1) Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jameis Winston (QB) Florida St. Important Free Agency Moves: Signed: - Bruce Carter (LB) - Major Wright (SS) - Henry Melton (DL) - Chris Conte (FS) Departures: - Michael Johnson (DE) - Anthony Collins (OL) - Mason Foster (LB) The Buccaneers were quiet on Day 1 of free agency, unlike 2014, and methodically went after people that fit their defensive scheme. They have the pieces on offense with Mike Evans, Vincent Jackson, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, and a young running back corps. They desperately need to fix the offensive line, which will be a priority as free agency continues and in the early rounds of the draft. The Buccaneers need a “Face of the Franchise” and find it with their No. 1 overall pick. We all know that his off-the-field issues could make it tough for him make it in the NFL. On the field, he is the best prospect at QB for the 2015 draft. He has the strength, accuracy, and confidence in his throwing to be a solid pocket passer at the next level. He has the ability to “lead his receivers open” and create an easier catch situation for his target. On tape and the combine, he looked great. He has the physical attributes of a franchise-type quarterback. Rumor has it that he nailed the combine interviews and has a high football IQ. Lovie Smith has been to a Super Bowl with Rex Grossman, who is an average quarterback at best. Lovie makes this pick, lets Koetter (who coached Matt Ryan) mold him into a capable starter, and works...

Well, we managed to make it through a week without any big-name IDP linebackers getting hurt. Of course, that may have been because all the big-name linebackers are already hurt. No, in Week 4 it was the defensive back position that was hit hard by injuries. Atlanta safety William Moore suffered a shoulder injury that appears to be a multi-week (if not season-ending) malady, and muscle-bound strong safety LaRon Landry of the Indianapolis Colts got himself a four-game vacation from football courtesy of a PED suspension. I know, you're stunned. Me too! With that in mind, this week's IDP pickup of the Week hails from the secondary, but before we get to this week's recommendations a quick note. By the time players take the field again, we'll be into the month of October, and that means we've reached a crossroads with some of fantasy football's under-performers on the defensive side of the ball. Mind you, this isn't to say that you should cut bait on San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Patrick Willis just to do it. In many leagues, given the state of the waiver wire at the position, there's not much to do but hold and hope the 29-year-old's statistical production improves. However, in shallower formats it's a different story. The fact is, through four weeks Willis is a so-so 26th among linebackers in Fantasy Sharks Default IDP Scoring, and his production has fallen in four straight games. Once is a fluke. Twice is a coincidence. Three times is a trend. Four times -- Well, four times is a problem. Now, on to the Week 5 IDP Waiver Wire targets. IDP PICKUP OF THE WEEK Tyrann Mathieu -- S, Arizona Cardinals Mathieu, who is still working his way back from an ACL tear suffered last year, made the most of his limited playing time in Week 3, notching six solos despite only playing 15 snaps. This week, with the Arizona Cardinals returning from their bye and traveling for a huge matchup with the Denver Broncos, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' website reports (via SB Nation) that Mathieu's snap count is expected to double. Mind you, even with a favorable matchup against the Broncos' potent passing game on tap, starting a player who is only expected to play about 30 snaps isn't for the faint of heart. However, Mathieu is a player who just always seem to be around the football. After posting IDP DB1 numbers in 2013 while healthy, forward-thinking IDP owners will be looking to snag "The Honey Badger" now, even if they don't wind up starting him for a ...

It took the St. Louis Rams a while to get with the program, but as of June 3 every team in the National Football League has begun organized team activities (OTAs). They had to change the name. Back when they were called "minicamps," the offensive linemen kept demanding s'mores. It's the real reason the World Football League went belly up back during the marshmallow embargo of 1975. It's a chance for veterans and rookie alike to get to know one another, and a chance for new coaching staffs to see their entire squads on the practice field for the first time, even if it's just in shorts and shells. It's also a chance for teams to tinker with different starting lineups and personnel groupings. Mind you, this isn't to say these groupings will stick into the season or even into training camp. But, as Jene Bramel of Football Guys pointed out when we spoke during the Kellogg's Komments podcast recently, there aren't as many of these workouts under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement as there once was. As Dr. Bramel put it, "the coaches are trying things they want to see work." That means, that while there may not necessarily be any "earth-shattering" developments to come from OTAs, they still offer astute IDP owners the chance to identify some potential value plays, players for whom a change of circumstance could mean a significant increase in fantasy production. Mind you, this isn't to say that you should immediately acquire these players, regardless of how many of your leaguemates you have to beat up for that to happen. That would be foolish (and more than a little insane). However, these players are at the very least worth keeping an eye on as fantasy draft season gets going and we approach training camp. If they continue to impress and their situation continues to improve, acquiring these players before they break out could pay big dividends on a modest draft-day (or even waiver wire) investment. Wallace Gilberry/Margus Hunt, DE, Cincinnati We'll list these players as a pair, since how each performs in OTAs and training camp could have a major impact on the IDP fortunes of the other. It will fall to Gilberry and Hunt to "replace" the departed Michael Johnson at defensive end for the Bengals. Gilberry actually played quite a bit in 2013, logging 7½ sacks for the Bengals (more than twice as many as Johnson) in 520 snaps. Hunt, on the other hand, played sparingly as a rookie, as the immensely talented but incredibly raw second-round pick from ...

All I know is I'm glad it's not my money that's being spent. There has been crazy money thrown at the free agent defenders at the beginning of the new NFL year. Guys like Karlos Dansby, Michael Johnson, Donte Whitner and DeMarcus Ware got paaaaaid. Follow along with this blog for updated thoughts on the IDP impact of the latest free agent signing. UPDATED AS OF MARCH 12, 2014 Michael Johnson , DE (Signs With Tampa Bay) Johnson had a few suitors and ended up inking a 5-year deal with the Bucs. Johnson goes from an aggressive defensive line to another aggressive line in Tampa where he'll play alongside Adrian Clayborn and Gerald McCoy. He'll have a chance to use his height and length to make life miserable for opposing QBs in the NFC South. From an IDP standpoint, I think his value carries over from Cincinnati to Tampa. He has a similar teammate to Carlos Dunlap in Adrian Clayborn. Gerald McCoy is as close to Geno Atkins as you can get and that will draw attention away from Johnson. Johnson went from 11.5 sacks in 2012 to 3.5 in 2013, but was still a disruption, getting to the QB in nearly 10% of his rush snaps. Johnson also finished with 56 tackles and looks to be a strong DL2 with DL1 upside heading into 2014. Karlos Dansby , ILB (Signs With Cleveland) Depending on your IDP scoring, Dansby finished as a top-5 LB in most of those formats thanks to his 112 solo tackles, 6 sacks and an amazing 19 defended passes. As the Browns jettisoned the 42nd ranked LB (according to Pro Football Focus) in D'Qwell Jackson, they landed the 5th ranked (according to PFF) in Dansby. Will Dansby hit 100 solos in Cleveland? It's doubtful, but certainly not out of the realm of possibility. T.J. Ward (we'll get to him later) left for the Mile High City and Craig Robertson is destined for a special teams role, leaving him as the only playmaking LB as of now. D'Qwell hit the 100 solo mark in 2011, but couldn't even hit the 80 mark the next three seasons. Dansby is still an LB1, as competition for tackles is low. There is also a domino effect with Dansby heading to Cleveland. Daryl Washington is locked in as a top overall IDP pick and Kevin Minter should be on your IDP radar. T.J. Ward, SS (Signs With Denver) With the signing of Donte Whitner by Cleveland, the writing was clearly on the wall that Ward was walking. Denver gets a solid in-the-box safety at a relatively low price (4-years/$23 million with $14 million guaranteed). Ward is an immediate upgrade, ...

Well, the dust has cleared from Super Bowl XLVIII (sort of, anyway. If you're quiet and listen really hard, you can still hear Peyton Manning soulfully crying "Omaha?"), which means it's time to turn our focus towards the new year. For some, that means turning toward the 2014 NFL draft, but, between this month's scouting combine and the big weekend in May, something else happens that could send shockwaves rattling across the Individual Defensive Player (IDP) landscape. We're talking of course about free agency, the annual free-for-all where veteran players search for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The 2014 crop features a number of prominent defensive players, including one of the most productive defensive ends of the past decade. Beginning with that mulleted mauler, let's take a look at this year's free agent crop on the defensive front, where those players might be headed, and what a change of scenery means for their IDP value in 2014 and beyond. Jared Allen, DE, Minnesota After six seasons and an eye-popping 85½ sacks, it appears Jared Allen and the Minnesota Vikings are set to part ways. At least, that's what ESPN's Ben Goessling reported recently, writing "a new destination seems likely unless he's willing to come back on a significantly reduced deal. It's likely the Vikings are looking at the end of an era with Allen." This, in turn, has led to Allen being linked to any number of 4-3 teams, from the Denver Broncos (who need pass rush help) to the Cincinnati Bengals (who have tons of cap space). However, there's a reason why the Vikings are letting Allen walk. In calling Allen the most overrated free agent of 2014, ESPN's Louis Riddick said, "I would approach signing a player like this with extreme caution, as "the wall" could be approaching faster than the stats say it is." Riddick has a point. In each of the past two years, Allen's solo and sack numbers have come down, and it appears that age may be starting to get the best of the 32-year-old. Allen, who finished as the ninth-ranked defensive lineman in Fantasy Sharks Default IDP Scoring last year, probably has at least one more similar season left in the tank, but dynasty owners should consider selling if a decent offer comes along. Michael Johnson, DE, Cincinnati If Jared Allen is the grizzled veteran of this year's free agent crop on the defensive line, then Michael Johnson is the young up-and-comer, a player who was going to parlay his franchise tag in 2013 into a ...

The NFL regular season may have ended (and the fantasy football season along with it), but that doesn't mean it's time for fantasy football enthusiasts to pack it in for the year. As 2014 begins, many will be taking part in fantasy football playoff leagues, taking one last shot at fantasy glory before they start getting ready for 2014. Most of those leagues are "survivor"-type affairs. The entire pool of players are available, but you can only use each player once. That means that as important as it is to find players who will put up a solid score, it's equally crucial that you take into account how you expect the postseason to play out. Otherwise, by the time the conference championships and Super Bowl roll around there won't be any players to choose from. So, with that in mind and with an admittedly shallow group available along the defensive line, here's a look at the top-10 players at each of the "main" Individual Defensive Player (IDP) positions for the Wild Card Round in Fantasy Sharks Default IDP Scoring . DEFENSIVE LINEMEN 1.) Cameron Jordan -- New Orleans at Philadelphia 2.) Carlos Dunlap -- Cincinnati vs. San Diego 3.) Dontari Poe -- Kansas City at Indianapolis 4.) Akiem Hicks -- New Orleans at Philadelphia 5.) Michael Johnson -- Cincinnati vs. San Diego 6.) Justin Smith -- San Francisco at Green Bay 7.) Corey Liuget -- San Diego at Cincinnati 8.) Cedric Thornton -- Philadelphia vs. New Orleans 9.) Mike Neal -- Green Bay vs. San Francisco 10.) Fletcher Cox -- Philadelphia vs. New Orleans LINEBACKERS 1.) Derrick Johnson -- Kansas City at Indianapolis 2.) Vontaze Burfict -- Cincinnati vs. San Diego 3.) Navorro Bowman -- San Francisco at Green Bay 4.) Donald Butler -- San Diego at Cincinnati 5.) Mychal Kendricks -- Philadelphia vs. New Orleans 6.) Jerrell Freeman -- Indianapolis vs. Kansas City 7.) Curtis Lofton -- New Orleans at Philadelphia 8.) DeMeco Ryans -- Philadelphia vs. New Orleans 9.) Patrick Willis -- San Francisco at Green Bay 10.) A.J. Hawk -- Green Bay vs. San Francisco DEFENSIVE BACKS 1.) Morgan Burnett -- Green Bay vs. San Francisco 2.) Eric Weddle -- San Diego at Cincinnati 3.) Eric Berry -- Kansas City at Indianapolis 4.) Antoine Bethea -- Indianapolis vs. Kansas City 5.) Roman Harper -- New Orleans at Philadelphia 6.) LaRon Landry -- Indianapolis vs. Kansas City 7.) Nate Allen -- Philadelphia vs. New Orleans 8.) Reggie Nelson -- Cincinnati vs. San Diego 9.) Eric Reid -- San Francisco at Green ...

It's been one hell of a wacky year in 2013. If there's been a predominant storyline this year in Individual Defensive Player (IDP) leagues, it's been to expect the unexpected. The top end defensive linemen, much like running backs, have been something of a dumpster fire. Youngsters like Cincinnati's Vontaze Burfict and surprise vets like Detroit's DeAndre Levy have stolen the thunder among the linebackers, and good luck figuring the defensive backs out. OK, the defensive backs are like that every year. Every week during the 2013 season has been fraught with peril and uncertainty, but, if you've made it this far, you're only a couple of wins away from the sweet taste of IDP glory. In the playoffs, against good teams, every point is critical. One goose egg can mean the end of the season. One false step can mean certain, agonizing death. Or something. Each week during the 2013 season, I'll point out some individual defensive players who could be set to exceed expectations this week (studs) and some that for whatever reason are riskier plays than usual (duds). This isn't necessarily to say that every "stud" is a must-start (it depends on your other options) or that every "dud" should be glued to your bench (just that the odds of a letdown week are greater than usual). Now let's win some playoff games! STUDS Jason Babin, DE, Jacksonville (vs. Buffalo): There's some risk in trusting the 33-year-old Babin in a fantasy playoff game. However, Babin does have a sack in back-to-back games for the surging (no really, they are) Jaguars, who face a Buffalo Bills team this week giving up the most fantasy points to defensive linemen in Fantasy Sharks Default IDP Scoring . Jason Hatcher, DT, Dallas (vs. Green Bay): Hatcher leads the Cowboys with nine sacks, but with only three solos over the past two games some IDP owners may be antsy about starting the eighth-year-veteran this week. Don't be, not against a Green Bay offensive line allowing the second-most fantasy points to defensive linemen in 2013. Michael Johnson, DE, Cincinnati (at Pittsburgh): Johnson's contract year hasn't exactly gone according to plan, as the fifth-year pro has only three sacks in 12 games. However, Johnson's tackle numbers have been solid this season, and the Pittsburgh offensive line isn't exactly stout. Jerrell Freeman, ILB, Indianapolis (vs. Houston): Although Freeman is still a top-20 fantasy linebacker for the season, the former Canadian Football League star has been in ...

At this late juncture in the season, there are three types of Individual Defensive Player (IDP) owners. First, there are the teams that are still alive, looking to get better so that they can make one last push that will hopefully culminate in a fantasy championship. Then there are the teams who are eliminated and couldn't care less. They have sworn off fantasy football forever (or at least until next summer, when they'll get sucked right back in again). Finally, there are dynasty owners who are out of the playoffs but still looking to add a player or two for next year. We've got a little something for both the first and third groups this week, as the Week 15 edition of the "IDP Waiver Wire" here at Fantasy Sharks features both short-term help and long-term "projects." PICKUP OF THE WEEK James Ihedigbo, SS, Baltimore The safety position hasn't quite shaken out like we'd expected in 2013 for the Baltimore Ravens. No one really thought career special-teamer Ihedigbo would keep the starting gig at strong safety all season long, much less play as well as he has. However, with double-digit tackles in each of his last two games and a very nice matchup on tap in Week 15 with the Detroit Lions, Ihedigbo is a solid pickup for IDP owners who have been playing musical defensive backs all season long. WEEK 15 WAIVER WIRE PICKUPS Margus Hunt, DE, Cincinnati As Hunt's one tackle for the season demonstrates, the rookie from Southern Methodist isn't going to be of much help to IDP owners in 2013. However, for dynasty IDP owners it's a different story. Odds are very good that defensive end Michael Johnson will be leaving the frugal Bengals in free agency next spring, which should portend a much bigger role for Hunt with the Bengals in 2014. If he's available in your deeper IDP dynasty, consider a pre-emptive stash that could help give you a leg up on getting back to the playoffs next year. Gerald McCoy, DT, Tampa Bay McCoy had been red-hot of late, but a Week 13 goose-egg may have gotten the fourth-year veteran the gate in many IDP leagues. However, McCoy's six tackles and a sack against the Buffalo Bills makes the third time in five games that McCoy has collected a sack and at least five stops. In defensive tackle-required IDP leagues, that's about as much consistency as you can hope for out of a waiver option, even if this week's matchup with the San Francisco 49ers isn't especially favorable. Arthur Brown, ILB, Baltimore Brown was widely considered the...

With Week 4 of the 2013 NFL season upon us, some trends are beginning to emerge. Some of those trends put a smile on the faces of IDP owners. Rookie linebacker Kiko Alonso of the Buffalo Bills is off to a torrid start in the NFL. Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston has terrorized opponents to the tune of 7.5 sacks in three games. However, some of those trends have not been so pleasant. For the second time in three games, Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins put up a goose-egg last week, leaving his fantasy owners wondering just what the hell has happened . Some folks were likely thinking that same thing about last week's recommendations. Sure, I was right on the money about Cincy defensive end Michael Johnson , Baltimore Ravens linebacker Daryl Smith and Oakland Raiders strong safety Charles Woodson, but.... Hey, wait a second! I actually did pretty damned well last week! Too bad I can't say the same about my fantasy teams. Back-patting aside, there's no time to bask in my own greatness (besides, I already did that for like 11 hours), as it's time for another week of IDP Studs and Duds. Every week during the 2013 season, I'll point out some Individual Defensive Players who could be set to exceed expectations this week (Studs) and some that for whatever reason are riskier plays than usual (Duds). That isn't necessarily to say that every "Stud" is a must-start (it depends on your other options) or that every "Dud" should be glued to your bench (just that the odds of a letdown week are greater than usual). Also, Week 4 brings with it the first of the byes. The Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers won't be taking the field this week, so get defensive end Charles Johnson and linebacker Brad Jones out of your lineups. STUDS Jason Babin -- DE, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. IND): Not a whole lot has gone right for the woeful Jaguars this season. However, Babin has taken well to his role as Jacksonville's "Leo" pass-rusher, and this week Babin draws a matchup with the Colts, who struggle at times in pass protection. Adrian Clayborn -- DE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. ARI): The Buccaneers may well be a team in disarray with rookie Mike "Slow Hand" Glennon taking over at quarterback. However, that isn't going to stop Clayborn from having a second straight big game against an Arizona Cardinals team allowing the most fantasy points to defensive linemen in 2013. Derrick Morgan -- DE, Tennessee Titans (vs. NYJ): Rookie quarterbacks ...

It's Week 3 of the 2013 NFL season, and if there's one mantra IDP owners need to follow in the last week before the bye weeks begin, it's this: Don't panic. Yes, an 0-2 start is far from ideal. However, in the vast majority of IDP leagues it also isn't the end of the world, so don't go blowing that roster up just yet. There's still plenty of time to right the ship. At least, I hope there is, because most of my IDP teams decided that getting the snot kicked out of them would be a fun way to start the year. It's also too early to start freaking out and dropping underperforming IDP studs. Every year there are several prominent individual defensive players who get off to a slow start. Most of them end up getting their acts together and returning to the level of productivity we expected (or at least close to it). This isn't to say that there isn't cause for concern with players like Dallas Cowboys' linebacker Sean Lee , whose fantasy production appears to have been negatively impacted by the new scheme in Dallas. The leash gets shorter the shallower the league, but panic drops will come back to bite you in the butt as often as not. Through two games last year, Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake had four tackles and no sacks. He ended the year with 15 sacks. Just saying. Now, onto this week's recommendations. Every week during the 2013 season, I'll point out some individual defensive players who could be set to exceed expectations this week (studs) and some that for whatever reason are riskier plays than usual (duds). That isn't necessarily to say that every "stud" is a must start (it depends on your other options) or that every "dud" should be glued to your bench (just that the odds of a letdown week are greater than usual). Let's get this show on the road! STUDS Michael Johnson, DE, Cincinnati (vs. Green Bay): The talented trio of Johnson, defensive tackle Geno Atkins and fellow end Carlos Dunlap have gotten off to a sluggish start in 2013. However, the stage would appear to be set for them to pick up the pace in Week 3, as no quarterback in the NFL was sacked more last year than Aaron Rodgers . Cameron Jordan, DE, New Orleans (vs. Arizona): The Arizona Cardinals allowed an eye-popping 58 sacks in 2012. The more things change, the more they stay the same it would appear, as through two games the Cardinals are allowing the most fantasy points per game to defensive linemen. That bodes very well for Jordan's IDP prospects this week. Brian...