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 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.
- Takk McKinley, ATL DE
- Ricardo Allen, ATL S
- Ben Boulware, CAR LB
- Shaq Thompson, CAR LB
- Sheldon Rankins, NOS DT
- AJ Klein, NOS LB
- Noah Spence, TBB DE
- Jacquies Smith, TBB DE (Do not forget this guy – go stash him now)
Atlanta Falcons
Duke Riley, ATL LB. Early reports have him potentially pushing Campbell for the WLB spot. I don’t see that happening this year without an injury, but this is dynasty. My initial rookie read on Riley was that he would be a “fill in” type and special teamer, but like the NY Giants, the Falcons don’t mind giving sub-par talent starting LB roles. Keep him on your radar in shallow leagues and stash him in deeper ones.
Carolina Panthers
Vernon Butler, CAR DT. This is a DT premium or starting DT-mandatory special. Butler is extremely talented but has been overshadowed by the two outstanding DT’s in front of him (Short and Lotulelei). Lotulelei is a free agent after this season and I do not see them signing him since they just paid Short a king’s ransom. Get Butler now because he is the next man up, will start next year and has more pass rushing chops than Lotulelei.
New Orleans Saints
Dannell Ellerbe, NOS LB. If this man could only stay healthy. Health has been an issue since his days with the Ravens and Dolphins, and has carried over to the Saints. Still, the Saints figured out how to employ him towards the mid-year point in 2016 and for a 5-week portion (Weeks 10-14) he put up 32 tackles, 4 sacks and 5 TFL. Then he got hurt again and tallied off. If he can remain healthy he’s a nice end of the roster insurance LB, especially in big-play formats.
Hau’oli Kikaha, NOS DE. DEEP SLEEPER. I am not the biggest fan, and he has 3 ACL tears, but he did flash for a brief period his rookie year. If the FA signing of Nick Fairley, NOS DT proves to be a complete bust due to his health concerns, then the numbers game will come into play. The Saints just do not have enough bodies on the defensive line and they never have much cap space. Keep him on your watch list, for while I don’t love the player, the opportunities may be coming.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Justin Evans, TBB S. Anyone who has been following me since I joined UTH knows I love this kid. The scouting and IDP community was a bit down on him, but I planted my flag calling him the #3 rookie S early on in my Twitter posts. He will take this job, and landed in a perfect scheme for production. I cannot stress this enough – get him now.
