Week 5 IDP Upgrades and Downgrades

Upgrades

DT Shaun Rogers, CLE (3 solos, 1 assists, 1 sacks 0 FF, 0 FR, 0 INT, 0 PD) - The Browns paid what looked like a steep price for Rogers in the offseason, but it looks like one of the few moves they made that is paying off for them. Rogers is playing and producing like one of the best fantasy DTs in the game. Through 4 games, he has been credited with 15 solo stops (2nd among all DTs) and has also added a couple of sacks. With a bye week coming up and the Giants next on the schedule, however, there's probably not a big need to run out and grab him off the waiver wire.

DE Kalimba Edwards, OAK (5 solos, 0 assists, 1 sacks 0 FF, 0 FR, 0 INT, 0 PD) - Edwards never really took off in Detroit like many expected him to, but he's a talented player who seems to have found new life in Oakland just like Derrick Burgess did not too long ago. Edwards has a sack in 3 straight games while also contributing better than expected tackle numbers.

DE Charles Grant, NO (5 solos, 1 assists, 2 sacks 0 FF, 0 FR, 0 INT, 1 PD) - After putting up 28.5 sacks in his first 3 years in the league, Grant recorded just 12 in the next 3 season. He had a rough offseason but appears to be back on track with 14 solos and 3 sacks in his first 4 games. No team has given up more sacks than the 49ers this year so he might have trouble repeating his 2-sack performance against another opponent, but he's recorded 5 solos in back to back weeks and is getting more pressure on opposing QBs than he has in awhile.

DE Leonard Little, STL (4 solos, 0 assists, 2 sacks 0 FF, 0 FR, 0 INT, 0 PD) - Little returned to action this week and looked like his old dominant self with 2 sacks in the first half. He didn't start the game but he was one of the most effective Rams defenders. With Jim Haslett taking over the head coaching job, we probably shouldn't expect too many major changes on defense. If the Rams are going to turn this season around, it's almost a given that Little will play a big role as their best pass rusher.

ILB Stephen Cooper, SD - In his first year as a full-time starter, Cooper racked up over 100 total tackles and plenty of big plays last season, finishing as a top-20 LB in most leagues. He was suspended for the first 4 games of this season due to a positive test for a banned stimulant, but his suspension is now over and he should return to the starting lineup next week against the Dolphins.

OLB Omar Gaither, PHI (9 solos, 0 assists, 0 sacks 0 FF, 1 FR, 0 INT, 2 PD) - Gaither was expected to take a hit in his fantasy production this year with the move from MLB to WLB, but he's been one of the best fantasy LBs in the league over the past 3 weeks. During that time period, he's been credited with 17 solo tackles, 1.5 sacks, a fumble recovery and 4 PDs. Gaither has been very active in Jim Johnson's blitz-heavy defense and he's also proving to be the Eagles best LB in coverage which ensures that he'll stay on the field in all situations.

OLB Chad Greenway, MIN (7 solos, 4 assists, 0 sacks 0 FF, 0 FR, 0 INT, 0 PD) - Greenway is one of the few Vikings players to exceed expectations so far this year. Despite a move to SLB, Greenway continues to play in the team's nickel package and that has allowed him to maintain his fantasy value from his breakout season in 2007. He is averaging 6 solos and 1 assist per game and has yet to have a single bad game in terms of his fantasy production. With MLB EJ Henderson suffering a foot injury this week, Greenway could wind up having to carry even more of the load.

OLB Calvin Pace, NYJ (4 solos, 2 assists, 1 sacks 1 FF, 1 FR, 0 INT, 0 PD) - The Jets signed the former DE to a huge contract this offseason and hoped that he provide an instant upgrade to their pass rush. It seems to have worked as Pace has already recorded 2.5 sacks in 4 games. However, with an average of 5 solos per game, it looks like he could be the rare 3-4 OLB who can be relied on as an everyweek starter in standard leagues.

OLB Daryl Smith, JAX (7 solos, 0 assists, 0 sacks 1 FF, 0 FR, 0 INT, 1 PD) - Although Smith continues to play out of position at SLB, he's starting to make an impact with 11 solos, 1 sack, 1 FF, and 1 PD over the past 2 games. With Mike Peterson likely playing his last year in Jacksonville, there's an excellent chance that Smith could take over as the long-term MLB next season. He's done well filling in for him in the past and the coaching staff appears to think very highly of him.

OLB Takeo Spikes, SF (7 solos, 1 assists, 0 sacks 0 FF, 0 FR, 1 INT, 1 PD) - Spikes appears to have passed Jeff Ulbrich on the depth chart at ILB next to Patrick Willis. In his first start this week, Spikes finished with 7 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 INT, and a PD. While he's not the same player he was before tearing his Achilles in 2005, Spikes looks to have earned himself a bigger role. Willis also had 9 solos this week so the potential is there for both players to be productive in better matchups.

S Nick Collins, GB (6 solos, 1 assists, 0 sacks 0 FF, 0 FR, 1 INT, 1 PD) - Despite aggravating a back injury in the week 3 game against the Cowboys, Collins has now recorded an interception for 3 games in a row. While he may not record enough tackles each week to be a consistent starter in most leagues, he does have 10 solos over the past two games and he looks to have a favorable schedule coming up. With a potent offense and a very solid pass rush, Collins is in a great situation and could push for the league lead in interceptions.

S Chinedum Ndukwe, CIN (3 solos, 3 assists, 1 sacks 0 FF, 0 FR, 1 INT, 2 PD) - Ndukwe finished 2007 strong and entered the year as a breakout candidate. He was slowed by a preseason injury which kept him out of the lineup in week 1, but he's started every game since then and should remain in the lineup even after Dexter Jackson returns. Ndukwe recorded 6 solos a week ago and followed that up with a huge game against the Browns this week. He's a playmaker worth keeping an eye on.

S Kevin Payne, CHI (8 solos, 1 assists, 0 sacks 0 FF, 0 FR, 1 INT, 1 PD) - Payne seemed to come out of nowhere to win the Bears starting SS job this preseason, but he's making the most of it with 16 solos and a couple interceptions over the last 3 games. The Bears SS position has a history of producing solid fantasy totals and the season-ending injury to Brandon McGowan has left Payne with very little competition for playing time. He's been a top-10 DB over the past few games and that should continue with some favorable matchups coming up.

S Gerald Sensabaugh, JAX (10 solos, 1 assists, 0 sacks 0 FF, 0 FR, 0 INT, 1 PD) - Sensabaugh started at FS for the Jaguars this week in place of an injured Reggie Nelson and wound up leading his team in tackles. The Jaguars also lost starting CB Rashean Mathis in the game, which put a lot of pressure on Sensabaugh to slow down the suddenly potent Texans passing game. Although Nelson is expected back soon, Sensabaugh showed that he can be productive if either starter misses any time with an injury.

Downgrades

DT Tommy Kelly, OAK (1 solos, 2 assists, 0 sacks 0 FF, 0 FR, 0 INT, 0 PD) - Kelly signed a huge contract this offseason and the Raiders figured he would dominate after the move from DE to DT to replace Warren Sapp. We're now 4 games into the season though and he's yet to record a single sack while putting up just 6 solo tackles. Hopefully he's not mailing it in after signing a big money deal, but he'll need to play better if the Raiders have any hopes of turning their season around. If you're a fantasy owner who needs some space on your roster, it probably is safe to cut him loose at this point.

DE Derrick Burgess, OAK (0 solos, 0 assists, 0 sacks 0 FF, 0 FR, 0 INT, 0 PD) - Although the other Raiders defensive linemen managed to record 4 sacks of Phil Rivers this week, Burgess was held completely off the stat sheet. When combined with his 1 assist game in the opener against the Broncos, that is 2 games when Burgess was pretty much useless to have in your lineup. He started slow last year and finished strong so you may want to bench him until he starts getting in a groove again.

DE Andre Carter, WAS (0 solos, 0 assists, 0 sacks 0 FF, 0 FR, 0 INT, 0 PD) - Carter was a top-10 DE last season and the trade for Jason Taylor was expected to take some focus off him and allow him to be even more effective. That hasn't really worked out so far, however, as he has been credited with just 5 solo tackles and 1 sack through 4 games. His low output this week was likely due to the large advantage the Redskins had in terms of time of possession but it certainly looks like he could wind up as one of the more disappointing IDPs this season.

DE Tamba Hali, KC (0 solos, 1 assists, 0 sacks 0 FF, 0 FR, 0 INT, 0 PD) - Coming off a couple of solid seasons to start his career, many expected Hali to take another step in his development this year. After the trade of Jared Allen, who has been the most productive DE in the league the past couple years, Hali was moved to RDE. However, that doesn't appear to have done any favors for him as he's yet to record a sack and was held without a solo tackle this week against the Broncos.

DE Mario Williams, HOU (1 solos, 0 assists, 0 sacks 0 FF, 0 FR, 0 INT, 0 PD) - It would be tough to find a defensive player in the league who was more dominant than Mario Williams was in the second half of 2007 when he recorded 10 sacks over his final 7 games. He seemed to pick up where he left off with 6 solos and 2 sacks in the opener, but he's been pretty disappointing since then. Despite playing in a game that was decided in overtime against a team that took almost 60 snaps from scrimmage, Williams was held to just a single solo tackle. He was credited with 5 QB hits though, so don't downgrade him too far.

ILB Keith Brooking, ATL (1 solos, 1 assists, 0 sacks 0 FF, 0 FR, 0 INT, 0 PD) - Although Brooking finished with 10 tackles against the Chiefs in week 3, it looks like a mirage after his statline in the other weeks. He's clearly seen better days and could be in danger of losing nickel snaps to rookie Curtis Lofton. This week against the Panthers, Lofton finished with 8 tackles compared to just 2 for Brooking.

ILB E.J. Henderson, MIN (3 solos, 1 assists, 0 sacks 0 FF, 1 FR, 0 INT, 0 PD) - Henderson has been one of the most productive tacklers in the league so far this year but he was benched for the first series of the game this week for disciplinary reasons after reporting late for a team meeting. Then, to make matters worse, he was knocked out of the game with two dislocated toes in the second quarter. He came back briefly afterwards but wound up missing most of the second half. David Herron would get the start if Henderson can't play next week.

OLB Justin Durant, JAX - Durant missed his second straight game with a groin injury. He entered the year with breakout potential, but the team has a capable replacement in Clint Ingram and may decide not to rush him back before he's ready. With Daryl Smith playing better, there may not be enough playing time for him to be more than a depth player this year.

OLB Morlon Greenwood, HOU (3 solos, 0 assists, 0 sacks 0 FF, 0 FR, 0 INT, 0 PD) - Greenwood has recorded 80+ solo tackles for the past 3 years in a row, but it looks like he has been reduced to a 2-down LB role this year. With Zach Diles taking over nickel duties, Greenwood has seen his tackle numbers plummet. He has just 7 solo tackles in 3 games played and will likely continue to struggle unless Diles or DeMeco Ryans get knocked out with an injury.

CB Leon Hall, CIN (0 solos, 0 assists, 0 sacks 0 FF, 0 FR, 0 INT, 3 PD) - Hall had a breakout season as a rookie last year, finishing with 55 solo tackles and 5 interceptions. Many probably expected him to continue down that path and establish himself as an elite fantasy CB, but CB stats tend to fluctuate considerably from year to year. Hall has 8 PDs through 4 games, suggesting that the ball is being thrown in his direction pretty often but he's just not coming down with it the way he often did last year. He's also been disappointing in run support with just 9 solo tackles all year.

CB Terrence McGee, BUF (0 solos, 0 assists, 0 sacks 0 FF, 0 FR, 0 INT, 1 PD) - McGee recently had his workload lightened when the team decided to let rookie Leodis McKelvin take over kick return duties. With the Raiders abandoning the passing game in week 3, McGee finished with just a single solo tackle. Then he suffered a knee sprain in the first quarter this week that could keep him out until week 7, when the Bills return from a bye week to face the Chargers.

S C.C. Brown, HOU (5 solos, 0 assists, 0 sacks 0 FF, 0 FR, 0 INT, 0 PD) - Brown suffered a broken arm in the game this week and will be placed on IR, effectively ending his season. He was replaced in the game by Domonique Barber, but Gary Kubiak said they will use a committee approach with Barber, Nick Ferguson, and Brandon Harrison all competing for playing time. If one of those players emerges as the full-time strong safety, they would certainly be worth a pickup in most deeper leagues.

S Tanard Jackson, TB (0 solos, 0 assists, 0 sacks 0 FF, 0 FR, 0 INT, 0 PD) - Jackson got off to a great start with an impressive 8 solo tackles in the opener but he's recorded just 8 solo tackles in the 3 games since then, including 0 in this week's game against the Packers. As a free safety playing in the Tampa style of cover 2, he probably won't get enough consistent tackle opportunities and will need to make more big plays to become a reliable fantasy option.

S Brodney Pool, CLE (1 solos, 0 assists, 0 sacks 0 FF, 0 FR, 0 INT, 0 PD) - Pool has teased Browns fans and fantasy owners with his potential in the past but he continues to disappoint. In 3 games this year, he's only been involved with 10 tackles and credited with a single pass defensed. He had a reputation as a playmaker coming out of college but has just 4 career interceptions. It's probably safe to give up on him if you haven't already.