A.J. Klein

Veteran linebacker A.J. Klein is retiring from the NFL after 11 seasons in the NFL.

Fantasy Impact

The Carolina Panthers drafted Klein in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. The former Iowa State defender played for Carolina, New Orleans, Buffalo, Chicago and Baltimore in his pro career. He accumulated 465 tackles, 45 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, four interceptions and eight forced fumbles. On his 33rd birthday, he announces his retirement from the game.

LB A.J. Klein was released by the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday.

Fantasy Impact

Klein has been a solid linebacker over the years, but the team is looking to save money and acquire some youth. The veteran market will likely have a decent amount of interest on the open market, but he will probably have to settle for a short-term deal somewhere. The Bills will look to fill the void in free agency or the draft.

A.J. Klein finished Sunday’s 42-10 win over the Panthers with six tackles (five solo), an interception, and a touchdown.

Fantasy Impact

Klein had a respectable regular season with 67 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and his pick-six from Sunday. He should be left on waivers in most formats, unless in super deep leagues.

New Orleans strongside linebacker A.J. Klein recorded the second interception of his six-year career Thursday night in the win over Atlanta. The pass was deflected at the line of scrimmage and promptly popped into Klein's vicinity allowing him to make an easy play on the ball. Along with the interception, Klein had a decent night with four combined tackles adding a tackle for a loss.

Fantasy Impact

Klein's performance could be seen as part of another contest that the New Orleans defense shined. For any IDP owners who had him inserted into their lineups, the interception was a welcomed stat. His tackle total in this contest was relativity average at best. Going forward and with the defense hitting its stride as a whole, IDP owners may want to temper expectations with an "Any Given Sunday" mindset on his likely production. Normally it is fellow middle linebacker Demario Davis, who recorded a stat line of six combined, one tackle for a loss, one sack and a forced fumble leading the way on the IDP production among the linebacker unit. As he did in this contest looking at it in an overall picture.

After three consecutive weeks of above average IDP production (for him), New Orleans Saints strongside linebacker A.J. Klein came back down to earth in the win over the Los Angeles Rams Sunday. The prior three weeks he recorded over six combined tackles with additional statistics which has been above his personal average since becoming the main starting strongside linebacker last season. In this favorable matchup this Sunday, he dropped back down to his normal average of about four combined tackles.

Fantasy Impact

This is just a cautionary tail being stated for the rest of this season and not at all a statement he won't bounce back up. But looking at last season when he averaged about three tackles a game and one assist over all the contest he was active. And then comparing his four games over and four games under four combined this season so far, IDP owners should be aware that Klein is still likely just a bye week option depending on the matchup for the rest of this season. Unlike Demario Davis who is the starting middle linebacker and has averaged about five and a half solo tackles and just over two assists per game so far this season. Klein owners need to limit their expectations until further notice. His role in the defense is odd, to say the least on how normal defenses use a strongside player.