This article is part of our IDP Analysis series.
RISING
Sean Lee, OLB, DAL
It feels like a horrible, certain jinx to ever write anything positive about Lee, who always suffers a serious injury just as soon as the optimism around him hits its peak, but he's once again proving he's as good as anyone when he's actually on the field. Lee finished Week 2 against Philadelphia with 14 tackles (nine solo) and an interception, giving him 23 tackles in two games. Lee is excellent when he's on the field, proving equally ruthless against the run as well as in coverage. Let's all cross our fingers and hope he avoids injury this time.
Kam Chancellor, S, SEA
It's not clear whether Chancellor will play for Seattle against the Bears this week, but his return to the starting lineup is obviously a matter of (short) time now that he's ended his two-week holdout. Chancellor is one of the top IDP safeties when active, boasting 375 tackles and eight interceptions in his last 61 games. That production projects roughly to 98 tackles and two interceptions over a 16-game span.
Bacarri Rambo, S, BUF
Starting safety Aaron Williams is out against the Dolphins this week after suffering a scary neck injury in Week 2, leaving Rambo to step in as the starting safety next to Corey Graham. Rambo has had trouble gaining traction in the NFL due to sloppy play, but he's a reasonably athletic player who can make plays on the ball. Playing 33 defensive snaps, Rambo
RISING
Sean Lee, OLB, DAL
It feels like a horrible, certain jinx to ever write anything positive about Lee, who always suffers a serious injury just as soon as the optimism around him hits its peak, but he's once again proving he's as good as anyone when he's actually on the field. Lee finished Week 2 against Philadelphia with 14 tackles (nine solo) and an interception, giving him 23 tackles in two games. Lee is excellent when he's on the field, proving equally ruthless against the run as well as in coverage. Let's all cross our fingers and hope he avoids injury this time.
Kam Chancellor, S, SEA
It's not clear whether Chancellor will play for Seattle against the Bears this week, but his return to the starting lineup is obviously a matter of (short) time now that he's ended his two-week holdout. Chancellor is one of the top IDP safeties when active, boasting 375 tackles and eight interceptions in his last 61 games. That production projects roughly to 98 tackles and two interceptions over a 16-game span.
Bacarri Rambo, S, BUF
Starting safety Aaron Williams is out against the Dolphins this week after suffering a scary neck injury in Week 2, leaving Rambo to step in as the starting safety next to Corey Graham. Rambo has had trouble gaining traction in the NFL due to sloppy play, but he's a reasonably athletic player who can make plays on the ball. Playing 33 defensive snaps, Rambo finished Week 2 with four tackles (three solo). He could see something closer to 70 or 80 snaps with Williams out of the lineup this week.
DeMeco Ryans and Jordan Hicks, (3-4) ILB, PHI
Mychal Kendricks and Kiko Alonso are both out this week, forcing the Eagles to turn to Ryans and Hicks, a rookie third-round pick out of Texas, as the team's two three-down linebackers against the Falcons this week. Ryans and Hicks respectively logged 60 and 54 snaps against the Cowboys on Sunday, resulting in the former posting six tackles (four solo) while the latter finished with seven tackles (all solo), one sack and a forced fumble.
FALLING
Kiko Alonso, (3-4) ILB, PHI
Alonso's surgically-repaired knee suffered a new injury against the Cowboys in Week 2, partially tearing the ACL that previously ended his 2014 season. It's an extremely disappointing development and an instance of improbably bad luck, as Alonso had a full year to recover from his initial injury. It's hard to expect Alonso to suit up again this year.
Shaq Thompson, OLB, CAR
Even though the Panthers spent a first-round pick on Thompson, he evidently hasn't gained enough favor in the organization to establish himself as more than the team's fourth linebacker behind Luke Kuechly (concussion), Thomas Davis and A.J. Klein. That will change in time, but Week 2 was a big missed opportunity for Thompson, who played fewer snaps (48) than Klein (53). Carolina usually runs a nickel defense, so it seems as if Thompson quite simply won't see the field much once Kuechly returns from his concussion, unless Thomas Davis eventually loses some snaps.
Luke Kuechly, MLB, CAR
Kuechly's IDP value doesn't need defending, but for another week at least it appears his lack of availability will negate his potential production. The concussion Kuechly suffered in Week 1 will keep him out another week, making Week 4 his earliest potential return.
Ryan Shazier, (3-4) ILB, PIT
Just when Shazier finally showed his extreme upside, posting 15 tackles (11 solo), one sack and a forced fumble against San Francisco on Sunday, he managed to suffer another injury – a theme that derailed what should have been an instant-impact rookie season in 2014. Shazier will miss Pittsburgh's Week 3 game against St. Louis after suffering a shoulder injury, however, putting him on the shelf after missing seven games as a rookie.
