IDP Watch: Week 8

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 be aware of.

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 eight performances (and one week nine):

Robert Quinn, DE, STL

Many thought 2012 would be a breakout year for Quinn, but he’s been dominant thus far in 2013. He already has 10 sacks on the season after his second multi-sack game of the year on Sunday. He now has a sack in all games with the exception of two. He’s also been extremely active in run support with 23 solo tackles thus far. He’s almost at his career high in tackle at the halfway point of the season. To add to all of this, he also has 21 hurries and 13 quarterback hits on the season which are both among the top for defensive ends. At 23 years old, Quinn is a blue chip defensive end in IDP leagues, especially given how he’s rounding out his run support skills.

Jon Bostic, MLB, CHI

In his first NFL start in week seven, Bostic played 87 percent of the team’s snaps and finished with six tackles and two assists. With Lance Briggs and DJ Williams out or the foreseeable future, Bostic is going to continue to see significant snaps. With the production and snap volume in his first start, he appears to be an option that can be relied upon. Admittedly, I wasn’t a fan of Bostic, but his production in his first NFL start is promising. Also watch Khaseem Greene who will slide into the weakside linebacker for the next few weeks with Briggs out for roughly six weeks. This will be a good test to see if Greene’s rookie draft supporters have a long-term diamond at linebacker.

Cameron Wake, DE, MIA

Wake is slowly coming back from his knee injury and over the last two weeks, he’s played 32 and 50 percent of the team’s snaps. While it’s clear the Dolphins and Wake are taking it slow in his return from the MCL injury, his snaps are increasing, which is an overall positive sign. Given that he played a significant amount of time last night against the Bengals and finished with 5 tackles, 3 sacks, a forced fumble , a fumble recovery, and a safety, it looks like it’s time to get him back in lineups, if he wasn’t this week.

Dont’a Hightower, SLB, NE

As expected, Hightower saw increased snaps with Jerod Mayo out over the last two weeks. He finished each of the last two games on 93 and 78 percent of the team’s snaps. While his struggles in pass coverage are clear, he’s seeing an ample number of tackle opportunities. While not spectacular, in week eight, and posted three tackles, three assists, one quarterback hurries, and a sack this past week. He’s an underrated dynasty linebacker prospect given his natural ability, as well as the tackle opportunities his offense creates. Unfortunately, it appears that Jaime Collins played the weakside spot this past week as Hightower was stuck on the strongside. If that’s a long-term solution next year (assuming Brandon Spikes moves on), that’s not good thing for IDP dynasty owners.

Von Miller, SLB, DEN

Many were disappointed with Miller’s week seven performance given the lack of box score production, but he played well outside of the box score. This past week, he picked up the pace and tallied a sack. Since returning, he’s played over 85 percent of the team’s snaps and amassed eight quarterback hurries and five hits. He’s just getting back to playing shape, so expect the sacks and tackles to come soon enough. He’s playing very well and getting to the quarterback like he did all season last year; nothing’s changed with Miller.

DJ Swearinger, SS, HOU

While he was on a bye last week, in week 7, Swearinger played 85% of team’s snaps and finished with five tackles. In his first start as a rookie, he was solid in run support. Given that the Texans are struggling overall as a team, Swearinger should continue to get a lot of work with Danieal Manning on injured reserve. With Ed Reed close to retirement and Manning having free safety experience, if Swearinger plays well to close out 2013, he should have a good shot at holding the starting spot in 2013.

Bruce Carter, WLB, DAL

Unfortunately, Carter has become a match-up play. His struggles against the pass have severely deflated his 2013 IDP value. This past week against a pass happy Lions’ offense, Carter only played 57 percent of the team’s snaps and finished with two tackles, an assist, and a pass defense. Given his match-up against the Vikings this week where Minnesota is likely to play from behind again, it’s sure to mean a low volume of tackle opportunities yet again. Looking at his schedule for the remainder of the year, the next time I’d be comfortable starting him is against the Raiders. He’s worth buying low either now or after he struggles a bit more over the next few weeks.

Sio Moore, SLB, OAK

Moore has started the last five weeks at strongside linebacker for the Raiders, but he’s played the best over the last two. The unfortunate part is that he’s on the strongside, but over the last two weeks, he’s effectively getting to the quarterback with six tackles and two and a half sacks to go along with three quarterback hurries and a hit. This is only on roughly 40 percent of the team’s snaps. Clearly, he’s not playing every down at this point, but he’s a long-term linebacker to be watching and looking to acquire. Not only has he supported the run well, but he’s being put in situations to accumulate sacks.

Aldon Smith, OLB, SF

It looks like Smith will be back for the 49ers in week 10. Given the sack potential, this is big news for IDP owners who’ve been waiting for the indefinite period to end. With his value deflated due to the weapon charges and rehab news, it may still be a prime time to attempt to acquire Smith from a fed up owner. Given his sack pace last season and through three games in 2013 (four and a half sacks), Smith is a young backer who not only is a big-play stud, but a guy who holds nice value in balanced leagues as well. While the expectation (for me at least) that Corey Lemonier was going to be productive in Smith’s roll playing linebacker as a classified defensive end was stifled, Lemonier will go back to being irrelevant in deeper leagues as well.

Deep Dynasty Looks:

Olivier Vernon, DE, MIA

Much of the focus this past off-season was on Dion Jordan, but it’s Vernon making the impression so far in 2013. Over the last five games or so, he’s exhibited pass rushing ability amassing four sacks. He’s also throwing in a tackle or two a game. While not a premier option by any means, Vernon is proving to be a deeper option at DE and is becoming a reliable DE2.

Marvin Austin, DT, DAL

Austin recently signed with the Cowboys and in week eight played 18% of the team’s snaps. He’s a super talented defensive tackle and in the most deep defensive tackle required leagues, he’s worth putting on the radar to see if he can make something of himself with the Cowboys. While he’s struggled to put everything together and see consistent snaps, it’s a good sign that he’s seen the field already in his new home.

Peria Jerry, DE/DT, ATL

While he’s classified as a defensive tackle, Jerry is playing defensive end for the Falcons. He’s mentioned purely for defensive tackle required leagues where it’s possible to take advantage of a likely increase in tackle opportunities.

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