IDP Watch: Week Five

Eric Olinger

jefferson

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 key 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 five performances:

Kemal Ishmael, SS ATL

After being listed here last week as a name to watch, Ishmael came through in a big way. He tied for the team lead with nine solo tackles and 14 total tackles. Also, he played 100% of the team’s defensive snaps for the first time this season. If you stream defensive backs, Ishmael is your guy. As long as he remains healthy and maintains his playing time, he’ll remain a DB1 on a defense struggling to stop anyone at the first two levels.

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James-Michael Johnson, LB KCC

In week five, we finally saw what we’ve been waiting to see for three years out of James-Michael Johnson. He recorded nine solo tackles and two assists, including two tackles for loss. He was still only on the field for 80% of the team’s defensive snaps but also played 64% of special teams plays. With Derrick Johnson out for the year and Joe Mays on injured reserve- designated for return, JMJ will maintain a window of IDP relevancy for the time being.

Joe Mauga, LB KCC

The tag team partner of the aforementioned James-Michael Johnson, Mauga played 100% of the defensive snaps, along with Justin Houston, for the Chiefs in week five. He’s a solid option in tackle heavy leagues in the right matchup but offers absolutely nothing in the big play department. In five seasons he has just one sack and zero interceptions. Neither Mauga nor Johnson are long term answers but both can be counted on as bye week fill-ins and options for the rest of 2014.

Danny Lansanah, LB TB

The little linebacker who could, Lansanah is making the most out of his second chance in the NFL after sitting out the 2012 season. He played 100% of the defensive snaps with Lavonte David last week and the return of Mason Foster shouldn’t change that. In two of the last three games, Lansanah has returned an interception for touchdown and Foster has long been a liability in pass coverage. Look for Lansanah to man the strong side on first and second down and then slide to the middle on passing downs. I definitely wouldn’t cut him lose just because Foster is returning from injury.

Perrish Cox, DB SF

Defensive backs are the most difficult position to get consistent production out of, so when you find one who repeatedly puts up solid statistics you tend to stick with them until they burn you or someone better pops up. Cox has been a solid IDP option through the season’s first five weeks while collecting 13 solo tackles, two fumble recoveries, three interceptions and 10 pass break ups. As long as Tramaine Brock continues to miss time with a turf toe injury, I would keep Cox in my lineup. This week’s matchup versus Austin Davis and the Rams is favorable as the Rams should be in comeback mode and the 49ers will be aggressive on defense.

Tony Jefferson, SS ARI

Jefferson has played well enough this season to make a significant IDP impact and to keep first round rookie Deone Bucannon off the field. He has averaged nearly 7 solo tackles and an assist per game this season and provides the Cardinals with an aggressor on the back end, he even registered a sack versus Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers in week three. The Cardinals are content using Bucannon as a linebacker in sub packages while Jefferson keeps the gig in the secondary. With Kirk Cousins and the possible return of Jordan Reed coming to the desert this week, Jefferson could see plenty of tackle opportunities in the middle of the field. The Cardinals are atrocious against opposing tight ends. Only four teams, the Cowboys, Bengals, Jaguars and Buccaneers, give up more fantasy points to tight ends on a weekly basis.

Reshad Jones, SS MIA

In the unlikely event Reshad Jones is available in your league, I highly recommend running to the waiver wire to add him. Jones led all safeties in snaps last season and will immediately re-take his starting gig from fill-in Jimmy Wilson. He finished 2013 as a DB1 with 107 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, four pass defenses and a touchdown. With the Packers running an insane amount of offensive plays each week, Jones will have plenty of opportunities to make a big splash in his 2014 debut.

Follow me on Twitter @OlingerIDP

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eric olinger
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