DLF’s 2016 IDP Predictions: Fantasy Sleeper
I love this time of year. Even though most of our dynasty league drafts have long come and gone, there’s plenty of maneuvering to do through the month of August and into September. My favorite articles to read anywhere, not just at DLF, are roundtable type of articles. It’s awesome to hear the opinions of many fantasy football analysts when they’re asked the same question in the same context. The IDP team at DLF was asked to give their answers to who they thought would finish 2016 as the:
- Fantasy IDP MVP
- Fantasy IDP Rookie of the Year
- Most Overvalued Dynasty IDP Player
- Most Undervalued Dynasty IDP Player
- Fantasy IDP Sleeper
- Best Dynasty IDP Buy
- Best Dynasty IDP Sell
- Fantasy IDP Comeback Player of the Year
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Todd Davis, ILB DEN– Davis has gotten some love this summer (rightfully so), but he is still typically ranked outside the top 50 linebackers. He is the favorite for inside linebacker duties next to Brandon Marshall now that Danny Trevathan is gone, and he could post triple-digit tackle numbers. – Alex Onuschco
Nick Vigil, LB CIN- It’s only a matter of time before Vigil takes over in Cincy. Half of their guys are geriatric and Vontaze Burfict is an idiot who can’t stay healthy. Vigil is a stash, at the very least.–Dan Sainio
Christian Kirksey, LB CLE- . An early third round pick at only 21 years old in 2014, Kirksey is atop the depth chart as an inside linebacker after the Browns jettisoned several of its veteran starters in the offseason. He showed flashes in 2015 and should step up in 2016 with greater opportunity. – Jaron Foster
Vinny Curry, DE PHI- There are so many and it depends on depth of the league (Curry; Justin March, ILB; Ibraheim Campbell, SS; Sean Spence, ILB; Devin Taylor, DE; Danielle Hunter, DE), but I’ll go with Vinny Curry. He should flourish in Jim Schwartz’s aggressive pass-rushing scheme and be a top ten, if not top five, defensive end in 2016. –Steve Wyremski
Avery Williamson, ILB TEN- Probably my sleeper every year which is a problem, but transitioning into the lead linebacker on his team, its time for Williamson to shine. Little competition for tackles and running the defense puts him in a prime position to surprise this year….finally. –Adam Tzikas
James Laurinaitis, LB NO- After three years of declining production, many IDP owners seem to have written off James Laurinaitis as finished. However, I love that he’s found a new home in New Orleans. He could easily find his lost production. He’s looked at as a dynasty LB5, but I’d feel comfortable with him as a LB3 for the next couple years. –Zach Bahner
Morgan Burnett, SS GB– It depends on your league’s position designation for him, but I’ve seen rumors he could play linebacker in sub packages for 2016. If true and he remains a DB for your league, he could have a monster season. –Trevor Bucher
Jadeveon Clowney, OLB HOU- During his preseason games he showcased how dominate he could be when healthy. He has the athletic talent to take over games and he his ability to rush the passer will elevate his fantasy production. –Bruce Matson
Jihad Ward, DE OAK- I could have used Blake Martinez here, but I’ll go with another rookie I’m collecting in several leagues, Jihad Ward. By all accounts Ward is impressing in training camp and it’s just so tough to ignore the fact that the Raiders drafted him in the second round! He’ll be given plenty of chances to succeed and is going undrafted nearly everywhere. Another deep sleeper is Matt Longacre who is looking amazing for the Rams. –TheFFGhost
T.J. Green, SS IND– A linebacker-sized safety with speed to cover some of the fastest wide outs in the game, TJ Green’s versatility could find him in the box blowing up a run play, or 40 yards downfield making plays in pass defense. A rookie out of Clemson, Green is a fascinating dynasty prospect with hybrid potential as a nickel/dime linebacker, for a Colts team in desperate need of physical defenders. –Mo Brewington
Mark Barron, LB LA- A new breed of linebacker is starting to develop in the NFL. Barron will be a top 15 linebacker! –Bill Edwards
Allen Bailey, DE KC- Don’t fear the Chiefs selecting Chris Jones in the draft this year; he’s not there to bump Bailey, who has one of the biggest 3-4 defensive end contracts in the league. Bailey is locked in, whichever of Dontari Poe, Jaye Howard, or Jones lines up next to him.–Joseph Redemann
Devin Taylor, DE DET- Sometimes it takes a little time for pass rushers to develop in the NFL and I think the light has finally flipped for Taylor. He’s a legit 6’7”, 275 pound monster in the mold of Jason Pierre-Paul (insert missing finger joke here) who will be playing across from an elite pass rusher in Ziggy Ansah and next to a disruptive defensive tackle in Haloti Ngata. Taylor should see plenty of one-on-one battles to exploit. Cheapest double digit sack guy you’ll find. – Eric Olinger
Who are your 2016 IDP Sleepers?
Follow me on Twitter @OlingerIDP
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- Dynasty IDP Waiver Wire: Week Seven - October 24, 2018
- Dynasty IDP Waiver Wire: Week Six - October 16, 2018
- Dynasty IDP Waiver Wire: Week Five - October 10, 2018
