It is usually difficult to find information, news and updates for IDP leagues, but Fantasy Couch believes that the small details count when it comes to individual defensive players. You need to stay up to date on your defensive players if you want to be the 2012 fantasy football IDP champion. As it happens every year, players get injured and sometimes suspended, which opens the door for someone else to make a name for themselves. Here are a few linebackers looking to capitalize on the opportunity of regular playing time early on in the season.
D.J. Smith, LB, GB – It won’t be long until IDP owners hear the name D.J. Smith. The second-year pro has seemingly solidified the starting middle linebacker job in Green Bay. He was drafted in the sixth round a season ago out of Appalachian State and will replace Desmond Bishop who is on injured reserve with a torn hamstring. Smith showed he could be fairly productive in a few games last season when Bishop was also out with injury. Expect to see Smith to get picked up deep in drafts, if not on the waiver wire, while having the skill and situation to be the season’s biggest sleeper.
Kavell Conner, LB, IND – The 25-year-old Conner will start at inside linebacker with Pat Angerer sidelined with a broken foot that could keep him out at least another month. Conner can be very productive if given opportunity in Indy’s 3-4 defense as evidenced by his 18 total tackles last year in Week 4 against Tampa Bay. Owners will want to look for Conner deeper in the later round as he can provide good depth with decent upside. Last season, offenses would often use their physical running backs to punish the Colts’ defense, this could be a great opportunity for Conner to rack up tackles in 2012.
Wesley Woodyard, LB, DEN – It looks like Woodyard will open the season as the team’s starting middle linebacker with D.J. Williams facing a six-game suspension for a driving-impaired case from 2010. Woodyard filled in for Williams in the first three games of last season and faired pretty well with double-digit total tackles in two different games. He will be a good source of tackles but owners shouldn’t expect many sacks.
In other news, defensive backs Charles Woodson (GB) and Ronde Barber (TB) will both make the transition from cornerback to free safety this season. Both players will likely be Hall of Famers someday and are currently in the twilight of their respective careers.
In term’s of fantasy value, Woodson will go from an elite corner to being on the cusp of a top-15 safety. There are just too many other great safeties that will produce more consistently than he will. Barber on the other hand will be a late-round flier in most cases, if drafted at all, but don’t count him out. The veteran can still be fantasy relevant because he’s a solid tackler with a nose for the ball.
2012 IDP News and Updates – Rookie Watch
Last but not least, IDP owners looking for a young player with a ton of upside should target defensive end Melvin Ingram (SD) who was drafted out of South Carolina. He will make an impact right away and improve what was an average pass rush in San Diego last season. He is drawing comparisons to some elite pass-rushers and for good reason as 10 sacks is very possible in his rookie campaign.
