Wesley Woodyard

Woodyard burst back onto the IDP scene in 2017, finishing the year with 124 tackles and five sacks -- which was good for a fifth-place fantasy finish among all linebackers in standard scoring. However, his advanced age likely played a role in the Titans' decision to trade up for Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans in the first round of this year's draft. That doesn't preclude the 32-year-old from another statistically-stellar season, but it does dampen his chances of notching another 120-plus tackles if the rookie lives up to expectations. In his three seasons with Tennessee prior to 2017, Woodyard averaged only 79.3 tackles and 3.2 sacks.

The 31-year-old Woodyard managed a mere 57 tackles last year after five straight campaigns over 80, but the two-year extension Tennessee handed him this offseason suggests the team believes he still has plenty left in the tank. He and Avery Williamson should play most of the inside linebacker snaps in the base 3-4, allowing Woodyard to once again rack up plenty of tackles. He also brings some pass-rushing upside after logging 5.0 or more sacks twice in the past five seasons.

Like his teammate Williamson, Woodyard has a low floor in Tennessee's blurry LB rotation. If he does stumble into a high play count, however, Woodyard would almost certainly provide high-upside value as an IDP. He's quietly one of the league's very best blitzing linebackers, coming off a year in which he had five sacks in just 499 snaps. He almost certainly wouldn't push for double-digit sacks in the event of a 1,000-snap season, but you might as well swing for the fences with your bench IDPs, because in most leagues there's an abundance of low-ceiling replacements.

Woodyard has demonstrated an excellent mix of health and production over the last four seasons, recording at least 84 tackles in each campaign. The Titans have an embarrassment of riches at inside linebacker with Woodyard, Avery Williamson and Zach Brown, but all three should see the field enough to hold some IDP value. While he almost certainly won't reach the 100-tackle mark like he did in 2012, Woodyard is probably the safest bet of the three for consistent production due to his extensive track record.

Expectations were high for Woodyard heading into last season after he posted 114 tackles (70 solo), 5.5 sacks and three interceptions in 2012. Unfortunately, he was unable to match his total from the previous season, finishing 2013 with just 84 tackles, 1.5 sacks and one interception. Things got so bad for Woodyard that he was essentially displaced by Danny Trevathan, who accumulated more solo tackles (88) than Woodyard's total count. The Broncos, who decided not to give Woodyard a new contract after his big 2012 season, let him walk this offseason and he found a new home in Tennesee, signing a four-year, $16 million contract. He'll be a starter for the Titans, and with Shaun Phillips, who focuses significantly more on rushing the passer than at stopping the run, on his side, Woodyard should have plenty of opportunities for tackles.

Once little more than a special teams and nickel specialist with Denver, Woodyard has turned into a full-time starter who fills up the box score. Despite playing just 881 snaps on defense in 15 games last year Woodyard finished the season with 114 tackles (70 solo), 5.5 sacks and three interceptions. It's probably best to expect some regression from Woodyard's pass-rushing success in 2013, but it's likely his tackles will increase significantly as this will be his first season as a clear every-down linebacker.

Woodyard isn't an every down linebacker for the Broncos, although he may be asked to take on that role with the off-the-field issues that D.J. Williams has encountered. With Williams suspended for the first six games of the year (at least), Woodyard will get an opportunity to pad his tackle totals and could sneak his way into the IDP conversation.

Will backup D.J. Williams at linebacker and he could see lots of time if Williams goes down with an injury. However, if Williams stays healthy, it's difficult to see Woodyard contributing a lot.

Woodyard has been known to put up some solid tackle numbers, but he primarily plays when D.J. Williams takes a break and that didn't happen very often in 2009 and is not expected to happen much in 2010.

Woodyard had a number of good games in 2008, recording at least nine tackles in three games while filling in for the injuried D.J. Williams. Unfortunately for Woodyard, Williams is healthy again and the Broncos brought in a number of linebackers in the offseason, which will most likely decrease his playing time.