NFL 2018: Week 1 Sunday IDP Fantasy Playmakers

It’s all true.  The IDP players are what makes the league go around.  While on the offensive side of the ball there were some surprises (yes we are looking at you Ryan Fitzpatrick), on the defensive side it was mainly the usual suspects.  And the defensive standouts were oh so good!

Here are the top three fantasy playmakers for your IDP leagues:

Cornerbacks:

Mike Hughes v San Francisco 49ers:  We all know the Minnesota Vikings defense is formidable.  Rookie Mike Hughes is one reason why.

Stats:  3 tackles 1 interception returned for a touchdown

Stephon Gilmore v Houston Texans:  Gilmore finished the game with 8 tackles, one assist and one interception

Vernon Hargreaves @ New Orleans Saints:  The Tampa Bay Buccaneers surprised practically everyone with their victory over the New Orleans Saints. While all the talk will be of Fitzpatrick, Hargreaves and the defense did their part.  And Hargreaves stats?  That’s with the shoulder injury he suffered in the game.

Stats: 7 tackles, 1 assist and 1 forced fumble

 

Defensive End:

Myles Garrett v Pittsburgh Steelers:  The hype is real.  Not only were his stats worth the wait…but he was everywhere at all times.  It was the second year defensive player against the future Hall of Famer and the winner by a landslide was the second year defensive player.  The hype is real.

Stats: 6 tackles, 1 assist, 2 sacks, 2 quarterback hits, 2 forced fumbles

Demarcus Lawrence @ Carolina Panthers:

Stats: 7 tackles, 1 assist, 1 sack

Chris Long v Atlanta Falcons:

Stats: 4 tackles, 3 assists, 1.5 sacks

 

Linebackers:

Khalil Mack v Chicago Bears: The debut of Khalil Mack was worth the price of admission.  Yes, his team lost but all was not lost on Mack.  After being with his new team for less that two weeks, Mack created havoc all over the field.  It makes one wonder just what he is capable of once he knows the entire playbook.  As I heard last night…Jared Goff (who’s Rams are playing the Raiders this week) should be sending Jon Gruden a big ole’ thank you gift.

Stats: 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception returned for a touchdown

Von Miller v Seattle Seahawks: While all the eyes were on Mack, understandable, Von Miller captured the attention of Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks.  Miller spent a lot of time in Seattle’s backfield, harassing the quarterback, stealing the ball from the running back, and just creating chaos.

Stats: 7 tackles, 1 assist, 3 sacks, 4 quarterback hits, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery

T.J. Watt @ Cleveland Browns:  JJ what?  It isn’t a comparison, because for game one there isn’t one.  T.J. played as if his football life depended on it.  Watt was everywhere.  He led the team with 11 tackles and led the league with 4 sacks. And without his blocked field goal, the morning narrative would be about the loss to the Cleveland Browns the Steelers suffered in the first game.

Stats: 11 tackles, 2 assists, 4 sacks, blocked game winning field goal attempt

Myles Jack @ New York Giants

Stats: 10 tackles, 3 assists, 1 interception

 

Defensive Tackles:

Deforest Buckner @ Minnesota Vikings:  Here is a thought: If Buckner was not on the field would the game have been as close?  On the seventh play of the Vikings opening drive, Buckner sacked quarterback Kirk Cousins setting the tone for the day.  His 2.5 sacks are half a sack behind his total for 2017.  That’s how to get things started.

Stats: 7 tackles, 4 assists, 2.5 sacks

Cameron Heyward @ Cleveland Browns

Stats: 7 tackles, 2 assists, 1 sack

Margus Hunt v Cincinnati Bengals

Stats: 3 tackles, 2 sacks

D.J. Reader @ New England Patriots

Stats: 3 tackles, 2 sacks

 

Really Good Though:

Denzel Ward v Pittsburgh Steelers:  It wasn’t just Garrett who was a standout in the game.  Rookie Ward showed just why he was a first round pick.  In his first game he intercepted Ben Roethlisberger in the first quarter.  Before half-time he picked off Big Ben for a second time.  Yeah, the rookies on the Browns’ defense showed up and showed out.

Stats: 2 interceptions, 6 tackles