IDP Watch: Week 13

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.

Here are some players to keep an eye on based on recent performances:

Jake Ryan, ILB GB

Finally! Ryan was ranked in the top ten of many rookie draft IDP boards this past summer and many owners were licking their chops with Sam Barrington being placed on injured reserve earlier in the year. Unfortunately, Nate Palmer manned the middle for much of the season so far. Things changed in week 13 as Ryan played 75% of the team’s snaps, finishing as the Packers’ leading tackler with six tackles, four assists and a fumble recovery. On the other hand, Palmer was relegated exclusively to a special team’s role and played no defensive snaps. With Palmer’s mediocre play, Ryan should start each game to close out 2015. Playoff teams can insert him in their lineups, while all owners can rejoice. This is his tryout for a 2016 starting spot and the kickoff looked good.

Demarcus Lawrence, DE DAL

[am4show have=’g1;’ guest_error=’sub_message’ user_error=’sub_message’ ]

The start to Lawrence’s career was a bit bumpy. He missed much of 2014 with a foot injury and then failed to take advantage of a starting opportunity earlier in 2015 prior to the reinstatement of Greg Hardy. However, over the last three weeks, the Cowboys have tightened their defensive end rotation and Lawrence is benefiting with approximately 20% more snaps and up to 70% of the team’s snaps. He’s stepped up with the increased snaps. Over the last four weeks, he’s accumulated three sacks, 10 tackles and a forced fumble. Randy Gregory is certainly a long-term threat increasing the risk for a continued rotation, especially if Hardy re-signs, but Lawrence is hitting his stride at the perfect time. He’s making a case for the Cowboys to keep his snap count high and give him a shot at a starting role in 2016.

Frank Clark, DE SEA

The Seahawks were largely criticized for selecting Clark in this year’s draft considering his issues off the field. The Seahawks ignored it and drafted purely on talent. The talent is starting to show as Clark made a huge impact against the Vikings on Sunday. He finished with two tackles, two sacks, two passes defended and three quarterback pressures on roughly 50% of the team’s snaps. An injury to Jordan Hill and Demarcus Dobbs forced the Seahawks to bump Clark’s time, but that’s right where coach Pete Carroll is targeting his snaps for the near future. Clark attributes the recent success to learning how NFL offensive linemen work. That makes sense considering he registered his first NFL sack in week 12 following it up with two more sacks this past week. Clark’s potential is sky-high, but carries risk due to his history off the field. If he can get past that, Clark has low DE1/high DE2 potential.

Lorenzo Mauldin, OLB NYJ

Mauldin is developing into one of the Jets’ best pass rushers and should be rostered in big play leagues because of it. Currently, he’s not playing more than 50% of the team’s snaps, but he’s making plays and is extremely disruptive rushing the passer. It’s worth noting his snaps have seen a jump over the last two weeks at the expense of Calvin Pace. With Pace a free agent in 2016, Mauldin should assume the Jets’ starting role next year. His play in limited time suggests he’ll be a very viable option in big-play leagues and also offer match-up play ability in leagues slightly favoring tackles.

Gerald Hodges, ILB SF

With Michael Wilhoite leaving with an ankle injury early in the first quarter of last week’s game, Hodges slide into the inside spot next to Navarro Bowman and played 83% of the team’s snaps. He finished with five tackles and an assist. A nice afternoon, but it did come on a higher than average number of tackle opportunities. Even so, Hodges is an interesting stash for next year or spot start for playoff owners. Wilhoite could miss this week’s game against the Browns, but even if he’s healthy, it realistic to assume a snap share increase going forward considering his week 13 play and the 49ers looking to 2016.

Isa Abdul-Quddus, SS DET

Abdul-Quddus (IAD) started in place of James Ihedigbo this past week against the Packers and finished with nine tackles, two assists and a forced fumble. On its face, a very notable performance. However, Ihedigbo has been playing extremely well prior to his injury. Sure, if he’s out in week 14, IAD could be a nice spot start for a safety hungry team looking for a plug and play, but absent that, he should be left on the wire. If he repeats the performance, he’ll garner a bit more attention, but it doesn’t seem like this is sustainable.

Ricardo Allen, FS ATL

Allen is not having a spectacular year (safety #25 range), however, he’s only 23 years old playing for a coach who worked with some of the best safeties in the game in Seattle. Coach Dan Quinn knows what makes a solid safety and he may have found that in Allen. Over the last two weeks, he has 11 tackles, three assists, a pass defended, a fumble recovery and an interception. If he’s not rostered given the average production for the year, he should be with the hopes of continued improvement into the 2016 season.

Patrick Robinson, CB SD

A few weeks ago, Brandon Flowers was moved to a slot role and Robinson was given the outside spot across from Jason Verrett. Robinson’s snaps continue to climb. With Flowers injured and relegated to the slot when healthy, Robinson should continue to see action. In moderately deep corner-required leagues, Robinson is a worthy spot start down the stretch in leagues requiring two plus corners to be started. Verrett’s play has improved and he’s commanding some respect, which should result in more tackle opportunities for Robinson. Unfortunately, the Chargers aren’t as good as you’d like your corner’s team to be, but his seven tackles and an assist last week show you his capabilities on this team.

Week 12 IDP Watch Update

To follow up on some topics from last week based on week 13, Demario Davis continues to see a reduced role. In week 12, it was a rotation with Erin Henderson and a significant reduction in snaps, while in week 13, it was a three-man rotation with Jamari Lattimore mixed in. Davis only played roughly 35% of snaps this past week, so his snaps were further reduced. He shouldn’t be started right now and it’s unlikely he’ll be startable the rest of the season. Owners can only hope for a sweet free agency landing spot.

Denzel Perryman was discussed in this column the past few weeks. This past weekend against the Broncos, he led the team in tackles for the second straight week finishing with 10 tackles on approximately 80% of the team’s snaps. His snaps have consistently increased over the past few weeks, he’s producing at a top level and playing well. He belongs in all lineups.

Fellow rookie Arik Armstead was presumed to have an expanded role with Glenn Dorsey out for the year. There were rumblings last week that Armstead’s low snap count in week 12 was due to a lingering injury. That doesn’t seem to be the case after this past week where Mike Purcell outsnapped Armstead for the second straight week. Armstead should still be monitored to see how he does the remainder of the year, but this is a lot less exciting with Purcell owning a large snap share.

Deeper Dynasty Watches

Grady Jarrett, DT ATL – In late October, head coach Dan Quinn hinted that Jarrett would get more playing time. His snaps have picked up consistently over the last four weeks with anywhere from 20% to 40% of the team’s snaps. This past week was most impressive when he played almost 40% snaps finishing with four tackles and his first career sack. He’s making plays when given the opportunity, which could result in more playing time. Jarrett was a polarizing prospect this past spring with some giving him a second round draft grade. The Falcons ultimately selected him in the fifth round getting, what they believe is, a steal. The Falcons currently use a hefty rotation on the inside of their defensive line, but Jarrett is likely to be a fixture on the Falcons defensive line long-term if he continues to improve each week like he has thus far. If you’re looking for a stash in a deep tackle-required league, he’s at the top of the list.

Cassius Marsh, DE SEA – Another young Seattle defensive end with promise, Marsh has eight tackles over the last three weeks on limited snaps. There is a logjam here, but he’s an underappreciated deep dynasty asset. If he sees a meaningful chunk of snaps, he will be productive. He’s always around the ball.

Sio Moore, ILB IND – With Jerrell Freeman inactive, Moore saw a meaningful chunk of snaps this past week (18 snaps) and finished with two tackles. Every time he’s on the field, he produces. He just needs more volume. Moore is only a year removed from a 90 tackle season after falling out of favor with Oakland’s new coaching staff earlier this season, so he shouldn’t be ignored despite the throw-away season in 2015. Freeman is a free agent in 2016, so Moore could stick as a stopgap with a year still remaining on his contract. He’s worth stashing in deeper leagues to assess this situation into free agency.

Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveWyremski

[/am4show]