The IDP+ Weekly Newsletter:
March 13th, 2024

Welcome to the IDP+ newsletter, bringing you all the headlines and information your fantasy football-driven minds can handle! Detailed articles can be found at IDPPlus.com along with rankings and updated ADP for subscribers.

Newsletter created by Michael Sicoli (@Michael__Sicoli). So if you have thoughts, complaints or anything in between, throw it my way!

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Sicoli’s Weekly Wrap: IDP quick hits

Ravens give DT Justin Madubuike massive four-year, $98 million deal

Sicoli’s Wrap: As we’ve covered in the newsletter Madubuike was never going to hit the open market. Instead he cashes in on his 13-sack breakout season and retains his role for 2024 and beyond. He remains among the best DL in fantasy, particularly in leagues with a DT spot.

Eagles add former Jets DE Bryce Huff for three years, $51 million

Sicoli’s Wrap: Getting 10.5 sacks on just 42% snaps gets you quite the contract. Huff’s arrival could spell the end of either Haason Reddick or Josh Sweat, both of which have been in numerous trade reports. He doesn’t turn 26 until April and will be a popular fantasy pick this summer.

Raiders pay up for DT Christian Wilkins, signs former Dolphin for four years, $110 million

Sicoli’s Wrap: Wilkins pushed his chips in, and Las Vegas cashed him out. The former Dolphin enjoyed a career year in 2023 with nine sacks. His talent will help the Raiders more than fantasy managers, but Wilkins is still an intriguing fantasy asset under head coach Antonio Pierce, especially for DT-viable leagues.

Giants trade second, fifth-round picks for former Panthers DE Brian Burns

Sicoli’s Wrap: Holy moly. Burns was tagged last week and now receives a $150 million contract with the Giants. He’ll form a formidable pass-rush with DT Dexter Lawrence and edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux. It’s good for his dynasty value to receive a long-term deal and even better for the entire defensive line.

Texans add former Titan DL Denico Autry for two years, $20 million

Sicoli’s Wrap: Autry had awesome spike weeks for IDP managers in Tennessee, but plenty of duds as well. Houston is a solid landing spot for him on a well-coached defense in need of his services, but he’ll remain boom-bust. He’s most noteworthy in DT-centric leagues if he carries the eligibility. 

Vikings give four-year contract worth $76 million to former Texans DE Jonathan Greenard

Sicoli’s Wrap: Good for Greenard, who broke out in 2023 with 12 sacks. Minnesota needed to replace Danielle Hunter, D.J. Wonnum and Marcus Davenport. Greenard turns 27 in May and will have every opportunity to expand on his promising production. Be wary, though, as he enters a more difficult situation in Minnesota.

Vikings DE Danielle Hunter joins Will Anderson in Houston for two years, $49 million

Sicoli’s Wrap: I’m sure DeMeco Ryans doesn’t miss Jonathan Greenard anymore. Anderson and Hunter should be a terrific pass-rush duo, with the former Viking coming off a dominant 16.5-sack season. Both Hunter and Anderson will be attractive fantasy assets in 2024.

Chiefs keep DT Chris Jones for five years, $158.75 million with $101 million guaranteed 

Sicoli’s Wrap: Shout-out to our amazing staffer @IDPHunter, who remained adamant that Jones wouldn’t leave Kansas City. The best defensive tackle in football speaks for himself on the field and remains a solid DL option for fantasy. As always, he is most useful in leagues that require a DT.

Colts re-sign DT Grover Stewart for three years, $39 million

Sicoli’s Wrap: Stewart had an excellent fantasy season in 2022 as a waiver-wire hero with a career-high 70 tackles and four sacks. His 2023 was more disappointing, though, as he missed six games and recorded 40 tackles and only 0.5 sacks. He’s only fantasy-relevant in DT leagues as a bounce-back candidate.

Browns bring back DE Za’Darius Smith for two years, $23.5 million

Sicoli’s Wrap: Smith disappointed most fantasy managers in 2023, but perhaps 2024 will be different. He remains part of a rotation opposite Myles Garrett in Cleveland. His snaps are inconsistent, so barring an injury he remains a sack-or-bust IDP asset.

Former Cowboys DE Dorance Armstrong joins Dan Quinn in Washington for three-year deal worth up to $45 million

Sicoli’s Wrap: Armstrong had 7.5 sacks and 8.5 sacks in 2023 and 2022, respectively, under Quinn in Dallas. Armstrong doesn’t turn 27 until June and could see his most usage yet in Washington in a familiar scheme. Keep an eye out here.

Patriots re-sign DE Josh Uche for one-year, $3 million

Sicoli’s Wrap: Uche has flashed upside over the years, but snaps and stats have come few and far between. Perhaps a fresh start under head coach Jerod Mayo could see increased usage and subsequent production.

Colts DE Tyquan Lewis turns down outside suitors to return to Indy

Sicoli’s Wrap: Lewis isn’t on the fantasy radar, though he did post career highs in most DL metrics. At 29 years old it seems unlikely, but health has always been his biggest obstacle. Reports suggest multiple teams were interested in Lewis, so perhaps he takes a bigger role in Indianapolis in 2024.

Other DL news to note…

Sicoli’s Wrap: Here are some quick hitters.

– San Francisco cuts DT Arik Armstead.

– DE A.J. Epenesa signs two-year deal worth up to $20 million.

– Eagles DT Fletcher Cox retires, DE Brandon Graham signs one-year deal for farewell tour.

– Seahawks re-sign DL Leonard Williams for three years, $64 million

– Jets add former Cardinals DT Leki Fotu

Panthers sign former Broncos LB Josey Jewell for three years, $22.75 million

Sicoli’s Wrap: Jewell had an up-and-down final season in Denver, but received good money. to start in a fantasy-friendly Carolina scheme that saw both Shaq Thompson and Frankie Luvu thrive. With Luvu suiting up in Washington Jewell has a lot of opportunity for a team that could see plenty of opposing rushes.

LB Blake Cashman signs three-year, $25.5 million deal with Vikings

Sicoli’s Wrap: Interesting! That contract says Minnesota expects Cashman take Jordan Hicks’ 2023 role. DC Brian Flores’ defenses have prioritized just one linebacker for fantasy, yet Ivan Pace Jr. is coming off a stellar rookie year as a UDFA. Will he be thrown to the side like Jack Sanborn was in Chicago? 

Minnesota also adds LB Andrew Van Ginkel from Miami

Sicoli’s Wrap: Van Ginkel has played inside and out, but should primarily operate on the edge with Minnesota’s depth at inside linebacker. Van Ginkel was terrific in Miami last season and should be a streaming asset at worst opposite newly signed Jonathan Greenard.