Chris Clemons slated to play hybrid pass rusher on passing downs for Pete
Carroll
Miami's Vontae Davis had 36 solo tackles in nine starts as a rookie
in 2009 DeAndre Levy may get 100 tackles for Lions defense sure to be busy
this year
By Gary Gramling, SI.com
As the preseason draws near, it's time to look at this year's IDP
(Individual Defensive Player) sleepers. These guys have likely never spent a
day on a fantasy roster, but look for them to become solid contributors in
2010.
Analysis is based on the four main statistics for most IDP leagues (solo
tackles, sacks, passes defensed and takeaways) in three-position formats
(defensive linemen, linebackers, and defensive backs).
*Chris Clemons, DL, Seattle Seahawks*
Fact is, Clemons should be sitting on the waiver wire by the end of your
draft. But sack-heavy leaguers should keep an eye on him. He's a pure speed
pass rusher and he's going to play more snaps than he ever has in his
career. Clemons is certainly too small (6-feet-2, 240 lbs.) to hold up as an
every down guy, but he's going to fill *Pete Carroll*'s elephant role
(hybrid pass rusher on passing downs) as well as see part-time work on early
downs. In 2007, he had eight sacks as a passing down specialist in Oakland,
before seeing his role further reduced in two ineffective years with Philly.
If everything breaks right, he's looking at double-digit sacks this season.
*Vontae Davis, DB, Dolphins*
Vernon's little bro is far from an unknown after entering the league as a
first-round pick with a freak athlete reputation, but he was out of site and
out of mind for the first half of 2009. After stepping into the starting
lineup midseason, Davis put up an IDP stat line that was hard to ignore. In
nine starts, he had 36 solo tackles, nine passes defensed and three
interceptions. He's one of the few corners who combines big-play ability
with a willingness to help in run support. He has DB1 upside.
