Paul Kruger and Dannell Ellerbe were the big names that got
the biggest money. LaRon Landry is the big dude with as high an IDP ceiling as
any defensive back in the league. If you play in an IDP league, you no doubt
paid attention to those free-agency situations.
But the savvy fantasy owner knows to always keep an eye open
for sleepers. With that in mind, here are 5 free-agent moves that you might
have ignored -- along with a few fantasy football
draft tips.
S Patrick Chung to the Eagles
Two years ago, Chung left the board among the top 10
defensive backs in IDP drafts. Then he missed half the season with multiple
injuries. Still, last summer found Chung among the position's top 20 at draft
time. He continued to be selected regularly as a starter. But Chung struggled
with health yet again, losing time to shoulder and hamstring issues. He also
lost hold of a starting spot, giving way to new teammates Tavon Wilson and
Steve Gregory. Fortunately for us IDP owners, the Pats let him walk and the
Eagles snapped him up. They didn't just do so with a 1-year "prove it"
deal. The Birds will give him $10 million over 3 years, including $4.5 million
guaranteed over the first 2 seasons. That says Philly views Chung as a starter.
Head coach Chip Kelly knows the guy from their shared time at Oregon. Kelly
served as Ducks offensive coordinator for Chung's final 2 years there. The
Eagles need to replace both 2012 starters from the back end, and Chung brings
the kind of physical presence Kelly wants all over the defense. In addition to
100-tackle potential, Chung grabbed 6 INTs and defensed 18 other passes despite
missing so much time over the past 3 years.
OLB Kevin Burnett to
the Raiders
The Dolphins garnered attention by throwing big contracts at
linebackers Dannell Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler, but they didn't necessarily get
the better end of the moves. Miami jettisoned Burnett shortly after signing
Wheeler, and he made his way west to sign with Wheeler's old team. Burnett is
older than Wheeler, but only by 2 years. He'll turn 31 near the end of the 2013
season. And Burnett carries a whole lot more starting experience. He manned an
inside linebacker role in San Diego, starting all 16 games there in 2010. That
season saw him deliver 6 sacks and grab 2 INTs to go with 80 solo tackles in
his first crack at full-time starting. He followed that by moving to Miami as a
free agent and topping 100 tackles each of the past 2 years. According to Pro
Football Focus, he played better overall than Wheeler in 2012 -- thanks largely
to much stronger run defense. Playing next to MLB Nick Roach in Oakland instead
of Karlos Dansby in Miami should leave more tackles on the field for Burnett. He
finished 2010 as the No. 15 fantasy LB. He checked in a respectable 26th and
34th the past 2 years. Wheeler began his lone Raiders season on a fantasy tear.
Then the first-time starter fell off late. Burnett is capable of doing the same
things and has played 16 games for 3 straight years. He'll come at low cost on
fantasy draft day and likely have little trouble outperforming it.
OLB Antwan Barnes to
Jets
In 2011, Pro Football Focus rated Barnes the 8th-best 3-4
outside linebacker in the league. That included the position's 6th best grade
in pass rushing. He rocked 11 sacks that season despite playing less than half
of San Diego's defensive snaps. Then the Chargers signed OLB Jarret Johnson and
drafted OLB Melvin Ingram in Round 1. And Barnes' playing time slipped further.
Still, he delivered 15 total QB disruptions -- sacks + hits + hurries -- in
just 140 pass-rushing reps. With the Jets, Barnes immediately becomes the
team's top pass-rush threat. Rex Ryan is reclaiming play-calling duties and is
sure to put Barnes in position to do what he does best. Look for a career high
in playing time and big sleeper potential in leagues that reward pressure
stats.
OLB Junior Galette
stays in New Orleans
The Saints probably wouldn't be switching to a 3-4 front if
they didn't believe they had some pieces already in place. Re-signing Galette
to a 3-year deal indicates that he's one of those pieces. Galette spent his
first 3 seasons as a pass-rush specialist at DE for the Saints. He racked up
9.5 sacks in that role over the past 2 years, adding 17 QB hits and 38 hurries.
That's a lot of pressure from a part-time player. And LB won't be entirely new
to him. He spent his first college season there at Temple before moving to end
and then transferring because of off-field trouble. At 6-foot-2, 257 pounds,
Galette is built more for the standup role. And that's what NFLDraftScout.com
thought he'd be coming into the league. Galette looks like a starter under new
coordinator Rob Ryan and a candidate for 10+ sacks. If he retains DL
eligibility on some league-management sites, he could expand his sleeper
profile.
S Mike Mitchell to
Panthers
Oakland hoped it had a future starter when it made Mitchell
a surprise 2nd-round pick in 2009. He never grew into that. To be fair, though,
the Raiders were pretty well set with Tyvon Branch at strong safety. So
Mitchell has moved on to Carolina. Head coach Ron
Rivera told the Charlotte Observer: "He's a young football player who
hasn't played a lot of football. But what you see says he's a guy we want to
find out more about and give him an opportunity to compete." Charles
Godfrey has moved from strong safety to free. That leaves Mitchell facing
Haruki Nakamura and D.J. Campbell for the strong job. Mitchell said the
opportunity drew him to Carolina, so coaches must have told him he'd have a chance
to start. At 6-foot-1, 216 pounds, Mitchell could prove a prototypical
in-the-box safety.
You can find Matt
Schauf on Twitter (@mschauf63).
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