A reader's poll we conducted over the weekend suggests a fairly small percentage of fantasy coaches utilize individual defensive players. Those who do, however, should strongly consider using an early pick on difference-making defensive lineman JJ Watt.
The Houston end, a near-unanimous choice as last year's Defensive Player of the Year (49 votes; Von Miller received 1), was every bit as dominant in fantasy terms as he was in the actual NFL. Our IDP scoring system, which gives points for tackles (1.5 and .75), sacks (3), turnovers (3) and defensive touchdowns, with slight bumps to linemen for tackles and sacks, had Watt as the top defensive player -- and it wasn't even close.
The top 50 IDPs in 2012, sorted by fantasy points, are presented below. Talk about making a difference: Note that 2nd-ranked Daryl Washington is closer to 10th-ranked Jerrell Freeman than he is to Watt.
Top IDPs, 2012
Pts Pos
250 DE J.J. Watt, Hou.
221 ILB Daryl Washington, Ariz.
218 MLB Luke Kuechly, Car.
205 MLB James Laurinaitis, St.L.
205 MLB Paul Posluszny, Jac.
203 OLB Jerod Mayo, N.E.
203 OLB Chad Greenway, Minn.
197 OLB Lavonte David, T.B.
195 ILB NaVorro Bowman, S.F.
194 ILB Jerrell Freeman, Ind.
191 ILB Derrick Johnson, K.C.
190 ILB London Fletcher, Wash.
185 MLB Bobby Wagner, Sea.
183 CB Charles Tillman, Chi.
183 OLB Russell Allen, Jac.
180 OLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar, St.L.
179 SS Morgan Burnett, G.B.
179 MLB Karlos Dansby, Mia.
178 ILB Lawrence Timmons, Pitt.
175 OLB Von Miller, Den.
174 OLB Wesley Woodyard, Den.
173 ILB Patrick Willis, S.F.
170 MLB D'Qwell Jackson, Clev.
169 MLB Curtis Lofton, N.O.
168 ILB Perry Riley, Wash.
167 OLB Zach Brown, Tenn.
167 ILB David Harris, NYJ
165 ILB Larry Foote, Pitt.
164 FS Harrison Smith, Minn.
161 OLB Lance Briggs, Chi.
160 DE Cameron Wake, Mia.
160 ILB A.J. Hawk, G.B.
159 CB Cortland Finnegan, St.L.
159 FS Quintin Mikell, St.L.
159 FS Eric Weddle, S.D.
159 OLB Vontaze Burfict, Cin.
158 SS Roman Harper, N.O.
158 OLB Philip Wheeler, Oak.
158 OLB Aldon Smith, S.F.
156 FS LaRon Landry, NYJ
155 MLB DeMeco Ryans, Phil.
155 DE Cameron Jordan, N.O.
155 OLB Anthony Spencer, Dall.
153 OLB Nick Barnett, Buff.
153 OLB Kevin Burnett, Mia.
152 FS Reshad Jones, Mia.
152 MLB Mason Foster, T.B.
152 OLB Akeem Ayers, Tenn.
150 DE Jason Pierre-Paul, NYG
150 DE Elvis Dumervil, Den.
--Andy Richardson