A deeper dive into the linebacker position provides plenty of potential fantasy football IDP options that will cost you elite draft capital. However, astute fantasy football managers are looking for the next best thing at every position, and linebackers in IDP leagues should be no different.
Here are three sneaky options who are currently the LB2 on their NFL teams but will produce top-level production for fantasy football IDP managers.
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LB2 With Top 5 Potential (2024 Fantasy Football)
Chris Braswell (LB – TB)
57. Buccaneers – Chris Braswell (#41)
Strengths:
– Speed-to-power rush
– Upper-body strength
– Relentless motorScouting report ?https://t.co/CryCuU3Wl0#GoBucs pic.twitter.com/XRd5LJpyPK
— SIS Football (@football_sis) April 27, 2024
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were desperate this offseason to bolster their edge position to team up with this past season’s breakout, YaYa Diaby. The Bucs looked to Alabama, where they selected edge rusher Chris Braswell in the bottom of the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Braswell showcased his versatility, lining up in two—and three-point stances where he displayed his lethal first-step quickness, excellent speed to power conversion and violent hands.
Braswell will immediately bolster the Bucs’ edge rush rotation and step into a role replacing Shaquil Barrett in Todd Bowles’ penetrating-based defensive scheme. The scheme is similar to what Braswell played at Alabama, showcasing his ability to set the edge versus the run and drop into coverage.
“It’s kind of similar to the Bama defense,” Chris Braswell said when describing what Tampa Bay’s defense is like. “Very similar, just different word terms, just got to learn the different terminology, the new language and everything should be fine.”
Braswell will be the next chess piece for Todd Bowles. It will be a deep sleeper at linebacker to surprise everyone as an EDGE option to produce near double-digit sacks and plenty of tackles for loss that will provide IDP managers an extreme steal.
Odafe Oweh (LB/DE – BAL)
Odafe Oweh only has 13 career sacks in three NFL seasons, but the Ravens still picked up his fifth-year option.
Why Baltimore is doubling down on the talented pass rusher: https://t.co/EuNn0LRJ09 pic.twitter.com/ynudzYi3bU
— Baltimore Banner Sports (@AllBannerSports) May 2, 2024
Odafe Oweh will be heavily relied upon by the Baltimore Ravens defense to establish himself as a sack artist after producing 13 total sacks across his first three seasons. This past season, the Ravens brought in veterans Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy to upgrade their pass rush. Their departures opened the door for Oweh, who made five starts and produced 23 tackles, four tackles for loss, five sacks and two forced fumbles in 13 games this past season.
The Ravens have high hopes for Oweh, who, according to Pro Football Focus, produced a pass-win rate of 18.2 percent, the 10th-best mark in the league. Oweh got off to a scorching start in the 2023 season. He recorded seven pressures and four quarterback hits in the season opener against the Texans. Unfortunately, an ankle injury suffered in Week 2 cost him the next four games, but he returned on fire, recording four sacks over the next five games.
Oweh underwent thumb surgery following the playoff loss to Kansas City. Expectations will continue to be high, and Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is predicting a breakout season for the 25-year-old next season. Another step in development with his opportunity could provide double-digit sacks for IDP managers in 2024.
Payton Wilson (LB – PITT)
Watch: Payton Wilson’s Pursuit Is Elite #Steelers #NFL #Pittsburgh https://t.co/YJaaMAh54j
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) May 10, 2024
Despite Payton Wilson dropping into the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, he emerges as a name to remember for IDP managers. The Pittsburgh Steelers took advantage of the concerns about his injury history and provided Wilson with the ideal landing spot.
Wilson shined in his Senior season at North Carolina State, filling the box score while taking home both the Bednarik and Butkus Awards. Wilson makes plays all over the field, and his athletic profile, size and instincts allow him to make a significant impact in coverage or as a blitzer. He also impressed at the NFL Combine, running a 4.43 40-yard dash and easing injury concerns.
Wilson will probably start as LB2 with the Steelers, but he will climb the depth chart and be a starter within the first weeks, if not sooner. His impact in stopping the run and passing game will make Wilson a stud IDP linebacker and continue the long Steelers legacy of menacing linebackers and highly sought-after targets for IDP managers. Look for 100+ tackles and five sacks to catapult Wilson into a must-own IDP linebacker.
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Dennis Sosic is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Dennis, check out his archive and follow him @CALL_ME_SOS.
