subject: Fantasy Football IDP Week 8 [print this page] Fantasy Football IDP Week 8 Fantasy Football IDP Week 8
Welcome fantasy football IDP fanatics! We are reaching the midway point of the fantasy football season... For Week 8 there is a bit of variety in focusing on picking up players whether they are must-adds, bye week fill-ins or sleepers because you're sleeping on them. Take a look and as always, feel free to contact us via twitter @fantasycouch if you have any additional questions.
Defensive Line Pick Ups - DL - DE - DT - NT
Dwan Edwards, Buffalo Bills, DT - The six-year pro out of Oregon State has reaped the statistical benefits of playing on a bad team with an even worse rush defense. Ranked last in the NFL, the Bills allow an average of 174.5 yards per game to opposing backfields, which if nothing else, allows tackle opportunities to Edwards and fellow inside lineman, Kyle Williams. Opposing coaches surely look at this as a weakness that can be exploited and create the game-plan accordingly. Edwards, who is owned in only 17.8 percent of ESPN leagues, has made the most of the opportunity compiling 39 total tackles (22 solo) and a sack through his team's first six games without a victory. Buffalo will visit Kansas City this weekend to face a two-headed rushing attack in Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles making both Edwards and Williams a great option for Week 8.
Sleeper Linebacker - LB - MLB - ILB - OLB
Daryl Washington, Arizona Cardinals, LILB - Owned in only one percent of ESPN leagues, Washington is a rookie out of TCU who is starting to find his niche in the Cardinals' defense. He excelled in a fast and talented defense in college which made him a second-round draft pick in April and that ability is starting to translate on Sundays. Out of his 42 total tackles, 34 are of the solo variety which is the ideal ratio in IDP leagues because typically scoring differentiates between solo tackles and assists. Washington lines up next to Paris Lenon as the other middle linebacker in the Cardinals' 3-4 scheme and will continue to have an abundance of tackles opportunities and a decent amount of blitzes, with already one sack this season that came last week against Seattle. The 24-year-old has a solid career in front of him. Washington is a player to pay attention to the rest of this season and a potential fantasy stud in the coming years.
Defensive Back Pickups
Ronde Barber, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, CB - At age 35, Barber is a probable Hall of Famer as one of the most sure-tackling and ball-hawking corners to play in this era. He is having another solid season with 41 total tackles (33 solo), four passes defended and two interceptions in six games this year. Now in his 14th season, Barber is the definition of durable, playing in every contest the past 13 seasons totaling 214 games while returning seven interceptions for touchdowns in his career. He is a solid start every week because he can play the run as well as the pass and is owned in a little more than 20 percent of ESPN leagues.
Prediction: Barber will have at least one interception returned for a touchdown in the next five weeks
Sleeper Defensive Back - DB - CB - S - FS - SS
Michael Huff, Oakland Raiders, S - The former first-round pick (7th overall) in 2006 has developed nicely playing alongside Tyvon Branch in the Raiders' secondary which has played well as a unit. Although his tackles aren't consistent week-to-week, the 45 total tackles (38 solo) and two forced fumbles are very respectable. After having three interceptions last season, it would be expected that Huff would have at least one already but they may be coming soon to a stadium near you. He is owned in just over five percent of ESPN leagues and will be a solid bye-week fill in and potential starter further into the season.
