IDP Watch: Week Six

Eric Coleman

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I am thankful for the opportunity to pinch hit the IDP Watch this week in place of Steve Wyremski. Steve has knack for providing exactly what we need for IDP on a weekly basis. I thought it would be a good time in the season to go dumpster diving for dynasty and short term talent that is low owned in IDP leagues. The ownership percentages for each player are from my fantasy league. It is important to keep in mind that J.J. Watt is only owned in 15.86% of leagues, so these percentages are not really on a 100% scale.

Linebackers

Koa Misi, MIA, LB 5.18%

I did not plan on listing anyone as high profile as Misi, but he is criminally under owned. He plays nearly 100% of the snaps and has bounced back well from his week five injury. Jelani Jenkins and Misi are the best linebackers on the Dolphins roster by far. He is averaging nearly five solo tackles a week, while grading out as Pro Football Focus’s (PFF) top seven linebacker. It is also worth noting that he signed through 2017 and is only 28. It is very conceivable that Misi has couple more years of strong production.

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Wesley Woodyard, LB TEN 2.58%

Woodyard has improved his play from last year as he has filled in for the injured Avery Williamson. Woodyard will most go back to rotational duty once Williamson comes back. Although he does function as a hedge on both Zach Brown and Williamson getting injured. Woodyard has proved that he can still light up the box score if he is given the bulk of the defensive snaps, totaling 9 and 10 tackles the last two weeks respectively. There is not much dynasty appeal here, but you could do worse with a linebacker handcuff.

Bruce Irvin, SEA, LB 2.58%

Irvin is playing well and is a free agent in 2016. He should continue to provide a reasonable tackle floor and could see a big jump next year with a change of scenery. Irvin is a great pick up for a bye week fill in and potential value gainer over the summer.

Rey Maualuga, CIN, LB 2.37%

Maualuga is getting the lion’s share of the linebacker snaps with Vontaze Burfict on the PUP. Some thought AJ Hawk would get the starting job, while others thought Paul Dawson might steal the job. According to PFF, Maualuga has been the best Bengals linebacker this season. I do not see this changing until Burfict comes back, which could be as early as week eight. It is hard to know how this linebacking core will shake out long term, but I suggest riding the lighting with Maualuga while we can.

Gerald Hodges, SF, LB 2.14%

The 49ers recently acquired Hodges in a deal with the Vikings. I am not sure why the Vikings sold Hodges so cheaply, other than Eric Kendricks stepping up as many had hoped. Hodges played very well last year filling in for Chad Greenway. Hodges should have little trouble stealing the starting job away from Michael Wilhoite. Wilhoite has been very bad, scoring as the 141st linebacker according to PFF. Hodges should be on most dynasty benches, not on the waiver wire.

Neiron Ball, OAK, LB< 2.00%

I was very adamant over the summer that a rookie was going to steal the middle linebacking job away from Curtis Lofton. On the other hand, I thought this player would be Ben Heeney not Neiron Ball. Ball played reasonable well in week five, in extended action. There is word now that Ball has supplanted Lofton. I am not sold on Ball yet, but he is definitely worth a speculative add in deeper IDP formats.

Shaq Barrett, DEN, LB < 2.00%

Barrett is an undrafted free agent from Colorado State. The Denver defensive is one the unluckiest places for an edge rushing UDFA to land. Although it turned into a prime opportunity for Barrett to show his ability with Demarcus Ware’s back injuries and Shane Ray’s MCL injury. This depth chart is really a log jam long term, but Barrett can be a savvy play in big play leagues if Ware misses more time.

Jeremiah Attaochu, SDC, LB < 2.00%

Kyle Emanuel was the talk of the linebacking core to start the season. Second-year, second-round pick, Jeremiah Attaochu has now claimed the starting job away from Emanuel. He has compiled 15 total tackles and 4 sacks in the last three games as his starting snaps have continued to increase. Attaochu is great add in bigger play dynasty formats.

Nathan Stupar, ATL, LB < 2.00%

I cannot help but root for Nathan Stupar. He is the special team captain of the Falcons and is the pinnacle of hustle and never giving up. Thanks to his special teams play he continues to show up big in the box score. These special team plays allow Stupar to see the second highest snap count for linebackers on the team while only playing 25% of the defensive snaps. The starting linebackers have been a revolving door for the last few weeks. If somehow he can consistently get 50% or more of the defensive snaps, Stupar could be start-able in deeper leagues. There is not much to see here from a dynasty point of view.

Defensive Line

Mike Daniels, GBP, DE 5.85%

Mike Daniels is very good at football and the IDP community continues to ignore him. It is true that his contributions do not show up in the box score very well, but starting DE snaps are not much consistent than his. You can do a lot worse for DE bench depth.

Brandon Williams, BAL, DE 5.17%

How many zero technique lineman really show up in the box score like Williams? If you play in a league that has some type of DT premium scoring, Williams is a great weekly play. Even without premium DT scoring, he can be functional bye week fill for DL. He is only 26 and is grading out as the second best interior defender at PFF. That is after Aaron Donald and right in front of J.J. Watt; that is not bad company to be in.

Chris Baker, WAS, DE 3.90%

Swaggy is doing his thing compiling 20 total tackles and 3.5 sacks in six games. These are reasonable numbers for a five technique end. I honestly did not see this coming and I have no idea if he can keep this up. If you need a bye week fill in or are in an injury pinch, he is a workable solution. I would not hang a lot of dynasty hopes on him. I just hope he keeps getting sacks so we can see more of the “swaggy swerve”.

Linval Joseph, MIN, DT 2.68%

Linval is not really a new name to DT premium leagues. He provides a solid tackle floor in premium scoring but he has little upside for sack. I expect him to keep this type of production up for a few more years.

Lawrence Guy, BAL, DE 2.17%

Guy has played soundly this season with Chris Canty injured and Carl Davis disappointing. Brandon William’s menacing play has allowed Guy to run free and stack the box score. He is not a bad five technique end, but I think his scoring is somewhat situational. Although it may be wise to keep an eye Guy with Canty turning 33 at the end of this season.

Kawann Short, CAR, DT < 2.00%

Short is continuing to improve this season. He has graded out as pro football focus’s No. 7 interior lineman. Short can be viewed in the same light as Brandon Williams. He is a DT premium starter or DL bye week fill in and depth. Short is on pace for ~40 total tackles but increasing his historical average to 6 sacks.

Defensive Backs

Will Hill, BAL, S 5.18%

Hill seems to finally have his head on straight and it is showing it on the field. He is currently on pace for 78 total tackles, 6 passes defended, 2.5 sacks, and 3 interceptions. Also Hill is grading out in the top ten safeties at PFF this year. Dynasty safeties do not look much better than this.

Stephon Gilmore, BUF, CB 3.76%

Gilmore is playing incredibly well this season and is quickly being recognized as one of the better corners in the league. Cornerbacks are not that interesting in IDP unless you must start corners, there is a corner scoring premium, or the league is very deep. I am a big advocate of increased passes defended scoring for cornerbacks. The best correlation to cornerback coverage grades are passes defended. Thus if you are looking for strong passes defended, or a long time starter – get your hands on him now.

Sam Shields, GBP, CB 3.10%

Shields has played well this year and created reasonable tackle numbers along with passes defended. If cornerbacks are interesting with your league settings, Shields should be a solid add in the short term and for the longer term.

Mike Mitchell, PIT, S 2.65%

Mitchell is good safety that puts up consistent points. He does not have the upside of some of the strong safeties in the league although he has safer job situation than most. Mitchell is the type of DB I like to own in dynasty. He is underappreciated, consistently grades out well, and is locked up in a long term deal. He is cheap player that you can confidently plug in as your DB2 for this year and next.

Bashaud Breeland, WAS, CB 2.48%

Breeland has been one of the few bright spots in the Washington secondary. He is currently putting up strong tackle and passes defended stats. He is also grading out in the top 14 corners in the league. The 23-year-old, former fourth-round pick should continue to improve and be a respectable contributor to CB-needy dynasty team.

Darian Stewart, DEN, S 2.43%

Stewart is historically known for his run stopping ability and not as much for his coverage ability. I think this is the reason many found it odd that Denver brought him in to play free safety. Stewart has put up decent tackle numbers while being better than expected in coverage. This is great news for solidify his hold on a starting safety job. Stewart is signed through 2016, so expect his production to continue well into next year.

Brandon Meriweather, NYG, S 2.41%

Meriweather goes for splash hits too often and is poor in coverage. On the other hand, he is the getting the bulk of the snaps currently. With his age and liability in coverage there is not much to be excited about from a dynasty perspective. If you need a one year safety, Meriweather should provide that.

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eric coleman
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