Of all the leagues I’m in, the most fun are the ones that include IDP (Individual Defensive Players). Perhaps it’s the increased similarity to actual NFL rosters, or maybe it’s that I’m a glutton for the increased challenge of a general crapshoot smorgasbord of oft-injured wrecking balls. Either way, there’s something about the IDP league format that really speaks to me.
The following are a few dynasty targets to consider dealing for this offseason. If you’re new to dynasty IDP, welcome aboard and try to keep up. If you’re an IDP veteran, thanks for fighting the good fight.
A brief intro to IDP for my newbies: there are typically three types of positions that you need to fill on your defensive rosters, including Linebackers (LB), Defensive Backs (DB), and Defensive Linemen (DL). Scoring comes from tackles, tackle assists, sacks, interceptions, fumbles, pass deflections, safeties, and a few other defense-related stats. If you were to compare the values of these stats to, say, how a running back scores, you might say that tackles and tackle assists are like yardage, and sacks, interceptions, and fumbles are like touchdowns… for the most part.
For reference to where my opinions stand in comparison to expert consensus rankings for IDP, please see this LIST.
Let’s begin.
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TOP TARGETS
Brooks is my top trade target this offseason. He’s 24 years old, ascending, and he only just finished his sophomore season. If you’re an IDP veteran, you know he was one of the breakout stars of 2021, jumping from his rookie finish of 289th best LB to 7th best, topping even Darius Leonard (LB – IND) (who’s perennially considered the top fantasy LB). He tallied 108 total tackles and had one sack, which means his weekly scoring is more consistent than someone like TJ Watt, who is largely dependent on sacks to bake his bread. Sacks are volatile, tackles are consistent.
What makes Brooks a particularly sweet trade target is that his greatest competition for tackles and playing time, Bobby Wagner (LB – SEA), may be leaving Seattle this offseason. While Wagner’s exit is not guaranteed, it’s a solid bet to make, especially if Brooks is already able to produce with Wagner on the roster. Current ECR (expert consensus rankings) have Brooks as the LB28, meaning you can get him for a bargain. If you can deal for him before Wagner possibly leaves, you have a real shot at returning massive value.
Sometimes you need to know when to pay up for talent. At this point, most veteran IDP managers understand that Jeremy Chinn is about as dynamic a dynasty DB as one could imagine. That’s significant because most leagues tend to favor the LB (linebacker) position over the DB (defensive back) or DL positions (defensive line). Consistent LBs matter, but top-tier DBs can set your defense apart. Chinn is not yet in the “untouchable” realm, but extremely close. Much like Patrick Mahomes (QB – KC) is in dynasty superflex leagues, some occasional defensive players become so valuable that you simply can’t trade for them. Chinn is, I believe, about to enter that realm.
Chinn is entering his third season in 2022, with his first two seasons resulting in relatively phenomenal totals for a defensive back. In 2020, he had 68 tackles, 48 assists, 1 INT, 5 PD (pass deflections), 2 FR (fumble recovery), and 2 TDs. in 2021, he had 74 tackles, 32 assists, 1 INT, 5 PD, and 1 FR. He was the 22nd and 36th overall IDP performer in 2020 and 2021, respectively. That’s fantastic. If he can take another step forward in 2022, he’ll outperform the likes of Jamal Adams (S – SEA) and Budda Baker (S – AZ), two DBs who are higher ranked but older and more injury-prone. Get Chinn now. RIGHT. NOW.
I promise I’m not a Panthers fan (no offense to Panthers fans). However, when it comes to the DL position, there are very few who can achieve their top-tier upside. IDP veterans know that the drop-off from the top few defensive linemen to the rest of the pack is a sharp and unforgiving fall. Burns represents a relative consistency at the position, while also having youth and room to improve.
Burns is only 23 but has been in the league for three years. He’s never put up a ton of tackles, but he’s steadily improved his sack rate every year: 7.5 sacks his rookie season and nine sacks in 2020 and 2021. However, Burns struggled to finish the season, playing injured in the last five games of the season (five of his lowest statistical efforts ever). Assuming he returns to his early 2021 form, he’s got a chance to improve his sack total in 2022, making him a strong bet to return value. He’s currently ranked as the DL17 in dynasty. He’s a screaming bargain.
OTHER TRADE TARGETS
There are a few other players to consider trading for. Take a look at the following players and see if you can deal for them. They all represent a bargain in one way or another.
Martinez was injured for nearly all of 2021. However, he’s easily one of the top-performing LBs year in and year out. From 2017 to 2020, he finished as the LB3, LB5, LB10, and LB4. He’s 28 years old and is coming off a major injury, but all that should make it easier to deal for him. Just don’t overpay.
I 100% guarantee that whoever has Devin Bush on their dynasty roster is sick of him. He was supposed to break out in 2021 and instead was a massive bust. He’s two seasons removed from his LB20 finish as a rookie, but that should just make it easier for you to deal for him. He’s only one year removed from ACL surgery. Here’s the deal: either his rookie season was a fluke or this past season was. That’s the gamble, but having an integral part of the Pittsburgh defense is potentially priceless. Consider him an appealing lottery ticket.
Aside from possibly the coolest name in the NFL, Deablo carries little clout… for now. He was almost non-existent all year. That is until he was shifted into the LB role for the Raiders, filling in for an injured Denzel Perryman (LB – LV). Deablo flashed, totaling 23 tackles and 15 assists in his five best games. His potential stat average over a full season places him in Jeremy Chinn territory. Deablo represents a long-shot lottery ticket player that could start at LB in 2022 but still carry his DB designation. If that happens, he would potentially offer his managers a significant positional advantage. Luckily, he’s currently ranked so low on the dynasty charts that his managers may foolishly thank you for dealing for him.
Crosby is 24 years old and has been in the league for three seasons. In that time, he’s gone from 10 sacks to seven sacks to eight sacks. His tackles seem to peak around 36 per season, but his pass deflections shot up from one to seven from 2020 to 2021, indicating he’s improved his finesse play and game speed awareness. He’s seemingly the only rushing attack on this Raiders roster but he has yet to realize his full potential. Consider that he only had eight sacks this year, yet he led the league with generated pressures with 108. Aaron Donald (DL – LAR) had the second most generated pressures with 102 and Nick Bosa (DL – SF) was third with 88. If he can capitalize on that pressure, he’ll easily jump the field as a top option. As the DL28 in ECR dynasty IDP rankings, he’s a low-cost target to shore up your DL crew, even if he doesn’t improve.
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