IDP Rookie Review: Week 13

Hopefully if you are reading this you are preparing for your fantasy football playoffs, and hopefully you own some of these rookies who have been productive in 2019.

The Defensive Rookie of the Year race still isn’t much of a race and I expect Nick Bosa to run away with it. He plays a premium position on a defense and team which is much improved and in the hunt for the top-overall playoff spot in the NFC. In the next few weeks, I will also add a few rookies back into the report who have missed time this season or haven’t seen playing time – guys who should be targeted in trades or in the off-season.

Defensive Lineman

Maxx Crosby, DE OAK

64 (96%) snaps 4 solo tackles, 1 assist

Crosby has quietly improved as the season has worn on and is carving out a big role on the Raiders defensive line. The week 13 clash with the Chiefs saw the whole Oakland defense get blasted by the offense. The Raiders offense couldn’t come close to catching up, and Crosby wasn’t able to pin his ears back and get after Pat Mahomes. He still raked in five total tackles and generated pressure, but he did not get to the star quarterback. He is still far outperforming where you drafted him, if he was drafted at all in your IDP rookie draft. He’s is a bright spot in the 2019 class and I can’t wait to see how he follows up the performance so far.

Nick Bosa, DE SF

55 (85%) snaps 1 solo tackle

Opposing defenses have to scheme ways of taking Bosa out of the game or minimizing the damage he does. Baltimore runs exotic run schemes and Bosa didn’t seem to affect the run game much in week 13. He was able to generate pressure against the elusive Lamar Jackson, but did not get to the quarterback. Even in a quiet statistical week, his presence is felt – although at times it may stink for your IDP squad.

Christian Wilkins, DT MIA

64 (84%) snaps 4 solo tackles, 2 assists

The ex-Clemson Tiger continues to be a surprising bright spot for the Dolphins as they stunned the Philadelphia Eagles in week 13. Wilkins tacked on another six tackles to bring his total to 45 on the season – sixth-most among DTs. Wilkins will anchor the middle of the Dolphins’ defensive line for years and put up solid numbers for IDP owners in DT-premium scoring formats.

Jeffery Simmons, DE TEN

43 (60%) snaps 3 solo tackles, 1 assist

His playing time is escalating and Simmons is on the verge of being a superstar in the NFL. This kid has tremendous upside. He wrangled in four total tackles week 13, and his floor will always be safe – a handful of tackles as his impact in the run game is felt. He can generate pressure and create mismatches in many ways. As he gets the feel of the game he could be a DL1. Again, the IDP buy-low window for the Titans lineman is rapidly closing.

Josh Allen, DE JAX

44 (58%) snaps 4 solo tackles, 2 assists. 1 sack

The Josh Allen of defense was having himself another fine game – this time versus Tampa Bay – before having to leave with a concussion. He still roped in six tackles and another sack, giving him nine QB takedowns on the season. He may miss this week, and there is always the looming possibility of classification as a linebacker to damper his value a little. He could still remain productive at LB, but his highest value lies in being classified on the defensive line.

Clelin Ferrell, DE OAK

38 (57%) snaps 3 solo tackles, 1 assist

When it looked like Ferrell was taking a step forward and showing the dominance he displayed in college, fellow rookie Crosby started wrecking havoc. Ferrell will always have a solid floor, he is strong in run defense and a smart, instinctive player with a nose for the ball. He will be fine long term but only worth starting at the moment in great matchups and if you absolutely have a need to play him.

Ed Oliver, DT BUF

40 (51%) snaps 3 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 sacks vs Dallas

The emergence of the dominant Oliver finally reared its head on Thanksgiving and gobbled up the Cowboys’ offensive line. In only a half of the defensive snaps, Oliver notched four tackles and two sacks. He lived in the backfield, and stats don’t bely how dominant he looked against a good offensive line. Oliver has potential to be a superstar near the level of Aaron Donald if he can put it all together. He harassed the Cowboys all day and on the national stage, Oliver arrived.

Montez Sweat, DE WAS

33 (44%) snaps 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1.5 sacks

When he isn’t making Old Spice ads, Sweat is pummeling NFL quarterbacks. He only played 33 snaps, leaving with a quadriceps injury early, yet made the most of them by dropping Kyle Allen of the Panthers one-and-a-half times. He has five sacks on the season with three-and-a-half coming in the last three weeks. His IDP value is linked to his ability to get after signal-callers, and in big-play scoring Sweat should be a good-value IDP asset.

Linebackers

Devin White, LB TBB

73 (100%) snaps 5 solo tackles, 2 assists, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery and defensive TD

White was one of several defensive players to score their first touchdown in week 13. He raked in seven tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery which led to the touchdown, posting the highest score of the week for a linebacker and his second straight LB1 game. He is a stud and a LB1. Don’t overthink it – he needs to always be in your starting lineup.

Cole Holcomb, LB WAS

57 (76%) snaps 2 solo tackles, 2 assists

The young, two-down thumper continues to see the field, gathering four more tackles in week 13 to increase his total to 78 tackles on the season. Holcomb doesn’t have the coverage skills to remain on the field more, but he is excelling in what he is asked to do. He has sound instincts despite his limitations, but I am still apprehensive on long-term value. Start him where you can for now. Holcomb is providing a handful of tackles and enough to give you safe IDP production at LB.

Devin Bush, LB PIT

51 (74%) snaps 5 solo tackles, 2 assists vs. Cle

It was nice to see an increase in playing time versus Cleveland in week 13, Bush’s playing time had been trending downward for several weeks. He rewarded those who started him with seven total tackles, and his zip around the field looked like it had earlier in the season. Despite being from the University of Michigan (Go Sparty!), Bush is still one of my favorite IDP players in this class.

Drue Tranquill, LB LAC

42 (74%) snaps 7 solo tackles

Tranquill had been wowing the coaching staff on special teams and he finally saw the field more on defense in Week 13 versus Denver. He is a linebacker who tested well at the NFL Combine last year but looked limited on game tape. Thus far, he has displayed his instincts and love of tackling, relying on his intelligence and aggression to make plays. Tranquill needs work in pass coverage but is a solid two-down linebacker and the Chargers really need their linebacking unit to step up.

Sam Eguavoen, LB MIA

42 (59%) snaps 4 solo tackles, 1 sack vs. Phi

If I had to make an educated guess, I would guess Eguavoen means “attacking” – he gets after the ball and is an attacking downhill linebacker. Against Philadelphia in Week 13, three of his four tackles were for a loss and one was a sack of Carson Wentz. He hasn’t fully worked his way into the lineup this season, he is a raw talent who has much to learn, but is showing the Miami staff he belongs. Expect Eguavoen to continue to get more chances to play and being a solid linebacker for the Dolphins for years.

Germaine Pratt, LB CIN

35 (47%) snaps 2 solo tackles. 3 assists vs NYJ

The Bengals seem reluctant to thrust Pratt into a full-time role, the game took a turn last week though as the Bengals were in the lead early and the Jets had to throw a lot. Pratt has shown impressive athleticism but his pass coverage likely needs more work. The Bengals have historically not given rookies full playing time as well. Pratt is a buy for me, I love his long term prospects of producing LB2 numbers for the foreseeable future.

Defensive Backs

Juan Thornhill, S KCC

60 (100%) snaps 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 interception and defensive TD

In order to be a startable safety for me in IDP, Thornhill will have to have a game like he did in Week 13 versus the Raiders. He is manning the centerfield free safety role and took an interception the other direction for a touchdown to post a good IDP score. Thornhill remains a strong hold for me but also a player I will only reluctantly start.

Darnell Savage, S GBP

67 (100%) snaps 2 solo tackles, 2 assists, 1 interception vs. NYG

 

Savage also salvaged his IDP day by adding an interception to four total tackles for a solid score in Week 13. He plays mostly strong safety and I would like to see his numbers get better and more consistent before I start him every week. Savage doesn’t have the size typical of a big hitting strong safety, he is a more slight at 5’11” and 200 pounds. He does have sound instincts and should only get better.

Byron Murphy, CB ARZ

79 (100%) snaps 4 solo tackles, 1 assist (62 on season) vs. LAR

I haven’t given the cornerbacks much love, I typically stream cornerbacks in what I estimate will be good matchups. Murphy has drawn attention all season and by being targeted, has produced solid numbers which in turn give him a good floor for starting. He has 62 tackles on the season and is consistently raking in the stops – Murphy has been the only rookie cornerback startable on a week-to-week basis in 2019.

Sheldrick Redwine, S CLE

61 (98 %) snaps 4 solo tackles, 3 assists vs. Pit

With starter Damarious Randall out in Week 13, Redwine was on the field for nearly every defensive snap. He had been slowly seeing the field more the previous few weeks. Redwine looked solid and posted seven total tackles for the game but his starting role will likely be short-lived. I love his long-term prospects, if he can add some size and learn the NFL game, he could be a startable NFL safety. His IDP prospects are a little unsure, although I see Redwine as a strong safety so he may hold IDP value as well. Definitely worth a stash in deeper leagues.

Taylor Rapp, S LAR

39 (61%) snaps 2 solo tackles, 1 interception and defensive TD

Finally, Rapp had been playing the full defensive snap count for the past five weeks, yet still tacked on two tackles and an interception returned for his first score. He had another strong week with the turnover and has been reliable from an IDP standpoint for the past five weeks. Rapp is a playmaker. He will always reward your IDP squad with enough tackles to provide safe weeks. He will also have turnovers occasionally, which can push your team over the top. I love Rapp going forward, he will be a fairly valuable safety going forward.