IDP Waiver Suggestions and Start/Sits - Week 9

Nov 02, 2016

Big Trade with IDP Implications

The Patriots made a trade with the Browns on Monday, sending linebacker Jamie Collins to Cleveland for a conditional 3rd round pick. The trade sent shockwaves throughout Twitter, and has IDP implications for both teams.

For the Patriots, Dont’a Hightower and Elandon Roberts should be the starting linebackers, with Hightower manning the MIKE, Roberts the WILL and Shea McClellin as the SAM OLB. Rob Ninkovich will continue to rotate on the edge at DE. I think Roberts has more upside than Hightower and is the desired pickup, especially in dynasty formats.

In Cleveland, the situation is a bit more dicey. Collins immediately becomes the Browns best defender. Head coach Hue Jackson views Collins as a hybrid linebacker who can be used anywhere on the field around the line of scrimmage, and I think they use him as such. Christian Kirksey has been productive from an IDP standpoint as one of the top-scoring LBs, and his value shouldn't drop too much.

The Browns unofficial depth chart has Collins as the 3rd OLB, behind Joe Schobert and Cam Johnson. If I were to predict what happens Sunday, I'd project Collins to start at the OLB for Joe Schobert/Johnson on first and second down, and Demario Davis will be the one coming off on third down and in passing downs. Although Kirksey has struggled at times in coverage, he’s the better overall LB than Davis, and I don’t see Kirk leaving the field. Collins has also been a more efficient pass rusher. In 43 pass rush snaps, he’s produced consistent pressure, which has led to sacks.

There will be a lot of opinions on how the Browns LB situation will play out, and my opinion will be one of many. As of now, this will be all speculation until kickoff on Sunday, and even still, it could remain a fluid situation. The bottom line is Collins is now the most talented defender on the Browns roster, and I don’t see why (unless he hasn’t picked up the defensive scheme) he wouldn't be on the field for Week 9.

Christian Kirksey Owners: Continue starting him as you normally would

Jamie Collins Owners: My concern is him playing OLB, but I see him playing all over the field. If he’s active this week, I’d feel comfortable with him as my LB2/3. Going forward, I'd like to see him overtake Davis as that weakside ILB, but we'll see what happens this week.

Demario Davis Owners: I’d bench him this week. I wouldn’t drop him until the situation plays itself out, but I’m not putting him in my starting lineup this week.

Elandon Roberts: He's worth a pickup in all formats and is worth starting as an LB3.

Dont’a Hightower: He's worth a pickup in deeper leagues or leagues where you’re starting 3 or more LBs. Not worth a #1 waiver or more than a few FAAB bucks.

Now we've gotten a little clarity on this week's blockbuster trade, let's take a look at the waiver wire for Week 9.

IDP Waiver Wire

Defensive Line

Akiem Hicks, DE, Chicago Bears

Hicks is heading into the bye week with some momentum, coming off a two-sack performance on Monday night against the Vikings. He’s recorded four sacks in his last six games, so the upside for big plays in the second half is big. Hicks is producing consistent pressure for Chicago and is a preemptive pickup during Chicago’s bye.

Noah Spence, DE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (64 snaps/68 percent)

Spence has sacks in consecutive games and is another target in big-play scoring formats as a DL2/3. He’s not recording tackles, so that’s why I like him in leagues that don’t value tackles as much. Spence has seen an increase in snaps over the last few weeks, which has allowed for more pass rush and pressure opportunities.

Damon Harrison, DT, New York Giants (Bye week)

If someone dropped Harrison in your league because of the bye week, it’s definitely the week to grab him and plug him in for the remainder of the season. If you’re in a DT-required league, he’s been one of the top scorers with 0.21 points per snap. Snacks has been an asset in tackle-heavy formats, recording an 11.5-percent tackle rate and 36 total tackles.

Frank Clark, DE, Seattle Seahawks (62 snaps/82 percent)

Clark is going to see an increase in snaps with Michael Bennett out for several weeks. He responded in Week 8 with a sack and six tackles and has 13 or more fantasy points in consecutive weeks. Clark has produced consistent pressure on the QB all season, leading to a near 15-percent pressure rate.