IDP Watch: Week 6

IDP leagues can be won with some preemptive in-season pickups or trading for players who are on the rise, but whom the masses have not picked up on. Each week, we’ll detail a handful of IDP players or trends essential for dynasty players to monitor.

Often, things like quarterback hurries, quarterback knockdowns, or snap counts don’t appear in the box scores. These are huge indicators of potential value changes that may be forthcoming as they show a particular player is getting after the quarterback and a string of sacks may be on the horizon or a linebacker may be coming off of the field more than originally expected.

The goal is to largely avoid stellar IDP players since many of those guys are already heavily in the eyes of IDP owners. Instead, here are some players to keep an eye on based on week six performances:

Jerod Mayo, WLB, NE

With Mayo out for the year with a torn pectoral injury, the question is who will receive an increase in snaps. Some suggest Brandon Spikes, but he doesn’t have the pass coverage ability that Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins possess. While Dane Fletcher is also a candidate for increased snaps, my bet is Hightower benefits and takes Mayo’s place in sub-packages, while Collins sees more time in base formations. This is a perfect tryout for Hightower for next season when Spikes is likely to leave in free agency. It’s also a nice trial period for his IDP owners.

Bruce Carter, ILB, DAL

A few weeks ago, we talked about Carter losing snaps to Ernie Sims due to Carter’s struggle in coverage. After not starting and only playing 50 percent of the team’s snaps against the Broncos, Carter returned to every down play in week six against the Redskins and showed improvement in coverage. For the week, he tallied five tackles and an assist. While a good sign that he played every down, given the snap breakdown for Carter over recent weeks, I’d play him cautiously until we see the level maintained (especially against pass heavy teams). Long-term, he’s liable to rebound and return to consistent every down work, but it’s a matter of whether you can afford to be patient with him or not.

Jon Beason, WLB, NYG

After being acquired from the Panthers two weeks ago, the overwhelming view was that this was a non-event for IDP purposes. Week six proved that wrong as Beason started at middle linebacker and played 93% of the team’s snaps on his way to 11 tackles and an assist. The addition of Beason means the end to Mark Herzlich as a potential upside option. Herzlich is going to have a difficult time getting on the field if the veteran continues to play like this and stays healthy. He should be picked up in most formats given this showing and the likelihood that he continues to be used in this way.

Malik Jackson, DE, DEN

Jackson has played well last two weeks with three sacks, six tackles, and three assists on roughly 50 percent of the team’s snaps. With Von Miller out due to suspension, he’s seen more snaps in passing situations, as well. While Jackson appears to be breaking out and the coaching staff is acknowledging that his hard working is paying off with this noticeable 2013 improvement, we may see a drop in snaps with Miller back on the field playing down in passing situations. The good thing for Jackson is that he is versatile enough with the ability to kick inside should Miller begin to snatch some of his snaps. Overall, Jackson is impressing and appears to be a very solid long-term defense end option for IDP purposes, but there is some concern and monitoring needed with Miller returning the lineup. There’s the potential that his opportunities are reduced lowering his ceiling.

Mario Harvey, ILB, IND

Harvey only played less than 50 percent of the Colt’s snaps in week six, but he finished leading the team in tackles with nine. He saw increased playing time with Jerrell Freeman out with a concussion, but with Pat Angerer’s continued struggles and inability to stay healthy, expect opportunities to continue to come for Harvey. Unless you’re in a shallow IDP league, Harvey should be rostered given the week six breakout on limited snaps. Don’t expect this type of production to be repeated too quickly, but it’s significant enough to warrant a roster spot.

DJ Swearinger, SS, HOU

With Daniel Manning out for the season with a broken leg, rookie DJ Swearinger will assume the starting strong safety spot. On a per snap basis in dime packages, Swearinger has been fairly productive. For the remainder of 2013, the expectation is that all three safeties, including Ed Reed and Shiloh Keo, will rotate. Swearinger is an aggressive player who should rack up tackles given his physical style. The only limiting factor will be playing time. I wouldn’t start Swearinger just yet given the uncertainties, but in moderate to deeper leagues, Swearinger should be rostered. This week will be a big indication of what we can expect going forward.

Lamarr Houston, DE, OAK

Houston took a while to breakout, but he’s been stellar in 2013. He only has three sacks on the season, but already has 20 tackles. After six games, he’s well on his way to having the best season of his career. Most impressive are his quarterback hurries (18) and hits (9) which are both top five among defensive ends. He’s fitting nicely in the top ten of defensive ends in most IDP leagues, but with how he continues to get to the quarterback and the tackles that he’s amassing, he still possesses upside. He’s a worthy target if his low sack number is suppressing his value.

Corey Lemonier, DE, SF

In many leagues (MFL for example), Lemonier is designated as a defensive end. However, with Aldon Smith in rehab and out indefinitely, the rookie is playing at the outside linebacker position for the 49ers. In that role over the last three weeks, he’s actually played quite well with eight tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, two quarterback hits, and eight hurries. With defensive end eligibility, he’s a sneaky play for 2013 with Smith out for the foreseeable future given the tackle opportunities he’ll see at that spot.

Marcus Cooper, CB, KC

The rookie corner has impressed filing in for veteran Brandon Flowers. Over the last three weeks, Cooper has played over 80 percent of the team’s snaps. Despite the substantial snaps, prior to last week his numbers weren’t spectacular. He really came on in week six, though, with five tackles and an interception. If your league awards points for pass deflections, as well, this guy can be big. He’s amassed 12 deflections over the last three weeks. With Cooper playing as well as he is, he’s earning some increased reps even once Flowers returns. At that point, he’ll be fighting with Sean Smith for playing time. Cooper isn’t worth a long-term play outside of very deep corner required leagues, but in that format he’s a stash candidate. In the short-term in corner required leagues, he’s a viable starter.

Deep Dynasty Looks

Kyle Wilber, DE, DAL

With Demarcus Ware out with an injury, Wilber see more snaps. In week six, he played 65 percent of snaps, one sack, three tackle, a forced fumble, recovered fumble, and three quarterback hurries due to Ware’s injury. While he’s a short-term option in deeper leagues with Ware injured, he’s also a stash option in even when Ware returns.

Mike Harris, CB, JAX

Don’t get too excited with the seven tackles out of Harris this past week. That was entirely the function of Peyton Manning. With the way the Broncos offense is moving, the best strategy is to just pick up an opposing corner on any given week. The tackle opportunities have been tremendous against the Broncos passing attack.

Andre Branch, DE, JAX

He continues to hover around 50 to 60 percent of the team’s snaps, but over the last three weeks he is finally getting tackles. He has eight tackles to go along with a sack over that period, which is nothing spectacular, but may be a sign of life.

Follow Steve on Twitter at @SteveWyremski.