IDP Waiver Watch: Dynasty Stashes

Stay ahead of the game.

Even if you’ve survived your playoff matchup and are continuing on with your quest to the championship, you always want to try and stay ahead of the pack. Those who aren’t in the playoffs anymore have probably been planning for 2018 for weeks, so you’re playing catch-up while at the same time managing your roster in the playoffs (this is where deep rosters come into play).

Don’t be surprised that most of the players on my list are rookies. We expected production to be limited, as they needed the time to develop and get accustomed to the pro level. Soon, opportunity will knock.

Linebackers

Dylan Cole, LB HOU

He’s an impressive UDFA who has shown flashes in limited snaps. I’ve liked Bernardrick McKinney but the Texans can cut ties with him in the off-season and roll out their young athletic ILB duo with Zach Cunningham and Dylan Cole. They both compliment one another and both can drop back into coverage. I believe Cole is a solid stash heading into the off-season because the upside is there and could blossom into a weekly LB2 when he gets a starting role.

Jalen Reeves-Maybin, LB DET

I knew it would be a while before we saw one of my favorite rookies in this class in action. He’s had some snaps here and there and looked good on the field. He’ll be Detroit’s perfect weakside LB when the opportunity arises (2018) and he shouldn’t be on waivers, especially in deep leagues. If you see him on your waivers, go get him. I believe he’s a complete LB and would be an every-down player when he gets the job because he can definitely rush the QB and doesn’t have a problem dropping into coverage.

Matt Milano, LB BUF

I wasn’t the biggest Milano supporter throughout the draft process but he definitely turned the corner for me as the season went on. He was an early season pickup after a couple of starts in at WLB for an injured Ramon Humber. He played well in those starts racking up 9 tackles, 1 FF, 1 FR and 1 INT but once Humber came back, Milano barely saw the field in five games

However, he’s recently taken over the starting WLB once again and piled up 11 tackles against the Colts in week 14. Throughout all the early season progress and then loss of playing time, there’s good shot his previous owner has dropped him and this is where you’d swoop on in. It seems like Milano has gained the trust and confidence from his coaches and has a bright future ahead in 2018. I don’t expect Preston Brown or Ramon Humber to be around next season so the sky’s the limit for Milano.

Eric Wilson, LB MIN

Many, in fact probably a whole lot of people, may not know Eric Wilson. He’s a UDFA who made an impression from training camp through preseason and made the Vikings active roster but hasn’t seen the field on the defensive side (yet). Wilson has the skillset to play either WLB or MLB and if Eric Kendricks isn’t re-signed, he’s out in 2018. There’s only room for two LBs on that defense that’ll be relevant, so the test of patience will apply here with Wilson, but he has a bright future if the cards fall in place. During the draft process he reminded me of Jerod Mayo and that’s quite an IDP profile to have. As far as skill-set goes, Wilson’s got it.

Ukeme Eligwe, LB KCC

You might’ve seen me mention him all off-season as a stash candidate but if your roster didn’t have room then, do you have an open roster spot or two now? Eligwe showed flashes of what he can do during the preseason but barely saw any snaps in the regular season and I’m not sure why. If he’s potentially the successor to Derrick Johnson (who now doesn’t play every snap), why not give Eligwe a handful here and there as his athleticism would be welcomed and he can cover ground. He can be a solid compliment with Reggie Ragland. I say he’s a stash this off-season in hopes he continues to improve and impress to earn a shot to start next season.

Tyus Bowser, LB BAL

The not often a big-play LB gets mentioned here, but I’m a big fan of Bowser and what he brings to BAL as an eventual successor to the great Terrell Suggs. He started off the season on a good note by earning defensive rookie of the week in his second game, but has since been dealing with ups and downs like any rookie would go through. His arrow is pointing up heading into next season and he’s a stash option if your league scores well for big play LBs. I think he can mirror a Bruce Irvin type IDP profile.

Blair Brown, LB JAC

Brown jumped out while watching film, and although he hasn’t played much in his rookie season with the Jaguars I expect a bigger role heading into 2018 – mainly because this could be Paul Posluszny’s last season and Brown could sneak in his vacant snaps. If the Jaguars don’t believe Myles Jack can continue to hold it down in the middle, Brown could step right in as he’s a beast against the run and at getting behind the line of scrimmage. Telvin Smith is already locked in at WLB, so unless an injury happens (Brown did actually got a couple starts but saw only 10-12 snaps) an uptick in value for Brown would occur if he gets the snaps. He’s a stash that won’t hurt to drop during the off-season, but one you’d love to have just in case he does blow up and you reap the benefits.

Alex Anzalone, LB NOS

If previous owner dropped him instead of placing him on IR, his loss is your gain. Health was always a concern with him, not his play on the field. He was fantastic for the Saints as their WLB, and barring any setback he should enter 2018 as the starter and lead the Saints in tackles. You’re looking at an upside top-20 LB as best case scenario, but you could settle for a top-35 LB which would make him a weekly LB2.

You might be asking yourself: Why do I only see rookies? It’s because they’re on the verge of a breakout. But I’ve got a few veterans worth targeting who turned the corner this year and have a good shot at maintaining production.

Christian Jones, LB CHI

Once he got the starting opportunity due to injuries, Jones took off and never looked back. At the very least he’s definitely earned his shot to get a starting ILB job next season.

Shaq Thompson, LB CAR

He flashed upside when Thomas Davis didn’t play, but at the same time his usage can be questioned. He might need a change of scenery for him to thrive or a coaching staff that’ll utilize him.

Mychal Kendricks, LB PHI

I’m not going to say he won’t be an every-down LB ever again but if he gets a change of scenery, good things could follow.

Stephone Anthony, LB MIA

I would be cautionary with Anthony. Although he’s gotten a handful of snaps and a change of scenery was probably needed, we can’t forget that Dolphins have also drafted Raekwon McMillan. If you have a free roster space and nobody else is available, he’s worth a shot heading into next season and wouldn’t come at a cost if you have to drop him.

Let’s take a look at a some defensive linemen who are worth hanging onto heading into next season.

Defensive Linemen

Noah Spence, DE TBB

After having a pretty decent rookie season (5.5 sacks) a bigger role was in store for the young pass rusher but things didn’t work out so well. Spence suffered a shoulder injury in week two and things never were the same after. His pass rush moves became lackluster and he simply wasn’t that good. I would definitely pick him back up and hang on to him heading into 2018. He’s got the skillset to hit double-digit sacks and we all know the Bucs’ pass-rushing attack is pathetic. A rejuvenated Spence in ‘18 will help.

Carl Lawson, DE CIN

I know what you’re thinking: he’s listed as a LB on MFL and possibly other fantasy football hosting sites. If so, don’t worry a position change is coming in 2018. Through 13 games he’s played 95% of his snaps at right DE as a positional pass rusher. It’s been an impressive campaign as he’s already got one multiple (2.5) sack game under his belt already and there’ll be many more to come. So although he’s listed as a LB, go pick him up and reap the benefits once he gets the DE tag and he can be part of your DE rotation in 2018 and beyond.

Takkarist McKinley, DE ATL

The arrow is pointing up for Takk and at this point of the season he shouldn’t be on your leagues waivers. He’s put together a solid rookie season by recording 5 sacks through 13 games and in no time he’s going to flirt with double digits. It’ll help when his role increases and the Falcons continue to add pass rusher or two alongside Takk and Vic Beasley. If you have to drop an aging vet for Takk, od it because if you’re like me you’d rather have the higher ceiling player going forward.

Chris McCain, DE LAC

McCain came out of nowhere this season and although his role is nothing more than a situational pass-rusher (at the moment) he’s been solid and probably what the Chargers thought they’d get out of Jeremiah Attaochu. Through 13 games he has 5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles – and he started off the season hot by recording a sack in the first three games. A bigger role could be in store for McCain in 2018 and once again it doesn’t hurt to roster some upside and stay ahead of the game.

Stephen Weatherly, DE MIN

I mentioned him a couple of waiver articles ago, and there’s a very good chance you can still add him and stash him heading into next season. If Brian Robison is a goner in 2018, there’s a good shot Weatherly gets some of his snaps. He was impressive in training camp and preseason, and if he can have another solid off-season the Vikings defensive line would be set for years with Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen aboard.

Before I look into some of the safeties that should be owned heading into 2018, keep note that most of “my guys” are already performing due to injuries this season and their opportunity knocked quicker than expected. I’m talking about players like Justin Evans (TB), Budda Baker (ARI), Marcus Williams (NO) and John Johnson (LAR) but I have a few more who could earn an increased role next season and are worth keeping on your radar.

Safeties

Xavier Woods, SS DAL

He’s averaging about 30 snaps a game and has shown flashes of what he brings to the defense, whether it’s play-making ability or hard hitting that the Cowboys need here and now. The Cowboys definitely got a steal with Woods in the draft and he has bright future ahead in the IDP world being the potential starting SS in 2018. It’s going to be hard to keep him off the field once he gets going. He might not be a one man difference-maker, but is definitely the safety they’ve needed for a while.

Bradley McDougald, FS/SS SEA

I know it is probably a long shot being that he’s now starting for Kam Chancellor and been producing, but if there’s any chance he’s on your waivers he’s a safety I’d hang onto heading into next season. He is on a one year deal with SEA, but the smart move is for them to bring him back because of his versatility on playing either safety position. Plus Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor continue to battle injuries year in and year out it seems. If he doesn’t return to SEA, then he could sign elsewhere with the possibility to start. There are a handful of teams that could use a versatile safety like Bradley such as WAS, KC and DET – but there will definitely be a few more suitors.

John Johnson, SS LAR

He’s been on a tear as of late. He’s currently the 14th best safety in IDP over the last five weeks and will only get better. Johnson is still flying under the radar, so there’s good chance you’re able to snag him off waivers and he’ll not only help you throughout the playoffs (if you’re still in) but give you a solid DB2 heading into next season.

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