IDPs You’re Sleeping On: NFC North

Alexander Onushco Posted On April 9, 2016

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In case you missed it, here are the divisions we’ve covered in previous installments:

Our path through the NFC IDP landscape takes us to the North, where three prospects are beginning to wake from hibernation in order to wreak havoc on opposing offenses.

Tahir Whitehead, LB DET

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Detroit Lions linebacker Tahir Whitehead made noise back in 2014 when he took over for an injured Stephen Tulloch early in the season and went on to rack up 85 tackles, two interceptions and five passes defended. After a relatively quiet 2015 where he played most of the season on the strong-side, the 26-year-old from Temple University is ready to usurp Tulloch and stake his claim as the long-term answer in the middle of Detroit’s defense.

The fact is, however, his switch to middle linebacker should have already happened last year. Despite playing 737 snaps to Whitehead’s 598, Tulloch managed a -3.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, including an abysmal -8.2 in coverage. Whitehead, meanwhile, earned a +6.2 overall grade and graded better than Tulloch in every individual category other than pass rushing.

Now, Tulloch (owed $5.5 million this year) is looking at an ultimatum of either taking a pay cut or losing his roster spot altogether via either trade or straight up cut. Chances are, he is long gone by the time week one rolls around. Even if he isn’t, the team still seems set on making Whitehead – who recently signed a new two-year, $8 million contract – their new middle linebacker. More importantly, he is looking at an every-down role, which means he is a legitimate threat for triple digit tackles along with a handful of big plays.

Unlike the puss-filled nuisances that adorn many of our forum users’ faces, this Whitehead should be considered nothing but a positive asset moving forward for IDP owners.

Eddie Goldman, NT CHI

Joining cornerback on the bottom rung of the IDP value ladder is the defensive tackle position. Because most don’t get as many sacks as defensive ends or as many tackles as linebackers, they rarely get much love from the fantasy community. But for those of you in leagues where defensive tackle is a starting lineup requirement I say two things:

Congratulations, you are playing IDP fantasy the way it’s meant to be played.
You should really take a look at Chicago Bears nose tackle Eddie Goldman.

A sophomore out of Florida State, Goldman was selected by the Bears with the 39th pick in the 2015 draft. Coming out of college, many pegged him as a two-down thumper with limited pass-rushing skills. As is often the case, the draft analysts got it wrong.

Playing only 523 snaps last year – 34th among defensive tackles – Goldman managed 4.5 sacks, two quarterback hits and 18 hurries. All said and done, he managed the tenth best pressures-per-snap ratio of any defensive tackle with at least 500 snaps in his rookie season.

To be fair, the draft analysts weren’t totally wrong: he did excel against the run. Again, among defensive tackles with at least 500 snaps last year, Goldman managed the third best ratio of stop-per-tackle, according to PFF. He finished right behind Geno Atkins and Kawann Short, which puts him in elite company.

The team has already gone ahead and labeled Goldman a cornerstone of their defensive, and it is likely that he sees a nice uptick in snaps/tackles/sacks next season. He will make for a quality option at the DT position for your dynasty team.

Danielle Hunter, DE MIN

Joining Eddie Goldman on this list is another sophomore primed to make a leap in his second year along the defensive line: Danielle Hunter.

In his first year on the job, Hunter parlayed 398 snaps into 32 tackles and six sacks. The sacks speak for themselves and are certainly impressive, but what is most striking is his ability to rack up tackles. Of all 4-3 defensive ends with at least 300 snaps last year, Hunter finished with the sixth best tackle-per-snap ratio as well as a +6.8 PFF grade defending the run. Clearly he belongs on the field.

And while Hunter’s shot at a starting role appears blocked by Everson Griffen and Brian Robison, the Vikings own website suggests that he could earn the starting nod, likely over the 33-year-old Robison. Whether he is a starter or not, it is clear the team wants him on the field more often next year, and an increase of 200-300 snaps is possible if not likely. People are already beginning to jump on the Hunter hype train, but there is still time to acquire him cheap before it leaves the station for good.

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