IDP Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em for Week 15 - Streamers, Fades, Matchups for Defensive Players

In our IDP rankings article this week, we reminisced about old rotisserie fantasy football leagues. We discussed how fair and balanced those extinct leagues are, truly rewarding the best teams over a given season. You might wonder what brings that up. Perhaps it is the bitter pill that some of us feel when we lead […]

IDP Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em for Week 14 - Streamers, Fades, Matchups for Defensive Players

As we witness the "Super Bowl Hangover" claim another victim in the San Francisco 49ers, an interesting myth is circulating in the media. This myth centers on the idea that San Francisco is not to blame for this problem, that fantasy managers could not have planned for it, and that San Fran's misfortune is a […]

IDP Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em for Week 13 - Streamers, Fades, Matchups for Defensive Players

Thanksgiving is the most self-explanatory holiday in existence. Its very purpose is in the title. You are giving thanks, hence Thanksgiving. However, there is a small side effect that comes with the smorgasbord of Thursday football gifted to us on our nation’s day of gorging. This side effect has a sneaky impact on the NFL […]

IDP Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em for Week 12 - Streamers, Fades, Matchups for Defensive Players

Week 12 is one of the more significant bye weeks of the season, with Week 14 its primary rival in terms of volume and fantasy playoff impact. What arguably makes Week 14 worse than this week's bye is that some fantasy leagues still start their playoffs in Week 14, rendering key players unavailable when you […]

IDP Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em for Week 11 - Streamers, Fades, Matchups for Defensive Players

Peer pressure is a severe problem for many fantasy football managers and analysts. No matter how many times I tell myself and others to trust your gut, it's next to impossible not to be swayed by the opinions of people you trust or those who evaluate players full-time. As I've documented, it happened to me […]

IDP Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em for Week 10 - Streamers, Fades, Matchups for Defensive Players

How should injuries impact IDP rankings? It’s an interesting issue and a harder question to answer for defensive players than it is for offensive ones. You see, the media is far more interested in reporting on high-profile positions like pass-catchers, quarterbacks, and running backs. As a result, it’s far easier to find practice reports and […]

IDP Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em for Week 9 - Streamers, Fades, Matchups for Defensive Players

Week 9 is yet another unique bye-week scenario for fantasy managers. Specifically, it creates a tough spot for IDP managers who roster some of the top talent at the DL and LB positions. Despite the NFL only resting two teams this week, we lose significant defensive assets from two of the league’s best squads. On […]

IDP Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em for Week 8 - Streamers, Fades, Matchups for Defensive Players

Week 8 marks an odd time in the NFL schedule. It is a period after several teams have had their bye weeks, yet it’s a time before many others do. Despite that, Week 8 is the eye of the storm. It’s a rare moment where no NFL team is on bye … for some reason. […]

IDP Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em for Week 7 - Streamers, Fades, Matchups for Defensive Players

As we state at the beginning of each weekly IDP Rankings article, those rankings are based upon a common scoring format we dub “IDP Standard Scoring.” It's a system geared towards balancing each defensive position equally. LBs and box safeties can profit from tackles, while big play machines can make up the difference with turnovers […]

IDP Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em for Week 6 - Streamers, Fades, Matchups for Defensive Players

In our IDP Rankings column this week, we considered one factor that can cloud the reading of fantasy rankings. Namely, we addressed how rankings can rob some fans of the nuisances they may need in specific leagues or situations. For example, if you're a team in need of a solid floor, sometimes going with a […]

IDP Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em for Week 5 - Streamers, Fades, Matchups for Defensive Players

  "It was so close!" A phrase well-known to sports fans and the fantasy community. It means the inches between a run becoming touchdown or a fumble. It’s the penalty that undoes a game-breaking throw or tackle. It is the 0.01 points that separate your fantasy team from victory or defeat. Sometimes, the close misses […]

IDP Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em for Week 4 - Streamers, Fades, Matchups for Defensive Players

Sometimes, an elite matchup doesn't work out in fantasy. Worse, sometimes all signs can point to a great player having a great game, yet it doesn't happen. This is something experienced fantasy managers are used to. They know that you don't bench superstars after one or two bad games, don't just start whoever had a […]

IDP Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em for Week 3 - Streamers, Fades, Matchups for Defensive Players

For fantasy writers, sometimes the most obvious matchups are also the most frustrating. When you are writing a fantasy streamers article, our job is to point out strong or weak matchups that could sway a player’s stat line. The idea is that you can help readers find a readily available defender with a great matchup… […]

IDP Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em for Week 2 - Streamers, Fades, Matchups for Defensive Players

Take a deep breath. This is a mantra most fantasy managers have to repeat to themselves at some point or another. Perhaps there is no better time to use it than after Week 1. This is especially true for players whose film and metrics are great, yet their usage or statistics are disappointing. One such […]

IDP Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em for Week 1 - Streamers, Fades, Matchups for Defensive Players

As was noted in my Week 1 IDP Rankings, predicting streamers and fades early in the NFL season can be folly. So much of streaming and fading players is rooted in matchups, but the quality of opposing units can vary greatly from season to season. This variety has a trickle-down effect, impacting defensive opponents in […]

Re-Drafting The 2015 NFL Draft: Entire First Round Do-Over

We're just a few days away from the 2024 NFL Draft and this year's draft is looking like it'll be one of the most stacked draft classes on paper. The same was being said about the 2015 NFL Draft as well, and many analysts claimed the rivalry between Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota would be […]

Re-Drafting The 2017 NFL Draft: Entire First Round Do-Over

With just over a week until the start of the NFL Draft, the buzz has become palpable. It's a time when football fans look to the future, pining over incoming rookies and crossing their fingers in hopes that their team will select its next cornerstone piece. While first-round picks are prized possessions, let us not […]

Re-Drafting The 2018 NFL Draft: Entire First Round Do-Over

The 2024 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching - the Combine is complete, pro days are finished, and front offices are putting final touches on their draft boards. Round 1 selections will alter the course of franchises - some for the better, and some not so much. Meanwhile, the 2018 NFL Draft class is gearing up […]

Reviewing The 2023 Free Agent Class After One Season - Last Year's Best Free Agent Signings

As we wait for free agency to officially begin on March 13, now is the perfect time to look back at last year’s free agents. Quarterbacks like Derek Carr and Jimmy Garoppolo headlined that 2023 class. Neither one really excelled in a new place last year. The Saints gave Carr a four-year, $150 million contract, […]

Re-Drafting The 2021 NFL Draft: Entire First Round Do-Over

Some rookies take time to adjust to the speed of the NFL game. Season one can be a bumpy ride. Season two (hopefully) shows further development. By season three, it's clear which players are cut out for the league. That statement is proven correct in the 2021 NFL Draft. Quarterbacks headlined the draft with Trevor […]

Re-Drafting The 2022 NFL Draft: Entire First Round Do-Over

Incoming NFL rookies may need some time to get acclimated to the speed and nuances of football's highest level. After two years, however, it's easier to tell which players will or won't pan out. With two seasons of professional game tape, many general managers would change their NFL Draft selections if given a do-over. Some […]

Re-Drafting The 2023 NFL Draft: Entire First Round Do-Over

Knowledge is power. We hear that mantra repeated quite often, but it rings true across every aspect of society. General managers and team personnel across the NFL would be thrilled with one year of professional tape on players before they make their draft day selections. Of course, it doesn't work that way in the real […]

Week 18 IDP Start Em, Sit Em - Streamers and Fades for Fantasy Football Defensive Players

My IDP rankings came out just yesterday, and we already have a growing list of teams announcing they will rest players before the playoffs. The 49ers, Ravens, and Browns are all resting their quarterbacks and other key offensive stars, as we expected. However, the Rams and Chiefs have joined the fray by announcing their passers […]

Week 17 IDP Start Em, Sit Em - Streamers and Fades for Fantasy Football Defensive Players

The top asset any sports analyst can have is patience. You’re paid for thorough analysis, so don’t overreact to one good or bad game. You must be cold, calculated, and remind people that even Barry Sanders had off days. Every week, I get dozens of questions, texts, and DMs about the latest breakout player or […]

Week 16 IDP Start Em, Sit Em - Streamers and Fades for Fantasy Football Defensive Players

At the risk of beating a dead horse, I'd like to address NFL disasters that were easy to see coming. While this topic deserves a full-blown article, I have just two paragraphs to fit this in. Because of that limit, I will try to be brief in my arguments. I will also write a more […]

Week 15 IDP Start Em, Sit Em - Streamers and Fades for Fantasy Football Defensive Players

The end of the fantasy regular season brings with it many things. Some are good, like feelings of accomplishment or disappointment, or a merry Christmas joy that overcomes your bitter sense of failure… if you're that kind of sickeningly optimistic person. However, one negative issue that always comes around this time of year is the […]

Week 14 IDP Start Em, Sit Em - Streamers and Fades for Fantasy Football Defensive Players

For the select people who read the introduction to my articles, I will begin by apologizing. A severe case of COVID has limited my loquaciousness this week, meaning the one guy who prints off my articles and posts them in his work locker with hearts drawn around them will be disappointed. To you, Carl, I […]

Week 13 IDP Start Em, Sit Em - Streamers and Fades for Fantasy Football Defensive Players

Perspective means a lot in sports, as in many areas of life. An example of this would be Shaquille Leonard. We mention him here frequently because he remains a legend in many IDP circles. Even this year he's been a pretty productive tackler, despite limited snaps and conflicts with his team/coaching staff. So, obviously a […]

Week 12 IDP Start Em, Sit Em - Streamers and Fades for Fantasy Football Defensive Players

IDP managers have been hit with an onslaught of defender headlines as we hit mid-week of the Thanksgiving season. As of Tuesday, multiple impact fantasy defenders have been lost this week for various reasons. These aren’t minor losses, either. They are significant losses with long-term ramifications. Some of them we saw coming, and some we […]

Week 11 IDP Start Em, Sit Em - Streamers and Fades for Fantasy Football Defensive Players

Injuries in the NFL can be a tricky thing. On a purely human level, they are always bad. We don't like seeing any person get hurt. It can change their lives in innumerable ways, usually negatively. So, as human beings, we don't like to see injuries happen. However, there are occasions where injuries lead to […]