And then there were none.
Heading into the season, my No. 1 defensive lineman in IDP leagues was J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans. Back surgery or no back surgery, he’s a three-time Defensive Player of the Year. Half a season of Watt at full strength is better than a full season of just about everyone else.
We got three games before Watt re-injured his back and had to go back under the knife.
Heading into 2016, my No. 1 linebacker in IDP leagues was Navorro Bowman of the San Francisco 49ers. As easily the best player on a bad defense playing opposite a Chip Kelly offense, I figured Bowman would gobble up tackles like a red and gold Pac-Man.
That Bowman did – right up until he tore his Achilles tendon four games into the year.
Heading into 2016, my No. 1 defensive back in IDP leagues was Reshad Jones of the Miami Dolphins, who rode 106 solo tackles to the top spot among all IDPs in most scoring systems in 2015. Jones wasn’t putting up quite the numbers he did last season, but the seventh-year pro was doing all right.
That is, until he suffered a shoulder injury last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers that will likely end his season.
The top fantasy options at each of the “main” IDP options have already been lost for the year – and we aren’t even halfway home yet.
Ain’t that just freaking grand?
With that cheery bit of info in mind, let’s take a look around IDP Nation in Week 7.
WEEK 6 IDP BEASTS
DeForest Buckner – DE, San Francisco 49ers: The Niners may have gotten smoked in Buffalo this past weekend, but Buckner did a little smoking of his own in the game, piling up nine total tackles, forcing a fumble and notching the first two sacks of his NFL career.
Jatavis Brown – ILB, San Diego Chargers: IDP owners who had Brown in their starting lineups last Thursday night got Week 6 off to a rip-roaring start – the rookie linebacker exploded against the Denver Broncos for 13 solos and an assist, chipping in a sack and forced fumble.
Malcolm Jenkins – S, Philadelphia Eagles: That Jenkins managed only two solos last week against Washington makes me look good for advising fantasy owners to sit the veteran safety. The fact that he also had four assists and a pick-six? Not so much.
WEEK 6 IDP LEASTS
Mario Williams – DE, Miami Dolphins: It seems hard to believe that Williams was once “Super Mario,” one of the NFL’s most feared pass-rushers. After last week’s one-solo effort against Pittsburgh, Williams now has one stop or less in four of his six games in 2016, and he remains stuck on one sack for the year.
De’Vondre Campbell – OLB, Atlanta Falcons: The good news is that the Falcons had both their rookie linebackers back in action last week against the Seattle Seahawks. The bad news is that neither played even 30 snaps or made any sort of real dent in the stat sheet.
Eric Berry – S, Kansas City Chiefs: On paper at least, Berry’s matchup with a potent Raiders passing game last week looked to be decent. Sadly, games aren’t played on paper, and the veteran safety came out of the Chiefs win with only two total tackles (one solo).
IDP INJURY REPORT
Michael Bennett – DE, Seattle Seahawks (Knee): Bennett suffered what looked to be a potentially serious knee injury against the Atlanta Falcons. But an MRI came back clean, and there’s a chance Bennett won’t miss any time.
Kam Chancellor – S, Seattle Seahawks (Groin): Chancellor missed last week’s win over the Falcons after injuring his groin in practice earlier in the week. His status for Seattle’s Sunday night showdown in Arizona is unclear.
Jamie Collins – OLB, New England Patriots (Hip): Collins went from a late addition to the injury report to sitting out last week’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals altogether. Given that it’s the Patriots, getting updates on Collins’ recovery isn’t exactly likely.
Marcell Dareus – DT, Buffalo Bills (Hamstring): As Matthew Fairburn of New York Upstate wrote, “Dareus is getting closer to making his season debut. He didn’t practice at all last week and could be a long shot to play in Week 7, but he’ll be back before long.”
Jerrell Freeman – ILB, Chicago Bears (Wrist): The Bears have had all kinds of injury problems this year, and Freeman has a short week to get ready with the Bears playing Thursday night. But Freeman practiced in a limited fashion Tuesday and should play against the Green Bay Packers.
David Harris – ILB, New York Jets (Hamstring): Harris’ streak of consecutive games played (a streak dating back to 2008), ended Monday night at 121. His status for Week 7 is unclear at present. What is clear is that the Jets are in free-fall.
Cameron Heyward – DE, Pittsburgh Steelers (Hamstring): Heyward had a nice little games played streak of his own that ended a week ago in Miami. It’s believed the veteran defensive end will be out at least a couple of more weeks.
Darron Lee – ILB, New York Jets (Ankle): The Jets’ first round pick in the 2016 NFL draft, Lee entered Monday night’s game in Arizona as Gang Green’s leading tackler. He left it in the second half with what appeared to be a high ankle sprain.
Gerald McCoy – DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Calf): McCoy had a badly needed bye week to rest his injured leg, but as of Monday the big man still wasn’t back on the practice field. Consider him highly questionable for now.
C.J. Mosley – ILB, Baltimore Ravens (Hamstring): Mosley sat out last week’s loss to the New York Giants after pulling his hamstring returning an interception the week before. If Mosley sits again in Week 7 Albert McLellan could serve as a decent plug-and-play for IDP owners in a bind at the position.
Jordan Poyer – S, Cleveland Browns (Kidney – IR): Poyer, who had a couple of big games for the Browns in 2016, was blasted on a punt return against the Tennessee Titans, suffering a lacerated kidney in the process. His season is over.
Robert Quinn – DE, Los Angeles Rams (Shoulder): The general belief was Quinn would be a go in Week 6, but he wound up sitting out a second straight game with a bum shoulder. Have a Plan B at the ready, as we’ve officially hit “believe it when you see it” territory with the star defensive end’s playing status.
Damarious Randall – CB, Green Bay Packers (Groin): After sitting out Week 5 with an injured groin, Randall got back in the lineup just long enough to re-aggravate the injury against the Dallas Cowboys. On a short week there’s next to no chance Randall plays against the Bears.
Ryan Shazier – ILB, Pittsburgh Steelers (Knee): Shazier told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler his sprained MCL is feeling a lot better. “I’ve been fighting through it,” Shazier said. “It’s definitely feeling a lot better compared to two to three weeks ago.” Still, the smart money says he sits through Pittsburgh’s Week 8 bye.
Derrick Shelby – DE, Atlanta Falcons (Calf – IR): Per Curtis Jackson of the Falcons’ website, Shelby was placed on injured reserve, complements of a torn Achilles tendon suffered in last week’s road loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
THE WHAT THE HECK DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE WAIVER PLAY OF THE WEEK
D.J. Swearinger – S, Arizona Cardinals (vs. SEA)
Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians told Kyle Odegard of the team’s website he’s been relatively pleased with Swearinger’s play since entering the starting lineup. “He’s been playing really, really solid,” Arians said. “If he just celebrated more on the sideline than on the field I’d be a little bit more happy.”
Swearinger has given IDP owners plenty to smile about as well. With the Cardinals once again showing a lot of nickel looks in 2016 Swearinger has been both on the field and productive, logging 11 tackles, three passes defensed and an interception the past two weeks.
Plus, it’s always a kick to have a guy in the hole for the night games.
GUYS I LIKE IN WEEK 7
Geno Atkins – DT, Cincinnati Bengals (at CLE): Atkins has been somewhat up-and-down this season, but Sunday’s matchup with the Browns has all the makings of an “up” week – especially with Browns guard Joel Bitonio now on injured reserve.
DeForest Buckner – DE, San Francisco 49ers (at TB): Buckner isn’t going to post huge stat lines like he did against Buffalo on a weekly basis. But the Buccaneers are fourth in fantasy points per game allowed to defensive linemen this season.
Jurrell Casey – DE, Tennessee Titans (vs. IND): Success in IDP often lies in riding the hot hand. Casey’s got three sacks over his last two games, and in Week 7 he draws a third straight favorable fantasy matchup with the Colts.
Cory James – ILB, Oakland Raiders (at JAX): James has cooled of late, but a matchup with a Jaguars team allowing the most FPPG to linebackers in 2016 should be just what the doctor ordered to heat him back up.
Vince Williams – ILB, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. NEP): Matchups in IDP are all about opportunity. And to this point in the 2016 season, no team in the AFC is giving up more tackle opportunities per game than the Patriots.
Avery Williamson – ILB, Tennessee Titans (vs. IND): It isn’t just Casey who will benefit from a juicy matchup with the Colts this week. In fact, no team has allowed more fantasy points total to IDPs this year than Indianapolis.
Antoine Bethea – S, San Francisco 49ers (at TB): It’s a perfect storm week for Bethea – the LB in San Francisco are a mess, and no team has been kinder to defensive backs this season in IDP leagues than the Buccaneers.
T.J. McDonald – S, Los Angeles Rams (vs. NYG): McDonald has been whisper-quiet of late, but if ever there was a week to break out of his statistical funk it’s Sunday’s top-five “home” matchup in London with Eli Manning and the Giants.
Eric Weddle – S, Baltimore Ravens (at NYJ): As if the Jets allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to defensive backs in 2016 wasn’t enough reason to roll Weddle out, try this on for size – the Jets are actually considering starting Geno Smith at quarterback this week.
GUYS I DON’T LIKE IN WEEK 7
Brandon Graham – DE, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. MIN): Graham has anchored an Eagles pass rush that’s been as good as any in the NFC. Well, any in the NFC this side of the Vikings, who also allow the fewest FPPG in the conference to defensive linemen.
Khalil Mack – DE, Oakland Raiders (at JAX): There’s no chance in you-know-what that I’d sit Mack Sunday, especially now that he’s finally warming up. But that doesn’t change the fact the Jags are 31st in fantasy points allowed to defensive linemen this year.
Yannick Ngakoue – DE, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. OAK): Ngakoue bucked a bad matchup last week, posting his fourth straight game with a sack. This week’s tilt with the Raiders is more than just a bad IDP matchup – it’s the worst.
Kiko Alonso – ILB, Miami Dolphins (vs. BUF): Alonso is coming off a season-low five total stops against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Against a Bills squad giving up the second-fewest fantasy points to linebackers in 2016, a second straight slow game is a real possibility.
Preston Brown – ILB, Buffalo Bills (at MIA): Both of the Buffalo Brown Boys have been solid for IDP owners this year, especially at home. But this game is in Miami – against a Dolphins team that ranks dead last in the NFL in tackle opportunities allowed.
Jerrell Freeman – ILB, Chicago Bears (at GB): As I mentioned earlier, Freeman’s bum wrist shouldn’t keep him out of IDP lineups Thursday night against the Packers. A league-worst fantasy matchup with Green Bay is another story.
Landon Collins – S, New York Giants (at LA): With 29 total tackles over his last three games, Collins is nearly impossible to sit right now. But know going into Sunday’s game in England that the Rams are an awful IDP matchup in the secondary.
Johnathan Cyprien – S, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. OAK): The Raiders haven’t had much trouble moving the football this season through the air, but so far in 2016 it hasn’t really translated to fantasy production for opposing defensive backs.
Rodney McLeod – S, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. MIN): Like Landon Collins, McLeod is a hard player to sit coming off his 14-tackle outburst. And like Landon Collins, McLeod’s matchup this week is so bad you may just want to consider it anyway.
THE SCRAP-HEAP STREAMING CORNERBACK PLAY OF THE WEEK
In recent years the number of dependable weekly fantasy starters at the cornerback position has dwindled to just about zero. So as a service to those hearty souls who play in IDP leagues that require them, each week I’ll point out a player at that position available in many leagues who should serve as a fine streaming option.
Tramaine Brock, San Francisco 49ers (vs. TB): Brock’s numbers so far this season don’t open any eyes. But the Buccaneers have been the best fantasy matchup in the league for cornerbacks in 2016, and with Vincent Jackson out Mike Evans will be targeted approximately 137 times in the game. Care to guess who will draw coverage on Evans for most of the afternoon?
