DLF’s 2019 IDP Predictions: IDP Comeback Player of the Year

Ryan Finley

More and more, standard fantasy leagues have made moves to eliminate positions like kickers and team defense. The simplification makes sense, if you’d prefer to focus on a few offensive positions to make the game more enjoyable. But some folks want to go the other route with defense, and would prefer to roster individual defensive players rather than sweep defense under the rug.

Are IDP leagues more difficult? I don’t think there’s a great answer for that, but I can tell you that managing a 40+ man roster and trying to figure out which cornerbacks to carry can be quite difficult. But that’s why here at DLF we give you the IDP content you crave, including DLF’s 2019 IDP Predictions. As we do every year, we have several different prediction articles for you in the following categories:

  • IDP Comeback Player of the Year
  • Best IDP Sell
  • Best IDP Buy
  • IDP Sleeper
  • IDP Rookie of the Year
  • IDP MVP

We’ll kick off the series with our picks for IDP Comeback Player of the Year:

Keanu Neal, S ATL

The Falcons lost their heartbeat in the secondary and it really showed when Neal went out last year. By all accounts, he’s back to his old self and that means trouble (and pain) for NFC South quarterbacks. – Doug Green

Deion Jones, LB ATL

Deion Jones is going to make the world remember why he is the top young linebacker in the game. He will challenge for top overall IDP asset and destroy offenses single-handedly. It seems he has been forgotten in discussions for the top defensive player in the game. – Dwight Peebles

Vontaze Burfict, LB OAK

This one physically pains me but his talent is undeniable. While Burfict is not a good person and has dealt with plenty of injuries, if he’s going to play 15 games, he’s easily an LB1. His biggest competition for tackles is a wet ham sandwich and Tahir Whitehead. – Adam Tzikas

Keanu Neal, S ATL

There are really only a handful of safeties who I’m comfortable with having annual value. Neal is one of them and his return should remind everyone why. – Tommy Kislingbury

Vontaze Burfict, LB OAK

No longer in Cincinnati and now with the Oakland Raiders, Burfict reunited with defensive coordinator Paul Guenther who he is very familiar with. This Raiders defense has quite a bit of young talent throughout and will lean heavily on the veteran presence of Burfict to set the tone. Burfict only appeared in seven games last season, which is why I consider him for IDP Comeback Player of the Year as a viable low-end LB2/high-end LB3 in tackle-heavy leagues. – Eric Olinger

Deion Jones, LB ATL

After combining for 106 tackles while starting 13 games as a rookie in 2016, followed by 138 tackles in 2017, Jones went down injured in week one of the 2018 season. He managed to rehab in time to return by week 13, and even in a lost season for the Falcons, Jones’s per-game stats were right back to his historical norms. I fully expect him to lead the NFL in tackles this season playing in the tough NFC South. – Ryan Early

Jaquiski Tartt, S SF

If a player missed half of the season, would he be considered a comeback player? That’s the issue with Tartt – he has the talent but can never stay on the field. This is the season he’ll finally put it all together and reward those owners who stuck by him. Tartt has DB1 upside (top 12) and we’re all getting him as a DB2 – that’s value. – Bee Salamat

Yannick Ngakoue, DE JAX

Ngakoue regressed a bit last season as defenses opted to focus on taking him out of the game. With the addition of Josh Allen to help take some of that focus off him, as well as the fact he is playing in a contract year, he should see a nice statistical bump for Ngakoue. – The FF Ghost

Earl Thomas, S BAL

It felt odd to not have SEA next to Thomas’ name. One of the lynchpins of so many great Seattle defenses, things did not end particularly well for Thomas in the Emerald city. He held out through training camp last season, and then found himself on IR after a week four injury. So now he finds himself wearing purple and black for the Baltimore Ravens. But if a defensive stud is going to land with a new team, there aren’t many better destinations than Baltimore. Seattle’s defensive talent had waned a bit over the past few years, and I expect a stronger overall unit can help Thomas get back his dominant form in 2019. – Ryan Finley

There you have it. Who do you like for IDP Comeback Player of the Year? Comment below!