Upgrades

DL John Abraham, NYJ: It seems like such a long time ago, there were questions about John Abraham's production and his potential in New York's revamped defense. He was shut out during week two, which allowed us to stir for a while heading into a week three bye, but he has come back like a man possessed, picking up 14 solo tackles and six sacks over the last three weeks.

DL Greg Ellis, DAL: Ellis' solo tackles were down this week, posting just one after picking up five or more in three straight games, but he did pick up another sack. That gives him four straight games with at least one sack, six total over the span.

DL Charles Grant, NO: Charles Grant is in the midst of an incredible season, picking up less than four solo tackles in just one game so far and recording at least one sack in every game since week one. Overall, he's posted 26 solo tackles with eight sacks in six games.

DL Darren Howard, NO: He's not in the same class as Grant, but Howard has also been posting consistent numbers. He's picked up a sack in each of the last four games.

DL Aaron Schobel, BUF: An Aaron Schobel sighting? He's actually had very nice games in back to back weeks and looks to be making a rebound from his slow start. In the seasons first three games, he picked up five solo tackles and was held without a sack. During the last two games he has a total of nine solo tackles with 3.5 sacks.

LB Dan Morgan, CAR: Six weeks down (still healthy), no less than eight solo tackles in each of the Panthers five games. He's on pace for a remarkable total off 144 solo tackles, and his importance to Carolina's defense was highlighted this past weekend as he posted over 25% of the teams solos.

LB Jamie Winborn, SF: With Derek Smith out of the lineup last week, and Jeff Ulbrich moving inside, Jamie Winborn was expected to step forward and show us what all of the hype is about. It didn't happen as he was held to just two solo tackles (albeit he did pick off a pass), and it looks like we may have been a week too early. Winborn posted 11 solo tackles this past weekend, more than what he picked up in the first five games combined, and looks to be a very solid play from this point on with Julian Peterson being lost for the year. Winborn's LB mate, Brandon Moore, also deserves an upgrade with a six solo tackle performance in his first start.

LB Danny Clark, OAK: Clark continues to produce in the middle for Oakland. He's picked up 35 solo tackles over the last five weeks and looks like the guy to have with Napoleon Harris struggling.

LB Nick Barnett, GB: There may not be a more consistent top-notch performer at linebacker in the league right now. Barnett has at least five solo tackles in every game this year, six or more in each of the last five games, to go along with two sacks. Even in a game where subpar numbers could be expected (Green Bay led Detroit in time of possession 40-20), Barnett still fills up the boxscore (six solos, one sack).

LB Andra Davis, CLE: After a slow start, Andra Davis is heating up a bit. He began the season with seven solo tackles through the first two games but has picked up no less than five solos in each game since, 13 over the last two weeks. I have a feeling that Davis will work his way up to 100 solo tackles this year, surpassing his total from a year ago, but the five sacks from 2003 may be a stretch (he's yet to get to the quarterback this year).

LB James Farrior, PIT: The numbers said that Pittsburgh's matchup against Dallas this past weekend was horrible for the Steelers linebackers, the worst possible matchup in the league. Someone forgot to tell James Farrior. His six solo tackles were nice, making it five of six games in which he's posted at least five solos, but the two sacks and three forced fumbles turned his game into a monster performance.

LBs Akin Ayodele and Mike Peterson, JAC: Ayodele busted out this weekend, posting seven solo tackles with his first two sacks of the year. He's picked up five or more solo tackles in all but one game so far, 37 total through six weeks, and appears to be in the middle of a career year. Peterson has also been playing very well, contributing 39 solo tackles with two sacks through six games. The Jaguars face a very nice remaining schedule for LB production, leaving the prospects very bright for Ayodele, Peterson and the rookie, Daryl Smith.

DB Kim Herring, CIN: Because of injury, Kim Herring has been limited to just two games this year. In those games, he's picked up a total of 17 solo tackles. He's back in the lineup as the Bengals starting free safety, so it'll be interesting to see if he can maintain this torrid pace.

DB Shawntae Spencer, SF: With Mike Rumph expected to miss the remainder of the '04 season, rookie cornerback Shawntae Spencer has stepped in and preformed very well over two weeks. He's posted 12 solo tackles over the last two weeks, 19 over the last four games. Pretty solid production if you're looking for help on the corner.

DB Dunta Robinson, HOU: A rookie cornerback, thrust into the starting lineup since day one, Robinson has started to show why he was the 10th overall pick in this years draft. He's posted 16 solo tackles over the last month with two interceptions. Especially valuable in leagues which reward for passes defended, he's picked up eight over the last three weeks.

DB Michael Lewis, PHI: Lewis picked up seven solo tackles this week on what was viewed as an unfavorable matchup (Carolina). He's posted five or more solo tackles in four of five games this year, 31 total, and while he hasn't flashed the big play potential that we know he possesses, he's been a very solid weekly starter.

DB Ken Lucas, SEA: Lucas has been a solid tackle producer over his first three seasons, posting 50+ solos in each of the last two years, but he's never played as well as he has over the last month. Over the last four games he's picked up 22 solo tackles, three interceptions and six passes defended, a pace that will have him setting career highs across the board.

DB Marques Anderson, OAK: The Raiders numbers this week were a little inflated (37-23 time of possession difference), but Anderson's numbers deserve mention. 14 solo tackles with an interception. Unfortunately, his 11 solo tackles during the seasons first five games left him as a player that probably wasn't in your starting lineup this week. If he was...kudos. I wouldn't be so quick to jump on him if he's available on waivers, but he definitely deserves a watchful eye.

DB Antoine Winfield, MIN: A stud performing as such. Antoine Winfield is not a big interceptions guy, he's picked up only six in 5+ NFL seasons, but when it comes to run support there aren't many cornerbacks who can compare. His six solo tackles on Sunday night give him 32 solos in five games, with at least six in four of those.

DB Tebucky Jones, NO: This guy has already been written off many times over, but it looks like the light may have come on in his seventh season. Last year, his first with New Orleans, he set a career high with 51 solo tackles. He's on pace to double that in '04 with 38 solos through six games.

DB Terrence McGee, BUF: Filling in for the injured Troy Vincent, McGee has posted 21 solo tackles in three weeks.

Downgrades

Stud Defensive Linemen (not named John Abraham or Charles Grant)

STUD DL Mike Rucker, CAR: Rucker is still looking for his first sack of the year after averaging 11 over the past two seasons. He's been held without a solo tackle in three of five games thus far. He left the game this past weekend after the first series, suffering an irregular heartbeat. Obviously there will be more to come regarding this situation.

STUD DL JeVon Kearse, PHI: Kearse picked up three sacks during his week three matchup against the Lions, but he's been otherwise invisible in the boxscore. During the Eagles other four games, he's been held sackless while contributing seven solo tackles.

STUD DL Jason Taylor, MIA: Taylor was completely shut out on Sunday, facing the statuesque Drew Bledsoe, giving him five solo tackles over the last three weeks. If he was getting to the quarterback, the lack of tackles wouldn't be a huge issue, but with just two sacks through six games he'll be hard pressed to match his 14 sack average from the last two years. If you remember last year, Taylor also started out very slow but he had a terrific second half schedule to fall back on. The SOS for Miami DL also looks very favorable down the stretch this year, so don't give up on Taylor just yet. One big difference that may make it harder for him to rebound is the absence of Adewale Ogunleye.

STUD DL Simeon Rice, TB: Rice hasn't even played yet (Monday night v. St.Louis), but it's not a stretch to add him on this list. With seven solo tackles and one sack through five games, he'll have to have an incredible game against the Rams to not be considered one of the seasons biggest busts. The Buccaneers defensive line has a pretty nice schedule during the month or so, so if Rice is going to breakout, this will be the time.

DL Tyler Brayton, OAK: The thrill is gone. We were a bit too quick to anoint Brayton a fantasy stud after he posted 14 solo tackles with 2.5 sacks during the seasons first three games. Since then, he's been held to five solo tackles without a sack over three games.

LB Anthony Simmons, SEA: I expect Anthony Simmons to remain on this list until Chad Brown returns as he's shown no signs of producing this year without his LB mate. 18 solo tackles in five games, no sacks, no picks, no fantasy value. Unfortunately, he was drafted by most of us as an LB1, so it's tough to bench him and ride out the storm.

LB Takeo Spikes, BUF: He's a warrior. Sure, we'll give him that, but we'd like to see more tackles. He's on pace for a career low total with 19 solo tackles through five weeks, although he did pick off a pass this weekend a return it for a touchdown.

LBs Warrick Holdman and Chaun Thompson, CLE: While Andra Davis appears to be breaking out of his funk, the same can't be said for his starting LB mates. Holdman has picked up over three solo tackles just once this year (week one), which is one more than Thompson.

LB Monty Beisel, KC: Beisel didn't start on Sunday, but that was because the Chiefs opened up with six defensive backs. It still wasn't a good sign that he was only able to contribute two solo tackles, six over the last two weeks. This early season waiver star has certainly dimmed.

LB Orlando Huff, SEA: You'd think that with Simmons struggling to fill the boxscore, Orlando Huff would flourish. It hasn't happened as Huff has tallied six solo tackles over the last three games, over three just once this year (week two).

LB Napoleon Harris, OAK: Harris continues to underperform, picking up just four solo tackles over the last three weeks. It looks like the only thing that may save his fantasy value is if he's reinserted into the middle, which doesn't appear to be in the plans (Danny Clark is performing well as the Raiders MLB, fantasy wise, although their run defense stinks).

LB Clark Haggans, PIT: Well, I guess it's pretty safe to assume that Clark Haggans isn't going to offer us much more this year. After posting five solo tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles during the seasons first game, he's picked up nine solos in the five games since.

LB Chris Claiborne, MIN: With the injuries at linebacker that the Vikings have faced, Claiborne has been moved back to the weakside and we quietly expected him to perform. Last year, his first season with Minnesota, he opened the year at WLB and looked to be on his way to a career type season with 42 solo tackles and three sacks through three games. Injuries set in, limiting him to just 12 games, and he hasn't been the same. In four games this year, he's picked up a total of four solo tackles.

DB Mike Minter, CAR: Minter has been on the doorstep of fantasy stardom for the past seven years, often peeking in and hanging out for a while before taking his place as an outsider looking in. He started off the 2004 season strong with 14 solo tackles in the first two games, but has since digressed, picking up a total of six solos over the past three games.

DB Donovin Darius, JAC: Donovin Darius has been in the same boat as Minter throughout his six year career, regarded as a stud at times but not consistent enough to receive full-time status. He's picked up just 18 solo tackles through six games, without a sack or pick on the year. The Jaguars franchise player two-years running, his gamechecks certainly outweigh his boxscore contributions.

DB Sheldon Brown, PHI: A very hot waiver commodity early on, Brown tallied 17 solo tackles with two sacks, two passes defended and a forced fumble through the seasons first two games. In the three games since he's given us just eight solo tackles with one pass defended.

DB Ahmed Plummer, SF: With the 49ers struggling to battle injuries on defense, Plummer is expected to be a veteran presence that the team can fall on for stability. He hasn't performed very well during the first month and a half, posting just 16 solo tackles (a career low pace) without an interception.

DB Erik Coleman, NYJ: For a rookie safety who wasn't expected to immediately contribute, Erik Coleman has been a nice surprise. But the bar has been raised for Coleman, who reportedly had beaten out Reggie Tongue for the starting strong safety job before he stepped into the free safety roll (injury to Jon McGraw). He's picked up just three solo tackles in each of the last three games and has been held without an interception after picking off a pass in each of his first two games.

DB Madieu Williams, CIN: With Deltha O'Neal and Kim Herring returning from injuries, the rookie sensation seemed to be the odd man out. He was held without a tackle on Sunday after picking up 28 through the seasons first four games. This may not last long if O'Neal continues to give up 99 yard completions on a regular basis.

DB Sammy Knight, MIA: Is the sun setting on the career of one of the best fantasy safeties of our time? Knight has posted 20 solo tackles and has been held without a sack, interception, pass defended or fumble (forced/recovered) through six games. I think it's safe to say that he hasn't started off a season this slow in his seven year career, and it's not looking good.