IDP Report Card: Week Two

It’s always difficult to make a commitment on the IDP waiver wire this early in the season. While many depth charts remain fluid, teams are still tinkering with packages and playing time, trying to find the right combinations for success.

This week’s report card takes a look at a pass rusher-turned-inside linebacker, and a second-year safety thrust into action by the loss of an All-Pro. Both of these players come with risk of replacement, and haven’t exactly been flying off the wire. But they have the potential to be long-term starters, particularly if they continue producing at their current levels.

Calvin Munson, ILB NYG

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

Munson played a rush linebacker in college, at San Diego State. The Giants saw fit to move him to inside linebacker. With good size, at 6-foot-1, 245-pounds, Munson is built to bang with interior linemen and make stops in the running game.

In his debut last Monday night, Munson accrued six tackles against a surprisingly run-heavy Lions’ attack. He got the start in place of B.J. Goodson, who missed the game after suffering a shin injury in week one. Goodson, himself had a tremendous outing in that first game, (also his first NFL start,) racking up 14 solo tackles and finishing among the top five scorers at linebacker in many tackle-heavy leagues.

The good news for Munson, and anyone looking for help at LB this week, is that Goodson has already been ruled out of week three’s game with the Eagles. Munson will, again, start in his place. In week one, he was the only Giants’ LB to play 100% of the team’s snaps.

(No.46 – Calvin Munson torpedoes Ameer Abdullah for a loss.)

His size and ability to contend with guards and centers are both encouraging traits. Yet, Munson’s true appeal lies in his ability to rush the passer. He had a single sack of Matthew Stafford in week two. At SDSU, he logged 10.5 takedowns in his junior year, and 18 sacks for career, to go with 35 tackles for loss.

This knack for rushing the passer makes him an incredibly versatile “Money” linebacker, in Nickel, Dime, and Quarter packages. If his effort from last Monday night is duplicated in week three, Munson may play his way into a larger role, even once Goodson returns to action.

(No.46 – Calvin Munson sacks Matt Stafford.)

Against an Eagles’ team with an undersized center in Jason Kelce, and with the possibility of Chance Warmack replacing the struggling Isaac Seumalo — Munson is in a prime position to post another solid IDP performance. If you’re looking for a last minute LB to fill out your roster this week, give Munson some serious consideration.

Calvin Munson, ILB NYG

Week 2 Grade – B+ (Played well in place of regular starter. Earned greater playing time in the process.)

2017 Outlook – B- (Needs to secure job long term, but has a legitimate shot to do so.)

Dynasty Outlook – B (Could be among starting linebackers in 2018, with skills to be relevant in a three-down role.)

Mike Hull, ILB MIA

The Dolphins have already been through the ringer, and we’re only three weeks into the season. First, they had their week one game postponed, due to Hurricane Irma. In the process, the team had to forfeit their week 11 bye to make up for the lost contest.

Then, as they prepared to face the Chargers, starting outside linebacker Lawrence Timmons went AWOL, disappearing from the team hotel on the eve of Miami’s first game of the year. The Dolphins filed a missing person’s report to find Timmons, who then showed up at LAX, trying to hop a flight to Pennsylvania?

Timmons has since been suspended by the team. He has lost his starting gig, and stands to lose close to $4.5 million in guaranteed money on his new two-year, $12 million contract, which was almost fully guaranteed.

In his stead, Mike Hull played 100% of the defensive snaps at linebacker, alongside Kiko Alonso. Hull is a third-year LB from “Linebacker U.” — Penn State. He saw limited action during his first two seasons with the Dolphins, logging 16 total tackles in 19 games, with one start.

Now, the linebacker situation in Miami is completely up in the air. There’s been no indication how Timmons’ situation will play out long- term. To further muddy the waters, the Dolphins sent a 2019 fifth-round pick to the Saints for New Orleans’ castaway Stephone Anthony.

A former-first rounder in 2015, Anthony had a stellar rookie season in the Bayou, with 70 solos and 42 assisted tackles over 16 starts. Come 2016, the team abruptly decided that Anthony didn’t fit-in. He sat most of the 2016 season and accepted criticism from his coaches throughout this summer’s training camp.

Anthony now finds himself in Miami, with a chance to start from scratch. While Hull will man the inside linebacker job for the time being, this story could still shake out any number of ways.

Yes, we’ve just spent over 300 words in what was supposed to be a post grading Mike Hull’s performance in the second start of his career, and have yet to talk about his skills as a football player, or IDP prospect. So here it is.

Hull is a slow footed linebacker, who is patient in his reads, but slow in his reactions. He sees plays developing and can get himself in position to make tackles on a good number of them. He’s not strong enough to disengage from lineman with regularity, and he gets beaten to the point of attack by running backs through the hole.

(No.45 – Mike Hull takes down Keenan Allen)

He is not a player you want to see in man coverage, unless you own the man he’s trying to cover. Still, he gives better effort than Alonzo, and is a sure tackler once he finds his mark. Hull will be in league for years based on his work ethic alone.

(No.45 – Mike Hull chases down Melvin Gordon.)

Either the return of Timmons, or the rise of Anthony will eventually bump Hull out of the picture. If you’re team is in need of a short-term starter to get you through a game or two, Hull is solid choice, who will not put a “goose egg” on your scoreboard. If you’re looking for a long-term investment, take a chance on Anthony, a kid with the physical tools to be a stand out, but who needs a bit of seasoning and may not see a worthwhile number of snaps for several more weeks.

Mike Hull, ILB MIA

Week 2 Grade – B+ (Good tackle volume bolstered his output for the day.)

2017 Outlook – B- (Playing time dependent on Timmons’ situation and Anthony’s development.)

Dynasty outlook – C+ (Could be a solid IDP producer, if given an opportunity.)

[/am4show]