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.
- Robert Nkemdiche, ARI DE
- Markus Golden, ARI LB
- Budda Baker, ARI S
- Dominique Easley, LAR DE
- Maurice Alexander, LAC S
- Tedric Thompson, DEA S
- Malik McDowell, SEA DT
- Michael Wilhoite, SEA LB
- Arik Armstead, SFF DE
- Jaquiski Tarrt, SFF S
- Malcolm Smith, SFF LB (Foster buzz = value for you this year)
Arizona Cardinals
Haason Reddick, ARI LB. It pains me to write this because I am a HUGE Deone fan. By my rookie rankings you can tell I am also a big Reddick fan, and he is going to play from day 1 at ILB. Once Deone gets back, I do not see Arizona taking Reddick and his versatility off the field. I see Dansby or Deone losing playing time before that happens. Why is he a sleeper then? Because he was supposed to be eased into the scheme year 1. OTA’s and reports are shifting that expectation to an every down ILB that will have rush opportunities. Seems like that Jamie Collins “lite” comp is right on.
Los Angeles Rams
Lamarcus Joyner, LAR S. He’s a S cheat code, just not in the LB/S mold. While the LB/S type of S is the best S cheat code, Joyner’s implementation is a close second. Joyner will be a FS that will gain numerous tackle opportunities because he’ll move between S and nickel CB each game. Add in that Wade Phillips loves to bring pressure, and his versatility in the scheme will allow Joyner some nice blitzing opportunities as well. That’s a great combo for IDP production. Get him now while others are still sleeping.
Seattle Seahawks
Kevin Pierre-Louis, SEA LB. DEEP SLEEPER. It has been a long time coming. The former Boston College and combine standout has had his chances, but has never made good on them. It is now or never, and in his 4th year he is projected to start at SLB. While that is not a productive IDP spot, he is on this list because he has played the other LB spots in Seattle, and will likely be next up if the Seahawks have to shuffle their LB core in-season due to a Wagner or Wright injury.
Pierre Desir, SEA S. DEEP SLEEPER. Desir is a lengthy CB that I was high on coming out. He came from a small school though and was slow to transition to the league. He fits the SEA mold, and stayed on their practice squad even though he was offered a contract last year to learn from the best. An injury or slow recovery to Thomas and the door could come wide open for him.
San Francisco 49ers
Jimmie Ward, SFF S. I was projecting him as a similar “Joyner type” early in the off-season, but once Lynch took over I knew he’d play a more traditional Tampa-2 type S. He’s here because he is so versatile. He’ll be a starting FS, but will always stay on the field since he is a similar “Joyner” swiss army knife. The scheme will just keep him in a more rigid role. Grab him as a late flier or $1 bid in your salary cap leagues and watch him grow into a cheap 3-year option for you in leagues where you have to start a Safety.
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