Fantasy Watchlist: Is veteran defender Scott Dann worth picking up?

Heading into the tenth week of the 2015-16 Premier League, not many expected the top defenders from last season to perform as disappointing this season such as those like Chelsea, Liverpool and so forth. However, with those who are in the top five so far this season, there has been one name who has not been a household name yet to various FPL players, but if he keeps it up, he surely can be one.

Who is Scott Dann?

The 6'5'' 28 year old center back began his Football League career with Walsall, before moving on to Coventry City and then to Birmingham City in 2009. After Birmingham's relegation from the Premier League, Dann joined Blackburn Rovers in August 2011 and was the club's captain until moving to Selhurst Park in January of last year. In only one year with the club, he finished the 2014-15 season mid-table in tenth place but eventually became the club's Player of the Year. Internationally, he has yet to get a call up to the senior side for his native England despite playing at U21 level. However, the vast competition at center back at the moment is the main purpose for that.

Why is he doing so well?

Crystal Palace has always been a side who has been doing well in the midtable of the Premier League but as they currently sit fifth, only a point behind Leicester City, four from Arsenal and Manchester United and six from leaders Manchester City, they have been a revelation so far with a good record after 9 weeks. Although they have not drawn a side yet, they have five wins and four losses. Scott Dann has been a key player in defense, putting in some fantastic performances, including one against Aston Villa. The Eagles have been more solid in defense since the addition of Wayne Hennessey in goal, and that should help Dann perform more consistently going forward.

Why trust him and this Palace side?

You must be doing something right if you're having better performances than that of Liverpool, Everton and defending champions Chelsea. While those sides have conceded more or the same (Liverpool has the same goals against number with 11), Palace has averaged the fifth least goals conceded and seventh best goal differential. This is a Palace side that is playing beyond expectations with players such as Yohan Cabaye, the former Newcastle and Paris-Saint Germain midfielder who has been the best player so far for Alan Pardew's men.

In the official FPL fantasy game, Dann is a bargaiin at 5.0 million pounds and has the ninth most points for a defender, with 37. In Fantrax, he is more pricy at $10,124, but has been putting up strong numbers there as well.

What's coming for Crystal Palace in the near future?

The fixture list over the next five weeks: at Leicester, Manchester United, at Liverpool, Sunderland, at Everton. Tough opponents for the Eagles, especially against Manchester United and Klopp's Liverpool, but given the Eagles' performances so far this season you wouldn't be surprised to see them rack up a couple clean sheets along the way. Add in Dann's aerial threat on set pieces and you could hit it big by buying in on the big man.

So, what do you think? Are you adding Scott Dann to your watchlist? Are you putting him straight into your squad?