Start or sit Jordan Hicks in Week 2 IDP leagues?

Before we get started, here’s a “crash course” in Individual defensive players (IDP) leagues. Defensive players are awarded points for defensive plays like sacks, tackles, tackles for loss (TFL), interceptions, fumbles and most other defensive statistics. Each league is different on how they score, but for the most part, tackles are the most important (and consistent) weekly statistic. We’ll discuss strategies throughout the season, but for this article, let’s start with one of my favorite defensive players to start each week who may not be owned in a lot of leagues, the inside linebacker (ILB) for The Arizona Cardinals, Jordan Hicks.

The Cardinals ran 86 plays in week one (with overtime) and the Detroit Lions ran 82, providing both defensive units ample opportunity to score fantasy points. Kliff Kinsbury (and this offense) will look to dial up the same amount of plays each week keeping this offensive scheme high-tempo throughout the year. This was evident when he called 31 more pass attempts over rushes resulting in five total defensive players from both teams finishing inside the top-25 in scoring.

This trend will keep on going throughout the season and to ensure you get a piece of the “defensive pie” is to roster inside linebacker (ILB), Jordan Hicks, and start him every week. Hicks has battled injuries throughout his career, but has been productive when he’s been able to get on the field. Last season when he was in Philadelphia, he played 67% of the snaps over 12 games and eclipsed 90 combined tackles averaging 7.58 per games. Last week, Hicks played 100% of the defensive snaps and recorded 14 combined tackles,

The Cardinals head to Baltimore to face the Ravens who should rank near the top in rush offense this week as well as throughout the season.

Advice: Start