IDP Instant Analysis: Breaking Down Intriguing Moves

Brandon Salamat Posted On March 15, 2018

The NFL has been in a frenzy as of late as the 2018 season has just begun. I love seeing all this movement now because it seemed teams held back in previous seasons. However, it’ll get some used to seeing some players in new uniforms. It feels like the NFL is playing Madden and throwing out trades left and right, and teams are giving up some big names.

Anyway, there have been some intriguing IDP moves as well. I’ll take a look at a few of the moves that may or may not have impacted you. We’ll decide whether or not certain players should be on your radar now or if you should be looking to sell.

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Avery Williamson, ILB NYJ

The former Titan has found himself a new home in New York and he’ll be taking over from the Jets’ free agent linebacker, Demario Davis, who will not be returning. Avery started 59 of his 63 games as a Titan and missed just one game throughout the last three seasons.

He needs to improve in coverage, he’s stellar against the run. The Jets are getting an underrated LB who is scratching the surface in his prime. Plus, they will get younger at the position. Avery is a clone of Demario (almost). Williamson posted a career high in tackles (104) in 2016 before splitting snaps in 2017 with rookie Jayon Brown.

Davis is leaving behind a whooping 1,115 snaps (he did not miss one snap) and there’s a solid chance Williamson sees at least 95% of the snaps. That’s good news for IDP owners.

He will complement Darron Lee well and as we’ve seen last season, the Jets defense is friendly to both ILB positions. Williamson could have a career year this season. He’s a solid buy-low target right now and should be inserted in weekly lineups if you start three-four LBs. I would suggest targeting him in 2LB leagues as well because he’s going to be a weekly starter sooner than later.

Demario Davis, ILB NO

After Davis got traded back to the Jets last off-season, he seemed motivated and posted a career year where he even finished as a top-five LB in most leagues. He was the enforcer last season and now has himself a new home in New Orleans where he’ll immediately contribute and become their starting MLB.

Demario has played and started all but one game (Cleveland, 2016) since 2013 so if you’re looking for a reliable LB for your squad, make sure you keep Demario on the short list. There’s not much competition in New Orleans and they’ve been shuffling their LBs for quite a while. Davis gives them stability (finally) at MLB where he can play alongside promising second-year WLB Alex Anzalone and veterans A.J. Klein and Craig Robertson.

Robertson has led the Saints in tackles the last two seasons but that’s about to change this season as Davis becomes the Saint to target (if the price is right). Davis has averaged 109 tackles the last five seasons and posted a career-high 5 sacks in 2017. There is definitely room on the table for Davis to eat but like I said, his price might be a little inflated at the moment because of his performance last season. He may not finish in the top five again but he can very well find himself in the top 25. This would make him a capable LB2 in weekly lineups.

Muhammad “Mo” Wilkerson, DL GB

The Packers have added more beef to their improving defensive line with the signing of “will he be motivated?” Wilkerson. I say that because his career looked like it’s taking a downfall after his 2014-2015 seasons. He didn’t look motivated on the field and became a problem for the Jets. They finally released him and now he can revive his career in Green Bay. It’s a low risk, high reward move.

He’ll be joining stud Mike Daniels and rising youngster in Kenny Clark in what feels like the best DL the Packers have rolled out in quite some time. Wilkerson will be playing for defensive coordinator Mike Pettine once again. He posted eight sacks in two seasons when Pettine was with the Jets.

From 2013 to 2015, he was a dominant IDP DE as he recorded 28.5 sacks and averaged 61 tackles per season. That’s a solid number coming from a DE, because that comes out to about four tackles per game on average. Add a QB sack to that, and you get some decent points in IDP leagues (depending on your league scoring of course).

I would tread water with Wilkerson in IDP. Keep him on your queue but don’t run to get him. If he’s cheap and possibly sitting on your waivers and you have a free roster spot, use it on him if you need some DL depth. If he has a revival year in GBP, he’ll end up in the top 20 but for that to happen, a lot of things would have to go in his favor.

BONUS – Blair Brown, LB JAC

Now, I know what you’re saying – Brown is still a Jaguar. Rightfully so, but I’m here to tell you that with veteran Paul Posluszny putting those retirement papers in, the Blair Brown Express has gained some speed. He only saw 70 snaps last season, but that was expected because he needed to feel the game and develop. However, he has the skill-set and grit to be a solid NFL LB.

Many IDP owners have already stashed him on their taxi squads as we’ve been waiting for this moment but at the same time, we need some realistic expectations here. The Jaguars still have elite LB in Telvin Smith and an LB on the rise in Myles Jack. There’s a good chance Brown just plays the early downs and takes care of the run and intermediate routes. That’ll put a damper on his IDP value but unless an injury happens to either LB ahead of him, keep him stashe. If you’re patient, his time will come.

The Jaguars like him and he’s shown flashes when he gets on the field. There isn’t really any competition on the roster at the moment so he’ll probably just slide right in. If you can get him as a throw in on some of your off-season trades, by all means do so, but if you have small rosters (40 or less) without a taxi squad then Brown isn’t for you.

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