2015 IDP Free Agency Blog

Free agency is in swing and DLF is ready, as always.

This year, we’ll be covering all the free agency moves as they occur via this blog with our real time (or as close as we can get to it ) analysis of each move and how they impact our world of dynasty leagues. This Premium exclusive IDP blog will be updated constantly as free agency continues to unfold. We’ll cover many of the mainstream offensive players in our free content, but this will be the place for complete IDP free agency rundowns. Remember to read from the bottom as the most recent events will be listed at the top.

Here we go!

March 15, 2015

Michael Johnson released by Bucaneers and returns to the Bengals

After signing with the Buccaneers in 2014 chasing a big contract, Johnson struggled and was released this past week. He returns to the team where he performed, including a season with 10 plus sacks. At only 28 years old, he has quite a bit of tail left on his career and should start across from Carlos Dunlap. This isn’t great news for Margus Hunt who failed to capitalize on opportunity in 2014. Then potential remains, but with Johnson back in the mix, it may be a hurdle he can’t quite clear.

From a Buccaneers’s perspective, this is great news for Jacquies Smith who performed quite well to close 2015 with six and a half sacks over a seven week period. He’s very much a sleeper headed into 2015.

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March 13, 2015

Saints add Ellerbe in Stills trade

With the loss of Curtis Lofton to the Raiders earlier this week, the Saints needed some help at inside linebacker. They acheived that with the addition of Ellerbe who should start inside next to David Hawthorne in 2015. This is a beneficial move for IDP purposes as Ellerbe moves to inside linebacker from a recent move to strongside linebacker. He’s better suited on the inside as evidenced by his time and success in Baltimore. We’ll need to see how subpackages shake out, but Ellerbe has new found IDP life and is a decent target for the upcoming season.

Nick Fairley joins crowded Rams’ defensive line

Fairley joins a defensive line chock-full of talent – that’s actually not a good thing in this case. The move is puzzling considering he’ll join a rotation with fellow former first round picks Michael Brockers and Aaron Donald. Those in hope that Fairley would see an increase in value away from Suh will be sorrowly disappointed. This is a virtual disaster considering the limit this places on his upside.

Titans add Orakpo and re-sign Morgan to man the outside

Orakpo was one of the best edge rushers available in this free agency class and will immediately bolster a defense in need of pass rushers. There shouldn’t be much of a change in IDP value for either Orakpo or Morgan, though many hoped Morgan would sign on with a 4-3 defense and transition back to a defensive end. No such luck. So, status quo on the IDP value for these two.

March 12, 2015

Adrian Clayborn signs with the Falcons

Clayborn is one of the first free agency moves by rookie head coach Dan Quinn. In the transition to a 4-3 defense, they need pass rushers and that’s exactly what Clayborn is. Once viewed as a cornerstone IDP defensive end after his rookie season, injuries plagued his Buccaneers’ career. This is a nice landing spot for a guy with a DE1 ceiling.

Rahim Moore bolts for Houston

Free safety Rahim Moore signed a three year deal with the Texans. Moore is much more active in defending the pass than racking up the tackles, so regardless of the situation, he’s unlikely to become a top IDP option. He’s inconsistent and dependent on big plays (interceptions, mainly). In deeper leagues, David Bruton is someone to watch in Denver with the loss of Moore as he played well down the stretch. Expect Denver to add safety depth in the draft, as well.

Jets bring back Darrelle Revis & Antonio Cromartie, add Buster Skrine

The Jets’ secondary has been revamped and bolstered in the matter days. Other than a downgrade for Skrine as a slot man, these signings are uneventful news from an IDP cornerback perspective. None of these players see much of a change in production, but it should mean more sacks for the Jets front seven with the talent in this secondary.

This surely hurts the value of Dee Milliner and Dexter McDougle, but like the Jets, it’s unlikely anyone was relying on them given their respective injury histories. Even in the deepest of leagues…

March 11, 2015

Patriots increase fire power with addition of Jabaal Sheard 

This is a dynamite signing by the Patriots. As an outside linebacker, Sheard was a disaster with the Browns, but he’s much better suited as a 4-3 defensive end. His IDP value vaults with a position eligibility change to defensive end and considering his potential. He’ll enter a rotation with Rob Ninkovich, but with Ninkovich on the wrong side of 30 and Sheard only 25, there is nice potential here – especially considering the attention Chandler Jones commands on the other side.

Dolphins sign DT Ndamukong Suh to massive six-year, $114 million contract

The prize of free agency on the defensive side of the ball, Suh followed the cash to Miami. There’s unlikely to be a change in his IDP value as he’s atop the defensive tackle rankings. With Nick Fairley searching for a home, it’ll be Haloti Ngata in the middle of the Lions defensive line in 2015.

Raiders sign MLB Curtis Lofton and bring in LB Malcom Smith

The Raiders fortified their front seven by upgrading Miles Burris to Curtis Lofton and adding Smith as a situational player. This creates a log-jam at linebacker, particularly in sub-packages. The projected starters are Sio Moore, Khalil Mack and Lofton, but it may be Lofton who heads to the sidelines in passing situations. Mack would put his hand in the dirt and Moore/Smith (or Burris) are likely to be the sub-package players. It’s a great move from a pure football perspective, but it will depress Lofton and Burris’s value. On the Saints side of things, there is significant value to be had – an addition via the draft appears likely.

Cardinals add Sean Weatherspoon

He’s coming off a major Achilles injury, but Weatherspoon is a dynamic player entering a situation ripe for IDP value. Only 27 years old, if he can stay healthy, Weatherspoon could yield LB1/LB2 numbers for a team reeling from the year plus suspension of Daryl Washington and the retirement of Larry Foote. Kevin Minter has proven to be unworthy competition.

The loss of Weatherspoon leaves prime IDP positions open on the Falcons’ defense. They are likely to experience a defensive revamp headed into 2015 with Dan Quinn’s 4-3 scheme change and the remaining talent with guys like Paul Worrilow and Josh Bartu.

Patrick Willis hangs up his cleats

Willis called it quits after eight seasons with the 49ers. Read more here.

Buccaneers sign LB Bruce Carter 

The Buccaneers let Mason Foster walk, but replaced him with a more athletic Bruce Carter. Most assume Carter will play the strongside, but there is a possibility he’ll settle in the middle next to Lavonte David. For what it’s worth, that’s what I personally believe will happen unless the Bucs add a prime-time middle linebacker in the draft. If so, he’ll be a popular sleeper headed into 2015. Regardless, he should see subpackage snaps at either linebacker spot in a defense he’s very familiar with having played in a similar scheme in Dallas. Carter showed glimpses of promise in Dallas, but never truly broke out due to injuries and inconsistent play. The talent is there, so a change could work in Carter’s favor, especially if he settles in the middle.

Dolphins’ CB Cortland Finnegan retires

Like Willis, Finnegan decided to end his career on Tuesday. After two sub-par seasons and recent injury struggles, the move makes sense. Jamar Taylor should assume the starting position and see an increase in production. He’s a worthy target in deeper cornerback required leagues.

Bears add FS Antrel Rolle

Rolle is a prototypical safety in Vic Fangio’s scheme – physical. Fangio got the most out of Antoine Bethea in San Francisco last year and helped him get back to the Pro Bowl. This is a nice landing spot for Rolle.

March 10, 2015

Lions acquire DT Haloti Ngata from the Ravens

This is the best case scenario for Ngata owners. With Suh taking his talents to Miami and Nick Fairley searching for a new home, Ngata will shift to a 4-3 scheme. This should mean more production for Ngata and increased IDP value. There is some speculation the Lions may change to a 3-4 base scheme given this acquisition, but this hasn’t been addressed at this point. Timmy Jernigan should assume Ngata’s starting spot in Baltimore and is a viable option in defensive tackle required leagues.

Steelers’ OLB Jason Worilds announces retirement

One of the top pass rushers on the market, Worilds announced he’s retiring at only 27. It might finally be time for Jarvis Jones to get a full serving of snaps.

March 9, 2015

Bills re-sign DE/OLB Jerry Hughes

In tackle heavy leagues, this is ugly. With the Bills scheme change, it’s likely that Hughes position eligibility shifts to linebacker. If so, his value takes a big hit. Rex Ryan should continue to facilitate sack production, which is great for big-play leagues regardless of his position, but he’s a less than an average linebacker option in tackle heavy leagues.

Pre-March 9, 2015

Bengals re-sign MLB Rey Maualuga

The Bengals can’t quit Maualuga. A long-time underperformer, he’ll continue to fight for snaps with Vincent Rey in the middle in 2015. This could keep Rey’s IDP value suppressed.

Jets re-sign ILB David Harris to a three-year, $21.5 million contract

A mediocre IDP option, the Jets locked up Harris before he hit free agency and Rex Ryan scooped him up. All this move does is maintain value to be had at inside linebacker in Buffalo. That’ll be something to monitor throughout the draft and free agency.

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