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:
- Shaq Lawson, BUF DE
- Jordan Poyer, BUF S
- Micah Hyde, BUF S
- Kony Ealy, NEP DE
- Derek Rivers, NEP DE
- Jordan Jenkins, NYJ LB
- Marcus Maye, NYJ S
Buffalo Bills
Gerald Hodges, BUF LB. While he was signed late in the off-season, that does not mean he can’t play. Hodges will beat out Humber and Brown for a starting role, and rookie Vallejo is not ready to start. He is a better overall linebacker than anyone else on the Bills roster, and he should start this season.
New York Jets
Muhammad Wilkerson, NYJ DE. It is not easy to pick a sleeper when a team is in transition – since the old and new players, all, basically qualify. Still, I must go with Wilkerson since he is severely undervalued at this point given his disappointing 2016. He was a stud, then dropped off, and if he doesn’t pick up his game he is not going to receive any of the large salary and bonuses due him in 2018-2020. Look for him to get back to his 55 tackles, 9–11 sacks and 10+ tackle for loss line this year and next. He still graded well in PFF last year. The production will re-appear.
Miami Dolphins
Charles Harris, MIA DE. This one is tough, for like the Jets and Browns (to come), the Dolphins defense is in flux. While Harris is all the craze because of his newness and draft pedigree, he still has Wake, William and Branch ahead of him … at the moment. Use that narrative and his low-end combine numbers to your advantage. Every off-season practice report has been glowing and the Dolphins wanted him bad. He’s a must add, especially in big-play formats.
New England Patriots
Shea McClellin, NEP LB. He won’t be consistent LB2, but he will be worth a roster spot for bye week fill-ins and is a great add in deeper leagues. He showed well in limited opportunities last year, and now Belichick has had an offseason to emphasize his strengths. He’ll play WLB/MLB/SLB, and be employed to rush the passer in special packages. He could surprise as a low-end LB2 or solid LB3. (DEEP SLEEPER: Jonathan Jones, NEP CB – he is not listed on Rotoworld, but has been running as the starting nickel CB. He is also a special teams ace for the Patriots. They love him.)
