This week we'll take a look at some IDPs who struggled a bit in 2017 who look to make big comebacks in 2018. Consider them buy-low candidates. We'll use your typical scoring and assume a 16-team full IDP dynasty.
Linebackers
Jamie Collins (CLE): Collins is currently LB50 in "standard" IDP scoring. That is way too low for a do-everything stat sheet stuffer like Collins. The emergence of Joe Schobert may have had something to do with it, but when Collins was healthy, he was sub-14 points on a weekly basis. That was basically his floor in years past. Fortunately, there will be plenty of tackling and big-play chances for Collins in 2018. He'll enter the season as a mid-range LB2 but obviously still has LB1 upside.
Justin Houston (KCC): Too many single-digit games this season. In big-play formats, you have to run him out there since he's able to sack the quarterback and put up other big play stats. He's much better than LB61. He's no spring chicken but definitely a buy-low candidate entering 2018.
Von Miller (DEN): See above, basically.
Thomas Davis (CAR): Davis was your no-frills, low-end LB2 or solid LB3 that got you 12-14 points every week. Not so this season. If you're looking for a cheap plug-in, you might be able to nab Davis in restricted free agency for a discount or get him cheap otherwise. He'll get back to it in 2018.
Reggie Ragland (KCC): Derrick Johnson is is 35 and is due $8M next season. Ouch. If the Chiefs are impressed enough (had 17 points each of Week 11 and 12), then perhaps they let the vet walk and let the younger Ragland handle that very fruitful spot. Worth a dart throw since Ragland was highly-touted coming out of college.
Nick Kwiatkoski (CHI): Likely the future in Chicago, not Jerrell Freeman or Danny Trevathan, although Trevathan probably still has tread on the tires and fuel in the tank and all of those other car-related colloquialisms. Kwiatkoski has shown he's a stable LB2/3 with some upside, especially with the Bears set to struggle again in 2018. He'll improve upon his LB88 status.
Jayon Brown (TEN): Big fan of Brown and Avery Williamson is a free agent in 2018. Not saying Brown would step right into the vacated spot, but there will be room for opportunity come 2018 and Brown, in spot duty, has looked pretty good. He's undersized but has shown good quickness and a nose for the ball. He's a guy I'm looking to add to my squads in hopes for a better 2018 campaign where you can plug him in as an LB3 most weeks.
Defensive Linemen
Danielle Hunter (DE - MIN): Many thought Hunter would supplant Everson Griffen as the guy to own on the Viking front line in 2017. Not so. Hunter is currently sitting at DL36 while Griffen is up at DL12. Still, we like Hunter's chances at bettering that number in 2018. The Viking defense will again be strong up front and Hunter and Griffen could easily swap spots rank-wise.
Olivier Vernon (DE - NYG): Similar situation here in New York, with Vernon thought to be the better of the two ends. But Jason Pierre-Paul has been solid, sitting at DL5 now while Vernon slipped all the way to DL52. Sure, he's missed some time but even his per-game average puts him well below his expected slotting. He's only 27 and will have every opportunity to better that number in 2018. A classic buy-low player at a premium and shallow position.
Marcell Dareus (DT - JAC): With a full off-season under his belt in Jacksonville, I think Dareus comes out guns blazing in 2018. He's a force inside and with solid edge rushers alongside him, he could start wreaking some havoc. He'll definitely come cheap as his first several efforts with his new team have left a lot to be desired but he's in a rotation. Expect more snaps next season.
Fletcher Cox (DT - PHI): Would you believe he's slotted as DL59 right now? That's not even close to being startable. He's got the potential to be one of the bigger game-changers for the Eagles defense. He's in a nifty little rotation right now that is definitely working for the Eagles in terms of "real football", but has hampered his fantasy value. Still, he's a guy I want on my bench if, for nothing else, he can explode at any time. Especially if the Eagles start giving him close to 100% of the snaps. It could happen.
Larry Ogunjobi (DT - CLE): I've talked about how I think Myles Garrett is most certainly the real deal and will blow up in 2018. So too could his running mate Ogunjobi, who's flashed a little talent in 2017. He was an underrated prospect coming into the draft in my mind and will have every opportunity at more regular playing time.
Defensive Backs
Jamal Adams (S - NYJ): Maybe it's the presence of fellow rookie Marcus Maye, who knows. But I was of the thinking that Adams was the second coming of Landon Collins. Could still happen, and Adams has flashed his playmaking abilities in 2017. He'll enter the season as a lower-end DB2 but has DB1 potential.
Jabrill Peppers (CLE): Can basically say the same thing about Peppers. Huge upside here and perhaps you can sneak one past the owner in your league that has him.
Jimmie Ward (S - SFO): A lot of this depends on where Eric Reid lands, both positionally and team-wise. Reid could be on another team, or could be a linebacker in 2018. Ward would be playing second fiddle to Jaquiski Tartt but there'd be enough to go around tackle and big-play wise. Ward's shown some upside and will be a solid sleeper entering next season.
Marcus Peters (CB - KCC): You start the guy every week even if he's currently sitting at DB70. There's just too much big-play upside here to leave him benched. Accordingly, you want him rostered and should make every effort to grab him if his price tag's low enough.
Logan Ryan (CB - TEN): Can Adoree Jackson bust out as a shutdown corner? Maybe not, but Ryan will likely improve upon his DB69 spot in 2018. There's a lot to like about Ryan's game and the Titan defense can produce a pair of startable corners.
