IDP is all about opportunity. The “next man up” mentality is not only prevalent in NFL coaching circles but is for your IDP squad. Below is a list of guys to keep on your radar, or grab in deeper leagues, because they are breakout candidates, undervalued or are true sleepers. Keep this list for trade and waiver wire targets. These acquisitions could fill in nicely for your IDP squad this year.
This article series is a true sleeper/undervalued player profiling. I will not be “cherry picking” from the easy answers on each team’s roster. With that said, what IDP help would I be if I just ignored the “low hanging fruit”, so make sure you watch out for these guys in smaller leagues and roster them in deep leagues:
- Kamalei Correa, BAL LB
- Tyus Bowser, BAL LB
- Kevin Minter, CIN LB
- Nick Vigil, CIN LB
- Emmanuel Ogbah, CLE DE
- Carl Nassib, CLE DE
- Tank Carder, CLE LB
- Vince Williams, PIT LB
- Bud Dupree, PIT LB
- TJ Watt, PIT LB
Baltimore Ravens
Matt Judon, BAL LB. He is presently being overshadowed by the two pass rushing draft picks (Tyus Bowser and Tim Williams), but don’t forget that Judon was a pass rushing beast in college, has a year under his belt, came in at #3 in sacks on the Ravens last year and is taking over for Elvis Dumerville. Now is his time.
Cincinnati Bengals
Darqueze Dennard, CIN CB & William Jackson III, CIN CB. I cheated a bit on this one. The truth is I like Jackson better than Dennard. It is time for the elder statesmen to move on in Cincinnati. Look for one of these guys to step up and into a significant role at some point this year.
Cleveland Browns
Calvin Pryor, CLE S. This one was tough since the Browns have drafted so many IDP pieces over the past couple years and their defense is in a complete state of flux. It is more compounded by the fact that Pryor was only recently acquired. This is a mid-season play, but you should acquire Pryor now on the cheap. I can definitely see a situation where the Browns use 3 S’s on the field once Jabril Peppers is up to speed. Watch for Reynolds to man the free, Peppers to roam, and Pryor to be on the field as LB/S type. This one is risky – but I could see that implementation by week 5 and it would pay handsome dividends (or, if there is an injury – Pryor could step right in).
Pittsburgh Steelers
Tyler Matakevich, PIT LB. Williams has not done it for a year, and Shazier is often injured. If either fails at the position or gets injured, Matakevich will step into an LB2/LB3 role.
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