Starting a quarterback, a couple of running backs and a couple of receivers is a piece of cake.

Try setting your lineup when you need to pick defensive linemen, linebackers and defensive backs.

The die-hard Fantasy Footballers that have chucked defense and special teams units for individual defensive players (IDPs) know how challenging the game gets when you have to pick defenders along with the standard complement of offensive players. And their secret is coming out -- whether it's the simple addition of one or two IDPs or a full 11-man starting unit, Fantasy leagues are embracing the concept of using both sides of the ball.

Picking good IDPs is lot like picking good offensive players: Get guys who are around the ball. Ballhawking defensive backs and playmakers in the front seven are always desirable Fantasy options because they're racking up stats by making tackles, registering sacks, forcing fumbles, deflecting or intercepting passes and scoring touchdowns. The only exception, and it's a weird one, are stud cornerbacks who don't play in Cover 2 schemes because they're not thrown at as much, making the likes of Nnamdi Asomugha unappealing.

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Like yardage for typical Fantasy players, tackles are the primary stat to keep an eye out for when judging IDPs. Most leagues that use defenders rely on both solo and assisted tackles to give points, with the other defensive stats boosting totals. You might see all tackles count for one point; passes defensed, forced fumbles and recoveries count for two; sacks and interceptions count for three; and touchdowns count for six. Obviously, because a good defender will make anywhere from 90 to 150 total tackles in a season versus a handful of other stats, tackles are king.

We're going to provide you a rank list for IDPs (good through the third week of the preseason), but a sharp Fantasy owner should always keep an eye on the waiver wire for rising talent. Just like offensive players, defenders will come out of nowhere to post big stats and be helpful options to your team. Win the battle of uncovering waiver-wire gems, and you'll be on your way to IDP-league success.

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  Defensive backs   Defensive linemen   Linebackers
1 Antoine Winfield 1 Jared Allen 1 Patrick Willis
2 Yeremiah Bell 2 Mario Williams 2 DeMarcus Ware
3 Oshiomogho Atogwe 3 Julius Peppers 3 DeMeco Ryans
4 Erik Coleman 4 Trent Cole 4 Jon Beason
5 Richard Marshall 5 Justin Smith 5 Karlos Dansby
6 Kerry Rhodes 6 Aaron Schobel 6 Jerod Mayo
7 Eric Weddle 7 Justin Tuck 7 Kirk Morrison
8 Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie 8 John Abraham 8 London Fletcher
9 Michael Griffin 9 Osi Umenyiora 9 James Harrison
10 Gibril Wilson 10 Brian Orakpo 10 Terrell Suggs
11 Charles Woodson 11 Gaines Adams 11 Curtis Lofton
12 Ed Reed 12 Alex Brown 12 Paul Posluszny
13 Cortland Finnegan 13 Will Smith 13 Lofa Tatupu
14 Nate Clements 14 Darnell Dockett 14 Ray Lewis
15 Ronde Barber 15 Chris Long 15 D'Qwell Jackson
16 Adrian Wilson 16 Patrick Kerney 16 Brian Urlacher
17 Charles Tillman 17 Kevin Williams 17 Chad Greenway
18 Leon Hall 18 Kyle Vanden Bosch 18 Keith Bulluck
19 Nick Collins 19 Dwight Freeney 19 James Farrior
20 Antoine Bethea 20 Robert Mathis 20 Lance Briggs
21 Louis Delmas 21 Aaron Maybin 21 Joey Porter
22 Michael Lewis 22 Adewale Ogunleye 22 Thomas Howard
23 Antrel Rolle 23 Juqua Parker 23 Will Witherspoon
24 LaRon Landry 24 Shaun Rogers 24 Thomas Davis
25 Darrelle Revis 25 Andre Carter 25 Antonio Pierce
26 Cedric Griffin 26 Aaron Smith 26 Bart Scott
27 Roman Harper 27 Shaun Ellis 27 Shawne Merriman
28 Quentin Jammer 28 Vince Wilfork 28 D.J. Williams
29 Chris Houston 29 Antonio Smith 29 Channing Crowder
30 Terrence McGee 30 David Bowens 30 Barrett Ruud
31 Leodis McKelvin 31 Ryan Denney 31 Gary Brackett
32 Danieal Manning 32 Robert Geathers 32 Bradie James
33 Darren Sharper 33 Calais Campbell 33 Gerald Hayes
34 Kenny Phillips 34 Darryl Tapp 34 Jonathan Vilma
35 Troy Polamalu 35 Lawrence Jackson 35 Nick Barnett
36 Brandon McDonald 36 Jay Ratliff 36 Brian Cushing
37 Brandon Meriweather 37 Ray Edwards 37 Mike Vrabel
38 Tanard Jackson 38 Richard Seymour 38 Lawrence Timmons
39 Chris Gamble 39 Chris Canty 39 LaMarr Woodley
40 Rashean Mathis 40 Connor Barwin 40 Daryl Smith
41 Kevin Payne 41 Greg Ellis 41 Andra Davis
42 Deon Grant 42 Dewayne White 42 Julian Peterson
43 Chris Hope 43 Raheem Brock 43 Adalius Thomas
44 Bob Sanders 44 Haloti Ngata 44 Chris Gocong
45 Ken Hamlin 45 Tommie Harris 45 James Laurinaitis
46 Bernard Pollard 46 Corey Williams 46 Kawika Mitchell
47 Ronald Bartell 47 Domata Peko 47 E.J. Henderson
48 Sean Jones 48 Mathias Kiwanuka 48 Bryan Thomas
49 Quintin Mikell 49 Brandon Mebane 49 Tavares Gooden
50 Tramon Williams 50 Kenyon Coleman 50 A.J. Hawk

You can e-mail your Fantasy Football questions to DMFantasyFootball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: IDPs in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state and we'll get to as many as we can.