Fantasy: The Top 10 3-4 Outside Linebacker Performances of 2011

There was no shortage of shockers in my list of the top fantasy performances by 4-3 outside linebackers, but now the names are getting a little more familiar as focus shifts to outside linebackers of 3-4 defensive sets. When compiling these lists, the Pro Football Focus IDP scoring settings are used to determine the 10 most impactful performances per position. Once again, here they are:

9t. Sam Acho, Arizona Cardinals: Week 12 vs. St. Louis Rams (20.5 PFF Fantasy Points)

The rookie pass-rusher had his share of struggles in 2011, but when Sam Acho traveled to St. Louis to take on the Rams, he did not exactly put those on display. It was his highest-graded game of the season in addition to being his best fantasy output. Acho did little in the tackling department and netted just three of them, but his two sacks, two forced fumbles and fumble recovery ballooned his point total over the 20-point plateau.

9t. James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers: Week 3 @ Indianapolis Colts (20.5 PFF Fantasy Points)

When the conversation shifts to 3-4 pass rushers,  James Harrison seldom goes without mention, and games like the one he had versus the Colts are reasons why. With a dominant early-season performance, Harrison silenced any whispers over whether two offseason back injuries would slow him down in the later stages of his career. He highlighted his day with a sack, a forced fumble and six tackles that included two behind the line of scrimmage versus the foundering Colts.

8. Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers: Week 16 vs. Chicago Bears (21.5 PFF Fantasy Points)

It’s pretty remarkable how Clay Matthews, a man who was routinely double-teamed (and sometimes even triple-teamed) could still impose his will on offenses across the NFL. One such instance was against the Bears toward the end of the season. Though Matthews did not record a sack in the game, he still managed to force a fumble, intercept a pass, defend a pass and put six total tackles on his stat sheet.

7. Ryan Kerrigan, Washington Redskins: Week 10 @ Miami Dolphins (22 PFF Fantasy Points)

Similar to Acho, the rookie Ryan Kerrigan had a few struggles over the course of the season, especially in terms of pass-coverage and run defense. What Kerrigan was really brought to the Redskins to do, however, is get to the quarterback, which is exactly what he did versus the Dolphins in Week 10. Kerrigan sacked quarterback Matt Moore twice, forced two fumbles and picked up six additional total tackles to keep his future looking bright.

5t. Jason Worilds, Pittsburgh Steelers: Week 14 vs. Cleveland Browns (22.5 PFF Fantasy Points)

After seeing just 43 snaps in 2010, Jason Worilds saw that count rise by about 500 in 2011 while the Steelers dealt with injuries on the edges of their defense. Worilds stepped in and did a respectable job at times, as was evidenced by a nice late-season performance versus the Cleveland Browns. In Lamarr Woodley’s absence, Worilds forced a fumble, recorded two sacks and had nine total tackles in what was the best statistical game of his young career thus far.

5t. Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers: Week 13 @ New York Giants (22.5 PFF Fantasy Points)

In a classic shootout game between the Packers and Giants, there was little to like in terms of defense. Clay Matthews provided that bright spot in more ways than one, despite only recording one solo tackle and one assisted tackle. His fantasy owners would have forgiven that though, as Matthews more than made up for that low total with a sack, a defensed pass, a tackle for loss, a forced fumble, and of course, a 12-point pick-six.

4. Connor Barwin, Houston Texans: Week 12 @ Jacksonville Jaguars (26 PFF Fantasy Points)

Blaine Gabbert had a long and miserable first season, and it didn’t get any shorter when Connor Barwin and company came to town. Barwin sacked the rookie signal-caller four times in addition to logging 10 total tackles including one for a loss.  It was by far Barwin’s best fantasy output, which accounted for nearly a quarter of his entire season’s fantasy point total.

3. James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers: Week 9 vs. Baltimore Ravens (27 PFF Fantasy Points)

The Steelers’ opening week meltdown against the Ravens must not have sat too well with James Harrison, as he gave his rivals fits during their midseason rematch. Though it was in another losing effort, Harrison had a huge game in terms of rushing the passer sacking Joe Flacco three times and forcing him to fumble once.  Those numbers, tacked onto eight solo tackles with one for a loss, at the very least made Harrison’s fantasy owners much happier than the Steelers were that afternoon.

2. Aldon Smith, San Francisco 49ers: Week 6 @ Detroit Lions (27.5 PFF Fantasy Points)

It’s hard to believe that Aldon Smith accumulated the season totals he had despite playing in less than half of the 49ers defensive snaps in 2011. What’s evident is that when he was on the field, he always seemed to be a difference maker, and his Week 6 matchup against a potent Lions offense reflected that.  This is also another case where Smith owners will lobby for him getting more snaps, since this, his highest fantasy point total of the season, coincidentally came during his highest snap total of the season. Smith’s 13-point sack-safety in the second quarter paved the way for a monstrous output, complemented by a forced fumble, a defensed pass, another sack and four solo tackles.

1) DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys Week 8 @ Philadelphia Eagles (33.5 PFF Fantasy Points)

Despite DeMarcus Ware’s tremendous effort, the Eagles lit-up the Cowboys defense for 34 points the first time they faced them in 2011. Ware nearly matched that point total tit-for-tat by himself in fantasy leagues, blowing-up the stat columns for four sacks, 11 total tackles, a forced fumble and a tackle for loss. Ware’s seven defensive stops were also a season-high for him, adding to the list of many he set in this game not only for himself, but for everyone at his position.

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