IDP Crystal Ball Week 8

METHODOLOGY

Your author gives his apologies for not providing this article last week, as the wife needed an unexpected minor surgery. All is well now. As readers know, 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 

Del’Shawn Phillips – LB – New York Jets

This is a recommendation based on injuries at the LB position for the Jets. Over the years, journeymen have manned the inside for the Jets and produced solid numbers as fantasy starters at LB. Currently, Quincy Williams is trying to clear protocol after leaving the Jets’ Week 7 game early due to a concussion. Incumbent starter C.J. Mosley has not been producing like his old self this season and is also battling a hamstring injury. If either of these players miss, Del’Shawn Phillips is thrust into a productive role.

In the two games Phillips has played 50% or more of the defensive snaps, he has produced immensely for IDP gamers. In Week 1 he logged 11 tackles with three solos in 57 defensive snaps. Last week, filling in for the aforementioned Williams, he produced eight tackles with four solos, two TFLs, one QB hit, and one sack in just 37 snaps. This is the kind of production that wins you weeks in IDP leagues. 

Phillips does have familiarity in DC Jeff Ulbrich’s scheme, having entered the league last season as an UDFA with the Atlanta Falcons. He was a team captain and standout performer at the University of Illinois, after starting his career at the community college level. 

Phillips actually holds a PFF player grade higher than both incumbent starters, albeit in limited action. If either Mosley or Williams are inactive Sunday, Phillips becomes an attractive starting option. 

SLOW-PLAY 

Christian Covington – DT – Los Angeles Chargers

A player on the defensive interior who is available in more than two-thirds of leagues and has been earning increased snaps is Christian Covington. Covington has carved out a starting role in the front-three rotation for the Chargers by providing much needed stout play against the run. However, he and other Chargers’ defenders will suffer from teammate Jerry Tillery’s inability to hold up against the run. Covington, who entered the league undersized, has added strength and leverage to his game over the years. 

He admittedly has a low ceiling, but for leagues in which owners must start a DT, Covington is a consistent producer that can help get you through bye weeks. He does offer some sack potential, as he logged 3.5 sacks in 2018, but primarily, we are looking at his run-game efficiency and his reduced missed tackle percentage of just 9.5% this year, the best of his career. Grab Covington for free if you have defensive interior starters with bye weeks approaching. 

TAXI ELIGIBLE 

Joe Tryon-Shoyinka – EDGE – Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

This was supposed to be a recommended taxi squad add for last week’s article which never published. Incredibly, the first-round pick of the defending Superbowl champions is somehow available in more than two-thirds of leagues on MFL. If he is available in your league and you have a taxi squad, he is a must-add. Tryon-Shoyinka has the opportunity to play rotationally and learn from veterans Jason Pierre-Paul and Shaquil Barrett. Tryon-Shoyinka also produced two sacks between the two games he both started and played more than 50% of the defensive snaps. 

JPP is 32 years old and on the final year of his contract. Barrett provides a book end rushing threat for Tryon-Shoyinka to play opposite of. The Bucs look to be a formidable defense for the foreseeable future and the potential here is massive. If he is available, steal yourself a starting for next season! 

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