The Top Ten Defenders of Week 2

By Arlo Vander

For the second week in a row, a cornerback tops the list of the top fantasy defenders. That’s about all that has remained the same, however, as ten new players made this week’s top ten (although Leonard Little did make the Just Missed list for the second time). This week’s rankings include several IDP blue-chippers as well as a couple of surprises, and also feature the return of the season charts. Which defender has produced the best fantasy numbers so far? It isn’t a perennial standout like Zach Thomas or Donnie Edwards, but a second-year linebacker who went undrafted in most leagues.

1. Deltha O’Neal – CB, Cin
O’Neal was one of Daunte Culpepper’s favorite targets last week. Unfortunately for the Minnesota passer, O’Neal wasn’t wearing purple and white. The Cincinnati defensive back picked off three of Culpepper’s tosses last week and was a hge factor in the Bengals’ 37-8 victory. In addition to the trio of interceptions, O’Neal added five passes defended, seven tackles, and two assists. Nice fantasy stats if you can get them.

2. Andra Davis – LB, Cle
In most IDP leagues, you want your linebackers to produce solid tackle totals, and that’s exactly what Andra Davis did this week. His 12 solo stops tied Detroit’s Earl Holmes for this week’s lead, and while Holmes wasn’t credited with any assists, Davis added seven. After a very strong 2003 campaign, Davis was undervalued by many owners this year following an injury-plagued 2004 season. If he’s still available in your league, grab him.

3. Troy Polamalu – S, Pit
How often do you get three sacks from the safety position? Not very often – Polamalu’s effort in Houston tied the NFL record. In addition to that feat, he also posted six tackles. Interestingly, the third-year safety had a grand total of three career sacks heading into last Sunday’s contest.

4. Kyle Vanden Bosch – DE, Ten
It looks like leaving Arizona was just what the doctor ordered for Vanden Bosch. In his second game with Tennessee, he sacked Baltimore’s Anthony Wright three times for 23 yards in losses and also recovered a Jamal Lewis fumble. He might be worth a look in formats that require you to start a DE.

5. Brad Kassell – LB, Ten
Vanden Bosch wasn’t the only Tennessee defender who had a big day last week. Kassell picked off a pass early in the fourth quarter and took it to the house, putting the game out of reach for good. He also recorded five tackles, two assists, and a pass defense in his second consecutive strong game.

6. Mike Brown – S, Chi
With a nine-tackle outing in Washington, Brown didn’t miss our list by much last week. This time, he only notched four stops, yet together with two passes defended and, above all, his 41-yard interception return for a score in Chicago’s 38-6 drubbing of Detroit, that’s more than enough to vault him into the top ten. After a 2004 season in which he only played in two games, it’s good to see that Brown is back.

7. Junior Seau – LB, Mia
Calf injury? What calf injury? Seau bounced back from a disappointing opener (for fantasy owners, that is, not for Dolphins fans) with a ten-tackle, two-assist effort in which he also recorded his first sack of the year. Don’t expect the veteran to be the All-Universe linebacker he once was, but he’ll have his moments this year.

8. Mike Peterson – LB, Jax
Last week, San Francisco’s Julian Peterson was in this spot; this time, it’s Jacksonville’s Mike. And Mike certainly deserves to be on this list after spearheading a Jaguars defense that held mighty Indianapolis to just ten points. It wasn’t enough to give Jacksonville the upset win, but his interception, nine tackles, and four assists certainly helped many IDP owners to a victory last week.

9. Montae Reagor – DT, Ind
Reagor missed the Colts’ season opener in Baltimore, but quickly made up for lost time with a three-sack, four-tackle outing against Jacksonville. One more game like this, and he’ll already surpass his 2004 sack total of five. Matching last week’s effort won’t be easy this Sunday, however – Cleveland’s offensive line hasn’t allowed quarterback Trent Dilfer to be sacked yet this season.

10. Zach Thomas – LB, Mia
Thomas went off the board early in most IDP leagues, and he hasn’t let his owners down. A week after recording eight tackles and six assists against the Broncos, he went ten-and-two against the division rival Jets, with a forced fumble thrown in for good measure. If he keeps up this pace, Thomas will crack the 100-tackle mark by early November.

Just missed: Brian Urlacher (LB, Chi), Terrence McGee (CB, Buf), Mike Vrabel (LB, NE), Leonard Little (DE, StL), Champ Bailey (CB, Den), Earl Holmes (LB, Det), Chris Gamble (CB, Car)

Top Defenders of the Season to Date

1. Karlos Dansby – LB, Ari
2. Anthony Henry – CB, Dal
3. Leonard Little DE, StL
4. Brian Urlacher – LB, Chi
5. Mike Brown – S, Chi
6. Champ Bailey – CB, Den
7. Zach Thomas – LB, Mia
8. Cato June – LB, Ind
9. Andra Davis – LB, Cle
10. Derrick Johnson – LB, KC
11. Jason Taylor – DE, Mia
12. Deltha O’Neal – CB, Cin
13. Brian Dawkins – S, Phi
14. Brad Kassell – LB, Ten
15. Antonio Pierce – LB, NYG
16. Gary Brackett – LB, Ind
17. Troy Polamalu – S, Pit
18. Shelton Quarles – LB, TB
19. Darren Sharper – S, Min
20. Julian Peterson – LB, SF