Gary Brackett

Brackett is Indianapolis' starting middle linebacker. After a season-ending broken leg in 2008, he returned to top form and would have had 100 tackles if the Colts didn't rest him the final two games ahead of the playoffs. He's a good bet to put up 100 or more tackles, but his fantasy value is limited since he's rarely used to rush the quarterback.

Brackett has been a consistent 110-120 tackle linebacker in his career, and has the ability to make big plays in pass defense (3 interceptions in 2005, 4 in 2007). He was on his way to another productive fantasy season in 2008 (99 tackles and a touchdown through 12 games) but missed the last four games and the playoffs with a broken fibula. He should be back at full strength for the start of the 2009 campaign and good for another 115-125 tackles and a few picks, but is a non-factor in the pass rush.

Brackett has been a great fantasy play since taking over the starting middle linebacker position in 2005. He doesn't put any pressure on the quarterback, but is good for a few picks and will eclipse the century mark in tackles.

Plenty of changes have occurred around him since the Colts won the Super Bowl, but Brackett remains constant, in more ways than one. He remains the starting middle linebacker, and since he took on that job in 2005, Brackett has been a great fantasy play. He's made at least 120 total tackles in each of the two years as a starter and can often be counted on to make a pick or three. Even better, he reached 120 tackles in 14 games last year, and only twice had fewer than seven tackles in a game. Brackett’s pretty small for a middle linebacker but makes up for it with speed and has an uncanny ability to keep blockers off of him so he can slip through to make the tackle. That speed is partly why he totaled six interceptions in the three previous years combined, though he didn't have any last year, or sacks, either. Losing the highly mobile Cato June next to him means Brackett might poach some tackles from his weak side. He fought through leg injuries last year, including a hamstring one that cost him two games, so the big caveat here is whether Brackett can keep his wheels under him for the duration.

Brackett joined the club last year. He beat out lead-footed Rob Morris for the starting job in training camp and turned in one of the top breakout performances of the season. Despite his small stature (5-11, 235) he’s not bad making tackles among blockers. Clearly, however, his speed allows him to play with range and in coverage: even with two years coming off the bench, he’s made a pick every year for a three-year total of six. He’s shown he can produce very strong numbers in tackles, and posts more outstanding games than empty ones from week to week.

Brackett will compete with Rob Morris for the starting middle linebacker position.