB, DAL - James put forth a weak effort in Week 1, despite his official total of eight tackles. Only one of those was a solo tackle, showing that James did little more than jump on piles against the Redskins Sunday night. James was never any better than average, and it's possible that he's slowing down a bit.
