A couple of days ago, we chronicled what the first wave of IDP signings included and what the repercussions of those signings were. If you would like to see the first installment, check out IDP Signings and What They Mean. A lot has happened since then and it is time to cover some of the major signings and re-signings and try to make sense of what this may mean and determine what type of impact it can have on your IDP rosters.
Jon Beason, James Anderson, Thomas Davis- Re-Signed with Carolina Panthers- The Panthers went out and locked up all three of their starting LBs to 5 year extensions. The general consensus is that they locked up their entire young nucleus of players (DeAngelo Williams, Charles Johnson, Beason, Anderson, Davis, and then the traded for Greg Olsen). The real question is whether the investment in extending contracts of a core that just went 2-14 is truly wise. Regardless of that answer, it will be interesting to see how the LBs shake out. Davis has shown to be exceptional when healthy. He rarely is, however. Anderson stepped up big-time in his absence. If Davis rebounds, expect Anderson to come back to earth. Beason remains a top-5 LB.
Eric Weddle- Re-Signed with San Diego Chargers-Weddle’s re-signing in San Diego means more of the same- 90-100 tackle seasons, very few interceptions, and a handful of performance plays. Bob Sanders may cut into his tackle numbers when Sanders is on the field. But don’t worry, knowing Bob Sanders that will not be very often.
Melvin Bullitt- Re-Signed with Indianapolis Colts- Bullitt is significantly underrated. While he is not anything special on the field, he has a good chance to put up some solid numbers if he can remain healthy. He is another in a long line of safeties that end up dinged up a lot. However, he is young (26) and has averaged 6 tackles per start. He could flirt with 90-100 tackles if he can stay on the field for 16 games.
Roman Harper- Re-Signed with New Orleans Saints- Harper may be becoming a liability in pass defense, but until he is benched for that he will remain a fantasy force and top-10 DB. He has averaged 98 tackles per 16 game season and he should finish around 100 tackles again this year. He will not offer much in the way of pass performance plays, but he will sprinkle in a few sacks. Also, with the big contract NO just gave him; it is unlikely he hits the bench for his coverage liabilities anytime soon.
Albert Haynesworth- Traded to New England Patriots- Haynesworth has not played a 16 game season since 2002 and he is going to another 3-4 team. While he will not be asked to play NT (that is Vince Wilfork’s responsibility and he is one of the best at it), Haynesworth will still have to hold up against double teams and 2-gap blockers. Do not expect much of a bounce back. He may do a few nice things on the field if he is motivated, but his impact to your fantasy team will be minimal.
Ray Edwards- Signed with Atlanta Falcons- The Falcons need more pass rush opposite of John Abraham. Enter Ray Edwards. Edwards should remain good for 50 tackles or so and will likely remain an 8 sack a year player. His arrival curbs the upside of DE Kroy Biermann. Edwards is the guy to own now and Kroy falls down rankings a good amount.
Jason Babin- Signed with Philadelphia Eagles- Babin had 17.5 sacks in his entire 7 year career before his contract year last season. Then he throws up a 12.5 sack season at age 31 while playing for likely his last contract. Can his pass rush stats be expected to stabilize? I am not betting on it. What his signing does do, however, is kill the current value of Brandon Graham. Graham will likely start the year on the PUP list and miss the first 6 games now. Babin has a chance to get 6-8 sacks across from Trent Cole. His previous career high before last year was 5 sacks. 6-8 is a more then reasonable upside based on that. He is also likely to finish around 40-50 tackles and not much more. Let someone else overpay for him.
Stewart Bradley- Signed with Arizona Cardinals- Bradley is only 27 years old and has more than enough time to get his career back on track. While he is coming off of a season ending injury, he is healthy and ready to slide into the starting lineup in AZ where he will likely replace Paris Lenon. Lenon was a top-15 LB at that position last year and Bradley is an upgrade in talent to him. While Bradley will have to fight young stud Daryl Washington for tackles, he still will have a great chance to be a top-30 LB and has significantly higher upside if it is he and not Washington that goes off in the middle of that 3-4 defense.
Jonathan Joseph- Signed with Houston Texans- Joseph has averaged 65 tackles and 18 passes defensed per 16 game season over his 5 years in the league. He now joins a Houston team that desperately needs help in pass defense and is one of the most targeted defenses in the league in terms of passes attempted against per game. He will have a lot of opportunities and with his ball skills and ability to get 4 tackles per game; he should be a solid CB2 with CB1 upside. Leagues that require starting CBs rather than simply DBs as a whole will benefit from adding Joseph.
Josh Wilson- Signed with Washington Redskins- Wilson is good for around 60 tackles, 3 interceptions and 14 passes defensed per 16 game season and is joining a Redskins team where he will get thrown at a good amount as he starts opposite of DeAngelo Hall. While he is not worth owning in leagues that are not very deep or require you to start CBs, he is a worthwhile CB3 in leagues that do require CBs or are 16+ teams deep.
Nnamdi Asomugha- Signed with Philadelphia Eagles- Teams will pick on Rodgers-Cromartie and Samuel rather than throwing at Asomugha. As such, he will not end up with any fantasy stats to make him relevant. He will, however, help boost the stats of DRC and Samuel. He also will help that secondary force opposing QBs to hold on to the ball a bit longer and will likely result in a big year for DE Trent Cole.
Dawan Landry- Signed with Jacksonville Jaguars- Landry does not do much in defending against the pass, but he sure can rack up tackles. He has averaged 94 tackles per 16 game season over the last 4 years and should do more of the same in Jacksonville. The question is whether Jax uses him at his familiar SS spot (where he would remain a DB3 with DB2 upside) or if they try to move him to FS and keep Courtney Greene at SS. If Landry is moved to FS then his value slips a lot. Considering what he is being paid, however, I expect him to remain at SS and remain a DB3 with DB2 and 100 tackle upside.
Casey Matthews/Jamar Chaney- MLB in Philadelphia?- This has nothing to do with signings and everything to do with the fact that at their first practices, Eagles DC Juan Castillo has lined up Casey Matthews at MLB and put Jamar Chaney on the strong side. If Chaney remains as the SAM backer, his fantasy value goes way, way, way down. Also, if Matthews hangs on to the MLB job and the Eagles do not sign another LB to replace him in the middle (or move Chaney back there for that matter) then Matthews could be an exceptional LB2 this season with 110-120 tackles being reasonable.
