Entering 2024, regardless of your league structure, you want to find sleepers in your IDP drafts- here we are going to look at Linebacker (LB) options. The thing with IDP, is that players can have different positional eligibility. For the purposes of this article, we are going to use the positions on the Sleeper platform.
- Kenneth Murray (TEN)
- Ivan Pace & Blake Cashman (MIN)
- Jerome Baker (SEA)
Kenneth Murray (TEN)
Murray didn’t manage to repay the first-round draft cost that the Chargers invested in him. He struggled a little with injury, but mainly struggled to have consistent production. As a result, Murray was allowed to leave the team and test free agency, and was signed to a two-year deal with the Titans.
The Titans themselves have a need for a linebacker to hold the middle of the field, with Azeez Al-Shaair moving on. If he can stay healthy, then Murray should be a key piece for this Titans defense. He should be able to get triple-digit tackles (as a potential green-dot). With his current draft cost, he has a good opportunity to be an IDP sleeper for the upcoming season.
Ivan Pace & Blake Cashman (MIN)
The Vikings have made a huge change with their linebacker group, allowing their starting group from last season move on. As a result, there is a massive opportunity for one of these two to step up as the key man in the defense. Pace has familiarity, as he was on the team last season, but he didn’t really manage to have a huge impact. He was an effective tackler, with 102 combined tackles last season. If he manages to improve on his 2.5 sacks from last season.
Cashman signed for the Vikings on a three-year deal, after having a good season with the Texans. With a meaningful number of snaps last season, he had his first season with over 100 combined tackles. With his ability to get into the backfield to stop the run, with 9 TFLs, he could also improve on his career-high 3.0 sacks.
Between the two, I’d opt for Pace over Cashman given his familiarity with the team (and the potential green-dot in this defense). But, they both have some upside for the coming season.
Jerome Baker (SEA)
Another defense that has allowed some of it’s pieces to move on is Seattle. Particularly at ILB they have had some turnover. In his six seasons in the league, he has had over 100 combined tackles in three (and 92 in another). MIssed some time last season, but has been injury-free otherwise in his career.
If Baker can beat out Tyrel Dodson, who moved from the Bills during the offseason, he could find himself as the tackle leader for a team that is going to rack up production on defense. Particularly valuable, given his experience as the green dot for Miami. (Dodson himself has some appeal, but think it might be asking too much of him in his first season with the Seahawks).
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