This article looks at ILBs for each team in the NFC West with more than 200 snaps.
| Name | Tm | Ov | Rush | Cov. | Run | Pen. |
| Gerald Hayes | ARZ | 1.0 | 0.1 | -0.5 | 2.9 | -1.5 |
| Paris Lenon | ARZ | 0.7 | 1.8 | -4.2 | 1.5 | 1.6 |
| Daryl Washington | ARZ | 12.1 | 1.9 | 4.6 | 5.8 | -0.2 |
| Lofa Tatupu | SEA | -8.9 | -4.3 | -6.7 | 1.5 | 0.6 |
| Takeo Spikes | SF | 24.0 | -0.5 | 5.9 | 18.2 | 0.4 |
| Patrick Willis | SF | 31.0 | 11.4 | 1.8 | 17.3 | 0.5 |
| Navorro Bowman | SF | 3.7 | 1.4 | -0.5 | 3.7 | -0.9 |
| James Laurinaitis | SL | 14.2 | 1.3 | -0.3 | 11.6 | 1.6 |
All
The NFC West has a 50-50 split between the 4-3 (Seattle and St Louis) and 3-4 (Arizona and San Francisco). Tatupu (SEA) and Laurinaitis (SL) were both starting ILBs on their respective 4-3 defense, so the only ILB to play over 200 snaps for both teams. The 49ers duo of Patrick Willis (+31.0) and Takeo Spikes (+24.0) were clearly the best ILB unit in the division, ranking 2nd and 7th in the league respectively for their overall grades. The influence of Hall of Fame coach Mike Singletary good for one thing at least. The Rams also saw above average play from their ILB, James Laurinaitis (+14.2), who was =1st in the league with zero penalties playing 99.8% of defensive snaps. Arizona had rookie Daryl Washington (+12.1) split time with Gerald Hayes (+1.0) and play well, especially in coverage, while Paris Lenon (+0.7) played like the journeyman he is. Seattle’s ILB play had been a strength the past few years, but Lofa Tatupu had a bad year, his -8.9 grading ranking 46th in the league.
| Name | Tm | QB Sk | QB Ht | QB Pr | Tks | Ass | MT | St | % Ct | Avg | TD | In | PD |
| Gerald Hayes | ARZ | 0 | 0 | 1 | 23 | 8 | 4 | 11 | 81.8 | 14.2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Paris Lenon | ARZ | 2 | 3 | 7 | 96 | 21 | 10 | 63 | 72.5 | 11.4 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Daryl Washington | ARZ | 1 | 1 | 3 | 64 | 6 | 7 | 37 | 70.6 | 7.3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Lofa Tatupu | SEA | 2 | 1 | 6 | 63 | 14 | 14 | 37 | 73.7 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Takeo Spikes | SF | 0 | 3 | 3 | 92 | 10 | 2 | 54 | 66.7 | 8.9 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Patrick Willis | SF | 6 | 2 | 12 | 99 | 20 | 8 | 55 | 86.0 | 6.9 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Navorro Bowman | SF | 0 | 0 | 5 | 25 | 2 | 3 | 15 | 94.7 | 8.7 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| James Laurinaitis | SL | 4 | 6 | 5 | 93 | 10 | 7 | 61 | 69.6 | 10.4 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
Arizona
Despite mediocre PFF gradings, Paris Lenon recorded 117 total tackles and 63 stops (2nd best in the league) in 2010. He did struggle in coverage though, giving up a division high 5 touchdowns and 570 yards. Being targeted so much he did manage to grab two interceptions though. Gerald Hayes didn’t do a good job against the pass either, allowing a 81.8% completion rate and 14.2 yards per catch. As a unit they didn’t get after opposition QBs much, with only 3 sacks between them. Lenon remains an under the radar IDP asset, especially if he can reproduce the turnovers. He should hit another 100 tackle season next year too. Hayes is now only bench fodder for your fantasy team and hasn’t come close to his 07/08 performance. Washington ended the season as a starter opposite Lenon and should resume that role in 2011. He could be a nice sleeper adding depth to your roster.
Seattle
Lofa Tatupu will want to forget his play in 2010. His -8.9 grading was the result of poor play in coverage (-6.7) and when rushing the QB (-4.3). He only managed 63 solo tackles, 1 less than Daryl Washington who play 626 less snaps. Tatupu also missed a division leading 14 tackles. His 7 pass defenses were, which led the division, was one highlight. In his first year back from injury, Tatupu’s performance was not what it had been in previous seasons, so his fantasy value needs to be downgraded. He simply doesn’t make enough turnovers and sacks and relies on consistent tackle numbers, but a career low for tackles in 2010 doesn’t fill me with confidence.
San Francisco
Patrick Willis has arguably been the best ILB in the league for a couple of years now under the wing of Mike Singletary and this season was no different. He led the division in solo (99) and total (119) tackles, sacks (6) and lowest yards for catch (6.9). He was also #1 amongst all ILBs in the NFL at rushing the passer (+11.4) and #4 against the run (+17.3). Takeo Spikes also had a standout year, returning to the level of play he turned in for the Bengals in the first half of the decade. His 3 interceptions and 2 missed tackles were the best in the division, as was his 66.7% pass completion rate. Whereas Willis is an IDP stud, Spikes’ is not. Spikes should only be targeted as a value spot starter and backup. He hadn’t exceeded 100 total tackles since 04/05 and averaged only 1.5 sacks a season over that period. Navorro Bowman only played 217 snaps, but showed issues in coverage, allowing 94.7% of passes to be completed against him. With such solid play by Willis and Spikes, he isn’t going to be on the field enough to be fantasy relevant.
St Louis
The Rams’ defensive leader, James Laurinaitis, continues to be a low profile player in the eyes of the mass media, but is a very useful fantasy option. With 4 sacks and an interception to supplement his 103 total tackles, he followed up a decent rookie season. Laurinaitis also led the division with 6 QB hits and put up respectable stats for stops (61) and pass completion rate (69.6%). As a key part of the rebuilding effort in St Louis, Laurinaitis is another must own IDP stud heading into 2011.
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