12 team Dynasty league - Defensive Scoring:Solo tackle = 1, Sack = 2, INT = 3, Fumble Forced = 3, Fumble Recovered = 3, Blocked Kick = 3, Safety = 4, Pass Defensed = 1, 50yds return = 1.

Being that I just traded Thurman for Ricky Williams, I think I need to grab an IDP on my next draft pick which happens in 4 picks. Currently, I still have Mike Peterson as my only IDP and we start 3 IDPs each week. Based on this forums democratic LB listing, here are the guys who are still on the board:

9. Ray Lewis
13. Zach Thomas
16. Takeo Spikes
17. Derrick Johnson - R
18. Lance Briggs - 3
19. Cato June - 3
21. Dan Morgan
22. AJ Hawk®
23t. Karlos Dansby - 2
23t. Kirk Morrison - R
25. Jeremiah Trotter
26. Lemar Marshall - 4
27. James Farrior
29. Will Witherspoon 4
30. Kawika Mitchell
31. Derrick Brooks
32. Marcus Washington
33. Morlon Greenwood
34t. Danny Clark
34t. Ian Gold
36. Kailee Wong
37. Channing Crowder
38. LeRoy Hill
39. Lavar Arrington

Which LB should I take(would you take next)?

Thank you very much for all your help and advice!

Take Care,
merc

That's a tough call - I would seriously consider Troy Polamalu at this point. If I was going with strictly a LB I'd probably go with Lance Briggs or Derrick Johnson.

I believe Derrick Johnson is the best dynasty LB available. Ray Lewis would be a close 2nd.

Another vote for Derrick Johnson here.

ROF, WD and Sling,
Thank you very much for your help!

My only concern with both D Johnson and L Briggs is that they are Outside LBs... and offenses can run away from them in 2006??? Is that correct?

Thanks again!

They are both Weakside Linebackers. WLB's generally put up better stats than Strongside Linebackers because the SLB usually has to worry about covering the Tight End.

I'm not sure who usually scores more between Middle Linebackers and WLB's. I think it just depends on the team.

I'd go with Briggs. I think Briggs is a pure WLB who plays the weak side all the time while Johnson plays one side of the field, which is sometimes weak, sometimes strong, but I thought more often strong. That said, I think Briggs is the pick.
Plus I think Briggs has the flexibility to move to middle and Johnson does not.

is antonio pierce still available?

No, Pierce is gone.

Here are the remaining top guys from the Democratic LB list:
9. Ray Lewis
13. Zach Thomas
16. Takeo Spikes
17. Derrick Johnson - R
18. Lance Briggs - 3
19. Cato June - 3
21. Dan Morgan

Going for a MLB over an outside LB is normally true but Briggs is a WLB that plays in a gap system/cover -2 which means he has certain responsibilities similar to Urlacher (go to or through your gap and close on the ball carrier); but when a scrambling QB or pass catching RB is in the game --urlacher is usually the cover back/spy this frees up Briggs. he is a young tackling machine in a great system for him. I would take him.