Fantasy Football 2013: Linebacker Rankings

Author:
Mark Ross
Jul 16, 2013 11:00 AM EDT

In this story:

NFL training camps open up this week, meaning we are that much closer to the start of the regular season and fantasy football. While kickoff may still be nearly a month away, it's never too early to start preparing for your draft.

With apologies to defensive linemen along the lines of a J.J. Watt and the occasional breakout season by a defensive back, a la Charles Tillman last season, linebackers are typically the most productive fantasy IDPs. Of the top 20 fantasy IDPs in 2012, the only non-LBs on the list were the aforementioned Watt and Tillman.

Since there are so many LBs out there capable of being a valuable fantasy contributor, who you need to target in your draft is somewhat dependent on personal preference. For example, if you are looking for someone who racks up a lot of tackles, Luke Kuechly, James Laurinaitis, Lavonte David and Paul Posluszny are some of the top options to consider. Kuechly, the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2012, is a tackling machine whose value could reach another level should he find a way to increase his production in a few other categories.

There also are LBs who make a good living by piling up the sacks, such as Von Miller, Aldon Smith and Clay Matthews. Miller in particular is appealing because of his big-play ability (six forced fumbles in 2012). And then there are the solid, all-around LBs, those may not shine in any one category, but are no less valuable and can serve as the anchor of your IDP unit.

Teammates Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman highlight this list, along with Derrick Johnson, Jerod Mayo, Sean Weatherspoon and D'Qwell Jackson. Daryl Washington would be near the top as well, but he is scheduled to serve a four-game suspension to open the season, which hurts his overall value.

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Fantasy Football 2013: Linebacker (LB) Rankings


Rk	Player	Team	Bye
1	Luke Kuechly	CAR	4
2	Patrick Willis	SF	9
3	James Laurinaitis	STL	11
4	Derrick Johnson	KC	10
5	NaVorro Bowman	SF	9
6	Lavonte David	TB	5
7	Von Miller	DEN	9
8	Paul Posluszny	JAC	9
9	Jerod Mayo	NE	10
10	Sean Weatherspoon	ATL	6
11	D’Qwell Jackson	CLE	10
12	Bobby Wagner	SEA	12
13	Chad Greenway	MIN	5
14	Daryl Washington	ARI	9
15	London Fletcher	WAS	5
16	Aldon Smith	SF	9
17	Wesley Woodyard	DEN	9
18	Arthur Brown	BAL	8
19	Lawrence Timmons	PIT	5
20	Zach Brown	TEN	8
21	Brian Cushing	HOU	8
22	Curtis Lofton	NO	7
23	Sean Lee	DAL	11
24	Terrell Suggs	BAL	8
25	Clay Matthews	GB	4
26	Donald Butler	SD	8
27	Manti Te'o	SD	8
28	Lance Briggs	CHI	8
29	Vontaze Burfict	CIN	12
30	Desmond Bishop	MIN	5
31	David Harris	NYJ	10
32	DeMeco Ryans	PHI	12
33	Dannell Ellerbe	MIA	6
34	Jarvis Jones	PIT	5
35	Brandon Graham	PHI	12
36	Jerrell Freeman	IND	8
37	Kevin Minter	ARI	9
38	Akeem Ayers	TEN	8
39	Mason Foster	TB	5
40	Pat Angerer	IND	8
41	Alec Ogletree	STL	11
42	Perry Riley	WAS	5
43	Rey Maualuga	CIN	12
44	Justin Houston	KC	10
45	Jabaal Sheard	CLE	10
46	Brandon Spikes	NE	10
47	Larry Foote	PIT	5
48	Mychal Kendricks	PHI	12
49	Russell Allen	JAC	9
50	Karlos Dansby	ARI	9

Rankings are based upon Athlon Sports' standard scoring system:

INDIVIDUAL DEFENSIVE PLAYER (IDP) SCORING
Solo tackle = 1 pt
Tackle assist = 0.5 pts
Sack = 3.5 pts
Interception = 3.5 pts
Forced fumble/recovery = 2 pts
Defensive TD = 8 pts
Safety = 2 pts
Pass Defended = 0.5 pts
Blocked Kick = 4 pts

Additional Fantasy Football Rankings:

2013 Big Board (Top 250)
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Defense/Special Teams
Kickers
Top 75 IDP
Defensive Linemen
Defensive Backs