The IDP+ Weekly Newsletter:
March 20th, 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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IN THIS ISSUE!

Breaking down EVERY IDP signing by position in 50 words or less!

Bobby Wagner takes over LB duties in Washington

Legendary DT Aaron Donald retires after 10 seasons

Under-the-radar IDP winners after the first wave of free agency!

And much, much more!

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Sicoli’s Weekly Wrap: IDP quick hits

Not everything needs 200 words dedicated to it.
In 50 words or less, here’s a weekly wrap-up!

With ALL the wild free-agency news, we want to make sure you didn’t miss a thing! Here’s your weekly IDP fill, broken up by position.

Defensive Lineman!

Chargers restructure contract to keep edge rusher Khalil Mack

Sicoli’s Wrap: The Mack attack is back! At the cost of losing Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, Mack survived the cap cuts in Los Angeles with a restructure. Fantasy managers should be skeptical of Mack for 2024, given his career highs and sporadic nature at times. Regression is coming.

Rams DT Aaron Donald retires after 10 NFL seasons

Sicoli’s Wrap: It’s the ending of an epic movie we never wanted to end. Donald, a sure-fire first-ballot Hall of Famer, retires with 111 sacks as the Rams’ all-time sack leader as a DT. With eight All-Pro seasons and three DPOY honors, we were lucky to have him on our screens.

DE Chase Young signs fully guaranteed one-year, $13 million deal with Saints

Sicoli’s Wrap: Young disappointed in an ideal situation in San Francisco after being traded in the middle of 2023. He gets a prove-it deal in New Orleans, who needed another edge rusher to mix in with Cameron Jordan and Carl Granderson. Young has been more bark than bite in recent years.

Former 49er DL Arik Armstead signs three-year deal worth up to $51 million with Jacksonville

Sicoli’s Wrap: Armstead played well in 2023, though it didn’t translate to fantasy success. The former first-round pick had five sacks and just 27 tackles. His tackles should see some positive regression in Jacksonville compared to San Francisco. It’s worth remembering that he did have 67 tackles and six sacks in 2021.

Rams tender DE Michael Hoecht

Sicoli’s Wrap: Hoecht will rejoin Kobie Turner and Bryon Young as the Rams enter an era without Aaron Donald. Hoecht had a career-high 6.5 sacks in 2024. At just 26 years old perhaps Hoecht can build on his success in another contract year.

Other DL news…

Sicoli’s Wrap: DT Sheldon Rankins signed with the Bengals. DT DJ Reader signed with the Lions. DT Jordan Elliott receives an extension with San Francisco. Edge LJ Collier rejoins the Cardinals.

Pokemon meets the NFL!

Every so often, it’s important to be silly!

Ashlie (@EMT_Ashlie) found Pokemon comparisons for our beloved NFL players.

In what is one of the most creative articles ever to grace our website, this one is a must-read for all Pokemon and football enthusiasts!

Click here to read more!

Hit Up Our Mailbag!

That’s right! We want to hear from YOU! Email us your fantasy football questions, on offense, IDP or simply league setups, to Mailbag@idpguys.org!

We will answer those questions on a LIVE show on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. EST! Be sure to submit those questions and tune in!

Linebackers!

LB Eric Kendricks turns down San Francisco for Dallas, Leighton Vander-Esch retires

Sicoli’s Wrap: Kendricks pivoted to Dallas. It’s not a terrible move as LB Leighton Vander-Esch retired days after due to his numerous neck injuries. Kendricks hasn’t been stellar over the last two seasons, but he’s proven to still be a viable starter with upside for good usage for fantasy.

Titans tender LB Jack Gibbens, returns as likely LB2 in TEN

Sicoli’s Wrap: IDP managers enjoyed grabbing Gibbens off the waiver wire last season as the thunder to Azeez Al-Shaair’s lightning. His size and athleticism helps him in run defense, though his pass coverage could use improvement. Nevertheless, Gibbens should play a similar role in 2024, only next to newly signed Kenneth Murray.

Eagles sign former Bucs LB Devin White to one-year deal worth up to $7.5 million

Sicoli’s Wrap: It’s not the huge contract White sought. White’s IDP status has slipped over the last two years, not unlike how it has slipped in the NFL as well. Philadelphia is an excellent home for a bounce-back season given its prominent 3-4 scheme. He’ll be a boom-bust fantasy option in 2024.

Commanders add LB Bobby Wagner shortly after signing Frankie Luvu

Sicoli’s Wrap: Dan Quinn is putting heavy emphasis on his inside linebackers after doing the opposite for years in Dallas. Perhaps that’s due to Jaylon Smith, Leighton Vander-Esch and DeMarvion Overshown suffering serious injuries. Either way, Wagner will see a healthy workload in Washington and should remain a LB1 on usage alone.

49ers add former Packers LB De’Vondre Campbell on one-year deal

Sicoli’s Wrap: Not a bad consolation prize after Eric Kendricks chose Dallas instead. Campbell has been a bright spot in Green Bay, but struggled to stay on the field over the last two seasons. If Campbell is healthy he should have fantasy value while Dre Greenlaw rehabs his Achilles.

Seahawks add former Dolphins LB Jerome Baker, Bills LB Tyrel Dodson

Sicoli’s Wrap: Baker swaps spots with Jordyn Brooks. Baker never lived up to his potential in Miami but joins a very favorable Ravens-esque LB scheme in Seattle. Dodson was pretty good in run defense, but a noticeable liability in pass coverage. Both could post solid tackle totals with this great landing spot.

Broncos add LB Cody Barton on one-year deal

Sicoli’s Wrap: Oh boy. Barton and Alex Singleton on the same team may mean 200+ tackles for each! Jokes aside, Barton puts a thorn in the side of hopeful Drew Sanders fans as the former Commander could take over the Josey Jewell role. He should have LB3/4 value in Denver.

Chargers reunite with former Texans LB Denzel Perryman

Sicoli’s Wrap: Perryman enters the streaming conversation in a razor-thin Chargers linebacker room headlined by 2023 rookie Daiyan Henley, who barely played. Perryman has struggled to stay on the field, whether due to injury or suspension, but he should see significant usage despite his age. He’s a high-end LB3 with limited upside.

In other news…

Sicoli’s Wrap: Panthers restructure LB Shaq Thompson. Rams bring back LB Christian Rozebloom. Edge Jadeveon Clowney to visit the Jets. Browns sign LB Devin Bush. Chargers restructure edge Joey Bosa. Bills add LB Nicholas Morrow.

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Defensive Backs!

Father Time gives S Harrison Smith one more year with Vikings

Sicoli’s Wrap: It’s remarkable how Smith has remained at a starting caliber as he enters his age-35 season. He isn’t the playmaker he once was, but he fits in well with DC Brian Flores. Josh Mettelus and Camryn Bynum remain superior fantasy options in Minnesota, however, making Smith a streamable DB3.

Seattle signs 30-year-old S Rayshawn Jenkins

Sicoli’s Wrap: GM John Schneider said the team will likely run more two-high safety sets, which makes sense considering the Ravens background that new head coach Mike MacDonald represents. Julian Love and Jenkins could take a noticeable fantasy hit in this scheme, which expects to feature Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson more.

Bills make CB Taron Johnson the highest-paid nickel in NFL

Sicoli’s Wrap: Johnson gets a three-year extension worth up to $31 million after back-to-back seasons with 90+ tackles. While the takeaways haven’t been there, that stability has been welcome in IDP leagues with a CB position. That’s where he remains the most valuable, with the option to flex in DB leagues.

Bucs bring back former Jets S Jordan Whitehead

Sicoli’s Wrap: Whitehead reunites with his roots in Tampa Bay after a strong final season with the Jets. This creates a dynamic duo between Antoine Winfield and Whitehead, which should be pretty disruptive. Whitehead will play deep in the secondary, which limits his fantasy upside unless he starts ripping off interceptions again.

Bengals release S Nick Scott, bring back Vonn Bell in re-hauled safety room

Sicoli’s Wrap: Cincinnati overhauled its safety room, signing Geno Stone while bringing back Vonn Bell from Carolina. Dax Hill will likely move to nickel, possibly full-time, as Stone, Bell and Jordan Battle man a three-headed secondary. Hill and Battle are likely still the names to want, but this could get messy.

Rams sign S Kamren Curl to two-year deal

Sicoli’s Wrap: It’s modest money for Curl’s talent. He had a career-high 115 tackles in Washington and could help inside the box for a thin Rams linebacker room. This is a solid landing spot that shouldn’t be overlooked. With Jordan Fuller joining Carolina, Curl has a lot of opportunities.

In other news:

Sicoli’s Wrap: Steelers add S Deshon Elliott. Panthers sign S Jordan Fuller.

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Video of the Week –
Top 50 Offense and IDP+ Rookie Rankings!

The draft season is upon us, and some leagues are already starting rookie drafts! We got you covered with our Top 50 for both offense and IDP as Nathan Cheatham (@natecheat), Johnny Christof (@JohnnyFreakInF1) and Steve Tomasin (@dynastysanta).

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Five Sleeper IDP Winners

1. Darrick Forrest, S, Commanders

Forrest has had some terrific fantasy success mixed in with a myriad of duds. Washington did let Kamren Curl walk in free agency which could open up more box opportunities for the versatile Forrest. Time will tell, but he should return as the starter with his best opportunity yet in a fantasy-friendly Dan Quinn scheme.

2. Trenton Simpson, LB, Ravens

Roquan Smith needs a new running mate with Patrick Queen suiting up for a division rival in Pittsburgh. Luckily the Ravens planned for this situation by drafting Clemson product Simpson in 2023. He didn’t play much, but he has the athleticism and range to be a dominant fantasy asset in an ideal 3-4 scheme.

3. Ji’Ayir Brown, S, 49ers

The 49ers have yet to bring in any new safeties to compete with Brown, who enjoyed more ups than downs after seeing starting time as a rookie. Brown appears set to be a full-time starter opposite Talanoa Hufanga, which should shape up for some good fantasy production.

4. Kyzir White, LB, Cardinals

White was brilliant for fantasy and solid for head coach Jonathan Gannon, who brought the former Eagle with him from Philadelphia. His tackle numbers were exceptional, and the Cardinals have yet to bring in any serious competition for snaps. The only thing standing in the way of a repeat LB1/LB2 year is 2023 fifth-round pick Owen Pappoe or a rookie linebacker — good odds for White.

5. Dorance Armstrong, DE, Commanders

This is a bit more on the nose given Armstrong’s contract, but the former Cowboy found himself as more of a rotational piece in years past. Now he reunites with his defensive coordinator in Dallas, Dan Quinn, now a head coach in Washington. Armstrong has 16 sacks over the last two seasons despite playing just one game with 60% of snaps or more. He should get his best opportunity yet in Washington.

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