The IDP Waiver Wire and Snap Watch: Week Three
I have to give Adam Tzikas a big thank you for allowing me to pinch hit the waiver wire article this week. Adam often tries to give everyone a little something in this article no matter your league depth. I really don’t mess with leagues with fewer than 60 roster spots, so we will only dig deeper this week. I will only cover players less than two percent owned at MFL. It is worth noting the top IDP players at MFL are only about 15 percent owned. That is down from about 30 percent a few years ago before the explosion of MFL10 leagues. Can I get an IDP MFL10? #NoTeamD
Week three is in the books and it was an interesting one. The big news of the week is the unveiling party for the first round safeties. Karl Joseph made a great debut filling up the box score and playing well on the field. Keanu Neal also had a nice showing on the field but not as strong in the box score. The small injury discount window on both of these guys has slammed shut.
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DL
Yannick Ngakoue, JAC
59 snaps, 88%
His name is pronounced “IN-gah-kway” and he had the highest percentage of snaps on the Jacksonville line in week three. That is up from 66% the week before. He has also achieved sacks in the past two games. The larger snap count is most likely due to Jared Odrick being out with a tricep injury, although Ngakoue did start the last two weeks. He is a little more of a big play asset due to his strong pass rush skills, but there is not much of a tackle floor.
LB
Cory James, OAK
74 snaps, 96%
Everyone stop! Don’t move. Ben Heeney dropped his green dot, do you see it anywhere? Savvy IDPers saw this one coming, just maybe not this soon. Malcolm Smith snagged up the green dot, although Cory James led the team in linebacker snap count. James played well in coverage, but was dicey in run support. It is worth noting that James has a strong suit, unlike jack of none Ben Heeney. James’s strength should not be a surprise with his 4.6 wheels, 35” vert, and 6.65 three cone. Get James on your roster now.
Jatavis Brown, SD
31 snaps, 44%
Manti Te’o suffered a season-ending achilles injury. Jatavis Brown has been splitting snaps with Denzel Perryman and playing well. Perryman is the direct benefactor of this vacancy in snaps but Brown seems to carving out a bigger role. After the injury Brown split snaps with Nick Dzubnar. Dzunbar is just a guy, but the real threat is Josh Perry. It is not completely clear how this will all shake out but Brown has been playing too well not to be stashed.
Max Bullough, HOU
66 snaps, 81%
Bullough played pretty well and drew praise from coach Bill O’Brien. He should be have a reasonable floor while Brian Cushing is out, although there is not a ton of dynasty appeal here. He is almost always dropping into coverage instead of rushing the passer which should help his tackle numbers. In deeper leagues, you could do worse for a bye week fill in.
Vince Williams, PIT
46 snaps, 71%
Williams was the main beneficiary when Ryan Shazier went down with a knee injury. There are reports that Williams was being groomed as the Timmons replacement. I have a little trouble fully buying it with Anthony Chickillo and Tyler Matakevich both on the roster, but the snap counts speaks volumes. Shazier is doubtful for week four, so Williams should get a solid opportunity and is streamable. I would just be careful pinning many dynasty hopes to him.
Neville Hewitt, MIA
26 snaps 32%
Hewitt is an explosive player illustrated by his 37” vertical jump at the Marshall pro day in 2015. Kiko Alonso and Jelani Jenkins free agent next year. Koa Misi is 29 and is a free agent in 2018. Thus the 23 year old Hewitt is one of the only youthful pieces of this linebacking core. With Misi and Jenkins did not practicing Monday or Tuesday, Hewitt could see nice shot to prove himself this week. Hewitt can be viewed as a bye week fill in if the Miami starting lineup has injuries, but there is some dynasty appeal as a super deep stash. Donald Butler could also see a an uptick in snaps, but is a little more of a run stuffer.
DB
Derrick Kindred, CLE
66 snaps, 99%
Jordan Poyer had the box score blow out, but Kindred is the one to own here with solid tackling. Poyer has played well but plays a little more of centerfield role. Kindred seems to be running away with the starting strong safety job. Many have already snagged up Kindred, but I would act quickly if he is still available.
Miles Killebrew, DET
0 snaps, 0%
Rafael Bush filled in for the injured Tavon Wilson. The Miles Killebrew time is coming. In most dynasty leagues he is rostered, but I could see bye weeks forcing him to waivers in some leagues. There are few better safety stashes than this athletic freak. For those needing a bye week fill in, Bush will work if Wilson is injured.
Harold Jones-Quartey, CHI
31 snaps, 46%
This low ownership is a little confusing. We had reports he would start the season at strong safety, and has dominated the snap count until he was concussed in week three. He has not been stellar on the field, but has shown to have a reasonable floor. He should be a solid bye week fill in the coming weeks. Watch his concussion protocol progression this week if you are looking to start in week four.
Will Blackmon, WAS
44 snaps, 66%
Deangelo Hall went down this week with a torn ACL. The 31 year old Will Blackmon is going to get the first shot at the bulk of the free safety snaps. Hall was averaging roughly 3 solos and 2 assists so far this season. Blackmon should be able to replicate those numbers, if he can stay healthy. If you play in a deep enough league that you just are looking for a floor with guaranteed snaps, Blackmon may be a reasonable short term band-aid.
85 snaps, 94%
I have been screaming my Maurice Alexander case for two weeks and not many are listening. Alexander is playing extremely well against the run and the pass. He is also built to play in the box at 220 pounds. I understand the hesitation since his tackles are limited by the fact he plays free safety. On the other hand T.J. McDonald may have a suspension coming up. Also McDonald is a free agent next year. Alexander is one of my favorite deep dynasty safety stashes that you that can start now if you find yourself in a pickle.
You may be wondering why I didn’t cover box score bandits such as Micah Hyde. Hyde is owned in more than 2% of leagues and many people were savvy enough to snatch him up when Morgan Burnett was ruled out before the games Sunday morning. Other deep leagues guys such as David Bruton and Damon Harrison are also over 2% owned. I hope this pinch hit edition scratched that itch for a few deeper waiver adds.
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- IDP Dynasty Debate: Linebackers - March 1, 2017
- IDP Dynasty Debate: Defensive Line - February 18, 2017
- IDP 20/20: Raekwon McMillan - February 17, 2017
