The search continues to identify IDP (individual defensive player) options with the potential to catapult into the top five at their position. I tackled the linebacker position in the first part of this series. The next stop on the IDP draft advice train is the big boys up front — defensive linemen.
Find out which three DL2s have the potential to reach the top five and should be targeted by IDP managers in their 2024 fantasy football leagues.
- Fitz’s Fantasy Football Draft Primers
- 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 Best Ball Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Free Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator
DL2s With Top 5 Potential (2024 Fantasy Football)
Dorance Armstrong (DE – WAS)
The Commanders attempted to gain financial flexibility by trading defensive linemen Montez Sweat and Chase Young before the 2023 NFL trade deadline. These moves left new head coach Dan Quinn needing urgent additions along the defensive line. Quinn utilized his strong connection with Dorance Armstrong and plucked the Kansas product away from division rival Dallas Cowboys.
Armstrong played his best football under Quinn for the Cowboys. Armstrong was initially in a rotational role but flashed tremendous potential over the last two seasons — 16 sacks, 28 quarterback hits and 33 pressures. His ascension also includes a solid core base, allowing him to set the edge consistently.
Armstrong has spent all six NFL seasons in Dallas and recorded a career-high 38 combined tackles last season while adding 7.5 sacks, which was second on the team to Micah Parsons. Surprisingly, in a limited role, he also had more sacks than DeMarcus Lawrence in the past two years.
The former fourth-round pick should invite excitement for IDP managers with his climb into a full-time role. With Dan Quinn running the Commanders’ defense, Armstrong should see career-high numbers with double-digit sacks and 50-60 tackles.
A.J. Epenesa (DE – BUF)
A.J. Epenesa struggled in his first two seasons in Buffalo, racking up only 2.5 sacks. However, his production improved, with 6.5 sacks and 10 quarterback hits in the past two seasons. In addition, he transformed his game into disrupting passing lanes, with five passes defended in 2022 and then a career-high of eight this past season, including two interceptions.
The Bills’ defensive line will look entirely different in 2024. The Bills let Leonard Floyd depart in free agency and brought back Greg Rousseau, who will team up with Epenesa to form the bookends of the Bills’ defense. Unfortunately, Von Miller looks washed.
Epenesa will take on a notable role, and his significant improvement in pass-rushing ability is wildly consistent. Fantasy IDP managers should have more confidence in what Epenesa produced in a limited snap count. The starting Bills defensive end won’t cost you immense draft capital but will provide a high ceiling,
Kobie Turner (DT – LAR)
The Rams hit the draft jackpot with the selection of defensive tackle Kobie Turner in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Turner recorded nine sacks and finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. Of course, Turner benefited from future Hall of Famer Aaron Darnold being double- and triple-teamed on every play. The Rams also love his versatility in playing every defensive alignment.
Turner has absorbed plenty of tips and tricks from Darnold now that he enjoys retirement. Unlike his impact with Darnold, the Rams never surrounded Darnold with plenty of talent. The Rams added EDGE Jared Verse in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft and defensive tackle Braden Fiske in the third round to assist the next decade of their defense.
In his new role, Turner will explode with double-digit sacks and will be fantasy gold for IDP managers starting in the 2024 fantasy football season.
More Fantasy Football Draft Advice
Expert Must-Have Draft Picks
Fitz’s Fantasy Football Draft Primers
Erickson’s Fantasy Football Draft Strategy
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Dennis Sosic is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more information from Dennis, check out his archive and follow him @CALL_ME_SOS.
