My LeaguesMoversStatsNewsScoresInjuriesCheat SheetMore »
Underrated/Overrated: An Early Look at 2013 IDP Rankings (fantasysharks.com)
10 Days Tamba Hali LB KC, Ryan Kerrigan LB WAS, Terrell Suggs LB BAL, Justin Tuck DL NYG, Stephen Tulloch LB DET Comment

"The rankings are here! The rankings are here!" In the grand tradition of Navin R. Johnson and his excitement over the newly published phone books, I am giddy with excitement that post-draft Individual Defensive Player (IDP) rankings are beginning to crop up.

If that reference is throwing you, I can only assume you have yet to see the cinematic classic, "The Jerk." If that's the case, you must immediately go rent, borrow or Netflix it and enjoy. Seriously, go now ... I'll wait. Done? OK, you're welcome.

One of the many joys fantasy football brings is the chance to discuss and dissect the latest rankings with our league mates, friends or even strangers on the streets (I'm not going to lie, that last one has gotten me some sideways glances).

While standing around the virtual water cooler recently and having one such discussion with a peer in the IDP community (as well as a friend I daresay), it occurred to me that maybe some other folks out there may enjoy our thoughts and ideas on these initial ranks. If not enjoy then at least be enraged by and either way it gets the IDP fantasy juices flowing ... a win/win.

If you play IDP football and are not acquainted with Joe Buccalleto and FantasyleagueGM, you should be. He is what I would deem an IDP savant, and when he has something to say that's IDP related, my radar goes up. We recently bounced some underrated and overrated names that jumped out in some of the most recent IDP rankings off of each other.

In the same vein as one of those awesome "Law and Order" episodes that crossed over with "Homicide Life on the Street," here are those players.

We will start with Buccalleto's thoughts:

Underrated

Justin Tuck, DE, N.Y. Giants: Formerly a premier fantasy defensive lineman, Tuck has suffered through consecutive subpar seasons. However, I'm not ready to dismiss him. Injuries have caused his play to lag, but he's only 30 years old. I'd rather add him to my team and hope for a rebound. If Tuck is washed up, useful linemen are easy to find on the waiver wire.

Patrick Willis, ILB, San Francisco: Willis was injured in 2011, and suffered through a "down" year in 2012. The presence of NaVorro Bowman in San Francisco and sexier, younger linebackers around the league have caused Willis' value to drop. In reality, his worst games were Week 13 (four solo tackles) and Week 1 (four solo tackles, two assists). That's his floor! Just like the NFL draft, you don't hit home runs in Round 1. You want safe, productive...

Clay Matthews LB GB
1 Month Green Bay Packers Comment

Updating a previous item, the only guaranteed portion of Clay Matthews' five-year, $66 million extension is his $20.5 million signing bonus.

The Packers didn't guarantee any of Matthews' salary. Matthews obviously isn't going to be released in the first two years because the cap hit would be astronomical, but GM Ted Thompson could begin reassessing whether Matthews is worth retaining as soon as 2015. The contract ultimately makes Matthews the NFL's third-highest defender in terms of average annual worth -- behind only Mario Williams and Julius Peppers -- but the guaranteed money is far, far lower.

Clay Matthews LB GB
1 Month Green Bay Packers Comment

Packers agreed to terms with LB Clay Matthews on a five-year contract extension.

Per FOX's Jay Glazer, it's worth a "bit north" of $13 million per season. The deal will likely include more than the $40 million guaranteed DeMarcus Ware brought home in 2009. Matthews, who has 43 sacks through his first 58 NFL games, was going into the final year of his rookie contract. The deal could include a fairly sizable 2013 cap hit, as the Pack have worked diligently to keep space open this season. Next on the docket for Green Bay is Aaron Rodgers, who should sign the most lucrative contract in league history.

Clay Matthews LB GB
1 Month Green Bay Packers Comment

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport believes the Packers and Clay Matthews are "real close" to an extension.

Matthews and Aaron Rodgers both wanted new deals by the time Packers OTAs began on Monday, but it appears only Matthews is close. Predictably, the massive money involved has slowed down the Rodgers talks. Both players have a good shot at being extended before camp begins.

Clay Matthews LB GB
2 Months Green Bay Packers Comment

ESPN's Adam Schefter expects Clay Matthews' contract extension to pay him more than $13 million per season.

Schefter also considers a new deal of matter of when, not if. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported last week the sides were close to an agreement. The Packers could have both Matthews and Aaron Rodgers locked up long-term before the draft.

Clay Matthews LB GB
2 Months Green Bay Packers Comment

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that the Packers are close to finalizing an extension with Clay Matthews.

The Packers opened talks with Matthews at the Combine and are believed to have a deal in place. The expectation is that both Matthews and Aaron Rodgers will be signed to long-term extensions before the draft. Matthews is currently due $3.73 million this season after escalators increased his salary from $1.492 million.

Clay Matthews LB GB
3 Months Green Bay Packers Comment

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel expects the Packers and Clay Matthews to discuss a contract extension at the Combine.

Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Matthews is due $3.73 million after escalators increased his salary from $1.492 million. One of the league's premier defenders, Matthews could be angling to become the NFL's highest paid pass-rushing linebacker. The seven-year, $79 million contract Dallas' DeMarcus Ware signed in 2009 included $40 million guaranteed.

  Next »