IDP Rookie Review: Week One
With no preseason, it was nice to finally get a look at some of our IDP rookies on the field in week one.
Each week, I’ll watch a number of them to provide a look at their play and progress. I’ll also keep tabs on playing time and statistics for some of your bench and taxi squad stashes. By the end of the season we should have a good feel for who to build around, who to keep rostered, and who to let go.
Let me know in the comments section if you want more information on anyone covered or not covered.
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
Derrick Brown, DT CAR
43 (68%) snaps; one solo tackle, two assists; one tackle for loss; one pass defensed
The Panthers had zero success getting to Derek Carr, but Brown did manage to get his hand up to knock down a Carr pass, and tackle Josh Jacobs three times. In defensive tackle-required leagues, you should have better options for now.
K’Lavon Chaisson, DE JAC
46 (62%) snaps; one solo tackle, one assist
Chaisson had a solid debut that would have been better had a fourth-quarter interception of Philip Rivers not been negated by a penalty. Still, he put together a few good rushes, and played a healthy number of snaps – exclusively at defensive end. The future looks bright along the Jags’ defensive line with Chaisson and Josh Allen as the bookends.
Javon Kinlaw, DT SF
39 (48%) snaps; one assist
Kinlaw was not in the starting lineup and was quiet statistically, but he didn’t look overmatched for the most part, and got into the backfield once to help with a tackle of Kenyan Drake. Exercise some patience with Kinlaw, and keep him stashed on your bench or taxi squad in defensive tackle-required leagues.
Chase Young, DE WAS
53 (78%) snaps; two solo tackles, two assists; one and a half sacks; one quarterback hit; one forced fumble
The Washington Football Team’s defensive line is a force to be reckoned with, and Young served notice that his billing as 2020’s best pro prospect was spot on. Showing off an array of pass rush moves, Young used an inside spin to record his first career sack on a play in which he had the wherewithal to bat the ball from Carson Wentz’s hand as the quarterback tried to escape. Buckle up and enjoy the ride if you drafted Young.
Others of note:
- Ross Blacklock, DT HOU – ten (14%) snaps
- Raekwon Davis, DT MIA – 27 (42%) snaps
- Jordan Elliott, DT CLE – 26 (44%) snaps
- Davon Hamilton, DT JAX – 26 (35%) snaps; two solo tackles
- Yetur Gross-Matos, DE CAR – 16 (25%) snaps; one assist
- Julian Okwara, DE DET – seven (11%) snaps
Notable inactives:
- Marlon Davidson, DT ATL – has been limited in training camp with a knee issue
- AJ Epenesa, DE BUF – healthy scratch
- James Lynch, DT MIN – healthy scratch
- Justin Madubuike, DT BAL – suffered a knee injury late in camp
- Larrell Murchison, DE TEN – healthy scratch
- Alton Robinson, DE SEA – healthy scratch
- Jason Strowbridge, DE MIA – healthy scratch
- DJ Wonnum, DE MIN – healthy scratch
LINEBACKERS
Krys Barnes, LB GB
15 (29%) snaps; four solo tackles, two assists; two tackles for loss
Barnes, an undrafted rookie from UCLA, was a surprise starter who was only promoted from the practice squad after fellow rookie linebacker Kamal Martin was placed on injured reserve. Barnes trailed only Christian Kirksey in total tackles for the Packers – just don’t get carried away trying to roster him. He only played 15 snaps, and his usage is an unknown moving forward.
Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB CIN
20 (27%) snaps; three solo tackles; one quarterback hit
Logan Wilson, LB CIN
22 (30%) snaps; two solo tackles
In limited playing time, Cincinnati’s top two rookie linebackers held up well. Subbing in for starters Germaine Pratt and Josh Bynes on most third downs, Davis-Gaither and Wilson showed that they belonged.
After the game, safety Jessie Bates offered praise for the pair: “I think they have a bright future, those two young linebackers. … My first game as a rookie, I wouldn’t be up there making checks and stuff like that. So I give a lot of credit to those guys. I talked to them in the locker room today. I was very impressed with them two being on the field at the same time with no veteran [linebackers] with them.” You obviously can’t play either Davis-Gaither or Wilson at this point, but they remain excellent dynasty stashes.
Malik Harrison, LB BAL
21 (29%) snaps; four solo tackles; one pass defensed
Patrick Queen, LB BAL
54 (74%) snaps; four solo tackles, four assists; one sack; one tackle for loss; one quarterback hit; one forced fumble
This is just the start we were hoping for: Queen led the Ravens in tackles and looked like a future star with quick movements and aggressive play. He filled up the stat sheet, bringing down Mayfield for a sack in the second quarter, and ripping the ball away from Nick Chubb to force a turnover to close out the third.
Harrison looked good as well, and it shouldn’t take long for him to eat into journeyman LJ Fort’s snaps (32 percent). Harrison may not garner enough snaps this season to make it into your lineup, but his strong tackle numbers bode well. Keep Queen in your lineup and Harrison on your roster – the snaps should rise and the production should continue.
Kenneth Murray, LB LAC
62 (91%) snaps; four solo tackles, four assists
This wasn’t a huge statistical game for Murray, but the 91 percent snap rate bodes well for his usage and opportunities this season. There was a lot to like, and I was particularly impressed with his ability to shed the blocks of lineman on running plays and get in on tackles. There was some bad as well: early in the first quarter, Murray quickly diagnosed a short pass to Bengals receiver John Ross and exploded to the play after the catch – only to whiff on the tackle.
Drue Tranquill will obviously miss a lot of time with a brutal broken ankle injury, so Murray’s playing time shouldn’t decrease even in a fairly deep linebacker corps. Keep him in your lineups.
Jacob Phillips, LB CLE
12 (20%) snaps; one solo tackle
Not much went right for the Browns in week one and that extended to Phillips, who got the start at weakside linebacker but suffered a right leg injury in the third quarter. Phillips was in a heavy brace after the game. Phillips was only playing part-time snaps before the injury, with Sione Takitaki and BJ Goodson seeing the bulk of snaps at linebacker, so keep him stashed on your bench or taxi squad for the foreseeable future.
Isaiah Simmons, LB ARI
18 (29%) snaps; three solo tackles
Simmons’ low snap count was likely the biggest IDP disappointment of week one. Not that the low snap percentage wasn’t warranted; some rookies look like rookies and Simmons looked like he could have used a full preseason. He started the game just where most expected – lined up man-to-man with 49ers tight end George Kittle – and promptly got worked by Kittle for a short reception. Simmons was only able to bring down Kittle with a horse-collar tackle, which resulted in a 15-yard penalty. On San Francisco’s second offensive possession, Simmons misplayed his man coverage on running back Raheem Mostert, who took a quick slant 76 yards to the end zone.
Kittle and Mostert will make a lot of defenders look bad, but that’s not what Arizona had in mind when they drafted Simmons with the number eight overall pick. Don’t panic sell Simmons, just realize that with the Cardinals’ depth at linebacker and Budda Baker’s ability to cover tight ends, 2020 could be a fantasy redshirt season for the former Clemson star.
Others of note:
- Shaun Bradley, LB PHI – eight (11%) snaps; one solo tackle
- Jordyn Brooks, LB SEA – seven (9%) snaps; one solo tackle
- Willie Gay, LB KC – zero snaps
- Alex Highsmith, LB PIT – ten (15%) snaps; one solo tackle
- Anfernee Jennings, LB NE – nine (15%) snaps; one solo tackle
- Davion Taylor, LB PHI – zero snaps
- Mykal Walker, LB ATL – ten (16%) snaps; one solo tackle, two assists
Notable inactives:
- Zack Baun, LB NO – healthy scratch
- Jonathan Greenard, LB HOU – has been limited with an ankle injury
- Josh Uche, LB NE – healthy scratch
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Jeremy Chinn, S CAR
63 (100%) snaps; seven solo tackles, one assist
Chinn is already starting material in IDP leagues. Lining up at strong-side linebacker and slot corner, Chinn never left the field on defense and flashed speed, closing ability and sure tackling. He’s at a size disadvantage when engaged by blockers, but if he can stay free to move, he’s going to be a nice tackle-producer this season. Playing slot corner gives him some upside to pick up pass coverage statistics as well.
Jordan Fuller, S LAR
71 (99%) snaps, 5 solo tackles, 3 assists
One of the big week one IDP surprises was Fuller’s role in the Rams’ defensive backfield. Los Angeles seemingly has a find in the sixth-round pick, though, and Fuller supplanted preseason darling Taylor Rapp in the full-time safety spot opposite John Johnson. After the Rams’ win over Dallas, Coach Sean McVay, Jared Goff and Jalen Ramsey all gushed about Fuller, who led the team in total tackles and made a key fourth-quarter stop on a pass to CeeDee Lamb.
CJ Henderson, CB JAC
62 (84%) snaps; five solo tackles; one interception; three passes defensed
The Colts tested the draft’s ninth overall pick often and Henderson came through just fine, even picking off a Philip Rivers pass intended for TY Hilton that led to the Jaguars’ first touchdown. He won’t get to face Old Man Rivers every week, but rookie corners who play a lot of snaps are going to get tested. Henderson has the ability to make the most of his opportunities.
Jaylon Johnson, CB CHI
78 (100%) snaps; five solo tackles, one assist; two passes defensed
Johnson made several plays on the ball in his debut, including a near interception of Matthew Stafford in the second quarter, and a breakup of Stafford’s pass to Marvin Jones in the end zone on the final play of the game. (The latter was redemption from an embarrassing failed tackle attempt on Jones in the first half.) Post-NFL Combine shoulder surgery limited Johnson throughout training camp, but he played every defensive snap. Johnson is someone to consider if you like targeting rookies in cornerback-required leagues.
Brandon Jones, S MIA
34 (53%) snaps; seven solo tackles, three assists
Jones played a little more than half of Miami’s defensive snaps, but he started at strong safety and logged solid tackle numbers with the Patriots running the ball on two-thirds of their offensive possessions. I’d be leery of putting him in lineups until his snaps increase, but this was a promising start for the hard-hitting Jones.
L’Jarius Sneed, CB KC
55 (93%) snaps; three solo tackles; two passes defensed; one interception
Sneed was the other impressive rookie the Chiefs trotted out in week one. While he missed a tackle attempt on David Johnson’s early touchdown run, he was good in coverage, sticking with the speedy Will Fuller and Brandin Cooks. He even put his own speed on display on his 39-yard interception return, hitting 21.38 mph, according to Next Gen Stats. He doesn’t figure to lose snaps anytime soon considering Charvarius Ward’s broken hand, and the powerful Kansas City offense should keep providing opportunities for Chiefs IDP plays.
Antoine Winfield Jr., S TB
68 (100%) snaps; three solo tackles, three assists; one quarterback hit; one pass defensed
The second-generation NFL defensive back flashed speed and sure tackling in his debut. Winfield just missed a sack of Drew Brees on a blitz – he juked Alvin Kamara on his way to a quarterback hit – and almost intercepted a fourth-quarter pass to Emmanuel Sanders in the end zone. He mostly played deep, but diagnosed runs quickly and closed to the play in a hurry. Even after one game, it’s hard to watch Winfield and not see a star in the making.
Others of note:
- David Arnette, CB LV – 48 (72%) snaps; three solo tackles, two assists; one pass defensed
- Kamren Curl, S WAS – played a surprising 22 (32%) snaps; two solo tackles (both for loss), one assist
- Cameron Dantzler, CB MIN – 64 (82%) snaps; four solo tackles
- Ashtyn Davis, S NYJ – zero snaps
- Trevon Diggs, CB DAL – 73 (100%) snaps started; two solo tackles, one assist
- Kyle Dugger, S NE – 11 (18%) snaps
- Kristian Fulton, CB TEN – 24 (41%) snaps; three solo tackles, one assist
- Jeff Gladney, CB MIN – nine (12%) snaps
- Darnay Holmes, CB NYG – 47 (73%) snaps; two solo tackles, one assist
- Noah Igbinoghene, CB MIA – 37 (58%) snaps; two solo tackles
- Michael Ojemudia, CB DEN – 64 (79%) snaps; two solo tackles; one pass defensed
- Troy Pride, CB CAR – 58 (92%) snaps; four solo tackles, three assists
- John Reid, CB HOU – 32 (46%) snaps; five solo tackles
- A.J. Terrell, CB ATL – 62 (100%) snaps; five solo tackles, one assist
- K’Von Wallace, S PHI – six (9%) snaps
Notable inactives:
- Julian Blackmon, S IND – has been limited while recovering from a torn ACL suffered in the Pac-12 title game in December
- Jeff Okudah, CB, DET – has been limited with a hamstring injury
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