2011 IDP Stockwatch: Week 8

Written By: Bill Edwards

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

RLB – DeAndre Levy – (DET) – Levy has been a bit pedestrian thus far in his career, managing a high of 85 tackles his rookie year in 2009. This year however, he is on pace for 135 tackles. He has averaged 8.4 tackles per game this season. Look for him to continue to flirt with double digit tackles each week. LB3+ going forward.

RCB – Johnathan Wilhite – (DEN) – Wilhite had a huge game against Miami in week 7, totaling 11 tackles. He is the back up RCB Andre’ Goodman on this Denver defense but, he could be inline for more snaps. To go along with his 5 tackles per game he also has 2 sacks and an INT to his credit. DB3 potential

FS – Eric Smith – (NYJ) – I can only imagine what it sounds like at Jets practice when Smith and John “The Terminator” Connor meet up. Smith is a wrecking ball for the Jets defense. This season he has averaged 6.2 tackles per game and has a pair of sacks and an INT as well. Smith has become a big hitter in a hard hitting defense and is a blast to watch each week. DB3

LLB – Chad Greenway – (MIN) – Greenway is quietly consistent. His 7.4 tackles per game have him on pace for 120 tackles this season. He’s not going to get you many sacks or INTs but if in a tackle heavy league, he is as solid as they come. LB2

RILB – Rocky McIntosh – (WAS) – McIntosh is another very solid tackle guy. He has had 18 tackles in his last 2 games. He is coming off a 110 tackle season in 2010 and should finish this season slightly better, around 125 tackles. He is also not a big sack guy with only 8 in his 4 year career. LB3

Stock Down

Indianapolis Colts Defense – I thought it would be easier to just put the entire defense moving down this week after giving up 62 points. They let Drew Brees threw for 325 yards on 31 of 35 pass attempts. Brees also threw for 5 TDs no INTs and a near perfect passer rating of 144.9. The Colts looked distant and discouraged in that game. They did sack Brees twice, but it was by Jamaal Anderson and Tyler Brayton, far from the house hold names you’re used to seeing. I would wait and see how these guys play next week before putting a ton of stock in most of them.

LCB – Terence Newman – (DAL) – Newman has been a bit of a disappointment through week 7. His 11 total tackles and 1 INT are not what I expected from him this year. At 2.8 tackle per game he is on pace for 40 tackles, which would be his second worst tackle total. DB4

ROLB – Tamba Hali – (KC) – Hali burst onto the fantasy radar last season with 15 sacks. He does have 4 sacks this season but, only has 5 tackles with zero sacks in the last 2 games. If you’re in a sack heavy league, he has some value, but in a balanced or tackle heavy league I would think there are better options out there. LB3-

RILB – Stewart Bradley – (ARI) – Bradley was signed by Arizona to compete for the inside linebacker job. He couldn’t beat out Paris Lenon. He has been in a back up role and looks to be stuck there barring an injury. His tackle totals, as expected, are down to 2 per game and he hasn’t had much impact anywhere else. He should be dropped in all but the deepest leagues. LB5

LCB – Bryant McFadden – (PIT) – Mcfadden has 5 tackles and no INTs through 3 games this year. He has been banged up a bit this season, which may have something to do with it, but 5 tackles in 3 games is pretty bad for your fantasy team. He should be on the waiver wire or someone else’s bench. DB4

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.

Last Updated: October 26, 2011