32 Teams, 32 IDP Questions: AFC South

We’re in the heart of training camp, which means frequent news updates and plenty of ensuing questions. It also means we’re only a few weeks until rosters and depth charts are set for week one. On the IDP side, we’re hitting all 32 teams separately to address one of the biggest questions about each team.

There are position battles and injury concerns in the AFC South with potentially significant IDP implications. Today, we will take a look at four of those situations and assess the IDP impact.

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Who is the linebacker to own in Tennessee? Avery Williamson? Wesley Woodyard? Someone else?

Sean Spence is my favorite Tennessee target. It’s a combination of him being virtually free across IDP leagues, his athleticism and his familiarity with Dick LeBeau’s defensive scheme. Currently, Avery Williamson is entrenched as one of the starters at inside linebacker with Wesley Woodyard tentatively slated at the other. However, Spence already locked up one of the nickel linebacker spots according to Titans’ beat writer John Glennon. Coach Mularkey also confirmed it a few weeks back, which was then corroborated through the preseason snap share thus far.

Spence has also received some reps at Woodyard’s expense in certain first team packages in camp. Woodyard is aging and Spence is one of LeBeau’s “guys” from back in Pittsburgh, so it may not be long before Spence eats into Woodyard’s snaps.

Overall, Williamson is the best pure Tennessee target since he’s currently playing in both the base and nickel packages. However, he needs to show more ability in coverage to break out. IDP owners are also very aware of Williamson’s role, so he’s not priced at a discount. With Spence, on the other hand, there is still uncertainty for many making him the better value target of the two.

What will Myles Jack’s role be as a rookie and will he be startable?

Jack hasn’t started a game yet this preseason, but whenever he’s in, he’s around the ball. His speed and play recognition are unreal. It’s already clear why he was so highly regarded coming into the draft and it’s apparent he’s capable of playing at a high level immediately. If his knee holds up, he should be an IDP fixture atop the linebacker ranks for years.

For 2016, though, his role is still unclear. There is speculation he could be the starting strongside linebacker with Paul Posluszny in the middle and Telvin Smith on the weakside. However, so far this preseason, it’s been Dan Skuta starting on the strongside and Posluszny in the middle. Jack has called the plays as the second team middle linebacker, though – an ominous sign for Posluszny.

There is no way Gus Bradley will be able to keep Jack off the field if he continues to play the way he has thus far. I expect he’ll relegate Posluszny to a situational role at some point in 2016 and assume the starting middle linebacker spot. He’ll then be a very startable IDP option. Until then, he shouldn’t be in a starting line up. Once he grabs the starting role, he’s highly likely to fill the stat sheet.

Bonus: In corner-required leagues, Jalen Ramsey is going to be very relevant and may rival the Panthers’ James Bradberry as the top 2016 IDP rookie corner. Take a flip through the first quarter of the second preseason game against the Buccaneers – a handful of beautiful tackles by Ramsey immediately pop.

Who will be the Colts’ starting inside linebacker next to D’Qwell Jackson?

The IDP community’s and my own favorite for this spot was Sio Moore early in the off-season. In early 2015, Oakland shipped Moore to Indianapolis for a sixth round pick after landing in Jack Del Rio’s doghouse. It was surprising considering Moore was coming off of a 2014 season where he accumulated 89 total tackles and three sacks. The September 2015 trade virtually made his season a redshirt year.

Physically, Moore possesses all of the attributes you want in a front-seven player. At the NFL Combine in 2013, he was a top performer in the 40-yard dash, bench press, vertical jump and broad jump. In other words, he exhibited speed and explosiveness, which translated quite well in his first two seasons with the Raiders. With his athleticism and plus pass coverage ability, he possesses the ability to play all three downs, which is coveted in today’s game.

With things trending up and it looking like Moore could become relevant again after a redshirt season and a solid offseason, he suffered a hamstring injury in the Colts’ first preseason game. Unfortunately, Chuck Pagano deemed the injury “pretty significant” and Moore is currently week-to-week. Reports also suggest he may be an injured reserve candidate. This leaves the door open for Nate Irving to take a firm hold of the starting role next to Jackson for 2016. While Irving may start, he’s a role player, which is apparent if you flip on any of the Colts’ preseason games thus far.

More interestingly, with Moore on the shelf, Antonio Morrison is receiving more opportunities. However, he doesn’t appear ready to take on a larger role yet as he’s seen snaps against reserves and not the starters. Though, when given the opportunity, he’s shown the ability to shed blocks and get to the ball carrier. Nonetheless, with the uncertainty and the aging Jackson ahead of him on the depth chart, Morrison is a long-term play. He could even break the lineup later in the year depending on how Irving fares and Moore’s health progresses.

All of this is also a long way of saying Jackson appears situated for another top season in 2016 with marginal competition for tackles.

Bonus: Clayton Geathers is still in a walking boot and isn’t projected to be back until week one. Rookie TJ Green has filled in nicely and is worth watching. He’s also worth stashing in deep leagues with no claim staked on the Colts strong safety job.

How does JJ Watt’s injury impact his IDP value?

Dynasty-wise? It shouldn’t impact it. Watt’s proven he’s nothing less than a warrior throughout his career. Scott Peak also covered the medical side of this a little over a month ago concluding positively.

However, from a redraft perspective, while there are reports Watt will return to the practice field in the near term, it’s unclear when he’ll be in game shape and again performing at an elite level. Those expecting a top IDP finish are likely to be disappointed. Even if he’s back week one, it’s highly unlikely he’ll produce at the same high level a mere eight weeks from back surgery. Khalil Mack is the favorite for the top IDP spot in light of Watt’s injury.

More realistically, I’m cautious. Personally, I’m assuming Watt will miss a few games to start the season and won’t return to his typical self until roughly mid-season. This is conservative, but it allows for a stopgap plan to be developed with short-term lineup fillers and ensures the IDP season isn’t lost.

Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveWyremski

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