This article is part of our IDP Analysis series.
RISING
Clay Matthews, LB, GB
The Packers tried an interesting experiment against the Bears last week, moving Matthews from outside linebacker in the 3-4 to the inside linebacker position. That experiment was a smashing success, as Matthews piled up 11 tackles and a sack while playing just 76 percent of Green Bay's snaps. The move inside afforded him a much higher tackle total than what he usually puts forth, but he managed to maintain his presence as a standout blitzer, too. Matthews all of a sudden looks like an LB1 candidate in most IDP formats, because he looks like a real threat to post Daryl Washington-like numbers if he sticks to playing inside.
Chris Borland, (3-4) ILB, SF
Patrick Willis (toe) is out for the rest of the year and, according to Adam Schefter, Navorro Bowman (knee) is in danger of missing the whole season, too. That would leave Borland in a three-down role for the 49ers for the foreseeable future, and in that case he's poised to provide LB1 value. He's been an absolute monster in his last three games, totaling 43 tackles (33 solo), six tackles for a loss, one sack and one fumble recovery. Borland always showed high-level instincts and disruptiveness at Wisconsin, and so far it's carried over to the pro game.
Marcell Dareus, DT, BUF
It's not often that you see a 331-pound lineman making an IDP impact, but Dareus is a rare breed of defensive tackle that boasts a nose
RISING
Clay Matthews, LB, GB
The Packers tried an interesting experiment against the Bears last week, moving Matthews from outside linebacker in the 3-4 to the inside linebacker position. That experiment was a smashing success, as Matthews piled up 11 tackles and a sack while playing just 76 percent of Green Bay's snaps. The move inside afforded him a much higher tackle total than what he usually puts forth, but he managed to maintain his presence as a standout blitzer, too. Matthews all of a sudden looks like an LB1 candidate in most IDP formats, because he looks like a real threat to post Daryl Washington-like numbers if he sticks to playing inside.
Chris Borland, (3-4) ILB, SF
Patrick Willis (toe) is out for the rest of the year and, according to Adam Schefter, Navorro Bowman (knee) is in danger of missing the whole season, too. That would leave Borland in a three-down role for the 49ers for the foreseeable future, and in that case he's poised to provide LB1 value. He's been an absolute monster in his last three games, totaling 43 tackles (33 solo), six tackles for a loss, one sack and one fumble recovery. Borland always showed high-level instincts and disruptiveness at Wisconsin, and so far it's carried over to the pro game.
Marcell Dareus, DT, BUF
It's not often that you see a 331-pound lineman making an IDP impact, but Dareus is a rare breed of defensive tackle that boasts a nose tackle build but enough athleticism to consistently make an impact in pursuit. After putting together a strong DL2-type season in 2013, posting 71 tackles and 7.5 sacks, Dareus took the next step in his development this year and is up to 36 tackles and 10 sacks in just 10 games. If he hasn't secured DL1 status yet, he is nonetheless very close to doing so.
Brian Cushing, (3-4) ILB, HOU
After sitting out the last three weeks with a knee injury, Cushing is set to make his return Sunday as the Texans take on the Browns. Although he was initially eased back into the linebacker rotation to start the year, Cushing showed good per-snap production, posting 50 tackles and a sack in 366 snaps. He ought to be a safe LB3 investment in the meantime, and he has LB2 upside at the least if the Texans let him play 80 percent or more of the snaps.
Aldon Smith, (3-4) OLB, SF
He might not secure a full serving of snaps right away, but Smith is set to return from his suspension as the 49ers take on the Giants this week, which means he ought to be one of the most feared defenders on the field this week. Those in IDP leagues where sacks yield high point totals will perhaps find some considerable instant utility in Smith, who posted 14 sacks as a rookie despite playing on a part-time basis.
FALLING
Patrick Willis, (3-4) ILB, SF
Willis' toe injury will keep him out the rest of the season, leaving the 49ers with Borland and Michael Wilhoite as its starting inside linebackers for the foreseeable future. Even beyond this year, Willis' career trajectory is pointed downward. He'll turn 30 in January, and he's played 16 games just once in the last five years. After starting his career with 174, 141, and 152 tackles in his first three respective seasons, he's exceeded the 104-tackle mark just once in his last four years.
Navorro Bowman, (3-4) ILB, SF
Adam Schefter reported that Bowman's devastating knee injury from late last year might keep him out for the entirety of the 2014 season. The hope was that Bowman would be able to return some time in the season's second half after landing on the designated-for-return IR, but he evidently isn't recovering as fast as previously hoped.
Jared Allen, DE, CHI
Allen is one of the best defenders ever to play, but it seems safe to say that he is merely a former great at this point. Although he was a prized (and pricey) free agency acquisition for the Bears in the most recent offseason, he's been mostly invisible so far for the Bears. Through eight games he has just 32 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He's not dreadfully old at 32, but it looks like Allen is nonetheless in the midst of a drastic and permanent decline.
Willie Young, DE, CHI
Young was looking like a free agency steal for the Bears early on this year, as the former Lion raced out to a total of seven sacks in the first six weeks of the year, piling up 24 tackles while he was at it. In the three games since, however, he hasn't been all that visible. He has just nine tackles and no sacks since then. Hopefully he gets back on track this week against Minnesota.
