This week we continue to document the new additions to the IDP ranks in the NFL, focusing on defensive linesmen that have the true potential to be fantasy relevant players this season, whenever it begins. Two of the top DLs taken early in this year’s draft project to slot in as defensive tackles, so take note if you play in a league that requires DT positions in the starting lineup.
Chase Young DE WAS
Washington made the Ohio State product their top draft pick, selecting him second overall in the 2020 draft. He is joining an established defensive line, slotting in at right DE opposite Ryan Kerrigan on the left side, and with noted IDP performers Jonathan Allen , Matthew Ioannidis and Montez Sweat . He collected 80 total tackles (TT) over the last two seasons in the Big 10, with 27 sacks to lead the NCAA both in 2018 and 2019. A full 35 of those TT were for a loss of yardage (TFL). Look for him to continue to amass good to great tackle numbers with a sack total nearing double digits in his rookie campaign. While he might be most valuable in sack-oriented leagues, he will have DL2 at least value in any scoring system.
Yetur Gross-Matos DE CAR
Penn State did not do Gross-Matos any favors by playing him at nose tackle last season, but he will step in at left DE for the Panthers, where he will push Stephen Weatherly for playing time from the git-go. He has effective run-stuffing capabilities and also has the athleticism necessary to pick up high single-digit sack totals in the pros. As with Mr. Young above, he showed a proclivity to racking up TFLs, with 34.5 of his 94 TT during 2018-19 being for a loss of yardage. Carolina will welcome him to join their other young edge rusher taken in last year’s draft first round, Brian Burns.
Derrick Brown DT CAR
Sticking with the Panthers, Carolina selected the big man from Auburn (326 lbs., 6’5”) with the seventh overall pick this April. He figures to start right out of the gate, and will be a force that disrupts the opponent’s run game. His tackle and sack numbers in the college game were not awe-inspiring, with just 22 of his 100+ TT over the last two seasons being for a loss of yardage, to go with 8.5 sacks over that same period, so he may not be a fantasy-stat darling, more of a productive player in the actual game.
A.J. Epenesa DE BUF
The Bills were able to secure the services of the Iowa Hawkeye in the second round, a veritable steal as a significant portion of draft analysts had him pegged as a first rounder. His failure to impress at the combine likely hurt his draft value, but he looks to figure into the Buffalo DL rotation immediately. He might have been better suited to join a 3-4 defensive scheme, although he should be solid enough in the Bills’ base 4-3 defense. He already signed his rookie contract, and should be considered a bench DL in redraft leagues who will be more valuable in tackle-oriented league set-ups.
Javon Kinlaw DT SF
The new 49er DL is our final entry to profile this week. Kinlaw was drafted with an eye to replacing DeForest Buckner who the team traded to the Colts. As with the other DT profiled, he is a mountain of a human being, measuring 6’5” in height and tipping the scales at 324 lbs. He comes into the least-favorable situation for playing time, as the 49er defense is deep at defensive line. Kinlaw has disruptive tendencies in the run game, but is not expected to be a big force as a pass-rush specialist. Still, for those of you who play in DT-mandatory IDP schemes, he has value based on his landing spot and position eligibility.
At least through next week (and perhaps beyond), we will continue to profile other IDP rookies that have the potential to provide realistic fantasy value in redraft leagues. The players discussed in this series examining rookie IDPs should generally be targeted in your dynasty IDP leagues, though, as they will provide value going forward as they develop into NFL veterans (barring injury).
As ever, godspeed and best of luck in your fantasy endeavors. If you have any questions regarding IDP, or fantasy football in general, you can send an inquiry to ia@fantasyalarm.com for a personalized suggestion (or two, if the spirit moves).