IDP Nation: The Fluidity of IDP Positions
In standard, offense-only fantasy leagues, there are no questions about position assignments. In recent memory, the closest we have seen to position dilemmas were RB/WR hybrid Dexter McCluster and Jimmy Graham trying to disguise himself as a wide receiver to get paid more. In the IDP (Individual Defensive Player) world, we see this all the time. Given the insane athleticism of today’s NFL defenders, many players can play a variety of positions to match up with or confuse offenses. So position assignments in IDP are not as cut and dried as they are in baseball, for example. There is no lineup card in football made by the coach, and defensive positions can change every play depending on defensive reactions to offensive personnel. Dual eligibility also is not implemented regularly in fantasy football like some other sports, likely due to small sample size of 16 games in the NFL regular season.
The way IDP positions are determined and always have been is “base” defense alignment. Base is when a defense has four defensive backs and a combination of seven linemen and linebackers. Using base defenses provides a consistent method to designate players for fantasy purposes. In an NFL that continues to lean more pass happy every year, the nickel (five defensive backs) scheme has become quite popular and gives the illusion to many fans that 3-4 outside linebackers are actually 4-3 ends. If this were the case, it would create tidal waves in the IDP landscape because linemen are so much more rare and valuable than linebackers due to sack production and lack of supply. While many think using nickel formation for IDP designation would be ideal, it also would create even more questions. Quite a few defensive ends in base slide down and play tackle in nickel or dime. Some safeties play slot corner in sub-packages. What are the “correct” IDP positions for these players?
Using sub-package positions in IDP would create a very confusing and inconsistent method of determining IDP eligibility. Maybe one day we will create a more detailed and elaborate position designation system with snap counts and other factors, but as of today the best way is to look at base defense positions. Base positions are also written in pencil from year to year. Personnel and coaching turnover can change defensive schemes from 4-3 to 3-4 or vice versa, so IDP players need to stay on their toes. The NFL defensive scheme layout is fluid and adaptable.
As base alignment is so important for the IDP world, the offseason is peak time for scheme changes. Below are some of the most important IDP positional questions for the 2016 NFL season.
Oakland Raiders: Khalil Mack
There was no bigger story in the IDP world last offseason than the unknown position of Khalil Mack. The fantasy community was extremely torn on whether he was a defensive end or linebacker — and so was the NFL, as Mack was named a first-team All-Pro at BOTH spots. Questions remain a full year later. Contrary to the claims of some, Mack played linebacker in base formations last year and his assignment there was most accurate even if it decreased Mack’s IDP value. Where will Mack be assigned in 2016? The addition of Bruce Irvin gives some hope that Mack gaining DL eligibility is possible. Irvin excelled in Seattle playing 4-3 Strongside Linebacker (SAM) in a defense that current Oakland DC (and former Seattle LB coach) Ken Norton Jr. is very experienced with. Irvin’s pass coverage skills will let Mack rush the passer even more frequently, making improvement on Mack’s 2015 sack total (15) achievable. The Raiders’ inside linebacker duo of Malcolm Smith and Ben Heeney can succeed in any alignment, and Irvin and Norton have 4-3 roots, while HC Jack Del Rio and NT Dan Williams bring 3-4 backgrounds. The next few months will be vital to see if Mack will be a useful IDP at linebacker or a league-winning centerpiece at defensive end.
Prediction: 65% chance Mack gets a Linebacker designation
Arizona Cardinals: Tyrann Mathieu
The Cardinals’ secondary was a position of mass excess that has turned into one of concern. While the starters are still top notch by NFL standards, depth is extremely lacking. Arizona allowed nearly 2,000 snaps to walk in free agency (CB Jerraud Powers, S Rashad Johnson). Add that to the full-time transition of thumping hybrid defender Deone Bucannon to inside linebacker as well as Tyrann Mathieu’s late-season torn ACL and the depth issues are easy to see. For fantasy purposes, this brings up the question of what position Honey Badger will play when back to full health. He is one of, if not THE, most versatile player in the entire league. Looking at the current roster, my preliminary starter breakdown for this base defense is Patrick Peterson and Justin Bethel at cornerback with Mathieu and combination of Tony Jefferson/Tyvon Branch at safety. The signing of Branch was an important one that will allow Mathieu to once again thrive at slot corner in nickel packages. Behind Bethel, there is very little depth at corner besides a raw third-round pick Brandon Williams. If there were an injury to a starting cornerback, it is possible Mathieu would take over the spot. Honey Badger is most effective when defending the middle of the field, where he can make plays and wreak havoc on the offense. Putting Mathieu outside at corner isolates him from most of the field. Mathieu’s position designation is meaningless in many IDP leagues because the all-encompassing “DB” position is used, but in more specific CB/S leagues, Mathieu is likely shaping up with a safety designation.
Prediction: 95% chance Mathieu gets a S/DB designation
New England Patriots: Jabaal Sheard
New England lost two of its most productive defenders this offseason. Chandler Jones was shipped to the desert and Jerod Mayo hung up his cleats. The Patriots still have loads of front-seven talent, but the losses do open the possibility of a base defensive scheme change. New England has always run multiple fronts, but a few major offseason moves show that a shift to majority 3-4 alignment may be in the works. New England acquired two monstrous men in “Pot Roast” Terrance Knighton and rookie NT Vincent Valentine. Both are prototypical run-stuffing nose tackles, a necessary position for 3-4 implementation. Most of the Patriots’ edge rushers also have experience playing 3-4 outside linebacker. Why do we care? Jabaal Sheard. Sheard is going to be a hot name this offseason as a breakout candidate on the field and in the box score. This hype is not unwarranted, as Sheard is a fantastic player who’s now the lead dog for the Patriots’ pass rush. The lone obstacle in the way of a 2016 IDP breakout is the dreaded linebacker designation. Some have speculated that usual LE Rob Ninkovich could play 4-3 SAM linebacker, shifting incumbent LBs Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins over to fill the void left by Mayo. This makes sense on paper, except Ninkovich has lost a step and should no longer be a full-time player. Ninkovich splitting snaps with newly acquired Chris Long opposite of Sheard makes the most sense in that it would keep both veterans fresh and effective in New England’s deep defensive line rotation. Jonathan Freeny, who played well last year as an injury substitute for Collins, is another possibility as a replacement for Mayo. Good coaches try to get their best 11 players on the field and 2015 first-round pick Malcom Brown should be one of them for the Patriots, but he currently sits second team in a 4-3 alignment. One of Brown’s biggest selling points last season was scheme versatility. The Sheard breakout is coming — Now, we just have to sit patiently and wait to see what at what position it will occur.
Prediction: 60% chance Sheard gets a DE designation
The Rotoworld IDP Depth Charts will evolve all offseason while more information is gleaned through OTAs, minicamp, and preseason games. By staying proactive, you can gain an edge in your leagues by acting on likely upcoming changes. Just remember that all defensive schemes and therefore all IDP position designations are fluid, and “It’s all about that Base”.
