Fantasy Impact: Jonathan Vilma

July 31, 2008 at 8:00 am | Article by Paul Hickey |

Fantasy Impact: Jonathan Vilma Winning an IDP Fantasy Football league can be much easier that it sounds - if you develop a solid strategy. Don’t worry, this one won’t hurt your brain - it’s simple - let other owners waste early picks on high-priced individual defensive players, while you hoard invaluable offensive studs, and let IDP sleepers fall to you in the late rounds. Step one - identifying the best IDP sleepers.

Recently, we mentioned one of our top LB sleepers in 2008 - Paul Posluszny - and now “IDP week” continues here at No-Offseason.com, with another LB who is sure to provide value to owners that select him towards the end of their seasonal drafts in 2008. Hell, he may even actually be available in some dynasty leagues due to the horrible numbers he put up over the past two seasons.

Saints LB Jonathan Vilma is back, baby - and in a big way. Following his breakout 173 tackle season with the New York Jets in 2005, Vilma’s career changed drastically. Herm Edwards - who had featured Vilma as the middle linebacker in his traditional 4-3 defense, bolted for the Kansas City Chiefs heading coaching gig, leaving the door wide open for Eric Mangini to waddle over from New England and implement his 3-4 scheme.

Not only was Vilma not a physical fit for an inside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, but he was not a mental fit either. This totally messed with his head and confidence, and eventually led to his being replaced by 2007 rookie phenom David Harris. While Harris is one of the top IDPs in all of fantasy football this year, Vilma has now been traded to the New Orleans Saints, making him destined to become one of fantasy football’s top sleeper IDPs in 2008. Why?

First of all, he returns to the 4-3 alignment that he excels in, and will man the position full time - which should instill all of his lost confidence. On top of that, he’s playing behind a much improved defensive line, who - under the direction of new DL coach Ed Orgeron - should give opposing blockers a ton to worry about, leaving open lanes for Vilma to excelerate to the ball-carrier and make tackles all day long. Rookie DT Sedrick Ellis, and DE Will Smith will lead the charge up front, allowing Vilma to make tons of plays all over the field.

Look to snag Vilma under the radar in your drafts this season, and you’ll be very happy you waited on an LB.

To see where Vilma and other IDPs rank now - check out our USP forums now!

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