IDP Rookie Review: Week Ten

The race for the Defensive Rookie of the Year is basically locked up at this point – Nick Bosa has it wrapped up and is making a run at the Defensive Player of the Year award. A few linebackers are stepping into starting spots and should not be letting go of their starting spots. Some of these players can still be acquired cheap, but the window is closing quickly.

Defensive Lineman

Maxx Crosby, DE OAK

68 (91%) snaps 1 solo tackle, 2 assists, ½ sack, 1 interception

My lack of inclusion of Crosby on this list was an egregious oversight. He is a player I have liked for a while coming from East Michigan. He tore up the combine, is an athletic freak, and his playing time has been increasing. The numbers haven’t been overwhelming but he could be a solid fill-in if needed in times of need. Crosby has 2.5 sacks and 16 tackles on the season and his numbers have been getting better.

Nick Bosa, DE SF

61 (82%) snaps 3 solo tackles, 5 assists

Bosa didn’t make it home versus Seattle although he kept MVP candidate Russell Wilson scrambling out of the pocket all night. He still raked in eight tackles and continued his impressive rookie season. Bosa showed he is valuable in run support as well, something we knew but is always good to see. He is an impressive young end, to think he is only 22 years old and only going to get better is a scary thought for all of the NFL.

Clelin Ferrell, DE OAK

56 (75%) snaps 5 solo tackles, 3 assists, 2.5 sacks

A strong showing from the surprising fourth overall pick, Ferrell wreaked havoc versus the division rival Chargers. The game was a coming-out party, he showcased the upside the Raiders and Mike Mayock envisioned, although he did commit two costly off-sides penalties. Ferrell still posted a DE1 stat line and displayed what his ceiling could be, good to see in only his eighth NFL game.

Christian Wilkins, DT MIA

49 (70%) snaps 1 solo tackle, 3 assists

Wilkins has had his playing time stay fairly consistent in the middle of the Dolphins’ defensive line and has been good for a small handful of tackles nearly every game. In leagues with scoring favoring DTs, Wilkins is a solid guy to have on your roster, but long-term his ceiling is a bit capped.

Quinnen Williams, DT NYJ

46 (64%) snaps 1 fumble recovery

The departure of Leonard Williams left Quinnen as the focal point for offensive lines and he will start to see more of the frustrating double teams he faced often in college at Alabama. He’s a prime buy-low candidate for me; he is going to struggle to post the stats expected at his draft price. He will get there, but it will be a slower road than expected.

Josh Allen, DE JAX

26 (45%) snaps 2 solo tackles

The Jaguars played from behind against the Texans in Week ten and Allen didn’t face as many pass-rushing situations because of the game script. He was on the field less than half the snaps and only chipped in two tackles, a disappointing showing but indicative of what his floor will be at the moment due to the ways the Jags use the rookie end.

Montez Sweat, DE WAS

29 (47%) snaps 3 solo tackles, 1 sack

The Jaguars played from behind against the Texans in week ten and Allen didn’t face as many pass-rushing situations because of the game script. He was on the field less than half the snaps and only chipped in two tackles, a disappointing showing but indicative of what his floor will be at the moment due to the ways the Jags use the rookie end.

Linebackers

Devin Bush, LB PIT

35 (45%) snaps 2 solo tackles, 1 assist

The week 10 matchup with the Rams brought about a curiously low scoring game for the stud Steelers linebacker. Bush didn’t play half of the snaps despite the positive game script and the defensive dominance displayed by his team, only mustering up three total tackles. Bush’s quiet performance was way off the trend he had been on, and likely dropped his chances of snatching the Defensive Rookie of the Year away from Bosa.

Drue Tranquill, LB LAC

58 (100%) snaps 6 solo tackles, 8 assists

Oakland has been a strong play for opposing linebackers and Tranquill played every snap week ten, amassing 14 total tackles. If you started him on a whim, you were pleasantly surprised. Veteran Denzel Perryman was active but has been fighting an injury, Tranquill has been making his mark on special teams, and week ten finally got a starting nod. He has 38 tackles the past six games and has a nose for the ball teams want in a linebacker. He is making it difficult for the Chargers to keep him off the field. The linebacking corps has been unspectacular for some time and Tranquill should get the chance to make his mark.

Devin White, LB TBB

65 (97%) snaps 3 solo tackles, 3 assists

Week ten’s matchup with the Cardinals had White more in the pass defense role and his tackle numbers faltered a bit, although six total tackles aren’t going to sink your team if you started him. White continues to be a safe, solid linebacker who will provide lower LB1 consistent tackle numbers and his career trajectory will be the same – I don’t see him ever being the guy who puts up the elite tackle numbers such as Bobby Wagner and Luke Kuechly, but White will be the next tier down for most of his career.

Jahlani Tavai, LB DET

37 (66%) snaps 3 solo tackles, 1 sack

Tavai has been playing around ⅔ of the snaps on average, has had a few strong games – nine tackles in Week 9 versus Oakland – and should be primed to take on a bigger role going forward in the Motor City. Tavai is a great buy-low target if someone is willing to bail due to a lack of solid contribution.

Germaine Pratt, LB CIN

23(50%) snaps 3 solo tackles. 1 assist

Pratt’s inclusion in this column is simply because the team has parted ways with veteran linebacker Preston Brown, opening the door for Pratt to step into a bigger role. The Bengals are content with losing and are letting their young dogs have more playing time. I like Pratt immensely and expect him to take a step forward and produce low LB2 numbers for the rest of the season. The team will likely address linebacker in the draft yet I see Pratt earning the bigger role and being a mainstay.

Defensive Backs

Taylor Rapp, S LAR

74(100%) snaps 6 solo tackles, 3 assists

Rapp notched another 9 total tackles in Week 10, starting in the absence of John Johnson III, and will be a starter for the rest of the season. Continue to start Rapp with confidence, he is a tackling safety and should start beyond this season. The Rams have cap issues and cutting ties with some of their veteran secondary makes sense after the season. Rapp is the prototypical strong safety of days of old – always looking for a hit and someone to wrap up.

Darnell Savage, S GB

72 (100%) snaps 4 solo tackles, 1 assist

The snaps continue as Savage was on the field every defensive snap for the Packers in Week 10. He has produced lower tackle numbers but he is fairly safe if you need a spot starter – he is continuously getting around five tackles a week and has three interceptions on the season, although none since Week 3. Savage plays a free safety role mostly, the low tackle numbers will likely be his floor his entire career.

Juan Thornhill, S KC

48 (96%) snaps 2 solo tackles, 3 assists

Five total tackles seems to be the benchmark for Thornhill as well, he is playing mostly free safety for the Chiefs and is not getting the opportunities for tackles he needs to be successful from an IDP standpoint. This is likely to remain the same as his role is fairly entrenched at this point.

Khari Willis, S IND

60 (91%) snaps 7 solo tackles, 1 assist

Willis saw another spike in playing time, when he is on the field he is producing. He’s been on the field for 66% of the snaps on the season and has tallied 41 total tackles. Coming out of Michigan State, he projected to be a solid strong safety in the NFL, and Willis has filled the role well when he has seen the field.