IDP Analysis: Free Agent Signings

07/26/2011 9:28 AM -  Mike Woellert

Well, it’s been a while since I’ve posted my musings around the hallowed halls of fantasyfootball.com, but with the lockout over, it brings out the cave dwellers. It’s good news, but with the end of the lockout, a flurry of moves are soon to follow as the news will come fast and furious. For IDP news and signings, I’ll be keeping up with the big name signings and how those new teams will affect the IDP landscape.

Ray Edwards, DE: Edwards has signed with Atlanta Falcons for five years.

Analysis: This is a good spot for Edwards, as he’ll be brought in alongside John Abraham to help the pass rush. The Falcons released Jamaal Anderson and are cutting ties with their former first round pick. This move has collateral damage, as this obliterates the IDP value of end, Kroy Biermann, so he can marked off of IDP cheat cheats and sleeper lists.

Paul Posluszny, LB: Paul Posluszny signed a multi-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Analysis: So much for the Jags wanting to bring back Kirk Morrison. If Poz does indeed come to Florida, he’ll find himself with about the same number of defensive snaps and should see plenty of tackle opportunities as MIKE in Jacksonville’s 4-3. This does not change our rankings as the #2 LB in IDP.

Quintin Mikell, S: The Rams have offered Quintin Mikell a four-year deal and he’s agreed in principle.

Analysis: Mikell should fit right in to Steve Spagnulo’s defense and will pick up his system pretty quickly after playing with him in Philly. He’ll enter the season at age 31, but he’s a thumper and will be counted on to contribute in run and pass coverage at the strong safety. His IDP value should remain the same and should be considered a top 15 option at DB.

Takeo Spikes, LB: Spikes has agreed to a deal with the San Diego Chargers.

Analysis: Spikes should step in as starter, even though he’ll be 34.  He’s coming off a 109 tackle campaign in 2010 and should play alongside either Jonas Mouton.  This certainly signals the end of the road for Stephen Cooper.

 

Charles Johnson, DE: Johnson signed a 6 year deal to remain with Carolina.

Analysis: The Panthers must have had some leftover stimulus money, as they opened the bank for Johnson (as well as they should have).  Johnson will remain with the team where he produced his career year and should be able to produce similar digits, with hopefully, a healthy and improving defense.  Johnson didn’t have much help and still notched double digit sack numbers.  I still look at him as  a DE1 in most IDP formats.

Eric Weddle, S: Eric Weddle re-signed with his existing team, the San Diego Chargers.

Analysis: This is the best possible situation for Weddle and his IDP value. He’s one of the best safeties in stoppin the run and is good in coverage. I think this will be a boon for his value and I look for him to be a top 10 DB.

Jason Babin, DE:Babin has agreed to a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Analysis: Babin reunited with Jim Washburn and should be utilized heavily in pass rushing situations. I look for him to be a top 15 DL in 2011, as there is risk of regression from 2010. Babin’s signing also helps Trent Cole’s IDP value, as he won’t be seeing constant double teams.

Jonathan Joseph, CB: Joseph agreed to terms with the Houston Texans.

Analysis: This doesn’t have too much of an effect in IDP, unless you are in a deeper league that uses CB positional spots. He’ll definitely help Houston’s porous pass defense and gives them a solid cover corner.

James Anderson, LB: James Anderson re-upped with the Panthers and they broke the bank to keep him.

Analysis: His return bodes well for this IDP prospects this season and Ron Rivera will deploy a very aggressive mentality. Don’t overpay for last season’s breakout under John Fox, but he should put up LB3 type numbers. This signing will, more than likely, take away all IDP value from Dan Connor. Thomas Davis is slated to return to the weak-side.

Danieal Manning, S: The Houston Texans have signed former Bears safety, Danieal Manning.

Analysis: Manning will significantly upgrade the pass defense as he’s a better cover safety than Bernard Pollard. Manning is also a good in the good in the box safety and can help on the run, as well. Bernard Pollard will probably not be back in Houston and this solidifies Major Wright and Chris Harris as the safeties in Chicago.

Stewart Bradley, LB: The Arizona Cardinals signed Stewart Bradley to a contract.

Analysis: Since his breakout season of 2008, Bradley has suffered back-to-back seasons with injuries. He missed all of the 2009 season and missed four games in 2010. If you look to 2008, he can make plays and tackles, but is transitioning from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defensive scheme and should eat into most of Paris Lenon’s playing time and defensive snaps, so there’s collateral damage with this signing. Bradley’s an upgrade over Lenon and is worthy of an IDP flier as a sleeper.

Kevin Burnett, LB: The Dolphins signed Burnett to a four-year contract.

Analysis: This is a good landing spot for Burnett, going from one 3-4 to another and will play under the tutelage of Mike Nolan, and will upgrade the pass defense with his coverage abilities. He’ll line up next to Karlos Dansby on the inside and should be a good bet for close to triple digit tackles. Good move for the Dolphins, as they are able to release Channing Crowder and upgrade the defense for, essentially, the same price. I still like Burnett to among the top 30 LBs in 2011.

Nnamdi Asomugha, CB: The Eagles landed prize free agent, Nnamdi Asomugha to a five-year deal.

Analysis: This is great coup for the Eagles and their pass defense gets a huge boost in the secondary with this stunner of a signing. The Eagles see the writing on the wall with the offensive shift in the NFL and have themselves a lockdown corner. In terms of IDP value, it doesn’t hurt or help his already low IDP value. He’s such a good corner, that offenses throw away from him and he doesn’t see many tackles or turnover opportunities. He’s worth looking in deep leagues that require you to start a cornerback.

Dawan Landry, S: The Jags signed Dawan Landry to a contract and should be the free safety.

Analysis: He’ll be brought in to qhelp repair the Jags secondary, but he’s more of an in the box safety defending against the run. Teams will continue to pass on Jacksonville, so Landry should be plenty busy in both stopping the run and defending the pass.

Roman Harper, S: Roman Harper re-upped with the Saints.

Analysis: This keeps Harper’s IDP value intact and he looks to be a solid DB1 option and among the top 10 off the board, among DBs, in drafts. Harper finished with one of his better seasons; 98 tackles, three sacks and forced six fumbles. He’s established himself as one of the elite IDP DBs.

Stephen Tulloch, LB: The Lions signed former Titan MLB, Stephen Tulloch to a contract.

Analysis: Still kind of a surprise signing, since the Lions signed Justin Durant and seemed to be happy with DeAndre Levy. This is a good landing spot for those that have already drafted Tulloch, since he’ll be installed immediately as Detroit’s starting MLB. Tulloch is reunited with Jim Schwartz and is very familiar with the system, so LB1 numbers should be expected in 2011. This sends DeAndre Levy’s IDP value plummeting worse than Barack Obama’s approval numbers (well, maybe not bad), as Levy will shift to the outside at the weak-side. Justin Durant will probably shift to SAM and have a two-down role to help with the run. Another reason to hold of drafts till the last possible moment.

Nick Barnett, LB: Nick Barnett signed a three-year deal with the Buffalo Bills.

Analysis: The Bills didn’t want to move with Andra Davis and Reggie Torbor as the ILBs. Barnett comes in as a slight injury risk, but with some experience as a 3-4 ILB and is an upgrade over the LBs that they have now. He’ll man Paul Posluszny’s spot on the inside, increasing his IDP value. He’s a solid tackler and is someone that has averaged well over 100 tackles in his career. As noted, he is an injury risk, only playing 29 games in the last three seasons but where he should be drafted in IDP, should return a solid reward if he plays a full slate of games.

Bernard Pollard, S: Pollard signed a contract with the Baltimore Ravens.

Analysis: I believe this bodes well for his fantasy value. He’ll take over the strong safety spot left open by Dawan Landry and will immediately help an already stout run defense. His weakness is pass coverage, but as long as he’s getting tackles, that’s really all that matters. I believe he should still be considered a top 5-7 option at the DB position in 2011.

Abram Elam, S: Elam signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys.

Analysis: He can be a considered a depth add in deeper leagues. He’ll immediately provide an upgrade at safety over Alan Ball and will continue to play under defensive coordinator, Rob Ryan, so he should see plenty of defensive snaps. At this point, it’s unclear as to whether he’ll play strong or free safety, since Gerald Sensenbaugh is also a strong safety.

Rocky McIntosh, LB: McIntosh re-upped with the Redskins.

Analysis: From an IDP standpoint, McIntosh enjoyed a fine season, but from a football perspective, he didn’t find many suitors calling. McIntosh will continue man the weak inside backer spot next to London Fletcher and should provide similar numbers as last season, making him an LB3 consideration in most tackle heavy IDP formats.

Donte Whitner, S: Whitner signed a three-year deal with the San Francisco 49′ers.

Analysis: This assures that Taylor Mays will have to compete for the free safety and, once again, hurts his value in IDP leagues. I like the move for Whitner from an IDP standpoint as he lands in a 3-4 defense as a strong safety, which is where he excelled in Buffalo. Whitner is an in the box safety and should see plenty of tackle opportunities and I have projected him as the #4 DB in most tackle heavy IDP leagues. Dashon Goldson continues to be without a team and his IDP value is dropping daily.