If you play in a league that drafts defensive players – as opposed to entire defenses, then it is important to know where to go on the board when your pick is up. Picking the correct defensive player can be a true game changer if you handle it the correct way. This means you need to pick a player who is going to actually get you points, not be in your lineup because you are familiar with his name.

So much is made of the “big guns” that many times we forget the true rankings and go by popularity. This carries over into many things we do, pick all stars, choose favorites in other aspects of life, etc. This of course is a terrible way to draft, as it will leave you with popular names, and also a bunch of losses during the season.

You need to be the person that picks the correct players at the right times. While the guy next to you picks a well-known name, take comfort in the fact that you will be picking the guy that puts up the most stats for you and your team. Here are some players that are on the top of my list. Most of these guys are very undervalued and should be going higher than they go in many draft rooms. With these guys on your radar, you will be sure to have a solid team once the draft is over.

Defensive Backs

Troy Polamalu – At first thought you might think Polamalu is not undervalued, but if you take a look at many rankings boards, he is not even in the top twenty for defensive backs. While I will concede the fact that he is being ranked on last year’s stats, the ranking is still ludicrous. There is no other player in the league that has a big of an impact on his team’s defense ad Polamalu does, just look at the Steelers last year without him. Enough said.

Eric Weddle – This guy does his job day in and day out. 82 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbled, and even 2 sacks – from the DB position, grab him up if you can.

Asante Samuel – The fact that one of all time leaders in post-season interceptions and touchdown run backs is ranked so low is beyond me. This guy is still one of the best defensive backs in the league today.

Linebackers

Elvis Dumervil – Undersized, yet he constantly makes tackles and forces the quarterback out of the pocket. He usually will get you a good number of sacks as well. As a matter of fact, he led the league in sacks last year.

AJ Hawk – This guy is constantly on top of the quarterback. He is also always involved with a tackle so you will get a ton of points from him. Look for him to also grab a couple of interceptions as well.

Joey Porter – Most people wrote Porter off when he left the Steelers. What did he do to prove everyone wrong? Had 17 sacks on 2008, and followed that with another 10 sacks in 2009.

Defensive Lineman

Robert Mathis – While Dwight Freeney gets most of the attention in Indy – and rightfully so, Robert Mathis continues to put solid year after solid year together. He is constantly overlooked because of Freeney, but consider his numbers. 37 tackles, 9.5 sacks and 5 forced fumbles. Not bad for a guy considered second tier.

Antwan Odom – The only thing I really have to say about this guy is that he constantly brings it. He is the glue that helps hold the Cincy defense together.

John Abraham – He may be getting a little older, but the guy is still the most feared player on the Falcons defense.

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