Upgrades

DL Duane Clemons, CIN: Signed as a free-agent over the offseason, Clemons was brought in to provide a pass rush opposite Justin Smith. Through the first four games, Clemons was pretty much absent from the boxscore with a total of 12 tackles (10 solo) and one sack. That changed this weekend with his 7 solo tackle/3 sack performance that almost helped Cincinnati pull out a victory over Buffalo.

DL Kenny Mixon, MIN: Mixon is one of those guys that always leaves you wanting more. Even with 72 tackles last year, a very impressive number for a defensive lineman, his 4.5 sacks kept him from taking the next step into stardom. It likely won't change this year as he posted 18 tackles without a sack during the first four games, but he came out on Sunday and left with his best all-around game of the year (Five solo tackles, a sack, two forced fumbles). Once you get over the fact that he's not a sackmaster, you'll realize that he's a pretty solid #2-3 DL.

DL Tony Brackens, JAC: I don't want to say this too loudly, but Tony Brackens hasn't looked bad. He picked up one sack this weekend, raising his season total to three, and has given us four solo tackles in three of five games. You have to be cautious with him coming off of knee surgery, especially considering that his season and career were in doubt after undergoing the microfracture procedure, but I'm impressed so far and see him getting better as the season progresses.

LB Nick Barnett, GB: There's not much more you can say about this kid. He's been outstanding during his first month in the NFL with 44 tackles (36 solo), two sacks and two interceptions through five games. The consistency isn't quite there, he's already picked up a one & three solo tackle game, but that's to be expected with a rookie and it'll likely get better down the line. Statistically, he has flourished as the Packers middle linebacker, a position many doubted that he could play.

LB Rocky Boiman, TEN: During the last two weeks, Boiman has played a considerable amount of time because of the injury the Peter Sirmon, and he's performed quite well. He was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his week four performance (sack, interception, touchdown) and followed that up with nine tackles (7 solo) this week. His playing time will be determined by the amount of time that Sirmon misses, so he's not the second coming of anything yet, but keep an eye on Sirmon's back because, when out, Boiman looks like a very solid fill-in option.

LB Mark Simoneau, PHI: During his first three games as an Eagle, Simoneau didn't look like anything special (18 tackles, 11 solo), and he certainly didn't bring back memories of the ultra-productive Jeremiah Trotter. That may be turning around. He posted his best game of the year this past weekend with 10 tackles (7 solo) and a sack, and may now be comfortable enough within the defense to start making plays. Look for him to become a consistent tackle producer while throwing in an occasional sack.

LB Orlando Ruff, NO: Injuries and production forced the Saints to shake up their lineup this weekend, and we saw Orlando Ruff starting at middle linebacker. Coming over from San Diego during the offseason, he was originally slated as a starter in the middle, but fell out of favor in preseason and was absent from the boxscore during the first four weeks. In his first start, he led the team with nine solo tackles. Seeing what Stephen Davis did (159 rushing yards, 5+ yards per carry), this lineup may not last long, but until another change is made Ruff has to considered a solid contributor.

DB Victor Green, NO: Along with Ruff, Green saw his first start of the season this past weekend and took full advantage of the opportunity. With Tebucky Jones out, Green gave us a flashback to the early 90's when he was considered possibly the top fantasy safety in the game with an eight tackle (7 solo), two passses defended, one forced fumble performance. Green actually makes for a much better fantasy option than Jones, even at his "extended" age (33), and he'll continue to produce as long as Jones is out.

DB Tank Williams, TEN: The preseason hype surrounding Williams made it difficult for him to live up to expectations, and he was a disappointment through the first four games (18 tackles, 10 solo). What we were hoping from him was similar to what he gave us this past weekend with eight tackles (7 solo) and a sack. He's got the talent to be one of the leagues top safeties, now he needs to transfer that to the field. A game like this may just signify the turning point.

DB Antione Winfield, BUF: A cornerback who has yet to record an interception on the year and has picked up only two passes defended, Winfield has more than made up for it with very impressive tackle numbers, and consistency to boot. He's posted at least seven tackles in each of the five games for a season total of 41 (36 solo). That's a season pace of 108 solo tackles from a cornerback.

More Upgrades

DL JeVon Kearse, TEN: 7 solo tackles, 3 sacks over last two games.

DL Kenny Holmes, NYG: 7 solo tackles, 3.5 sacks over last three games.

DL Pat Williams, BUF: Warming up after a slow start. Five solo tackles over the first three games, nine over last two.

DL Kalimba Edwards, DET: Finally showed up after being MIA during first four weeks. Nothing special with three solo tackles and two passes defended, but at least he's now showing up in the boxscore.

DL Lance Johnstone, MIN: Not much for tackles, but four sacks over the last three games.

DL Michael Strahan, NYG: Finally broke out with nine tackles (6 solo) and a sack after a slow start this year.

DL Courtney Brown, CLE: Isn't getting much for tackles, but now has four sacks through five games.

LB Travian Smith, OAK: Starting in place of Bill Romanowski, 15 solo tackles over two games.

LB Ronald McKinnon, ARI: Very inconsistent right now, but he's on a roll. 17 solo tackles over the last two games.

LB Napoleon Harris, OAK: Quietly having a nice season, 15 solo tackles over the last two games.

LB Jeremiah Trotter, WAS: Upgrade for the big play (interception). Hopefully it becomes a trend.

LB Keith Newman, ATL: Five solo tackles and a sack in his first game back from suspension.

LB T.J.Slaughter, JAC: Started week five at WLB, picked up five solo tackles and a sack.

LB Kendrell Bell, PIT: Looking like the player we expected over the last three weeks with 18 solo tackles and two sacks.

DB Brian Russell, MIN: Five games, five interceptions. Amazing.

DB Otis Smith, DET: Eight solo tackles in his first start as a Lion.

DB Charles Tillman, CHI: Six solo tackles in his first NFL start.

Downgrades

DL Jason Taylor, MIA: I've been sticking up for Taylor, but that's about to end. He's easily been the biggest IDP fantasy disappointment of the year, posting six tackles (2 solo) and a half sack over the first four games. His linemate, Adewale Ogunleye, hasn't been much better. At least he gave us a productive game (4 solos, 2 sacks), but he's done nothing otherwise.

DL Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, GB: With just 13 solo tackles and two sacks over the first five games, he's looking nothing like the top five defensive lineman that we were hoping for. He has the ability to pick them up in bunches, but until then he deserves a downgrade.

DL Calvin Pace, ARI: Pace has shown none of the pass rush potential that we saw in the preseason. Without a sack on the year, he's in danger of missing the boxscore altogether with just four solo tackles over the last three games. This is very unfortunate for the Cardinals, who were relying on him heavily to get to the quarterback with the loss of Kyle Vanden Bosch.

DL Trevor Pryce, DEN: Mike Shanahan says that Trevor Pryce is playing out of this world, better than any defensive lineman that he's ever been around. It's certainly not showing up in the boxscore, where he's been completely shut out during two games and posted just one tackle in another.

LBs Michael Barrow and Dhani Jones, NYG: After posting 34 tackles (28 solo) in week two, they've combined for 20 (16 solo) since (two games). Hopefully you didn't overpay for them after the "game" because that is far from the norm.

LB Rocky Calmus, TEN: When Frank Chamberlin was released, that seemed to leave the door open for Rocky Calmus to have a breakthrough season. Limited by injuries and the fact the he's not an everydown linebacker, he's been held to just eight tackles (6 solo) over the three games taht he has played.

LB Kevin Hardy, CIN: OK, it's time for concern. Hardy's solo tackle numbers, while not great, were slowly creeping up every week, to the point where he posted a respectable number of six during week four. That has all been washed away by a one tackle (zero solo) performance this past weekend. At this point, Brian Simmons is the only Bengal who even deserves consideration as a starter (pending the Jeff Burris injury).

LB Nate Wayne, PHI: With the Eagles, Wayne hashad nowhere near the fantasy impact that he had in Green Bay. He started the season with promise (10 solos over the first two weeks), but has bombed since (3 solos over the last two weeks). Plus, he has yet to pick up either a sack or interception. A hip injury may have Wayne out of action for a while.

DB Roy Williams, DAL: Although he had an interception on Sunday, he still hasn't had the impact that most of us thought he would. With only 14 solo tackles through four games, he's got a long way to go before he's anointed (again) as the next Rodney Harrison.

DB Jay Bellamy, NO: This has to be concerning to owners of Jay Bellamy. Playing beside the unproductive Tebucky Jones through the first four games, Bellamy was outstanding (31 tackles, 27 solo). Playing beside stat hog Victor Green this past weekend, Bellamy was held to one solo tackle. Another game like this and he'll be personally massaging Jones' groin in order to get him back on the field.

More Downgrades

DLs Ebenezer Ekuban & Greg Ellis, DAL: Have combined for six solo tackles without a sack over the last two games.

DL Vonnie Holliday, KC: Five tackles, three sacks during week one. Five tackles, one sack since (four games).

DL Julius Peppers, CAR: Hopefully it's just a slump. Nine tackles (8 solo) with one sack through four games.

DL Charles Grant, NO: Came out on fire this year with 10 tackles and three sacks in the first two games. Has picked up six tackles with no sacks over the last three games.

DL Aaron Smith, PIT: 12 solo tackles through five games, still looking for his first sack

DL Hugh Douglas & LB Mike Peterson, JAC: It looks like the Jags should've saved their money. Douglas has done nothing after opening the season with a two sack game, while Peterson has wrapped a couple of two tackle performances around a week four 11 tackle game.

LB Derrick Brooks, TB: Last years Defensive Player of the Year has picked up 15 solo tackles through five games without a sack or pick.

LB Randall Godfrey, SEA: 14 solo tackles through four games. He hasn't found fantasy success since coming over from Tennessee.

LB Lance Briggs, CHI: One solo tackle in his first NFL start. Not what we expected when news came out that he had replaced Bryan Knight in the lineup. He may see time on the weakside if Holdman is forced out of action.

LB Roger Knight, NO: Did not start during week five as the Saints shuffled their lineup. Instead, Orlando Ruff moved into the middle, pushing Darrin Smith over to Knight's SLB spot.

LB Andra Davis, CLE: Posted his worst stats of the season with only three tackles (2 solo) against the Steelers.

DB Pierson Prioleau, BUF: Prioleau was replaced in the starting lineup this past weekend by Izell Reese.