Week 11: IDP Sleepers
DE Darnell Dockett, ---
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Dockett has accounted for one third (8) of his team's total sacks (24) through the first 9 games of the season and has established himself as a viable threat on the pass rush. He's also been able to add some healthy tackle numbers, which makes him a safer play than the one-trick pony ends in the league. Only KC has fewer rushing yards than Cincinnati this season, so you know the Bengals will be dropping back to pass often enough this weekend and Dockett will get his share of shots at Carson Palmer.
DE Patrick Kerney, ---
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Kerney's starting to look comfortable in this Seahawks defensive system. The tackling opportunities simply aren't there for him, but he is still getting the great pass-rushing pressure you'd expect from one of the league's strongest and most determined defensive ends. Kerney could be a smart, good dark horse pick-up for this weekend's game against the woefully inept Chicago offense.
LB Stephen Cooper, ---
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Despite lower name recognition, Stephen Cooper has out-tackled and generally been a steadier fantasy producer than either of teammates Shawne Merriman or Shaun Phillips. Cooper and the Chargers wrap up the season against some of the most IDP-friendly opponents in the NFL (Baltimore – week 12, Kansas City – Week 13, Detroit – Week 15, Oakland – week 17). He'll still have plenty of chances to bring about some big plays to balance out his steady tackling.
LB Angelo Crowell, ---
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Call him the last man standing. Crowell has been the only Bills linebacker who could manage to stay healthy for long enough to fill a stat sheet. Consistent tackling makes him an enticing play against a plodding Ravens offense that not only provides opponents with plenty of tackle opportunities, but has also given up the most fumbles in the AFC. Chances are, Crowell is still widely available.
LB Karlos Dansby, ---
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If Dansby could stay healthy for a complete season (and if he wasn't stranded in Arizona) he might be more of a household name. He currently sits among the per-game leaders in fantasy points and is basically a big play waiting to happen. His tackle numbers are above average for an outside backer and he contributes all over the field by making picks, recording sacks and forcing fumbles. In the final year of his contract, you can bet he's intent on boosting his reputation.
LB Robert Mathis, ---
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Mathis has picked up his play lately with 3 sacks in the last two games. He'll be expected to take it to another level now that Dwight Freeney is injured and possibly out for the season. The Colts have enough creativity to their defense that offenses won't simply be able to focus on shutting down Mathis, so you can expect him to keep the pressure on against the Chiefs and newly-named starting QB Brodie Croyle.
LB David Thornton, ---
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Keith Bulluck may not exactly be having an "off year" (4 interceptions through the first 9 games), but a good portion of his tackling opportunities have been scooped up by the ever-aggressive David Thornton. Thornton is listed at only 225lb – safety size – but plays a hard-nosed, physical style and explodes though ball-carriers. He's currently on pace to threaten the 100 solo tackle mark that he eclipsed only once before during his 6-year career. Thornton will provided the kind of day-to-day consistency many Keith Bulluck owners crave.
S Pierson Prioleau, ---
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No one's expecting him to seamlessly replace one of the best and most feared safeties in the league, but Prioleau should be more than serviceable filling in while Sean Taylor recovers from a knee sprain. Prioleau has neither the size, nor the ball sense of a Sean Taylor, but he should notch his share of tackles playing center field for a Redskins secondary that suddenly looks a lot more vulnerable.
S Stuart Schweigert, ---
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Schweigert, much like Madieu Williams in Cincinnati, is a player who's fantasy value by far exceeds his actual value to his NFL team. He's an excellent source of tackles and has been the occasional beneficiary of offensive miscues, but probably doesn't possess the necessary talent to be a starting DB for most teams in the league. Still, fantasy is not reality and Schweigert's tackle numbers alone make him a worthy IDP acquisition.
S Madieu Williams, ---
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Williams has proven to be a stellar tackler in the past - 104 total tackles from the safety spot in 2004 - and is not far off that pace right now, so if you need some security from an IDP DB, look no further. He's not well-known outside of Cincinnati but his modest skills as a playmaker don't, by any stretch, mean that he can't be a useful fantasy asset. Arizona is the kind of opponent that can make an average defensive player (like Williams) look outstanding.