METHODOLOGY
In this weekly article, we will take a look at a couple of IDP players available in many leagues that appear to show promise or have a foreseeable path to time on the field and production. The hope is that you can acquire these players for free or relatively close to free. It depends on the depth and settings of each individual league. Qualifying players are those available in at least two-thirds of full IDP leagues on MyFantasyLeague.com (MFL).
In leagues with deeper rosters, some of these are players to stash for a few weeks until their time and opportunity to produce are ripe. Getting ahead of your league mates on these players, while also saving valuable waiver budget dollars, will give you an edge over your competition.
When conducting in-season weekly maintenance in your leagues, take advantage of IR spots and opportunities to add players. You may have a player ruled out or on short-term IR that is eligible for your league’s IR list–utilize this! If you haven’t already, make sure you max out your taxi squad players with youngsters you like who are eligible to be placed on that list.
Since most of these recommended additions will occur over the weekend, we will exclude any players from the Thursday night game, since they will be locked from already having played. Let’s explore this week’s recommendations on the IDP crystal ball!
MUST-ADD IF AVAILABLE
Al-Quadin Muhammed – DE – Indianapolis Colts
As was discussed last week, part of fantasy IDP production is getting opportunities. A player doesn’t necessarily have to be a good player or make good plays in real football to produce fantasy IDP-viable statistics. Consequently, the Indianapolis Colt have been employing Al-Quadin Muhammed opposite first-round pick Kwity Paye and DeForest Buckner on the defensive front. He has held his own and improved his play each week, being provided one-on-one opportunities as a direct result of his linemates’ abilities. Paye left last week with an injury and Muhammed stepped up in his absence. While he did not record a sack, he did make seven tackles with a TFL and played 78% of defensive snaps.
Heading into Week 4, Paye has already been ruled out with a hamstring injury. Muhammad figures to see a heavy workload against a back-up QB that likes to hold the football and let routes develop in Jacoby Brissett. Muhammed needs to be owned in all full IDP and true-position IDP dynasty leagues.
If he continues to improve as he has been, he may even earn a big free agent contract after the season. The Colts’ schedule is favorable from an IDP perspective over the next seven weeks. Make the move now to roster Muhammad and have a startable option ready for you when you need it for the next two months.
SLOW-PLAY
Grant Delpit – S – Cleveland Browns
Ronnie Harrison Jr. currently mans the strong safety position for the Browns. He is a fine player and is just 24 years old and a former third-round pick out of Alabama. Through three weeks he has put up solid numbers, barring his opening week ejection. While your author owns many shares of Ronnie Harrison, he also realizes that Harrison is not under contract next season. Additionally, Harrison has never played more than 14 games in a season through four years. He is likely to miss time again at some point.
Grant Delpit was drafted in the second round of the 20202 NFL draft. He suffered an achilles injury that ruined his season last year. However, he is now listed behind Harrison on the depth chart for that valuable box safety role. Additionally, he has been getting more snaps as the third safety in the game in coverage personnel packages, behind Harrison and starting free safety John Johnson III. As Delpit continues to get comfortable in the Browns’ sturdy defense, his time to play significant snaps will eventually come this season. He has the flexibility to play either safety position, though he best profiles as a replacement for Harrison.
https://twitter.com/Sam_Penix/status/1441831302387441666?s=20
Delpit was once considered the best defensive player in college football at LSU a few years ago. He is a player that can provide significant value to your IDP dynasty roster at the close of the season and in the future. Strangely, he is not rostered in many leagues. Grab him now for free (available in more than 2/3s of IDP leagues) and look like a savant in December.
TAXI ELIGIBLE
Divine Diablo – LB – Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders’ deployment of their LBs has been inconsistent and dynamic for the last season and a half. Based on usage, it appears Denzel Perryman has taken Nick Kwiatkoski’s starting role in the middle. Corey Littleton struggled mightily last season in his coverage LB role for most of the season, but finished strong. This year he has been better than he was for the majority of 2020, but still inconsistent. We saw Divine Diablo play his first meaningful snaps in Week 3 in relief of Littleton. K.J. Wright is a situational player.
The only player with youth, ability, and three years remaining on his contract in the Raiders’ LB room is Diablo. Each of the other guys are 29 or older heading into next season. Littleton’s massive contract ensures he is on the team next season unless he is dealt (perhaps back to the Rams?). Perryman has played well enough through three weeks to potentially be brought back for cheap. I expect Vegas to move on from Kwiatkoski and Wright after this year.
Diablo is a player that will eventually man the coverage LB role we know is integral to IDP statistical accumulation. He is a perfect for it, as he has LB size (6’3″ 226 lbs) but safety experience, having played DB at Virginia Tech. Diablo is the perfect stash for the taxi squad.
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