2011 IDP Stockwatch: Week 12
Hello and welcome to this season-long series for IDPGuru.com. In this article, I will discuss a few players whose fantasy value has either gone up or down depending on their performance, role changes, injury concerns, etc. from the previous week. I will try to get this article out every Tuesday for your reading pleasure.
Stock Up
RILB – Derrick Johnson – (KC) – Johnson is averaging just under 10 tackles per game the last four weeks. His 83 tackles on the year have him in the top ten in tackles and he is on pace for his best year yet. LB2
MLB – Colin McCarthy – (TEN) – Playing behind Barret Ruud, McCarthy has had in impressive last 2 games recording 18 tackles. Ruud on the other hand has returned to his low tackle slump. McCarthy may continue to share the middle with Ruud, but his numbers are far better recently than Ruud. LB4+
RILB Jameel McClain – (BAL) – McClain has benefited from an injured Ray Lewis the last 2 weeks racking up 18 tackles. McClain is the usual starting RILB and should continue at a LB3 pace.
LLB – Von Miller – (DEN) – Denver’s defense as a whole has been better in recent weeks. Mostly due to the linebackers and lineman’s ability to put pressure on the QB. Miller has 25 tackles and 3.5 sacks the last four games. He has been unleashed and is proving his draft status. LB2-
LLB – Casey Mathews – (PHI) – I bought into the hype and the allure of another Mathews chasing down QBs. I was wrong. This Mathews is not ready yet. He lost his starting job after the first few weeks and has done nothing to get it back. 12 tackles in the last 4 games and 16 on the season. LB5
LDE – Ray Edwards – (ATL) – Edwards has had a disappointing season so far, 23 tackles and 2 sacks in 10 games. His 8 tackles and zero sack the last four have been a fantasy death sentence. He should not be started until he puts a decent game or two in the books. DL5
NT – B.J. Raji – (GB) – Raji scored an offensive touchdown this past week. Too bad you don’t get points for offensive scores. He has really slowed down the last few weeks, 8 tackles and a sack in four games. He should be getting plenty of chances with teams being down and having to throw to stay with the Packer’s offense. DL4
ROLB – Cameron Wake – (MIA) – Wake needs to wake up. 7 tackles and 0.5 sacks the last four games is pretty bad for a LB, no matter what type of league your in. Wake should be on the bench unless you really need a LB, in which case you are probably better checking the waiver wire out. LB 4+
DE – Mike Devito – (NYJ) – Devito has 23 tackles in 8 games this season. He has had to fight through some injuries and this may be taking away from his stats. His 10 tackles in his last four games played is not enough for you to consider playing him anytime soon. Leave him on the wire. DL4
Thanks for reading! Comments, suggestions or questions are welcome below or by email at billedwards@idpguru.com. You can also follow my active Twitter feed @edwards7aces.