Editor's note: This column and the rankings below have been updated to account for the latest news and to remove players from Thursday's Saints/Panthers game.
Since the start of last season, only the Rams' Robert Quinn has more sacks than Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston. Interestingly, Houston has played in five fewer games than Quinn on his way to 21 sacks in that span. It's somewhat alarming to realize, as we watch quarterback menaces such as J.J. Watt and Houston attack the pocket each weekend, that they are each just 25 years old, same as a certain ace who just dominated the MLB postseason. Although the sporting world is undoubtedly keen to the superstar accomplishments of Watt and Madison Bumgarner, Houston continues to fly well under the mainstream radar. This proves true in fantasy football, as well, as Quinn's ownership has dropped from its early-season level (currently 42.4 percent in ESPN leagues), but he still remains a fixture on twice as many teams as Houston, who is owned in less than 20 percent of leagues. Houston is leading the league in sacks this season and has recorded at least one in all but one game, including three multiple-sack efforts. It's pretty clear this Georgia product is a fantasy star, even if the market isn't in agreement. Did we mention that Houston already has had his bye, is approaching his first visit to the free-agent marketplace this spring and is on pace for the all-time sack record?
Front Four: The weekly word on the world of defenders
Lofty numbers: There is a certain linebacker available in 67 percent of ESPN leagues trending toward 149 tackles who happens to rank seventh in total tackles since the start of the 2012 season. His name is Curtis Lofton and, in his seventh professional season, he's truly reaching his statistical prime for the Saints, as he's on pace for a career high in total tackles. Big plays have long escaped his production profile, but few 'backers provide such a steady source of takedowns each weekend.
Rare territory: Bucs linebacker Lavonte David's tackle pace on the season is at 183, and the Panthers' Luke Kuechly is trending toward a similarly amazing 178 tackles. The most tackles on record since 2001 is Jerod Mayo's 174 in 2010, and you can find the rest of the leaderboard since 2001 below. Interestingly and impressively, David's pace for 137 solo tackles also would set the high mark for all NFL defenders since 2001, as Patrick Willis' 2007 effort (136 solos) is the lone season performance with at least 130 solos in that span. It's not exactly news to realize how special Kuechly is in this league, but David is arguably the more impressive producer despite far less attention.
Most Total Tackles, Single Season Since 2001
Ha'Sean rising: Back in 2010, I began working as a high school football editor for ESPNHS. One of my first assignments was to speak with a coveted young defensive back from Dr. Phillips in Orlando, a respected prep powerhouse in the football-hungry Sunshine State. The player's name was Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix, but he politely requested I call him "Ha Ha" in the interview and in print. The first time I saw Ha Ha on the field was at a 7-on-7 tournament down at ESPN's World Wide of Sports complex. He capped off a dominant defensive performance -- so impressive in such an offensively friendly setup -- with a full front flip entering the end zone while scoring on a pick-six. It's safe to say I've been a fan of his ever since. Fantasy investors might want to start following the young safety's exploits, as well, as he has tallied 24 tackles in the past three games and is becoming a stalwart on an oft-injured Green Bay secondary. On bye this weekend, yet available in just about 84 percent of ESPN leagues, this guy is one whose name I promise you won't forget.
Bargain bin: Defenders available in more than half of ESPN leagues
If it were permissible, I would type this entire sentence in all caps, just to drive home the point that Miami's Reshad Jones (8.9 percent owned) merits so much more attention from fantasy investors. Left off of draft boards after being given a four-game suspension to begin the campaign, Jones is thriving for the Fins with a per-game clip of eight tackles per game and increasingly fun usage as a blitzer. ... Well that didn't take long. The Vikings' Anthony Barr is already a worthy fantasy commodity thanks to awesome aggressive usage as a pass-rusher. According to Pro Football Focus, only Von Miller among 4-3 outside linebackers is being sent toward the pocket with higher frequency than Barr. ... Old vets don't excite the fantasy marketplace very often, but the Jets' David Harris is being overlooked for lesser commodities based on his low ownership rate (14.7 percent) and stellar statistical pace of late. With a rare blend of tackles and sack production, Harris remains a worthy LB2 asset even into his eighth campaign.
Week 9: The Top 35 LBs, DLs and DBs
So that we're working from agreed parameters, we'll use what many consider traditional scoring modifiers for an IDP league: solo tackle (0.5), assisted tackle (0.25), sack (3), interception (3), forced fumble (3), fumble recovery (3), touchdown (6), safety (4), pass defended (0.5), blocked kick (3).