DE Gaines Adams has been coming on strong lately.

Gaines Adams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Season Stats: 20 solos, 7 assists, 4.5 sacks, 0 INT, 1 FF, 2 Pass Def.
Last Week: 4 solos, 0 assists, 1.0 sacks, 0 INT, 0 FF, 0 Pass Def.

Though Amobi Okoye shot out of the gate this season, Gaines Adams is slowly catching up to him as the best rookie defensive lineman of the year.  Taking his sack total to 4.5 and adding four more solo tackles is just what IDP league owners love to see.  He’ll have his ups and downs for the rest of the week, but don’t discount this kid as he should be in the Houston backfield on several occasions this  Sunday.

Linebackers

Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers
Season Stats: 100 solos, 28 assists, 1.0 sacks, 0 INT, 1 FF, 3 Pass Def.
Last Week: 17 solos, 1 assist, 0 sacks, 0 INT, 0 FF, 0 Pass Def.

If that “Last Week” line looks a lot like the week before, it’s because it’s nearly identical.  Just when we think Willis is slowing down, he goes off for back-to-back weeks of 18 tackles, taking his solo total to the triple-digits.  He’s slowing pulling himself away from the rest of the NFL defensive rookies for the Rookie of the Year honors and should be a LB1 from this point forward.  We knew this kid would be special, but not this good, this soon.

Jon Beason, Carolina Panthers
Season Stats: 75 solos, 23 assists, 0 sacks, 1 INT, 0 FF, 6 Pass Def.
Last Week: 5 solos, 2 assists, 0 sacks, 1 INT, 0 FF, 2 Pass Def.

Just when we thought that Beason would have a shot at catching Willis for the tackle total.  Seven tackles last week is not bad by any means, and the fact that he added an interception and two defended passes is a great sign of his involvement in the flow of the game.  He’s a solid keeper for next season and should be started in all IDP formats for the rest of the season as the Panthers will undoubtedly struggle to keep their offense on the field.

David Harris, New York  Jets
Season Stats: 66 solos, 25 assists, 3.0 sacks, 0 INT, 1 FF, 1 Pass Def.
Last Week: 8 solos, 0 assists, 1.0 sacks, 0 INT, 1 FF, 0 Pass Def.

Who needs assists? Not Harris, as the rookie linebacker has now gone back-to-back weeks without recorded an assisted tackle.  However, he’s adding on to his sack totals by getting to fellow rookie John Beck last week.  The Browns will provide him some chances to shine this week, but he will struggle to get to the quarterback this time around as the Cleveland offensive line is much improved.

Defensive Backs

LaRon Landry, Washington Redskins
Season Stats: 56 solos, 27 assists, 1.5 sacks, 0 INT, 0 FF, 5 Pass Def.
Last Week: 3 solos, 2 assists, 0 sacks, 0 INT, 0 FF, 2 Pass Def.

Playing in the defensive backfield without fellow safety Sean Taylor had to be rough, especially with the ‘Skins playing in two games in the last seven days.  If you can find a better option for the rest of the season, we suggest doing it as you’re not likely to get more than five or six tackles per game from here out, with a severe lack of big plays.

Eric Wright, Cleveland  Browns
Season Stats: 64 solos, 4 assists, 1.0 sacks, 1 INT, 0 FF, 8 Pass Def.
Last Week: N/A

Wright is officially listed as questionable for this week, and may see a handful of snaps as the Browns travel to the Medowlands.  With playoff hopes abound, the team would likely wish to have him play only a little bit to ensure his health for the post season.  He’ll be one of the top-15 DBs taken in next season’s IDP drafts, but he may not give you much more for the rest of the year.

Darrelle Revis, New York  Jets
Season Stats: 61 solos, 11 assists, 0 sacks, 2 INT, 1 FF, 12 Pass Def.
Last Week: 3 solos, 1 assist, 0 sacks, 1 INT, 0 FF, 1 Pass Def.

Though the tackles were not there last week, Revis was all over the field. His play enabled him to be the recipient of one of John Beck’s three interceptions.  Revis will have his work cut out for him this week as the Browns come to town, but if he can hold Terrell Owens to modest yardage, he should be able to do the same to Braylon Edwards and crew.