2010 IDP Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 2

Hello and welcome to The IDP Guru’s “Waiver Wire Pickups” for Week 2 of the 2010 NFL season. I must admit I’m feeling pretty damn good about my Derrick Johnson and Patrick Chung recommendations last week. It always feels good to hit the nail on the head early in the season and get yourself a couple of stud players.

I’ve got a bunch more IDP sleepers for my readers this week. Most of these players are likely available on the waiver wire in most 10-12 team IDP leagues. Also, within my recommendations for each position, make sure to pay close attention to my “Lock of the Week” player.

And, as always, feel free to ask me specific questions via comments, email, Facebook, Gmail chat, Carrier Pigeon, Morse Code, whatever.

Enough chit-chat, let’s get to the good stuff.

1. RDE “Stylez” G. White (TB) @ CAR – White will be going up against a rookie quarterback with an offensive line that is suspect when it comes to pass protection. Even though he didn’t register a sack in Week 1, he put up strong tackle numbers and is still on track to be a breakout player this year in my eyes. This is the week “Stylez” registers his first sack of the season.

2. RDE Chris Long (STL) @ OAK – I’m sure there are some overzealous owners that dropped Long after he put up a goose-egg in Week 1. If so, pick him up. Don’t be discouraged by his poor performance last week. Defensive lineman are quite inconsistent throughout the season and patience is key with these type of players. Just stick with him for a couple of weeks. This is the year that he’s likely to break out. Plus, he faces the Raiders this week :).

3. LDE Charles Johnson (CAR) vs. TB – Heading into the preseason, everyone thought Everette Brown was going to be the young stud to own on Carolina’s defensive line. However, Johnson emerged as a more than competent pass-rusher. He’s had 10 sacks the last two seasons with limited playing time and I expect the Panthers to try and get after Josh Freeman this week with Johnson leading the charge.

4. LDE William Hayes (TEN) vs. PIT – Hayes was on my waiver wire pickups last week and unfortunately didn’t play as he was a game-time decision with an injury. He should suit up this week against the Steelers and will have the luxury of going up against Flozell Adams. Hayes is the Titans best defensive lineman and he should be able to make an impact in this game (unless Adams try’s to trip him the entire game which he may decide to do).

NOTE: Make sure Hayes is going to play. He was a game-time decision last week and didn’t play. He should play this week, but you never know.

***THE GURU’S LOCK OF THE WEEK***

LDE Kroy Biermann (ATL) vs. ARI – Please get “Beer Man” into your starting lineups. I recommended him last week and he came through with a sack. I expect similar-type production this week from the poor man’s Jared Allen when he goes up against the Derek Anderson-led Cardinals. Solid linemen are hard to come by on the waiver wire (especially one’s of the 4-3 variety) and this is probably your last chance to snatch him before other owners get wind of his potential.

1. WILB Derrick Johnson (KC) @ CLE – I’ve been pumping up Johnson all off-season and recommended that you get him in your starting lineups last week. He’s clearly the most talented inside linebacker on the Chiefs roster and with 12 tackles and a beautiful hustle-play in which he stripped Chargers running back Ryan Matthews of the ball to force a key turnover, he should have a fairly strong hold on the starting job. I’m expecting low LB1/high LB2 numbers from Johnson this season. If mediocre talent Demorrio Williams can put up 117 total tackles in the Chiefs WILB position, imagine what a talented player like Johnson can do.

2. WLB Zac Diles (HOU) @ WASH – If you’re worried about Diles’ 12 tackle performance last week being a fluke, don’t be. Ziles has put up this type of production before when given the chance to start. He can be had on the cheap right now and will put up LB2/LB3 numbers until Cushing comes back in Week 5.

3. WILB Keith Ellison (BUF) @ GB – Well, it’s that time of the year again. Paul Posluszny exited the game last week with a sprained MCL after putting up gaudy numbers early in the first half. He just can’t seem to stay healthy. I swear this guy is worse than Mr. Glass. However, his injury does open up the door for a nice waiver wire sleeper in Keith Ellison who came in and racked up 6 solo tackles in Posluszny’s absence. The pickup is all about opportunity and Ellison will have plenty of chances to rack up points as the Bills defense will be on the field plenty against the powerhouse Packers this week. “Pos” should be back by Week 4, but in the mean time Ellison is a decent LB3 option.

4. SILB Roger “Rocky” McIntosh (WASH) vs. HOU – Being a diehard Cowboys fan, I watched every snap of the Redskins game with great intensity and focus. And let me tell you, McIntosh had a great game. He’s well suited for the ‘Skins 3-4 defense as he has good size and sheds blockers well. London Fletcher is getting up there in age and has lost a half step which should allow for McIntosh to put up career numbers. He had 10 tackles and a sack against my ‘Boys and faces Arian Foster this week which should translate into an above-average amount of tackle opportunities. McIntosh makes for a good fill-in and could eventually establish himself as a long-term fantasy starter this season.

5. MLB Dan Connor (CAR) vs. TB – Connor figures to be the trendy IDP waiver wire pickup this week after a monster game in which he had 13 tackles and a sack. It’s important to temper your expectations slightly as Morgan did see an above average amount of tackle opportunities (58) and still remains a two-down linebacker. I see him as a mid-to-low LB2 option against run-heavy teams (e.g. Miami) and an LB3/LB4 option against teams that spread the field with multiple receiver sets (e.g. New England).

Side Note: Just as a clarification, it’s Dan Connor not Dan Conner.

***THE GURU’S LOCK OF THE WEEK***

WILB Lawrence Timmons (PIT) vs. TEN – Timmons is the most talented linebacker in Pittsburgh (which is saying something!), he’s just been too injured to establish himself as a fantasy force. He’s now fully healthy and seems ready to take over the middle of the defense from the old and decrepit James Farrior. He posted 11 tackles against the Falcons last week and has been asked to shadow Chris Johnson this week. I’m expecting a MONSTER game from Timmons. Get him on your roster as he could turn out to be one of the top fantasy linebackers this season.

1. SS Patrick “Wang” Chung @ NYJ – Hopefully you took my advice last week and picked up Chung. If you did, you looked like a genius. If you didn’t, you’re going to have to hope you can still snatch him off the waiver wire. His 16 tackle performance last week against the Bengals was no fluke. This kid is the real deal. He played in 74 out of the Patriots 78 defensive plays and will be utilized in a variety of ways within the Patriots defensive scheme. Obviously I wouldn’t expect 16 tackles every week, but I do expect top-level tackle numbers with a decent amount of big plays. 74 of 78 plays.

2. SS Jim Leonhard (NYJ) vs. NE – This isn’t the sexiest pickup I’ve ever seen, but anytime a starting SS on a defensive-minded team puts up solid tackle numbers (6-0-0), I pay attention. Plus, “Lion Heart” returned two punts for 27 yards in the contest against the Ravens giving him extra value in leagues that reward for return yardage.

3. SS Melvin Bullitt (IND) vs. NYG – O my God! Bob Sanders got injured! What a shock! Seriously, being one of the most electrifying defensive players doesn’t mean much when you spend the majority of the time on IR. Sanders tore his biceps muscle and is likely out for the season. No fear, Melvin Bullitt is here. Bullitt has stepped in for Sanders in each of the last two seasons and put up pretty good tackle numbers. He’s not going to light the world on fire, but if your weak at DB in a deep league, Melvin can provide some relief.

4. RCB “Old” Greg Toler (ARI) vs. ATL – Greg who? This 4th round pick out of St. Pauls put up an impressive 13 solo tackles and forced a fumble in a win over the Rams. Normally, I wouldn’t recommend a player like Toler as much of his production was based on the Rams throwing the ball 55 times. However, teams are going to continue to throw away from DRC giving Toler plenty of tackle opportunities. Plus, he plays Roddy White this week who was targeted 23 times in Week 1. Toler should have some good value this week in CB-required leagues.

***THE GURU’S LOCK OF THE WEEK***

FS T.J. Ward (CLE) vs. KC – Ward is a player that I have been targeting in a lot of dynasty drafts and has a good chance to finish the year as the top tackling rookie safety. The Cleveland “3 and Outs,” as my good friend Hatty calls them, are not a good offensive team and Ward will find himself on the field quite a bit. The Browns were running a lot of 46 defense in the preseason with Ward playing much closer to the line of scrimmage than a normal free safety. The Browns continued to run this package quite frequently during their first regular season game and Ward benefited with 7 solo tackles, 3 assists, and a forced fumble. Expect more of the same the rest of the year.

Thanks a bunch for reading and feel free to ask me any specific questions. I want to help you dominate your fantasy leagues! Until next time, this is The IDP Guru signing off.

Last Updated: September 14, 2010