Every fantasy player wants to find some hidden gems to help win the leagues. I will list three players that may not be staters in your teams, but they can be important in some scenarios, and you can take advantage of their rotational roles.
Three Serviceable IDP players with ADP 999
Quan Martin, SAF/Nickel, Washington Commanders
Martin was drafted by Washington’s old brass and played 12 games last season. He recorded 40 tackles, one sack, and two interceptions, playing most of the time as a nickel back. However, during his college career, he showed flexibility, which the new HC appreciated. According to reports, Martin improved his game and has shown great flashes during their camps. Now, he is listed as the starting FS, Jeremy Chinn as the SS, and the rookie Mike Sainristil as the nickel, but I see a lot of packages possible with hybrid defenders. This makes Martin an interesting player to have on your roster since Dan Quinn usually likes to have a lot of defensive backs on the field, doing all kinds of stuff.
Jalen Harris shows how to properly set an edge and Quan Martin makes the TFL. pic.twitter.com/VZiLRPPvqv
— Mark Tyler(Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) August 11, 2024
Zack Baun, LB, Philadelphia Eagles
Baun is a player going into his fifth year in the league. He was never a protagonist in New Orleans, playing primarily as an inside linebacker. However, according to recent Vic Fangio interviews, Baun will have a significant increase in playing time, more so than he has ever seen in the NFL. Fangio mentioned that Zack is changing his position a little bit; he will be moved to off-ball linebacker, meaning that he will do more of an “Andrew Van Ginkel role,” a player who grew a lot with the defensive coordinator in Miami. With that in mind, we must check the other LBs in the room. Devin White is locked as a starter. Nakobe Dean is who is against Baun to be the starter, and the reports are saying that he is playing well, making the competition harder. These three linebackers will frequently be on the field, making Baun an exciting piece for your IDP Leagues, where sacks have a greater value.
It’s preseason but this is just an impressive start.
Zack Baun immediately sees the O-Line step up and run block and before they can worry about the 2nd level he has went past them.
It’s not hard to see why he’s immediately stepped into a starting role. https://t.co/l0E5VxDDBN pic.twitter.com/EyTlWUIlfP
— Aidan Doc 🧸 (@AidanDoc__) August 19, 2024
Daniel Hardy, EDGE, Chicago Bears
Hardy is the dark horse in this list. Drafted in 2022, Hardy rarely saw the field with the Rams, and he was waived at the beginning of the 2023 season; he then was signed to the practice squad of the Bears. Hardy has had an impressive preseason so far; in three games, he’s had three and a half sacks, five QB hits, and ten tackles. Before these preseason games, nobody gave Daniel a look, but now that has changed, as he may have done enough to secure a rotational role on the Bears defensive line. First, Eric Washington, the Bears defensive coordinator, said recently that Hardy did precisely what the team wants for the position, making him a safe name to make the final 53-man roster. Also, when looking at the Bears’ defense, the weakest part is the opposite side of Montez Sweat. First, everyone thinks it was a battle between the rookie Austin Booker and the veteran DeMarcus Walker; however, after the preseason performance, Daniel Hardy can dream of the role.
Daniel Hardy is likely to go undrafted, in your IDP leagues, since many thought he wouldn’t even make the roster at the start of camp. But I will be checking his stats after Week 1 to see if he is worth a waiver wire add in leagues I haven’t already stashed him.
https://x.com/chicagobears/status/1824888905180610763?s=46&t=R2jXXM3UPRuQj8uTg9dQHg
.@Dhardy44 forces the fumble & @Randolph_22 comes up with it!
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/4W1w5uzvSU
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 17, 2024
Looking for more? Here are some bonus players:
Tony Adams, Safety, New York Jets
Alex Wright, EDGE, Cleveland Browns
Isaiah McDuffie, LB, Green Bay Packers
Nick Cross, Safety, Indianapolis Colts
Bryan Cook, Safety, Kansas City Chiefs
Michael Hoecht, Edge, Los Angeles Rams
Thank you for reading! Follow me on Twitter at @PBDecker.
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