I'm in a tackle heavy 16 team dynasty league where we start 3 LBs

Scoring:
- Solo Tackles - 2
- Assists - 1
- Sacks - 4
Pass Defensed - 2
- Interceptions - 5
- Forced (or Recovered) Fumbles - 3

I own:
Brackett, Sims, Brooking, (big salaries)
Eric Barton, Stephen Tulloch, Bryan Kehl (minimum salaries)

I'm thinking of picking up Wesley Woodyard for either Tulloch or Kehl.
How does the future of Woodyard compare to them?

I'd hold Tulloch -- he'll eventually have value somewhere.

I don't see Kehl as a particularly high upside player at this point, but he's got a reasonable chance at every-down duty in 2009. Woodyard is probably the better player, but I'm not sure where he fits next year. Either he'll have to find his way into the MLB slot (unlikely) or they'll have to move D.J. Williams (again).

Given that Woodyard is the better talent, he probably fits the longshot term more closely, but Kehl is the somewhat safer roster.

Gary Guyton may be a better roster than Kehl or Woodyard if he's available.

I profiled some young LBs with upside in this week's Reading the Defense column. If you're not a subscriber, here's the text.

Tavares Gooden (BAL) – A hip injury and the rumors that veteran MLB Ray Lewis is on the verge of signing a contract extension have killed much of the offseason buzz surrounding Gooden’s 2009 value. However, the Ravens aren’t likely to have room for both Lewis and OLB Bart Scott. Gooden may not reach the lofty potential he could have if he ends up alongside Lewis instead of in his place but he may still end up as an every-down player. And, until the Ravens get Lewis’ autograph on a contract, there remains a slim chance that Gooden could land at MLB next season.

Beau Bell (CLE) – Like Gooden, Bell seemingly had a line on an every-down lineup slot, only to be derailed by injury and improved play by those ahead of him on the depth chart. Don’t count Bell out yet, however. Despite the regular praise Andra Davis gets as a thumping run-stuffer and the gaudy tackle numbers put up by D’Qwell Jackson, the Cleveland run defense has been bad (4.7 ypc with a dominating Shaun Rogers at NT). Leon Williams hasn’t seized control of the SILB job alongside Jackson and Bell’s profile fits that role perfectly. He was also a primary target of GM Phil Savage, and should get an opportunity to prove himself in OTAs. Bell is certainly worth rostering over many a boring veteran right now if you’re out of contention.

Gary Guyton (NE) – In case you’ve missed our discussions on Guyton over the past month, it’s worth mentioning him again here. Guyton, now primarily a dime backer in the Patriot defense, has earned the trust of the New England coaches and has an excellent chance of joining fellow rookie Jerod Mayo as an every-down ILB next season. There’s LB3 upside to be had if and when he does.

Bryan Kehl (NYG) – Kehl has fallen out of favor in New York with the solid play of Chase Blackburn in recent weeks, but he’s got a full offseason to assert himself as an every-down option on the weak side for the Giants. That role has been productive in the scheme Steve Spagnuolo uses, making Kehl worth a flier before the season ends.

Shawn Crable (NE) – Big play league special here. We highlighted James Harrison in this space two seasons ago as a well under the radar OLB talent with all-around potential. Crable could have similar potential. Mike Vrabel and Adalius Thomas are both signed to long term deals, but Bill Belichick will rotate players who produce. Crable had drawn praise before suffering a leg injury that landed him on IR and has the all-around skill set that could blossom into another of the rare 3-4 OLBs that hold value in most leagues.

Others worth watching, but without a clear path to an impact role include Jo-Lonn Dunbar (NO), HB Blades (WAS), Geno Hayes (TB) and Stephen Nicholas (ATL).

Jene - Thanks. At the risk of appearing to hijack my own thread.

Guyton in available. I'm going to drop a DL to pick hiim up as I have too many.

I have:

Kampman, Burgess (big salaries)
Haynesworth, Will Smith (just picked up at minimum), Derick Harvey ®

And:

Ebenezer Ekuban
Aaron Smith
Luis Castillo

Who of those last three would you drop?

As you probably are aware Ekuban keeps gettting projected high, but has been hurt and did little last week.

Thanks
Scott

I hear your concerns on Ekuban, but he's still got the highest one week upside of the final group, so I'd hold. Either Smith or Castillo can go. I've always been a big supporter of Castillo, but he's never been healthy for an extended stretch and his 3-4 scheme has trended more toward a 2-gap for him, which kills his value. Smith has many of the same issues, however, so it's a coin flip for me there.