If you're in a keeper league, you realize the value of identifying undervalued players as quickly as possible -- it's easier to acquire these hidden gems if you're the only one in your league with the inside track on their 2014 performance. Even if you're not in a keeper league, getting the biggest return on your draft picks usually involves snagging a good player late in the draft -- allowing you to use your earlier picks to select known producers. I took a few minutes to see if my supercomputer, Mighty Max, could be tweaked to unearth some of those hidden gems. As is usually the case, the results were eye opening and provided some excellent insight. I decided to use the following criteria for my search parameters: A three-year view of the stats (for stability) Players whose performance had improved each year (for quality) Fantasy scores which exceeded the positional average in 2013 (for significance) Mighty Max was able to highlight several players likely to continue their upward trends. A few may be familiar, others not; according to Max, all of them will likely improve their performances in 2014. As with all statistical analysis applied to human actions, it is not enough to just look at the numbers. You need to have an understanding of the situation of each player. Here's the resulting set of players Max believes will continue to post improved fantasy numbers in 2014: Defensive Linemen These findings from Mighty Max validate three guys that I have been touting since the beginning of last season: Muhammad Wilkerson, Robert Quinn and Lamarr Houston. I also like Marcell Dareus as a sleeper defensive lineman pick this season. Linebackers Obviously, the name here that gets disqualified is Erin Henderson, due to his currently being a free agent. An interesting name on this list is Paul Posluszny, who despite being an established Individual Defensive Player (IDP) league machine, is still getting better. DeMeco Ryans is an interesting case ... while he's a tackling machine, his role in the Philadelphia defense is changing this season (expect Mychal Kendricks to take on a bigger role). Will he be able to continue posting superior numbers? Defensive Backs With defensive backs, my first rule of thumb is to ignore the guys whose production was mainly tied to interceptions. Why? Because you can't count on them grabbing interceptions year in, year out. My second rule of thumb is to prefer safeties to corners (with rare exception). ...

As we get deeper into the 2011 NFL season injuries mount, defensive lineups are shaken up, and trends and situations develop that often either leave IDP owners struggling to fix holes in their rosters or that present solid opportunities to strengthen fantasy squads. With that in mind here are some players that should be available on many IDP waiver wires that are worth targeting as we near the end of the season's first month. PICKUP OF THE WEEK Jacquian Williams -- LB, New York Giants: The G-Men are desperate for someone to stepup from their linebacker corps and solidify the MLB spot, and last week rookie Jacquian Williams answered the call, recording 10 solos in New York's win over the Dallas Cowboys. That strong performance should merit more playing time, and with 17 stops over the past two games Williams is absolutely worth a look from IDP teams looking to bolster their linebackers. Calais Campbell -- DE, Arizona Cardinals: Fantasy-relevant 3-4 defensive ends are more exception than rule, but Calais Campbell of the Arizona Cardinals showed again in Week 3 that he's one of those exceptions, racking up 10 total tackles and 2.5 sacks in a loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The fourth year pro is available in a surprising number of IDP leagues even though he's finished in the top 25 at his position the past two seasons, and if Campbell's on the wire in your league snatch him up with all due haste. Ahtyba Rubin -- DT, Cleveland Browns: Rubin was a surprise top 20 finisher among fantasy defensive linemen in 2010 after posting 82 tackles in the 3-4, but his move to DT in Cleveland's new 4-3 front figured to hurt his IDP value. That wasn't case last week, as Rubin tallied 9 tackles and 1.5 sacks, and while he's not going to do that every week Rubin's once again back on the fantasy radar, especially in DT-required leagues. Jo-Lonn Dunbar -- LB, New Orleans Saints: With Jonathan Vilma sidelined with a knee injury last week against the Houston Texans the fifth year pro stepped in at MLB and played well, recording 10 total stops in the Saints victory. Dunbar isn't a worldbeating talent, but with Vilma's status for this week very much in question Dunbar merits fantasy consideration from IDP owners hurting at LB. Jason Williams -- LB, Carolina Panthers: Speaking of hurting at linebacker, season-ending injuries to Jon Beason and Thomas Davis have meant increased playing time for fifth year pro Jason Williams, and Williams responded in Week 3, making seven tackles in the...