7) Brian Urlacher | Chicago Bears | 6-foot-4, 258 Pounds | 9th Year

PROS: Few players fill up a stat sheet like Urlacher, who recorded 123 tackles (the seventh time in eight seasons he has notched 115-plus tackles), five sacks, five interceptions and 12 passes defensed. He also recovered a pair of fumbles and returned an interception for a touchdown. The team reworked Urlacher's contract during the offseason, which eliminates a potential distraction. He has played 16 games all but once in nine NFL seasons.

CONS: Urlacher, who turned 30 in May, underwent offseason neck surgery; the team acknowledged during contract negotiations that they were concerned about neck and back injuries he had incurred. Urlacher has fallen between 115 and 125 tackles four times in the last seven years, which while very good, is not among the league's elite.

FANTASY TIP: Urlacher has arguably the most name value at the position and may go higher than his midrange No. 1 status would dictate.

8) E.J. Henderson | Minnesota Vikings | 6-foot-1, 245 Pounds | 6th Year

PROS: An emerging force with the Vikings, Henderson improved his totals nearly across the board in 2007. His 118 tackles (94 solo) and 4.5 sacks were both career highs. He also forced three fumbles and recovered two others. The presence of defensive tackles Pat Williams and Kevin Williams consumes blockers, allowing Henderson to rack up a lot of tackles.

CONS: Henderson is largely a non-factor in coverage, failing to record an interception in four of his five seasons and amassing just 10 career passes defensed. His career-best numbers from last season are good, but he has never finished in the top 10 in tackles.

FANTASY TIP: With his numbers increasing each of the last three years, look for Henderson to continue trending upwards in 2008. However, recognize that he's a riskier pick than some of the others around him since you're drafting him as a No. 1 more on potential than past results.

9) Ernie Sims | Detroit Lions | 6-foot, 225 Pounds | 3rd Year

PROS: After racking up 124 tackles as a rookie, Sims finished fourth in the NFL with 134 tackles (97 solo) last season. He was a steady performer as well, notching between seven and 14 tackles in a game 12 times. Sims forced three fumbles and also registered his first career interception. He won't turn 24 until late December and still looks to be a player on the rise.

CONS: Sims' value is almost solely dependent on his tackling as he has managed just 1.5 sacks, three passes defensed and the aforementioned one pick combined over his first two years. A shift in offensive philosophy could help even out time of possession, which could leave fewer snaps on the defensive side of the ball.

FANTASY TIP: A tackling machine who contributes little else, Sims should still be a solid No. 1 linebacker in 2008.

10) Zach Thomas | Dallas Cowboys | 5-foot-11, 228 Pounds | 13th Year

PROS: A tackling machine throughout his tenure with the Miami Dolphins, Thomas amassed 145 or more tackles every year from 2001 to 2006, leading the NFL twice and finishing in the top five in all six seasons. He's also no stranger to the big play with 19.5 career sacks, 17 interceptions and four lifetime touchdowns. He got some experience playing in the 3-4 scheme, which Dallas employs, in 2007 and had at least eight tackles in every game.

CONS: Thomas has only played 16 games twice during the last eight seasons, and he missed 11 contests in 2007. He sustained a neck injury and suffered migraine headaches following a car accident, which eventually landed him on Injured Reserve. Thomas turns 35 before the season starts, so his best days may be behind him.

FANTASY TIP: There are some injury concerns about Thomas, but if he can stay healthy he should be a quality No. 1 linebacker.

11) Jonathan Vilma | New Orleans Saints | 6-foot-1, 230 pounds | 5th Year

PROS: Vilma (knee) was the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2004 and led the NFL with 169 tackles the following season. He has registered better than 105 tackles in each of his three full campaigns and is solid in pass coverage (six career interceptions). At 26, Vilma should just be entering his prime.

CONS: The linebacker is coming off a season-ending knee injury that limited him to seven games in 2007 and required surgery to correct. If you throw out his stellar '05 season, Vilma's tackle numbers are not elite. He has just 0.5 sacks in his last three seasons.

FANTASY TIP: There's an injury risk here, but if healthy Vilma is a weak No. 1 or strong No. 2 linebacker.

12) Mike Peterson | Jacksonville Jaguars | 6-foot-1, 238 pounds | 10th Year

PROS: From 2002 to 2005, Peterson recorded more than 125 tackles three times and averaged 124 tackles per year during that stretch. He also added nine interceptions and a dozen sacks, proving to be a force both in coverage as well as on the blitz.

CONS: Injuries have spoiled Peterson's last two seasons as he missed 11 games in 2006 with a torn pectoral muscle and six games last year with a hand injury. He could miss defensive tackle Marcus Stroud (Buffalo Bills), who routinely occupied two blockers.

FANTASY TIP: Now 32 years of age and coming off back-to-back injury-filled seasons, there is a lot of risk/reward associated with drafting Peterson. He remains a low-end No. 1 option if healthy.

13) Jon Beason | Carolina Panthers | 6-foot, 237 pounds | 2nd Year

PROS: Perhaps overshadowed a bit by the season fellow rookie linebacker Patrick Willis (San Francisco 49ers) enjoyed, Beason finished third in the NFL with 140 tackles last season. Beason added six passes defensed and became stronger as the season wore on, finishing with double-digit tackles in eight of his final 13 games.

CONS: He was a non-factor on the pass rush, failing to record a sack during his rookie year. Also, Beason did not force a fumble in 2007 and managed just one interception, so the big play was notably absent.

FANTASY TIP: Beason proved to be an able pursuer with his lofty tackle totals but did little else to supplement them. Consider him a high-end No. 2 linebacker for 2008.

Tier 4

14) Donnie Edwards | Kansas City Chiefs | 6-foot-2, 224 pounds | 13th Year

PROS: The veteran has averaged nearly 142 tackles per season over the last five years and remains among the league's top coverage linebackers (13 interceptions in that timeframe). A quality pass rusher (7.5 sacks the past three years), Edwards has not missed a start since 1998.

CONS: Edwards' numbers fell across the board after leaving the San Diego Chargers before the 2007 season. He tallied just 104 tackles (37 fewer than 2006) and made fewer big plays with the Chiefs. He's 35 years old and relies on speed to make plays.

FANTASY TIP: Time seems to be catching up with the veteran, but he should still hold value as a No. 2 option this season.

15) Will Witherspoon | St. Louis Rams | 6-foot-1, 240 pounds | 7th Year

PROS: Witherspoon has posted at least 110 tackles in each of his two seasons with the Rams, and his seven sacks last year led all players with at least 100 tackles - no one else had more than five. Witherspoon has posted five forced fumbles and 15 passes defensed since signing in St. Louis.

CONS: With defensive ends Leonard Little and Chris Long both on board, it's unrealistic to think Witherspoon will match his seven sacks of a year ago - his previous career high was three. He hasn't registered an interception since the 2005 season.

FANTASY TIP: While a downturn in sacks should be expected, Witherspoon remains a solid No. 2 linebacker.

16) Lofa Tatupu | Seattle Seahawks | 6-foot, 242 pounds | 4th Year

PROS: The University of Southern California product has averaged 112 tackles per season since entering the NFL in 2005. He's a playmaker, posting 6.5 sacks, eight interceptions and five forced fumbles during his three seasons. Tatupu is very strong in coverage, recording a career-high nine passes defensed last season.

CONS: Tatupu has a tendency to disappear at times, finishing with five or fewer tackles five times in 2007 against just two double-digit performances. Ironically, all four of his interceptions last season came in those two contests. His sack totals have dropped each year.

FANTASY TIP: A jack-of-all-trades at the linebacker position, look for Tatupu to contribute across the board as a quality No. 2 selection.

17) Freddie Keiaho | Indianapolis Colts | 5-foot-11, 226 Pounds | 3rd Year

PROS: Replacing departed linebacker Cato June (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Keiaho notched 81 tackles in 11 games last season, a 118-tackle pace. He's still growing into the role and should be improved in just his second season as the starter.

CONS: Outside of intercepting a pass in Week 1, Keiaho was largely absent in terms of making big plays. He's a bit undersized for the position; his durability has to be in question after missing five games with elbow and concussion injuries last year.

FANTASY TIP: With less than a full season of starts under his belt, Keiaho might be a player to target late in drafts considering his minimal name value. He's a potential steal as a No. 2 linebacker.

18) Angelo Crowell | Buffalo Bills | 6-foot-1, 246 Pounds | 6th Year

PROS: Starting all 16 games for the first time in his career, Crowell recorded a career-high 126 tackles on an injury-depleted defense in 2007. He added two sacks, giving him seven in the last three years, and his fifth career interception. With better health from those around him, Crowell could be in for an even better 2008.

CONS: Crowell has dealt with some injuries of his own over the past few years, including a broken leg in 2006 and triceps surgery during the offseason. He faded a bit down the stretch last season, managing just 20 combined tackles in his final four games.

FANTASY TIP: Another player that lacks name value, Crowell could return nice late-round value as your second linebacker.

19) Ray Lewis | Baltimore Ravens | 6-foot-1, 250 Pounds | 13th Year

PROS: The veteran registered 120 tackles in 2007, his most since a 146-tackle season in 2004. One of the game's most intelligent defensive players, Lewis continues to fill up the stat columns despite advancing age.

CONS: The 33-year-old hasn't played a full 16-game schedule since 2003. Outside of his five-sack performance in 2006, Lewis hasn't finished with more than 1.5 sacks in his last six seasons. He has averaged 90 tackles per season during his past three years.

FANTASY TIP: He's one of the biggest names at the position, which will almost certainly lead to him being selected too early. If he's around later in the draft he should make a solid No. 2 option, but don't reach for him.

20) Kirk Morrison | Oakland Raiders | 6-foot-2, 240 Pounds | 4th Year

PROS: Morrison enjoyed his best all-around season in 2007, finishing with 120 tackles. He added 10 passes defensed and four interceptions - both of which were career bests. The San Diego State alum has averaged 121 tackles per season since entering the NFL and looks to be emerging in pass coverage.

CONS: While capable of delivering some solid hits, Morrison has forced just one fumble in his career. He hasn't shown much on the blitz, finishing each of the last two seasons with a single sack.

FANTASY TIP: The 26-year-old appears to be a player on the rise after he added those four interceptions to his always solid tackling totals in 2007. Draft him as a No. 2 linebacker.