DLF’s 2019 IDP Predictions: IDP Rookie 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:

Next up in the series we’ll talk about the youngsters with our selections for IDP Rookie of the Year:

Nick Bosa, DE SF

I mean, it’s got to be him, right? With all due respect to the Devins, Lil Bosa comes with all the pressure and pedigree of being a top pick. – Doug Green

Devin Bush, LB PIT

Bush is going to wreak some havoc for the Steelers. He isn’t going to put up the tackle numbers that Darius Leonard did in 2018, and he may not have the tackles Devin White will either. But he is going to rake in tackles and force turnovers. I see him tallying 100 total tackles and forcing a few fumbles as well as snagging a handful of interceptions. Bush is going to bring some swagger back to the Steelers D. – Dwight Peebles

Devin Bush, LB PIT

While Bosa or White are also great options here, neither player is walking into as good of a situation as Bush. Since the Ryan Shazier injury, the Steelers were forced to trot out Vince “Not an Ambi-Turner” Williams and the ghost of a couple different players. Finally, they get a complete package at linebacker. If Bush was 2 inches taller he would be identical to my LB1, Deion Jones. Both are forces to be reckoned with in the middle of the defense. When the dust settles, Bush will be the best of the 2019 IDP class. – Adam Tzikas

Devin Bush, LB PIT

I’d love to pick a pass rusher here but Bush has the best chance of coming in with a big rookie season and high tackle numbers in Shazier’s old role. – Tommy Kislingbury

Devin Bush, LB PIT

Not only do I think he could be the IDP Rookie of the Year, I believe he could threaten to be the LB1 in 2019. This Steeler defense hasn’t looked the same since Shazier went down with his neck injury. Bush can do everything Shazier did, but better. While nobody is going to confuse this team with the Steel Curtain, they have rebuilt this team with disruptive players who are young and hungry. I expect Bush to have a similar impact for the Steelers as Leonard had for the Colts last year. I freaking love this kid . . . but not in a creepy way. – Eric Olinger

Devin Bush, LB PIT

Six defensive players were taken before Bush in the 2019 NFL draft, but none fits so well with his team’s defensive scheme. The Steelers have been horrid in the middle of their defense since Shazier went down late in 2017. Bush has sideline to sideline speed, and is an excellent A-gap blitzer for Pitt’s zone blitz plays. In both tackle-heavy and big play scoring formats, Bush will score very well. – Ryan Early

Devin Bush, LB PIT

Bush is going to eat in PIT, with not much competition around him. What we’ve seen in preseason so far, he’s well deserving of being the first IDP taken in rookie drafts. He has future stud written all over him for years. It’ll be a challenge to mirror what Leonard did last season, but I wouldn’t be surprised when he finishes among the top ten at the end of the season. – Bee Salamat

Devin White, LB TB

White finds himself in one of the most advantageous landing spots of all the rookie class. Look for him to be one of the top-ten linebackers in IDP leagues in his rookie year. It isn’t out of the realm of possibility that he even sneaks into the top-five linebackers as well. – The FF Ghost

Nick Bosa, DE SF

It’s odd that choosing the first IDP drafted this year is outside the box. With all the love for Bush, though, that’s where we are. I think Bosa has the better situation, with guys like DeForest Buckner around to ease the pressure, and he has that Bosa talent to call on as well. I wonder if they could bottle that stuff? – Ryan Finley

There you have it. Who is your favorite for IDP Rookie of the Year? Comment below!