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:
- Akeim Hicks, CHI DE
- Eddie Goldman, CHI DT
- Willie Young, CHI LB
- Eddie Jackson, CHI S
- A’Shawn Robinson, DET DT
- Jaylon Reeves-Maybin, DET LB
- Blake Martinez, GBP LB
- Nick Perry, GBP LB
- Damarious Randall, GBP CB
- Anthony Barr, MIN LB
Detroit Lions
Miles Killebrew, DET S. With a year under his belt, he should be ready to take on a larger role. He can be a LB/S type ala Deone Bucannon and Clayton Geathers. He is a hitter. With that said, and while I am not a Detroit basher, I must admit that I have concerns over the Detroit coaching staff placing their defensive players in the proper spots/situations (development or implementation). So, take this one with a grain of salt, knowing I love Killebrew’s talent.
Chicago Bears
Nick Kwiatkowski, CHI LB. He filled in nicely last year and seems to be one of Fox’s guys. Add Danny Trevethan is coming off an uncertain MCL injury, and the second one at that, and Kwiatkowski will be needed at the early part of the year and once in-season injuries hit the Bears’ LB core. He’s a depth piece for sure, but one that you can get for nothing in a trade or off the wire … and he could end up being a high end LB3 (low end LB2).
Green Bay Packers
Josh Jones, GBP S. He will not fill the stat line this year unless Morgan Burnett get injured (with a Burnett injury he is an automatic DB2). Still, he will be their hybrid S this year, and is the next Burnett type for the Packers. I believe the Pack drafted him since they are not going to shell out large dollars for Burnett this offseason. He’s a DB2 in 2018, and DB1 thereafter. Get him now, or after the 1st quarter of the season, from an impatient dynasty owner.
Minnesota Vikings
Mackensie Alexander, MIN CB. He’s going to be the starting nickel, and he’s going to make a couple big plays this year. You won’t be able to count on him every week in standard or tackle heavy leagues, but I bet he wins two weeks for anyone who grabs and plays him in big-play. Other than that, the Minnesota defense is stacked with studs – not sleepers.
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