IDPs & Brandon Jackson On The Rise…

June 24, 2008 at 11:03 am | Article by Paul Hickey |

Our stock market report has typically forecasted the increase or decrease in player values from a fantasy perspective. While it will continue to do that, we’re also adding a new spin on it this season.

From now on, we’re really going to focus on the “value” of a player. This is quite a different concept than the projected performance scale that traditional fantasy owners are so used to measuring players by. The adding value analysis is extremely important these days, due to the fact that more and more fantasy owners are playing in long-term league formats, such as dynasties and deep keepers, that have a heavy emphasis on trading and picking players who will potentially break out years from now. With that said, let’s take a look at this week’s stock market report.

Rising - A.J. Hawk, Packers WLB - A top five pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, Hawk hasn’t yet reached his true IDP potential. He’s been useful in each of his two NFL seasons, but hasn’t really come into his own as a difference-maker. The talent is not only there, but it’s ready to burst out of him in 2008. Hawk has the work ethic, heart and determination to be a top tier NFL linebacker for years to come, and he plays on a defense is strong enough to allow him to focus on this strengths. This will be the last year that you can get Hawk “on the cheap” - so take a look at adding him to your roster.

Rising - Brandon Meriweather, Patriots DB - We’ve talked a little bit about how various trends on offense affect what defenses do and vice versa. Meriweather, entering his second season, is a breakout DB waiting to happen. He played safety in college, but the Patriots wisely taught him how to play corner in 2007. He’ll enter 2008 as the leading candidate to start at free safety, but he’ll be a mix of a nickel corner and a safety. He’ll cover various opposing “play-makers” and should be in position to make many plays (and tackles) himself in 2008. Keep Meriweather on your IDP radar.

Falling - Chad Pennington, Jets QB - We’re hearing from several sources that Chad Pennington is all but done as an NFL signal caller. One beat writer told us the other day that he’s been barely getting balls to receivers on 20-yard outs in practice. Look for Kellen Clemens to win the job there this season, and for Pennington to potentially fall out of the league at some point.

Rising - Brandon Jackson, Packers RB - Here’s our value example. Jackson has drawn rave reviews at Packers practices recently, and has had a phenomenal overall off-season, adding 15 pounds of muscle. He’s had all of the first team reps due to the contract situation of starter Ryan Grant. While this may not mean that he’ll end up playing a huge role in 2008, it puts him on the radar screen for dynasty owners to either keep in their back pocket in case of injury down the road, or a potential free agency situation that lands him a starting NFL gig. Either way, the reports on Jackson have made his value rise this off-season, so owners may want to consider dealing him to the team that owns Grant, or making the decision to stash him long term and see what develops. For the record, we’re not saying that Grant is in jeopardy of losing any carries to Jackson in 2008, as long as he stays healthy.

Rising - Drew Carter, Raiders WR - When the 6′3″, 200 speedster signing with Oakland, we were intrigued. He has been behind Steve Smith in Carolina for his entire career, and hasn’t really had the chance to shine. In Oakland though, he has an opportunity to win some serious playing time, and apparently he’s looked phenomenal in off-season practices. He’s athletic, and definitely capable of big things if he wins a starting gig. His primary competition are both dealing with injury issues, as Javon Walker has a knee problem and concussion issues, and Ronald Curry is recovering from a broken foot. Keep an eye on Carter. He doesn’t have great dynasty value yet, but he could be a decent early week waiver wire pick up in all formats.

Falling - Jevon Kearse, Titans DE - The soon-to-be 32 year old “freak” was arrested for driving under the influence last week, and has unfortunately disgraced the city of Nashville, which was excited to get him back - for some reason. The zero tolerance among Titans players is pretty clear among Tennesseans these days, and the man once affectionately known as “the freak” may not even make it through training camp at this rate. Keep an eye on rookie Jason Jones, a huge rookie DE from Eastern Michigan. If that guy ends up next to Albert Haynesworth and opposite Kyle Vanden Bosch, he’ll have IDP sleeper stud written all over him.