IDP Sleepers - Week 6

  Updated 10/15 by Anthony Borbely, Exclusive for Footballguys.com

This article is a weekly look at players generally ranked around the edge of those considered "startable". For the purposes of this article, I will define startable as all players on the edge of starting on a team that starts 2 DL, 2 LBs, and 2 DBs. Therefore, about the middle of DL2, LB2 and DB2 range are usually where the choices begin to get tough. Each position is covered in descending order beginning with the players who have the most prime matchups to those with more risk and less upside to those who are complete reaches. Your mileage may vary, but the idea is to discuss these players and provide you with some analysis that might help you make those difficult lineup decisions a bit easier. I hope that your expertise as an owner has filled your team with enough players that you don't need to consider players outside of the prime cuts discussed here. Good luck and always keep in mind that your feedback and comments are welcome. I also want to thank and give credit to Bob Henry for creating the format for this article.

Defensive Linemen

Prime Cut (Great matchup, strong sleeper)

• Andre Carter, Washington Redskins: So which Carter will we see this week…the one who had five solos, 2.5 sacks, and a FF in week 5, or the Carter who had a total of seven solos and a sack in the first four games? Carter is one of the most inconsistent DL in the league, but in a week with very few legitimate sleeper defensive linemen, Carter is a player that must be looked at. He has a great matchup with the Chiefs this week. The Chiefs have played four games against teams that run a 4-3 defense, and in those games, DEs have accumulated 36 solos and eight sacks. Numbers like that are hard to ignore and with a matchup as good as this one, Carter should be at the top of any DL sleeper lists this week.

Worth a Gamble (Good matchup, solid sleeper)

• Cliff Avril, Detroit Lions: Avril had a strong finish to the 2008 season, racking up 10 solos, four sacks, and three FF in the last six games. Avril had a lackluster preseason and missed two of the first three games with an injury, leaving his fantasy owners wondering what had happened to the player who flashed so much ability at the end of last season. Well, Avril had a sack and FF in week four and four solos and half a sack in week five, looking much more active than he did in preseason. He has a great matchup against the Packers, who lead the NFL in sacks allowed with 20. Avril saw more snaps against the Steelers last week and with the Lions being banged up at DE, that trend should continue. Avril is a solid sleeper this week and the only reason he is not a prime cut is because the Packers could vault to an early lead and thus be able to run the ball more.


• Marcus Stroud, Buffalo Bills: Stroud has had a great start this year, racking up 23 solos and two sacks in five games. Those are strong numbers for an interior lineman and even more impressive is that Stroud has at least four solos in all five games this year. Buffalo has one of the worst offenses in the league, so Stroud is pretty much assured of being on the field a lot, which increases his tackle opportunities substantially. This week, Stroud faces the Jets, a team that has allowed defensive tackles to amass 36 solos and three sacks this year. Stroud is a solid sleeper based just on his projected tackle opportunities. Any sacks he may get would be icing on the cake.

Solid Reach (backup / situational player with upside)

• Leonard Little, St. Louis Rams: Little only had two solos last week, but he had a sack in each of the previous two games. At 35 years old, Little can't be expected to be a dominant force as a pass rusher every game, but he is capable of a strong game from time to time if the matchup is right. This week, Little faces the Jaguars; a team that has allowed 12 sacks this year. Little should have a decent amount of tackle opportunities this week to go along with a few chances to rack up a sack. Little has rotated at DE this year and that could limit his numbers, but in a week with very few options at DL, Little represents decent value as a fill-in starter.


• Richard Seymour, Oakland Raiders: Seymour does not have the greatest matchup in the world as DEs have been hit and miss against the Eagles. But you have to consider the Raiders offense is so bad that their defense is on the field an average of almost 35 minutes per game. That alone should give Seymour a decent amount of tackle opportunities in run defense and that makes him a decent low-level sleeper this week.

If you're desperate (worth a look in deeper leagues)

• Gaines Adams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Adams struggled mightily in the first three games, then broke out in week four with four solos and a sack before reverting back to nonexistence last week. All I can say is desperate times calls for desperate measures. Adams has a decent matchup against the Panthers and players with upside and decent matchups are usually my main targets when I am really in need.

Linebackers

Prime Cut (Great matchup, strong sleeper)

• Paul Posluszny, Buffalo Bills: As of this writing, it appears Posluszny will play, but make sure you verify this before the game. Now that I got the disclaimer out of the way, Posluszny has a solid matchup this week against the Jets and should help solidify a defense that has been ravaged by injuries. The Jets are in the top ten in tackle opportunities and average more than 32 rushing attempts per game. The Bills have one of the worst offenses in the league and this game looks like a potential blowout. I expect the Jets to dominate time of possession and the scoreboard and if that's true, the Bills defense will be on the field a lot. Posluszny has the potential for double digit solos this week and should be in all lineups. Just make sure Posluszny is active this week before inserting him into your lineups.

Worth a Gamble (Good matchup, solid sleeper)

• Will Witherspoon, St. Louis Rams: Witherspoon has quietly put up consistent tackle numbers this year, but has yet to register a sack. Part of that is because of the putrid St. Louis offense. They have been so bad offensively that the opposing offenses are able to run the ball whenever they want and that negates the pass rush of the defense. Witherspoon has at least five solos in four of the five games and that consistency makes the zero sacks more tolerable. This week the Rams face the Jaguars and they have given up 12 sacks. After Maurice Jones-Drew complained about the play calling and giving up on the run early in games, I fully expect the Jaguars to run the ball more this week. Witherspoon should see enough tackle opportunities to be a solid sleeper and if he can register a sack this week, he would vault into the elite sleeper category this week. The only reason he isn't a prime cut is because Witherspoon does not have a sack this year and I think the Jags will run the ball more this week.


• Antonio Pierce, New York Giants: Pierce has put up pedestrian numbers this year, averaging only four solos and two assists per game with very few big plays. That is pretty typical of Pierce's numbers in recent years. But this year's numbers are reflective of some terrible matchups. Pierce has actually played some solid football, but when you face some of the worst teams in terms of tackle opportunities, you can't be expected to put up huge tackle numbers. All five teams Pierce has faced rank in the bottom half of the league in tackle opportunities allowed. This week is difference as Pierce faces the Saints, a team that is near the top of the league in tackle opportunities. Despite not making many big plays, Pierce is a solid sleeper this week because of a great matchup.

Solid Reach (backup / situational player with upside)

• Stephen Tulloch, Tennessee Titans: Tulloch is a tough player to analyze because of the uncertainty of how the Titans line up in the nickel packages. Regardless of that, Tulloch has been solid for most of the year. The matchup is decent, but it remains to be seen how the Titans line up when the Pats go 4-wide. That is really the only negative for Tulloch. I think his numbers have been solid enough to use him as a sleeper this week if you are in need, but there is some risk.


• Nick Roach, Chicago Bears: Roach is the third MLB to start for the Bears this year. First, Brian Urlacher was lost for the year, and then his replacement, Hunter Hillenmeyer, was hurt. Roach took over and has racked up 11 solos and a sack in his two starts. He seems likely at this point to keep the starting MLB job even when Hillenmeyer returns. Prior to this, Roach was a nondescript journeyman who was more of a special teams player than anything. It just goes to show that opportunity to play can make a big difference in some players. This week, Roach faces Michael Turner and the Falcons. Turner should get his 20-25 carries and Roach should be in the middle of the action enough to warrant consideration as a sleeper this week.

If you're desperate (worth a look in deeper leagues)

• Ernie Sims, Detroit Lions: Sims is expected to return to the starting lineup this week and he has a decent matchup against the Packers. Sims has not played well and has been banged up, but he should be on the field a lot and could be a decent pickup if you are really in need. There is always risk when a player is hurt and playing bad and that is why Sims is listed under the desperate part of the article. Proceed with caution.

Defensive Backs

Prime Cut (Great matchup, strong sleeper)

• Roman Harper, New Orleans Saints: Harper has been solid in the tackle column, averaging six solos per game. He is a huge reason for the resurgence of the Saints' defense. He does not have any coverage numbers, not even a pass defended, and that has hurt his overall statistics, keeping him in the huge DB2 tier. This week Harper faces the Giants and should once again put up solid tackle numbers. The Giants have been effective passing the ball and Harper could see some action in the short middle of the field, giving him a chance to add some coverage stats this week. He should be in all lineups this week.

Worth a Gamble (Good matchup, solid sleeper)

• Mike Brown, Kansas City Chiefs: Brown has been a solid addition to the Chiefs' defense this year and his coverage skills are much better than former starting strong safety Bernard Pollard. Brown has not put up big peripheral numbers this year, but opposing teams have not had to pass much and that is the big reason. He has been solid in run defense and his tackle numbers have kept Brown in the top 25 DBs all season. This week's opponent, the Washington Redskins, has given up some big games to strong safeties. Brown is worthy of solid sleeper status this week and only the lack of big plays keeps Brown from being a prime cut this week.


• George Wilson, Buffalo Bills: Starting strong safety Bryan Scott is unlikely to play Sunday and if that is the case, Wilson could have strong value as a sleeper this week. While not blessed with a lot of talent, Wilson still seems to put up solid numbers anytime he is pressed into service. The matchup with the Jets is solid and with Buffalo's offense struggling, Wilson and the rest of the defense should have plenty of chances to rack up solid tackle numbers. Just make sure Scott is inactive before plugging Wilson into your lineup.

Solid Reach (backup / situational player with upside)

• Atari Bigby, Green Bay Packers: Bigby played in week one (3 solos/3 assists) before missing the last three games with an injury. When healthy, Bigby is a physical safety that is capable of putting up solid numbers. This week's matchup with the Lions is decent, but not great for Bigby. He should have a respectable number of tackle opportunities as the Lions will want to establish the run to keep the Packers' powerful passing attack off the field. Bigby is on waivers in many leagues and probably a better start this week than many players who are on rosters.


• Tyrell Johnson, Minnesota Vikings: Johnson only has 20 solos in four games and like most young players, struggles with inconsistency. In his defense, Johnson has not had a great matchup yet, but he does this week as the Vikings are playing the Ravens. The Ravens are averaging almost five yards per carry and over 27 carries per game. Even though they have opened up the offense this year, their running game is still their bread and butter. Johnson has a solid matchup and is a decent sleeper this week. Just realize his inconsistency could be an issue.

If you're desperate (worth a look in deeper leagues)

• Gerald Alexander, Jacksonville Jaguars: Since taking over the starting strong safety job from Sean Considine, Alexander has 14 solos in three games. His matchup with the Rams is decent since Steven Jackson figures to dominate the St. Louis offense, but their offense is so bad overall that there is a risk of seeing a low amount of plays. Still, if you are desperate, you could do a lot worse than Alexander.