Top Ten IDP Risers
Identifying rising assets and capitalizing on them before the entire community is aware of them is a proven way to gain value, especially in IDP.
For this list, we tried to avoid obvious impact rookies like Nick Bosa or other first round studs. This list should help us navigate what was legit in 2019, and what is not going forward into 2020.
Shaq Barrett, OLB TB
If someone told you at the start of 2019 that Barrett would be the season’s sack leader, you would have assumed you had fallen into a bizarro universe where up is down, down is up, and nothing makes sense.
The former first rounder ended the season with 19-and-a-half sacks, leading the entire NFL (worth repeating!). Likely the best season of his career, not much will change for Barrett going into 2020. While he is a linebacker on most sites, he’s going to be a solidly productive EDGE player going forward. I wouldn’t expect 19 sacks yearly, but if he ends in the 8-12 sack range, he’s had an extremely productive reversal of his career.
Jordan Hicks, ILB AZ
Hicks flirted with LB1 territory during his time with the Eagles, but never really reached that level, mostly due to injury. This year, he ends the season as the top linebacker and is solidly placed in that top group now that he’s in Arizona.
The only caveat here is that Arizona’s defense played the most snaps of anyone. Hicks, in particular, played the most snaps of any player in football. This is a testament to his health and a signal of future regression. I fully expect him to be an LB1 going forward with the Cardinals but there is a small injury history attached to him, and there is little chance he plays anywhere close to 1,133 snaps again.
Maxx Crosby, DE OAK
Slightly cheating with a rookie here, but Crosby came partially out of nowhere. Even the NFL didn’t see him as a prime talent, the Raiders included.
The fourth round pick out of Eastern Michigan had a wonderful rookie season, handily outplaying his Raiders draft classmate Clelin Ferrell, who was taken 102 picks earlier. Only four non-first round players in the last 30 years have had ten or more sacks in their rookie season, leaving Crosby in rarefied air. He also tied Nick Bosa at the top spot for rookies in TFL’s and surpassed many others in tackles and pressures.
While he should continue to improve in the NFL, if this is his floor, or close to it, he’s going to have a wonderful career.
Jerome Baker, ILB MIA
Not too surprising, but Baker was far and away the best linebacker in Miami and all signs point for that to continue.
The team hemorrhaged talent all around the defense except for the lone bright spot in Baker, who ended the year as an LB2. Expect the team to take a look at nearly every other position and leave him alone in the middle of the defense. He is a cerebral player who should have no issue locking his spot down.
Bud Dupree, OLB PIT
Dupree had a quietly fantastic year while fellow Steeler T.J. Watt was busy stealing the show. Dupree notched 12 sacks and added another 50 solo tackles. He is a UFA coming into the 2020 off-season, so it’s a situation to monitor. If he’s back in Pittsburgh, the fun will continue. Even in non-“true position” leagues, he was a top 20 linebacker. If your league uses EDGE designations he rockets up to a top five EDGE player.
Sam Hubbard, DE CIN
There was an open lottery to be won in Cincinnati for the second defensive end spot next to Carlos Dunlap, and it was overwhelmingly won by Sam Hubbard.
The second year player played over 850 snaps, followed by Dunlap at 739 and finally Carl Lawson in the 400’s. He didn’t disappoint statistically either, recording nine sacks and over 45 solo tackles, good enough for DE4 in NPLB scoring. Dunlap might not be going anywhere, but Hubbard has already eclipsed him and is still on a rookie deal.
Grady Jarett, DE ATL
Partially a known asset, Jarrett had a great 2020, reaching DT2 in NPLB scoring, cementing him as a top defensive tackle in the league.
He showed incredible speed and bust off the line on a defense that was sorely lacking players who wanted to step up. The internal promotion of Raheem Morris to defensive coordinator bodes well for Jarrett, as he produced better after Morris took over more play calling. Jarrett’s value has cooled after his solid Super Bowl performance in 2018. While his name isn’t as well known, there’s a chance to add him at a value for DT required leagues.
Vonn Bell, S NO
Not the newest face to many, but the hard hitting safety finally had season worth talking about. Bell was, for the first time, playing all the snaps on defense – and was racking up the stats to go along with it.
He ended the year as S7, but was fifth in PPG among the group. Unfortunately, he missed time, but he was on pace for a great season. I expect the Saints to re-sign him, but he is a pending free agent and could be on his way to greener pastures. Any team that’s going to take a chance on him will be sure to let him run free. If he stays in the Big Easy, we know what to expect going forward.
Matt Ioannidis, DT WAS
Interior defensive players get no love, but Ioannidis had a quietly very good season. He put together nine sacks and 55 pressures from a 3-4 defensive end spot, which is very impressive.
The reason I bring him up here is that with Jack Del Rio in town, Ioannidis will likely be getting defensive tackle designation and would drop in as a top tackle for the next couple of years. He’s going to have a wealth of talent around him and is a very good player in his own right. For DT-required or combined defensive line NPLB leagues, he’s a player you can get for a huge bargain.
Cole Holcomb, ILB WAS
Not the flashiest player here, but I wanted to include him because he was a waiver darling and should continue to see a solidified role going forward in Washington. Holcomb came on hot, but ended the season as LB36 when it was all said and done.
Looking forward, that linebacker room is very thin, but it rides on what the team decides to do with Reuben Foster. If they don’t retain him (Foster is a free cut), Holcomb should be their day one starter. If they do retain him, Holcomb will still be in for a nice (if somewhat reduced) role.
- 2023 NFL Scouting Combine: Defensive Player Dynasty Review - March 13, 2023
- 2022 NFL Scouting Combine: IDP Dynasty Review - March 10, 2022
- 2021 Post-Draft Superflex and Integrated IDP Rookie Mock - May 14, 2021
