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Fantasy Football Week 6 IDP – Predictions and Pickups

This is a crucial period of the season for Individual Defensive Player (IDP) leagues as Week 6 is upon us and player rankings are starting to take shape to what may ultimately be concrete by season’s end. Let’s explore which players to add and drop along with a few predictions fantasy football IDP predictions . . .

Defensive Lineman – DL – DT – DE – NT

Players to Add

Justin Smith , San Francisco 49ers – By far the best pass-rusher on his team, Smith came alive with his first two sacks of the season last week against Philadelphia, and should be a solid play in the coming weeks against Oakland, Carolina and Denver. The former Cincinnati Bengal relocated to the Bay Area through free agency a couple years back and possesses the ability to record over 10 sacks in a season while racking up above average tackle clips for a defensive lineman. Smith is currently owned in less than half of ESPN IDP leagues.

Players to Drop

Antwan Odom , Cincinnati Bengals , The entire Bengals’ defensive line is struggling to apply pressure on the quarterback this season. After recording eight sacks in six games last season before suffering a season-ending injury, the 29-year-old suffered an undisclosed injury last week against Tampa Bay and will need a lot of rest as Cincinnati head into its bye week. His owners were expecting big things from him this year and have been disappointed so far with his four tackles (three solo) and no sacks this season. It’s safe to drop him to open up a roster spot since the combination of the uncertainty of the injury, poor performance and the bye week give him little to no value right now.

IDP Prediction – Chicago’s Julius Peppers will sack Seattle’s Matt Hasselbeck at least once this weekend when the two teams meet at Soldier Field.

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Linebackers – LB – OLD – MLB – ILB

Players to Add

Jerod Mayo , New England Patriots – This young and talented inside linebacker is owned in just over half of ESPN leagues and is a steal if you can get him. In four games this season, Mayo has amassed 43 total tackles (30 solo) and one sack and is coming off of the bye week to play Baltimore this week. The third-year pro out of Tennessee is the kind of guy you like having on your IDP team because he can be all over the field any given week playing both the run and pass equally well. Look for him to be a top-10 linebacker by season’s end as the bolster to that young defense in New England.

Player to Drop

Kirk Morrison , Jacksonville Jaguars – It has been a disappointing statistical 2010 campaign for Morrison who joined the Jaguars this offseason after being a tackling machine in Oakland for five season in the Silver and Black. As a Raider, Morrison had over 115 total tackles every season as the team’s middle linebacker, but has only 29 total tackles (22 solo) after five games this season and only one game with double-digits. It could be a combination of new surroundings, a new defense to learn and more double-teams that are causing him not to be able to get off of blocks to get to the ball-carrier. He is not a great IDP option right now and should be cut from your team or at least stashed away on the bench if you have room to do so.

IDP Prediction – Denver’s D.J. Williams will continue his great season and will record double-digit tackles this week playing at home against the New York Jets.

Defensive Backs – DB – CB – S – FS – SS

Players to Add

T.J. Ward , Cleveland Browns – We talked about him two weeks ago, but his is owned in just over a quarter of ESPN leagues and plays in a secondary that gets tested often. The rookie out of Oregon already has 43 total tackles (34 solo). Look for the trend to continue for the next three weeks against Pittsburgh, New Orleans and New England. Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb and pick up a guy who will thrive given his circumstance. You can also follow this IDP stud on twitter @BossWard43

Player to Drop

Eric Weddle , San Diego Chargers – This year’s inconsistency has been shocking to see from Weddle, who has only 17 total tackles (14 solo) through five games this season, after being statistically elite the past two seasons. In 2008, he had a breakout season with 127 total tackles (105 solo) and his owners were expecting similar results this season. Weddle has been outplayed by suspended secondary-mate Steve Gregory who has almost double the amount of tackles and linebacker Kevin Burnett has stepped up and taken some opportunities away. Weddle was so good statistically the past couple season because of the inconsistent play of the Chargers defensive linemen and linebackers, who are playing far better this season, allowed him the opportunity of high tackle numbers as the last line of defense. Look for another option if you own Weddle and either drop him or stash him away on the bench if you don’t feel comfortable getting rid of him just yet. There is a possibility he could get back to form statistically since Gregory is serving a multiple-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs.

IDP Prediction – Pittsburgh’s Troy Polamalu will have over seven total tackles, an interception and/or sack this week as the Steelers host the Browns at Heinz Field.