Summer Sleeper: NFC East IDPs

Steve Wyremski

nfceast

So far this summer, the focus on sleepers here at DLF has been on the offensive side of the ball. Eric Olinger and I are going to be rolling out IDP summer sleepers across the conferences over the next few weeks. As always, these sleepers will be of varying levels – some of the stash variety and others who could breakout in 2014.

As we’ve highlighted previously, scheme changes, coaching changes and position changes can significantly alter IDP value and present arbitrage opportunities for owners. Based on those items and training camp thus far, here are some NFC East sleepers:

Washington Redskins

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Keenan Robinson, ILB

While he’s already featured on the Redskins’ FOX sports banner, Robinson is situated for a breakout season in 2014. London Fletcher retired earlier this year leaving an open spot in the middle of the Redskins defense. While Robinson hasn’t played many snaps in his two-year career, given two injuries that shelved him for virtually the entirety of those seasons, he’s the favorite for the vacant spot.

Camp hasn’t been open too long, but Robinson is running with the starters. Not only that, but he’s the one calling defenses, not Perry Riley. Robinson is holding earpiece as the quarterback of the defense in Fletcher’s former role. That’s a potential indicator of things to come.

So far in camp, much of the reporting is around Robinson’s pass coverage. As we know, that’s crucial when considering linebackers. Those that struggle in coverage may be yanked in passing situations, lose snaps, and not be considered an ‘Every Down Linebacker.’ To date, he’s proven decent. He struggled while matched up against the athletic Jordan Reed, but followed that up with a better performance, including an interception in camp. His pass coverage is something to watch when the preseason games get underway given the significance.

Depending on league depth, Robinson may already be rostered, especially given some off-season rumblings about a potential expanded role. However, the back-to-back seasons riddled with injuries left many snake-bitten and extremely cautious. He’s a borderline sleeper given the chatter this off-season, but is still on the wire in many leagues. If he wins the starting job, is solid in coverage and takes an every down role, there’s no reason to believe that he can’t be a solid LB2 given the production hole left by Fletcher’s exit.

Deeper Sleeper: Philip Thomas, SS – Coach Jay Gruden recently noted significant growth.

New York Giants

Jacquian Williams, WLB

Many depth charts still have Williams listed as the backup to Spencer Paysinger, but he’s running with the starters as a weakside linebacker in camp. There were some initial reports a month ago suggesting this given an extremely productive spring. Most notably, his linebacker coach noted significant improvement for Williams in the base defense.

Williams entered the league as an extremely raw player with athleticism the Giants picked up while scouting Jason Pierre-Paul years ago. Given the need for improvement, many expected him to take time to develop. In his career to date, he has primarily played a sub-package role as a pass-coverage linebacker. Where he struggled was defending the run. To combat that, he’s put some muscle on this off-season and appears to improving given his linebacker coach’s comments.

Given the lack of playmakers at the linebacker position for the Giants, if Williams emerges, we could be looking at significant production and a breakout.

Deeper Sleeper: Devon Kennard, SLB – He’s starting on the strongside thus far which caps his upside.

Dallas Cowboys

Anthony Hitchens, MLB

With the season ending injury to Sean Lee, Justin Durant appears to be the favorite replacement, but he’ll face competition from both Hitchens and DeVonte Holloman. The problem for Hitchens is he doesn’t have experience as a 4-3 middle linebacker.  However, he was a 3-4 inside linebacker at Iowa State, so the transition won’t be terrible.

Post-draft, Jerry Jones explained the Cowboys selected Hitchens to fill-in for Lee if he went down with an injury. Unfortunately, the timing was a bit too quick as it only took a month before the test began. In fact, right after Lee’s injury, Hitchens admitted he wasn’t comfortable enough yet to be considered a replacement option for Lee. Obviously, that’s not something you want to hear from the player himself. If the player doesn’t have confidence, it’s tough to have confidence in him for fantasy purposes. However, the organization clearly has a plan for him and Hitchens will only get more confident with experience.

Right now, Hitchens is running with the first team special teams unit and not the first team defense, but he is someone to monitor throughout camp, as the middle linebacker spot in Dallas will bring IDP production.

Philadelphia Eagles

Earl Wolff, SS

Veteran Nate Allen and Wolff enter the preseason in a positional battle for the starting strong safety spot. Initially, it appeared Allen was the leader, but more recently, Wolff is seeing time with the first unit. He’s made the most of his opportunities and continues to play well, but nothing has been decided as the two continue to flip-flop with the first team. In Allen’s snaps, he hasn’t done anything to separate himself from Wolff.

Even if Wolff doesn’t win the 2014 battle, it won’t be long until he gets another shot. As a rookie in 2013, he started five games where he played over 60 percent of the team’s snaps. In those games, he averaged four tackles and an assist. In games playing over 80 percent of the team’s snaps, he averaged five tackles and an assist. So, he gets involved and puts up numbers when he’s on the field.

Others see the potential as Malcolm Jenkins recently said this about Wolff, “[He’s] just [an] off-the-wall talent. He has athleticism. He just has to learn the game. He has to be decisive with his calls, knowing what offenses are giving. That just comes with experience.”

Watch Wolff this summer, he could bring some unforeseen safety production.

Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveWyremski

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