Do you dive in for a sticky-fingered DB to grab the interceptions or take the guy who crushes QBs for kicks?

I’ve looked at the performances over the last 3 seasons, focusing on 3 areas – Interceptions, sacks and tackles.

On the surface the stats show what can only be described as “obvious”—DBs dominate the Interceptions, linemen get to the QB the most and the LB’s lead in tackles.

Defensive Backs

While DBs are the clear leaders in snaring the interceptions, the “stud” is tougher to spot – There have been only 14 instances of anyone claiming 7 or more picks during the last 3 years, and only Champ Bailey (8 in ’05 & 10 in ’06) features twice. Asante Samuel in 2006, Deltha O’Neal and Ty Law in 2005 are the only others to hit double figures.

Not that interceptions are the key to a successful DB – Adrian Wilson led all DBs in 2005 and only managed 1 interception, however 93 tackles and an amazing 8 sacks more than made up for his shortage of picks! Don’t be looking for that sort of sack production from your DBs though; the next best output was Shawn Springs with 6 in 2004. The leaders in 2006, Kerry Rhodes and Wilson only managed 5. If you can find a DB to get you 90+ tackles grab him! Nobody crossed that threshold in 2006. Rodney Harrison’s 96 in 2004 has been the best haul across the 3 seasons, and there have only been 5 occurrences in total.

Now, don’t be looking for these guys to grab interceptions for you. No lineman has managed a pick in each of the 3 years and only 3 have managed it twice. Two is the most that anyone has picked off in any one season – Alex Brown, Fred Robbins, Jason Taylor, Julius Peppers and Terrell Suggs being the men in question.

Forget the “INT Column” and look at the sacks. The past 3 years have seen 48 occasions where a player has recorded 10 or more sacks and only 9 of these performances were NOT from a lineman. However, there may be a shift in progress concerning the ‘distribution of sacks’ – in 2004 only 1 LB broke the 10-sack barrier, this doubled in 2005 while 2006 saw no fewer than 6 LB hitting 10 or more – you have been warned!!!

Eight linemen have achieved the aforementioned feat on 2 occasions: Aaron Schobel, Derrick Burgess Dwight Freeney, Jason Taylor, Julius Peppers, Robert Mathis, Rod Coleman and Simeon Rice. Nobody has managed it for 3 straight years, although Taylor and Peppers both registered 9.5 in their respective sub-10 sack seasons. On the tackle front, Charles Grant’s 67 in 2004 is the best output from a lineman and only 4 others have cleared 60 tackles.

So we know that linebackers are not going to lead the Interception stats – indeed 5 is the most that any LB has registered over the last 3 seasons – Donnie Edwards, Odell Thurman, Cato June and Takeo Spikes supplied the ‘highlights’ here. And the linemen (generally) take the spoils in the sack stakes. I say “generally,” because Shawn Merriman’s 16.5 sacks last season is the highest total by any player over this period. He is also the only non- lineman to have sacked the QB at least 10 times twice in the last 3 years.

Tackles is where the LB position comes to the forefront—21 times has a ‘Backer gone over the 100 tackle mark—Kansas City’s new acquisition, Donnie Edwards, has managed that each year. Keith Bulluck should get an honorable mention for his run of 99, 102, 100 tackles.

Putting It Together

Linebackers occupy the top 10 IDP spots and 16 of the top 25, DB’s fill out the rest. Jason Taylor may be a major force on the Dolphin’s D Line, but despite leading all linemen in 2005 & 2006, his efforts don’t feature in the top 25 performances. His 2006 performance coming in at #33 overall, was the best showing by a lineman.

Consistency - linebackers Donnie Edwards and Keith Bulluck, along with DB Ronde Barber, are the only players appearing in the top 5 performers at their position each year. These 3 are also the only players with 3 spots in the top 25 overall performances, although their performances are dropping each year.

The top overall performance over this period came from a rookie – Houston Linebacker, DeMeco Ryans in 2006.

No player features in the top 5 of each category here either overall or when broken down by position, making Adrian Wilson’s 2005 efforts where he led all DB’s in Tackles & Sacks all the more amazing. This is the ONLY Instance of a player leading more than 1 category at his position.

What does this all mean for your draft?

Look at the scoring system, does your league award points differently according to position or is it the same across the board?

How can you score?

For my purposes here I have used a relatively basic system:

• Tackle, Pass Defended and Forced Fumble – 1pt.
  
• Fumble Recovery and Safety - 2pts.
  
• Sack and Interception – 3pts.
  
• Touchdown – 6pts.

Note - Touchdown refers to defensive scores only, kick returns are not included here and all positions have been scored the same.

The scoring may be more vital with IDP than the offensive players. Offensively, you can fairly imagine that the RB gaining 1100/1200 yards will gain you 6-8 touchdowns as a minimum, no such guarantee comes with IDP.

The drop-off in output from the top-ranked at each position down to #10 is more marked with the linemen (averaging 33pts per year) than the defensive backs (25pts), linebackers fall in the middle at 28pts average. This fact may making taking an early punt on a top lineman less of a ‘reach’ than your DB, but like I say – check your league scoring – if a category has a higher scoring than another, tailor your drafting accordingly.

Happy Drafting!