Who were last week's IDP hotshots, that helped your team to victory? Will those same IDP hotshots repeat success in Week 2?
In this series, I am going to look back at the previous week’s performances and recap the IDP hotshots. Who had the big week that helped fantasy managers win their matchups? Who were the players no one expected to have a big impact? From rookies to veterans, I will find the best performers of the past week and breakdown their performance. Let’s get started with a look back at Week 1.
DT, Grady Jarrett, Atlanta Falcons
One of the first IDP hotshots at the defensive line - defensive tackle Grady Jarrett of the Falcons. He has steadily improved in each of his five seasons in Atlanta and this past Sunday versus the Seahawks, he was a game wrecker - accumulating fantasy points for fantasy managers. Jarrett would score 23.8 fantasy points, on his two tackle, one and a half-sack performance. It’s hard finding an interior pass rusher, but Jarrett has been great in that department (13½) the past two seasons. In fact, he has increased his sack total every season (1,3,4,6, & 7.5). He’s off to a great start and is a must roster option, in position-specific leagues.
DT, Matt Ioannidis, Washington Football Team
Our next IDP hotshot is a player that many thought would take a step back from last year. The biggest reason for this thinking was the addition of 1st round draft pick Chase Young. Even with Washington’s loaded defensive line, I expected Ioannidis to be productive. I thought there could be some regression with so many mouths to feed, but even in rotation, Ioannidis still found a way to eat. On the 30 defensive snaps (44%) that he played, he produced four total tackles with 1.5 sacks. That’s good production even for full-time players. If you had any doubts about whether or not to keep him on your roster, I think you just got your answer. I know I did!
DE, Aldon Smith, Dallas Cowboys
Imagine being one of the best players at your position, not playing for five seasons, and then returning - seemingly looking as good as ever. That’s what we have here with Smith and this roller-coaster career of his. There is so much to be skeptical of Smith, but in his return to football, there was no skepticism about his game. Sunday night versus the Los Angeles Rams, he looked as if though he had never been away from football for five years. Smith played 54 defensive snaps (74%) and was tied with Jaylon Smith for the team lead in tackles - 11. He also added a sack and two quarterback hits. Now the big question is will this continue? Only time will tell.
LB, Patrick Queen, Baltimore Ravens
The first IDP hotshot linebacker just happens to be the first and only rookie to make this week’s review. It’s easy to get carried away with rookies and more often than not we get burned or expect more than we get from them. Queen however performed as advertised and was everything we expected week one versus the Cleveland Browns. He played 54 defensive snaps (74%) while leading the team in total tackles (eight), sacks (one), tackles for a loss (one), and forced fumbles (one). I won’t be surprised for this to be the norm for him with an occasional clunker or two mixed in along the way. It’s clear that Queen has LB1 football DNA.
FS, Marcus Maye, New York Jets
Among our IDP hotshots at the DB position - Marcus Maye. No one would have guessed that Marcus Maye would’ve been one of the hotshot safeties this past week. They traded away superstar Jamal Adams and everyone was left to wonder just who would pick up that production. Well after week one, it appears that Maye will be that guy. In a loss, Maye turned in one of the best performances of the week, as he would record 10 tackles (seven solos), two sacks, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble- resulting in an elite 40.3 fantasy points. Maye has always been a solid producer, but the addition of being a rushing the passer was a new tool added to his toolbox. It will be interesting to see if the Jets continue to use him in that role. If so, this would potentially push him into a tier-one safety.
CB, Janoris Jenkins, New Orleans Saints
Among the cornerback IDP hotshots, I present “Jack Rabbit” Janoris Jenkins. Jenkins is often recognized as a top cornerback and is off to a great start in 2020. Jenkins had a hell of a game Sunday evening versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their new QB, Tom Brady. In that contest, he recorded eight tackles (seven solos), one pass breakup, and a pick-six that broke the game open. That would be Jenkins's eighth career interception return for a touchdown. His totals on Sunday would net fantasy managers 36.3 fantasy points. Jenkins was one of five players last season to record five-plus interceptions and 15 or more pass breakups. He was a low-end tier-one cornerback last season, but doesn’t get that respect from fantasy managers.
CB, Brian Poole, New York Jets
One of the more underrated cornerbacks in fantasy football, but continues to be one of the reliable fantasy producers at the position. I admit he’s not one of the first names you think of when looking for a cornerback, but he should be. This week versus the Buffalo Bills, Poole registered nine tackles (eight solos) - including one for a loss - one sack, and one pass breakup. Those numbers scored fantasy managers 31.3 fantasy points based on our IDP Listener League 2 scoring. Surprisingly enough, he's readily available on waivers in nearly all IDP leagues. As an added bonus, he’s one of a handful of cornerbacks who will get you the occasional sack. Great buy a low option with a consistently good return.
