We are heading into Week 7, which is halfway through the fantasy football regular season. At this point, you know exactly what your team needs and which positions are the weakest. Whether you are a contender or a pretender I have something for everyone. Each week I bring you the IDP stock market, where I help you navigate through which stocks to invest in and which ones to liquidate. Let's get right into it with three investments and three liquidations that can help you keep your IDP portfolios providing big returns.
Investments
KJ Britt, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
For my first IDP stock market investment of the week is LB KJ Britt for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There was a reason the Buccaneers moved on from Devin White and I firmly believe that they liked what they saw in KJ Britt and he comes at a much cheaper cost for them financially. The fourth-year linebacker is having his best season by far, starting all six games and playing 74% of the defensive snaps. Britt is averaging 5½ tackles per game this season and has eclipsed that number in three of the past four contests. He’s a stock that’s trending up and this could be your last chance to invest in him at a reasonable rate. It’s that time of the season when injuries begin to mount and the bye weeks are heavy. Britt is an investment that is providing a solid return and one I suggest adding to your IDP portfolios.
Karl Brooks, DT, Green Bay Packers
For my next IDP stock market investment, DT Karl Brooks of the Green Bay Packers is an investment with an eye towards the future but he’s showing flashes now of what his stock can be. The second-year defensive tackle from Bowling Green is showing the organization that he’s the next man up behind the great Kenny Clark. While Brooks has played in all six games, he’s only received 171 defensive snaps (44%) but that’s roughly 28.5 per game which isn’t all that bad for a backup. Brooks showed flashes last season as a rookie and it earned him a 10% increase in snaps this year. Like I said at the beginning this is a play to the future, especially in position-specific leagues. It’s his ability to collapse the pocket and rush the passer that makes him valuable. Two things that are hard to find at the position.
Neville Hewitt, LB, Houston Texans
For my final IDP stock market investment for Week 7, I’ll give you a name that you are familiar with, linebacker Neville Hewitt of the Houston Texans. Last week versus the New England Patriots when starter Henry To’o To’o left the game, it was Hewitt who replaced him. Hewitt more than held up his part of the deal with nine total tackles with six being solo stops. This shouldn’t come as no surprise as Hewitt finished the 2020 season ranked in the top ten in both total tackles (134/8th) and solo tackles (91/4th). If you’re looking for a short-term fix at linebacker, then you need to rush right now to your waiver wire and submit your claim. A great buy-low option that can provide a high return. Who knows how long To’o To’o will be out, so this just makes sense.
Liquidations
Arden Key, DE, Tennessee Titans
For my first IDP stock market liquidation of the week, let's take a look at DE Arden Key of the Tennessee Titans. In Key’s first season with the Titans, he had his best season (30 tackles/six sacks) but it’s been a quick fall this season. The Titans had hoped he’d be the answer opposite of star Harold Landry but six games into the season, he’s been non-existent. Key has played and started five games but has just a total of nine tackles, one TFL, one PBU, and one FR to show for the defensive snap share (225/74%/45 per) that he’s received this year. Compare that to the production he produced on a lesser defensive snap share (728/63%/42.8 per) and his fantasy return just isn’t paying off this year. I never liked Key as a starter and this season is proof why.
Mike Edwards, SAF, Buffalo Bills
My next IDP stock market liquidation is safety Mike Edwards of the Buffalo Bills. Edwards was a nice fantasy play from week to week in his first four years with Tampa Bay and one with Kansas City. An elite option, absolutely not but his floor was dependable. Now we fast forward to this year with the Bills who let both starters Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde leave in free agency and Edwards has barely even sniffed the field. He’s played a grand total of 20 snaps (7 defensive/13 special teams) this season, as Buffalo has elected to go other directions. For a player who played 814 defensive snaps as recently as two seasons ago, it’s been a BD Cooper disappearance for Edwards. I don’t see things changing anytime soon in Buffalo, so unless he is traded there is no use in keeping any shares of Edwards.
Daron Payne, DT, Washington Commanders
My final IDP stock market liquidation is Daron Payne of the Washington Commanders. Two seasons ago Payne parlayed his Pro Bowl campaign (64 tackles/18 TFLs/11½ sacks) into a huge payday, staying with the Commanders (along with Jonathan Allen) to keep one of the league’s best defensive line units intact. Two seasons later, Payne is struggling to produce the stats we fantasy managers bought into. Through six games, Payne is playing 14% fewer snaps than a year ago and has just eight total tackles, six solo stops, two QB hits, and ½ a sack. Was the payday the root of the breakout season? I want to think that isn’t so, but he’s had just 4½ sacks in 23 games since. I have seen this story before…….Albert Haynesworth!
All stats provided by Pro Football Reference
Thanks for reading my article. I am a member of the FSWA (Fantasy Sports Writers of America). Follow me on Twitter at @HollywoodTitan, on Facebook on my IDPNation page, on Reddit in the fantasy football IDP sub — I’m user KingTitan1 — and tune in each week and listen to IDP Nation and Devy IDP Grind, the podcasts that I co-host, on several different platforms. Feel free to email or dm me with any questions that you have, as I’m always glad to help fellow IDPers. #IDPNation #IDP #IDPDevy
