With the playoffs officially here for most fantasy leagues, let’s take a look back on the regular season and give out the 2013 IDP fantasy awards before we get to the weekly waiver wire pickups.
2013 IDP Fantasy Football Awards
IDP Most Valuable Player
Robert Quinn, StL DE
This was a tough decision, but the MVP trophy has to go to the Rams’ elite pass-rusher, who leads all defensive linemen with 13 sacks so far this season. Quinn also has six forced fumbles, one of which he recovered and returned for a touchdown in St. Louis’ Week 12 win over Chicago. The 23-year-old was overlooked for most owners before the season and he is going to be a top-tier fantasy producer for years to come.
Honorable Mentions
- J.J. Watt, Hou DE
- Vontaze Burfict, Cin WLB
- Kiko Alonso, Buf MLB
IDP Sleeper of the Year
Kiko Alonso, Buf MLB
When you think about the best sleeper, you have to consider the guy who has produced the furthest beyond his expectations. This year’s winner has to be the rookie out of Oregon, who wasn’t even drafted in a ton of fantasy leagues. Alonso is second in the league with 125 combined tackles (67 solo), to go along with four picks and two sacks. The future is very bright for this guy and you can expect him to be one of the top linebackers taken next year. Just hope you’re able to draft him.
Honorable Mentions
- Barry Church, Dal FS
- Muhammad Wilkerson, NYJ DT/DE
- Olivier Vernon, MIA DE
IDP Bust of the Year
Jason Pierre-Paul, NYG DE
After having back surgery in June, the Pro Bowl defensive end never got it going this season and is now out of the lineup with a shoulder injury. Fantasy owners were hoping he would have a bounce-back season after recording only 6.5 sacks in 2012. It just wasn’t meant to be this season for Pierre-Paul and injuries don’t make you exempt from being a bust.
Honorable Mentions
- Dermarcus Ware, Dal DE/LB
- Harrison Smith, Min FS
- Tyvon Branch, Oak SS
Week 14 IDP Waiver Wire Pickups
Rey Maualuga, Cin MLB
The Bengals were without their starting middle linebacker for the past three games as he was sidelined with a sprained MCL. Maualuga looked good in his return last week with nine solo tackles, an assist and a sack in Cincinnati’s win over San Diego.
He was having a decent season statistically before the knee injury and should be a good play this week against the Colts, who throw the ball underneath fairly often.
Nick Roach, Oak MLB
The veteran is in his first season with the Raiders and is coming off back-to-back monster games in which he had 21 combined tackles and 3.5 sacks. Facing the struggling Jets offense this weekend doesn’t present the greatest of matchups. Owners may want to stash him for the remaining games on the schedule against the Chiefs (Week 15), Chargers (Week 16) and the Broncos (Week 17).
Nate Allen, Phi SS
Speaking of matchups, the Eagles play the pass happy Lions this week and that means the entire secondary is in for plenty of tackle opportunities. Allen is in his fourth year, third as a starter, has 71 total tackles, six passes defended, a sack and an interception this season. The former second round pick out of South Florida is worth a look in deeper leagues.
