Plugging the Gaps: IDP Waiver Wire Targets for Week 1

Dion Bailey, Seattle, Strong Safety

This would normally be Kam Chancellor’s position, but with Chancellor dug in on a contract holdout, Dion Bailey should be in line to get the start with the Seattle Seahawks’ “Legion of Boom” on Sunday.

The unfortunate thing about acquiring and starting Dion Bailey is that he’s a raw second-year player who went undrafted out of USC to the Seahawks. He’s never played a down in the NFL and was stashed on injured reserve and the practice squad all of last season. The upside is that he has a nearly identical frame to Chancellor but actually might have better change-of-direction ability, as his agility scores from the 2014 NFL Combine best Chancellor’s from 2010 by a fair amount.

The other bright side is that the Seahawks can rely on veteran Earl Thomas to hold the line at the free safety position while Bailey freewheels and plays like an extra linebacker in the tackle box. This is a job that requires less refinement and more hitting; he can do that.

Bailey is available in 99.8% of ESPN IDP leagues, and we initially projected Chancellor for 6 tackles, 1 pass defensed, a good chance for an interception, and 7.67 total fantasy points. This should be considered Bailey’s upside in Week 1 against the St. Louis Rams.