The Top Ten Defenders of Week 5

Following the thrashing that the Packers put on the Saints this week, it should come as no surprise that two Packers, both of whom scored touchdowns in the rout, made this week’s top ten. Likewise, the Colts’ surprisingly effective defense also sends two representatives who helped seal their team stay undefeated. Who else made this week’s list? Read on!

1. Chris Crocker - S, Cle
After spending his first two seasons in the league in fantasy obscurity, Crocker is starting to make a name for himself. With nine solo tackles, his second sack of the year, two forced fumbles and a recovery, the strong safety posted excellent fantasy numbers for the second time in four games. For now, he still lacks the coinsistency you’d like to see from your fantasy defenders, but if you’re looking for a bye-week DB fill-in, he could be worth a look.

2. Keith Bulluck - LB, Ten
Bulluck hasn’t been his usual dominant self so far this year, but this week’s preformance helped make up for a ho-hum September. Twelve tackles, three assists, and a sack are more in line with what his owners were expecting when they drafted the Tennessee stalwart. Expect more good things in the weeks to come.

3. Al Harris - CB, GB
Harris was a bit banged up heading into this week’s tilt with New Orleans at Lambeau, but he didn’t let that stop him from joining in the fun as the Packers routed the Saints, 52-3. Harris only notched one tackle, but with two interceptions, one of which he returned 22 yards to give Green Bay a 14-3 lead in the first quarter, three passes defended, and a sack, Harris didn’t need tackles to post stellar fantasy numbers.

4. Robert Mathis - DE, Ind
After recording a sack in each of the Colts’ first four games, Mathis went one better and made it two this week. Mathis harried rookie quarterback Alex Smith all afternoon, and also added a forced fumble and seven tackles to his impressive line. This week, he’ll try to extend his sack streak when Indianapolis hosts the St. Louis Rams, who are tied for second-worst in the league with 20 sacks allowed.

5. Cato June - LB, Ind
Who needs Peyton Manning when you have defenders like June putting points on the board? June helped Smith’s debut miserable by returning an interception for a touchdown, and joined teammate Mathis in making a big fantasy impact this week.

6. Marlon McCree - S, Car
Since starting the 2005 season with just one tackle in the Panthers’ opener, McCree has increased that number every week. This Sunday, he reached double digits for the first time with ten, and also picked off two passes to help Carolina to a come-from-behind victory over Arizona.

7. Nick Barnett - LB, GB
Al Harris wasn’t the only Green Bay defender to score a touchdown this week. Barnett pick off a Todd Bouman mistake in garbage time and sprinted 95 yards to finish the day’s scoring. Barnett is on a bye this week, but once he returns to action, he’s a must-start.

8. Jonathan Vilma - LB, NYJ
And you thought Vilma was solid last year… There’s no sign of a sophomore jinx for the Jets’ star linebacker, who has now posted double-digit solo tackles for three straight weeks. If you had the foresight to pick him up in a keeper or dynasty league: congratulations. Barring injury, Vilma should be a standout for a long, long time.

9. Sheldon Brown - CB, Phi
Last week, Brown scored Philadlphia’s first touchdown after he plucked an errant Trent Green toss out of the air and scrambled 40 yards to the end zone. This time, he had to run twice that distance to give the Eagles their sole touchdown of the game after he recovered a Keyshawn Johnson fumble in the third quarter. He also added seven stops to earn a spot on the top ten list for the first time.

10. Jason Taylor - DE, Mia
Taylor didn’t record a sack against either the Jets or the Panthers, but he came through in style for his owners this week. Facing the Bills in Buffalo, Taylor sacked Kelly Holcomb twice, forced a fumble, and made six tackles in his best game of the season so far.

Just missed: Dre Bly (CB, Det), Donnie Edwards (LB, SD), Chris Johnson (CB, StL), Zach Thomas (LB, Mia), Brian Urlacher (LB, Chi), Dewayne Robertson (DT, NYJ), Lofa Tatupa (LB, Sea)

 
Arlo Vander picked up linebacker Marcus Washington as a bye-week fill-in prior to week 5. Bad move.