Welcome back loyal readers to the ONLY weekly running IDP fantasy football article on 5thdownfantasy.com! After a busy week of number crunching and tape watching I’m BACK and bringing you the top fantasy football IDP names to watch and roster wherever available. As usual I’ll be breaking down three names to know at each major position in IDP format (LB/DL/DB) and shouting out a “Trench Warrior to Watch”. Let’s break it down:
Linebackers
Bobby Wagner (Seattle Seahawks): (Yahoo Owned: 57%)
There are few true constants in life: Death, taxes and Bobby Wagner being one of the best middle linebackers in the game. Wagner’s streak of consistent, high-level play has continued well past the end of the Legion of Boom in Seattle, and the All-Pro LB has risen up to become a certified leader for a surging defensive unit in the Pacific Northwest.
Wagner is the quarterback of the Seahawks defense in much the same way that someone like Luke Keuchley is in Carolina, he reads the quarterback like a book and makes plays often before the ball is even snapped. For fantasy purposes Wagner ranks among the top 15 LB’s in IDP format for points scored (69 on the year) and presents one of the most stable floor/ceiling balances in the league. His weekly point totals so far this season (6/8/5/5/4/7/11/11/9) show a player that is constantly producing on a weekly basis and showing a bit of a hot streak over this past month with two double digit totals.
Wagner is the all-purpose tool up the middle for this Seattle defense, and with the Seahawks surging back into relevance I see no reason why that production should halt anytime soon. That combination of name value and consistent success means that Wagner has a high ownership rate (57%), but that doesn’t mean he’s not available in your league. Get out there and check, because if he is available you best believe it’s in your best interest to get Bobby big hits in your lineup. He’s as reliable an option as you’ll find at the position.
[Week 11 Fantasy Football Analysis: See rankings, player to add, players to drop, sleepers, busts and more.]
Anthony Hitchens (Kansas City Chiefs): (Yahoo Owned: 20%)
Let’s jump from one proficient open field tackler to another. Anthony Hitchens may not have the LOB-centric, nostalgia laden name value of a player like Bobby Wagner, but what he does have is a nose for the ball and a habit of producing fantasy relevant numbers. On the year, Hitchens has totaled 74 points, including over 80 combined tackles!
I talked about Cowboys rookie Leighton Vander-Esch last week and described him as a “tackling machine”, and that’s exactly the same type of player Hitchens is. Playing up the middle for the much-maligned Kansas City defense this year has resulted in teams trying to test the Chiefs LB core with their run game on a regular basis. That consistent disrespect has led to a veritable feast for Hitchens on a week by week basis; the points just seem to run right into him. His weekly totals reflect a similar level of production to Wagner, with Hitchens having a slight edge in the blow-up games category on the year (13/11/6/2/9/13/3/8/9). With three double digit performances to his credit and a stable weekly floor of at least 5 tackles per game, Hitchens is a diamond in the rough in KC.
Blake Martinez (Green Bay Packers): (Yahoo Owned: 67%)
Say hello to the 2017 co-leader in tackles! Blake Martinez’s 96 solo tackles last season jettisoned the former 4th round pick out of Stanford into the hearts and minds of NFL media/IDP fans everywhere, and his 149 fantasy points didn’t hurt either. On the year Martinez has already produced 95 points, putting him on pace to duplicate his All-Pro production from last season, and he’s doing it on a less than stellar Packers team.
While the Packers record doesn’t look ideal at the moment, they’ve been in games on the defensive side of the ball largely due to the efforts of No. 50 over the middle of the field. Martinez is a true do everything kind of player that can make plays in coverage, spy the quarterback and fly in to get a sack if need be. His weekly fantasy totals put him among the elite players at the position (7/7/7/14/13/12/15/5/8/5) and you could easily make an argument that he’s the best outside line-backer in the game today. While someone with more flash like a Von Miller or Myles Jack may catch your eye, it’s Martinez that’s really been producing on the field, both in fantasy and in real life.
Defensive Line
Aaron Donald (Los Angeles Rams): (Yahoo Owned: 55%)
We get it, Aaron Donald is a MONSTER of a player for the LA Rams. In fact, you could make the argument (which I would) that he’s the best overall defensive player in the league right now. His stats from last season show him to be less of a football player, and more of a force of nature (103 fantasy points; 56 total tackles; 11 Sacks; 5 forced fumbles). Scary stuff, right? Now, what if I told you that Donald’s been even better this year? I’ll give you a moment to go change your pants, because it’s true.
On the year No. 99 in Gold and Blue has already accumulated 94 total fantasy points; 51 total tackles and 12.5 Sacks, putting him on track to obliterate his already dominant statistics from 2017. Donald’s rare combination of size and speed makes him one of the most feared line-men to come through the league since Reggie White tormented the NFC East back in the 1990’s. You know who Donald is, you know just how great he is, and now you know that his dominance transcends the real-life gridiron and continues on the virtual one.
The only problem is that EVERYONE else knows how great he is too so grabbing him in your league (if you have him) was most likely something you took care of via the draft. However, at an ownership rate of (55%) it’s possible he’s out there for you, and if he’s not I suggest watching your waiver wire like a hawk as we enter the Rams Week 12 bye. A desperate owner that needs to create roster space may be foolish enough to let Donald go, and if/when they do you need to be there to swoop in and grab him. Good luck and happy hunting.
Calais Campbell (Jacksonville Jaguars): (Yahoo Owned: 26%)
If you watched the Jacksonville defense at all last season you were aware of its overwhelming dominance, particularly at the line of scrimmage. One of the biggest reasons (literally and figuratively speaking) was the All-Pro level performance of veteran defensive end Calais Campbell.
The 3x Pro Bowler lead the dangerous Jaguar front line with 14.5 sacks in 2017 and finished behind only Chandler Jones (17) for the league lead at the metric. He was named the Pro Football Writers Associations Defensive Player of the Year and lived up to every one of those accolades with his consistency and destruction on the field. This year, the Jaguars are singing a very different tune as they’ve struggled to match the level of dominance they displayed last season, but that hasn’t prevented Campbell from being a force for IDP owners. With 69 total points so far on the year Campbell is set to fall below his impressive 136-point mark from 2017, but his stats match-up favorably for the big man to finish the year strong. His 54 overall tackles are on pace with his 81 from last season, and his 5 sacks show that his ability to make the QB uneasy is still a major part of his game. Overall, Campbell is a bye-low candidate for me because of the upside he presents. Some owners may be disillusioned with his performance and cast him aside for another line-man, which would give you the opportunity to capitalize on their mistake.
The Jags have a favorable schedule for pass rushing the rest of the way with bouts against IND/PIT/BUF/HOU over the next two months that feature quarterbacks that are often found lying down in the backfield. His ownership rate is lower than usual right now, and you have a real shot of finding him on your waiver wire, give Campbell a shot to regain his glory from last season on your squad.
Chris Jones (Kansas City Chiefs): (Yahoo Owned: 44%)
TWO Chiefs in one run-down!? Derek, you must be joking! You know their defense is one of the worst overall units in the league, right? Yes, I am aware of that, but I’m also aware that this unit’s parts are greater than their overall performance, and there are some genuine nuggets of greatness to be found in KC if you just look a little deeper.
That deeper look into this unit leads us to my last DL pick for the week; Chris Jones. Jones is a player with a decent ownership rate (44%), but very little fanfare or name recognition in the mainstream. He’s also a player on the rise in 2018 whose 70 total fantasy points through 10 weeks have already eclipsed his total output from the entire 2017 season (68). Jones is the clean-up man on the Kansas City defensive line, and he takes great pride in his ability to solve any/all problems that come his way. By that I mean Jones is a swiss army knife type of fantasy player, he can sack the quarterback, force fumbles, tackle in the open field and even take an interception to the house!
The big man has the agility and football IQ to make plays that most outside linemen simply can’t, and that’s reflected in his 2018 stat line (30 Total tackles/7 sacks/1 INT/2 forced fumbles/1 TD). Jones is well worth a waiver wire search at this pivotal time of the fantasy year where consistent play-makers are key. Be on the lookout for his name in your league this week.
Defensive Backs
Budda Baker (Arizona Cardinals): (Yahoo Owned: 36%)
As an Eagles fan, my fondest memory of Budda Baker was watching Nelson Agholar disrespect him on a long touchdown last season. As an IDP fantasy follower, my fondest memories of Baker are his THREE double digit fantasy performances so far in 2018.
While Budda may not be the flashiest name in the game, he’s one of the highest scoring DB’s in IDP (89 total points this year), and that combination breeds success for owners who are smart enough to seize on it. One of the most precious feelings in fantasy football is grabbing an unknown off the wire and watching them explode into relevance in your lineup, and I’m here to tell you that Budda Baker has been exactly that type of player this season. His aforementioned 89 total fantasy points are already an improvement from his total of 82 points in 2017, and his weekly point totals are among the best at the DB position period. On the year Bakers weekly output (9/5/13/5/18/21/8/6/3) gives him a weekly floor of around 7 points and a ceiling that’s hovering somewhere up in the stratosphere.
What makes Baker an even more interesting add this week is his injury status (knee). Cardinals coach Steve Wilks has said that he won’t play this week, which means that some owners may drop the IDP stand-out. This will give you, the thoughtful and resourceful fantasy owner, a chance to snag him and put him in your IR spot. Baker’s injury isn’t said to be serious, and he could be back on the field as soon as Week 12. He’d look great in your lineup.
Tyrann Mathieu (Houston Texans): (Yahoo Owned: 40%)
While we’re on the subject of Arizona Cardinals players, let’s talk about one of their top players of the past half-decade; the Honey Badger.
When Tyrann Mathieu found his way to the Houston Texans this past off-season it was looked at as a massive downgrade for Arizona and a major boon for a young Houston secondary that needed leadership. One look at Mathieu’s 2018 point totals will make one fact abundantly clear: the Texans made a wise investment.
The former 2013 3rd Round pick and Pro Bowler has made himself right at home over the middle in Houston, posting an overall fantasy total of 68 points and filling up the defensive stat sheet at every major category. Mathieu’s versatile approach to the safety position mixes hard hits with elite coverage ability and makes him a valuable IDP asset because of just how involved he is on every single snap. His 68 total points put him on pace to match/slightly exceed his 98-point total from last year’s campaign and he’s already exceeded his totals in sacks (2) and fumble recoveries (1) from a season ago.
Mathieu’s dynamic style of play has energized the back-end of a defense that’s seen J.J. Watt return to form and when combined it’s made the Texans a formidable defensive unit to face regardless of opponent. His weekly fantasy totals (8/2/8/7/8/3/12/11/6) show that the Honey Badger’s production is still as high as it’s ever been in a new setting. With an ownership hovering around the 50% mark, Mathieu is likely already owned, but he’s well worth checking your waiver wire for.
Shawn Williams (Cincinnati Bengals): (Yahoo Owned: 13%)
My final IDP pick for this week is another unknown player on the rise: Shawn Williams. The former 2013 3rd Round pick is no spring chicken at 27 years old, but fantasy production knows no boundaries, and he’s showing real promise in the Bengals defense in 2018.
His 65 total fantasy points through 10 weeks have already eclipsed his 51-point total from last season, and his season long stat line paints a picture of a player on the rise. Williams’ overall totals so far in 2018 (56 total tackles/1 sack/3 INT/1 forced fumble) show off his growing presence in the Cincinnati secondary. On the year, Williams exceeded his 2017 performance in every conceivable way and he’s proving himself to be one of the few defensive bright spots in the Bengals secondary.
His weekly totals are a mix of highs and lows (2/15/3/4/3/2/15/11/8), but when Williams hits he has the potential to win your match up for you (three double digit totals this year). His ownership rate is low in Yahoo leagues, making him a player that you can more than likely grab and stash right now for the long haul. Williams is a player worth keeping your eye on.
TRENCH WARRIOR TO WATCH
Avery Williamson (New York Jets): (Yahoo Owned: 34%)
Last but most certainly not least, my Trench Warrior worth watching this week is Avery Williamson, OLB for the New York Jets. The former 2014 5th Round selection out of Kentucky had a strong start to his NFL career with the Titans where he played for four years before signing with the Jets this past offseason.
In his first year with Gang Green, Williamson showed off the pure tackling ability that made him a hit in Nashville and has already set a career high in total fantasy points (96) and bested his 2017 totals at nearly every major defensive metric. His season long stat line through 10 weeks in New York looks like this: 84 total tackles/3 sacks/1 INT/2 forced fumbles. Those numbers are indicative of Williamson’s every down role in the Jets defense and show his effectiveness in almost every scenario you can throw at him.
Williamson’s overall production is matched only by the team’s defensive leader, Jamal Adams, and he’s proven himself to be one of their most important pieces both in coverage and stopping the run game. On the year Williamson’s weekly fantasy totals (2/5/18/10/9/11/5/7/13/12) boast FIVE double digit performances and indicate one of the highest weekly floors at the LB position this year. It should also be noted that he’s scored double digit points (13/12) in his past two weeks against divisional rivals (Dolphins/Bills).
The budding stud linebacker has shown a knack for getting up and playing to his full potential in big games and he’ll have a great chance to continue his ascension in the final 6 games of 2018 with match-ups against Buffalo/New England still on tap. Williamson’s ownership is trending upward as more owners become aware of how great he’s been, but there’s a decent enough chance he’s still available in your league. If so, you know what to do.
That’s all for this week! Thanks again to everyone for checking out the TRENCH REPORT. For those who play in IDP leagues I’d love to hear your feedback on these highlighted players, and for those that have never played IDP format, I hope this article sparks your interest! Make sure to check back here every Friday/Saturday to start your weekend in the trenches with me, I look forward to it.
Until then, best of luck in Week 11 everyone!
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