Fantasy Football’s Top 10 IDP Sleepers for 2012
Bee Salamat, Rosterwatch.com Lead IDP Analyst

1. DJ SMITH, LB – GREEN BAY PACKERS

DJ Smith was battling with AJ Hawk in camp to secure the MLB spot for the defense, and I had DJ winning the job.

Now that Desmond Bishop is out for the season, plug in DJ Smith and you now have a solid LB2. Smith already had a higher tackle efficiency than AJ Hawk and quickly put up better numbers during his 4 game stint in 2011. In those 4 games he racked up 33 tackles that could accumulate for nearly 120 total tackles for the season.

Smith has rapidly flown up peoples ranks, he has already been my top IDP sleeper candidate before Bishop’s injury, you’ll be getting solid value with him as you’ll be drafting him as your LB2 or LB3 and getting borderline LB1 numbers. Draft with confidence on your draft day or be first in line picking him up on waivers.

2. ALTERRAUN VERNER, CB – TENNESSEE TITANS

With Finnegan out of the picture now, Verner has yet another chance to put his name back on the IDP map. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and see the production Verner put up when he started, 101 total tackles (85 solo) 11PD’s 3int 1FF 2FR.

Those are DB1 type numbers, but it’d tough to imagine he’ll repeat those numbers in 2012 when he starts alongside Jason McCourty. You’d be able to grab Verner late in drafts, and he’ll be a very productive DB2, with upside to DB1, for you squad this season.

If your league requires you to get a CB, Verner is one to grab as he’s top 10. He’ll probably reach those tackle numbers again, but I expect an increase in Pass Deflections and will create a couple more turnovers.

3. RICHARD SHERMAN, CB – SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Seems nobody knows who this guy is, but I’m here to tell you he’s another reason why you don’t have to draft a CB or DB early, he’s another late round flier that’ll provide you DB2 numbers.

Sherman was a rookie last year and took over the last 10 games when Trufant went down with injury. In those 10 games, Sherman put up staggering numbers, led rookies with 21 pass deflections, 4 interceptions and 55 total tackles.

He has dangerous size standing 6’3″ it’ll make it tough for any QB to throw over Sherman. He’s surrounded by great talent in Seattle’s secondary, who is on the verge of becoming one of the best in the league; draft Richard Sherman with high confidence.

4. ADRIAN CLAYBORN, DE – TAMPA BAY BUCS

Clayborn had an impressive rookie campaign in 2011 where he posted up 7.5 sacks. Clayborn is like the mid-round WR you can get for offense with high upside and potential and most importantly; value.

With an improving young Bucs defense, I don’t see how Clayborn can’t get at least 10 sacks in 2012. He has a non-stop motor that will keep pushing until he reaches the QB, he may not get you many tackles but as a DL you want those QB Sacks, especially if your league scores high for QB Sacks.

Keep an eye on Clayborn during draft day though, his wagon is almost full and you better hop on board before you miss out. The NFL is oozing with young talent at the DE position, Clayborn is one of them and he will be a very solid DL2 for your squad in ’12.

5. JIMMY SMITH, CB – BALTIMORE RAVENS

Smith missed some of 2011 due to injury and played in sub packages the rest of the season. Smith’s ready to take leaps and bounds in 2012, and again another sophomore sensation is on the rise, he’s been getting nothing but praises during off-season workouts and for the moment he’s penciled in as the starter across LaDarius Webb, but I have him inked down as the starter. Smith’s 6’2″ frame, ball hawking skills and speed will cause havoc for opposing QB’s as they’ll try to pass Smith’s way.

Smith will rack up a bunch of tackles and get a handful of INT’s because he’ll get picked on by opposing QB’s. Smith is a future star in the making and already a solid playmaker and is poised to have a huge sophomore campaign and make a name for him amongst the cornerbacks. You’d be able to draft him quite late too because he’s not on most radars nor draft sheets. I like him a lot this year as a DB3 with top DB2 potential. The Jimmy Smith era just begun, I suppose you get on board before the train leaves.

6. JUSTIN HOUSTON, LB – KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Houston played tremendously well towards the end of the 2011 season after receiving a late-season promotion. In the last 5 games, Houston put up 5.5 sacks; add that thru an entire season he would’ve easily had 17 sacks.

Entering 2012 he’s expected to start opposite of Hali and with Johnson in the middle you can’t double team anybody, so Houston will get his. He’s quick off the snap and has a knack on getting in the backfield; at Georgia he posted 18.5 tackles for losses in his final collegiate season. Houston will have a great year on a rising Kansas City defense.

Houston is barely on anybody’s radar now, but I’m buying in on him and you should be able to grab him towards the end of your draft as your flier, solid LB3 with LB2 potential.

7. ROBERT QUINN, DE – ST. LOUIS RAMS

This sophomore sensation is about to take off because he’ll finally get to start in 2012. He’s been working on his weakness (which was against the run) and got coaches praises in the off-season. Robert Quinn is a gifted pass rusher and it’s time for him to make his presence felt.

As a rookie, Quinn put up 5 sacks in spot duty and his 6’4 frame and freakish athletic ability will allow him to get multiple pass deflections too. He’s quick off the line and with his explosiveness I expect him to get at least 10 sacks in 2012 with countless of QB hurries/pressure.

You’d be able to grab in towards the later rounds as a DL2 with DL1 upside. I compare Quinn to another Tarheel, Julius Peppers, and as Peppers is starting to decline Quinn is on the rise of stardom and will vault into the top 10.

8. MARTEZ WILSON, DE – NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Wilson played sparingly in his rookie season and with the off-season signing of Lofton, Hawthorne and Chamberlain the question arose about Wilson and where he’ll play. Spags wanted to move Wilson to DE, and thru OTA’s and all, he has shined at that position.

Wilson’s forte’ is getting to the QB as he led Illinois in 2012 in tackles (105) tackles for loss (10.5) and sacks (5). You should insert Wilson on your ranking sheet or keep him on close watch; he’s definitely worth a late round pick. Wilson has put a lot of pressure on himself as he declared he’d be a Hall of Famer one day, well time for him to get to work and show it.

I have no doubt in my mind that he’ll start at DE for the Saints in 2012 and we can see him scratch the surface on big things. Getting undrafted in every league, someone you can stash and wait till his moment arrives as I believe he has DL2 potential.

9. ROBERT JOHNSON, S – TENNESSEE TITANS

A 5th round draft pick back in 2010, Robert Johnson may have finally got his chance in a starting gig for the Titans.

He played sparingly in his first 2 seasons, mainly on practice squad to help him study the defense. Robert has great range and ball-hawking skills at the safety spot. In his 3 seasons at Utah, he’s tied for most career interceptions at 13. Johnson has taken every opportunity and ran with it so far in the offseason, as Jordan Babineaux is nursing a shoulder injury, Robert got reps with the first team and did not look back.

Babineaux posted 93 total tackles last year at the same position, so Johnson could match that, but I expect Johnson’s impact to come at being a playmaker. While Griffin would be the one racking up the tackles, Johnson would be the one deflecting passes and creating turnovers for the defense.

Keep him on your radar and worth a spot in deep leagues, or if you want to be out of the ordinary and give your league mates a “wtf” look, then go ahead and draft this guy towards the end of your draft and reply, you’ll see.

10. ANDRE BRANCH, DE – JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

The 38th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft is ready to put a stamp on the NFL. Branch is set to play minimal snaps in 2012 until he improves his play against the run. He only has Lane to beat out on the depth chart and start alongside savvy vet Mincey.

In his senior season at Clemson, Branch recorded 77 tackles and had 10.5 sacks. Branch will have one tough challenge for him to rise above on, and that’s rushing the passer from the three-point stance rather than his strength two-point stance.

Temper expectations this year but Branch is a great dynasty stasher as the sky is the limit for this kid who played on the same Clemson front as Bowers and Jenkins. If you have the roster space to hold onto an IDP, then Branch should definitely be on your radar.