Plugging the Gaps: IDP Waiver Wire for Week 1
Kevin Minter, Inside Linebacker
One of the surprising breakout stars of the IDP world last season was Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kevin Minter, who began his career as a limited, two-down-only thumper. Last year, however, he remained in on 89 percent of the Cardinals’ defensive snaps, and his fantasy numbers took a huge step forward because of it. From 2014 to 2015, Minter doubled his total tackles (43 to 94), his tackles for a loss (5 to 8), and quarterback hits (2 to 6). He remains a clear-cut starter in the desert, and appears poised to terrorize opposing running games once again in 2016.
In Week 1, he gets to do just that against the daunting New England Patriots, whose passing game is sorely lacking this week. No, the Patriots don’t give up big plays – they were exactly average in sacks allowed percentage and third-lowest in stuffs allowed percentage in 2015 – but the game script for them should afford plenty of tackle chances. With quarterback Tom Brady suspended, and tight end Rob Gronkowski and wide receiver Julian Edelman both banged up, the likely course of action for New England is to run the ball up the middle with running back LeGarrette Blount. That means he’ll charge right into the maw of the waiting Minter.
Minter is available in 92.6% of ESPN IDP leagues, and we project him for 7.46 tackles, 0.07 sacks, 0.12 passes defended, and a total score of 8.11 fantasy points in Week 1.
