Each year there are players, whether due to age or situation, that are either on the verge of losing their NFL gig to young up and comers, or their overall IDP dynasty value. It is tough to get value for your IDP players in fantasy football, so here is some help and quick takes on players to “get into” and “get out of” for 2017.
* NOTE: This advice is not meant to be a slash and burn strategy, but rather, a value based proposal. Only you know your team and scoring, so value must be determined on a case-by-case basis. Always happy to help though, so drop me a line at dynastyidp@gmail.com or tweet me @AskDynastyIDP if you have questions.
Get into Nigel Bradham, PHI LB (27): When Philadelphia went out and acquired Bradham as a free agent in 2016, I was high on acquiring him as a speculative add given his career year under Jim Schwartz in Buffalo. He may still be undervalued in your league, but is certainly not by Schwartz. The Philadelphia LB’s were in a rotation this year, but may not be in the near future. Mychal Kendricks’ play was down and Philadelphia may look to get out of his hefty future contract (he can be cut at a 1.6 million hit after June 1st). With a favorable IDP scoring stat crew for every home game, acquire Bradham now by talking up his inconsistent play over the years, knowing that Schwartz brings consistency to his game and fantasy production.
Get into Jelani Jenkins, MIA LB (24): Jenkins is just two years removed from an 84 tackle season, and he is likely younger than you think. He enters this off-season as an unrestricted free agent but may possess chronic knee problems. So, then why add him? He is worth a speculative add because his price should be way down this off-season. If he signs with a team that can use a starting WLB you will be able to see if you hit “pay dirt” by week 3 in 2017 without giving up the farm. He is the perfect throw-in to a larger deal. SIDE NOTE: Pick-up Neville Hewitt, MIA LB if Jenkins and/or Alonso do not return to Miami this off-season. The former Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year could be a solid sleeper for 2017.
Get into Sio Moore, ARI LB (26): This is a moderate recommendation. Moore was a smaller “jack of all trades” LB when he came out of Connecticut. He has inexplicably bounced around during his career (OAK, IND and ARI), which suggests there is something going on under the surface with him. He has been productive on an IDP level when he plays, and is an unrestricted free agent in 2017. Arizona likes using smaller personnel in their LB core (See Deone Buccanon), and it would be a good sign if Arizona re-signs him this off-season given his history. He is worth a speculative add to see if Arizona, or a similar team that could use a WLB, signs him in 2017.
Get out of Vontaze Burfict, CIN LB (26): Another season, another top scoring option when he plays, and … another concussion in December. It is the “when he plays” portion that is a concern. Burfict has missed five or more games each of the last three seasons. He may be a weekly top scoring option when he plays, but he is also a weekly suspension and/or injury concern. One more concussion or poor on-the-field decision and Burfict is looking at a protracted absence. If you can get out of Burfict by pointing to his top 3 ppg scoring in 2016, now is the time. Try to get into a Darron Lee or Jake Ryan with a pick thrown in this off-season. Odds are Burfict will lose significant value in 2017.
Get out of Zach Brown, BUF LB (27): Brown finally happened for your IDP squad. Congratulations! Now it is time to get out. Recommending a sell for the #3 scoring LB in standard leagues is not a popular position, but that is exactly what I am recommending. Brown has always oozed potential given his physical traits, but he has never reached elite levels because he has massive breakdowns in coverage (See Tennessee). This is not a thing of the past. In addition, Buffalo has Brown, Ragland and Preston Brown at ILB. Reggie Ragland was drafted with a purpose but got injured. Brown lucked into elite production given this injury and the Rex Ryan scheme. Now Rex is out, and while Brown may avoid the future logjam in Buffalo because he is an unrestricted free agent in 2017, I do not see him recapturing this season’s elite production. Everything converged for Brown in 2016. I see Brown reclaiming his “fill in LB” role on your IDP squad (even if he is a NFL starter). Now is the time to profit.
Big-Play Special
Get into Matt Judon, BAL OLB (24): Judon was a Division II player that ended his collegiate career with numerous awards and the 2015 college sack lead (20 – that is not a typo). Judon entered the 2016 draft with question marks regarding whether he could transfer his game to the NFL. Baltimore drafted him in the fifth round and it could not have worked out better for Judon. While we would all prefer our pass rushers to have the DE designation, having Judon learn under the tutalige of Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumerville is a very nice conselation prize. Rumors are that Baltimore will move on from Dumerville this off-season, and Judon was third on Baltimore in sacks this past season with four. Baltimore knows how to use their Rush-LB’s, and this looks like another win for GM, Ozzie Newsome. Acquire Judon now and profit as he grows into the next solid Rush-LB for Baltmore.
