This article is part of our IDP Analysis series.
RISING
Kony Ealy, DE, CAR
There was probably some concern over whether Ealy was a misspent second-round pick after the former Missouri star followed up his unremarkable rookie season with a slow start to the 2015 season. After finishing his rookie season with 12 tackles and four sacks, Ealy posted just 18 tackles and zero sacks in the first six games of this year, giving him just 30 tackles and four sacks in his first 26 NFL games. Ealy's pass-rushing production has improved in recent weeks, however, and there's reason to think the soon to be 24-year-old end has turned a corner in his development. In his last five games Ealy has nine tackles, five sacks, and three forced fumbles.
Eric Kendricks, MLB, MIN
After missing two games with a ribs injury, Kendricks returned to the field against the Packers on Sunday and wasted no time getting back into form, finishing with seven tackles, including one for a loss, on 68 snaps. Since Minnesota traded Gerald Hodges and installed Kendricks into the starting lineup, the rookie second-round pick has been one of the most productive linebackers, totaling 30 tackles and three sacks in his last four healthy games. Fast and instinctive, Kendricks had high expectations in the NFL, but his pass-rushing impact has been better than expected.
Antone Exum, CB, MIN
With Harrison Smith (knee) ruled out for Sunday's game against Atlanta, Exum is expected to step into the starting safety role for the game. Exum hasn't
RISING
Kony Ealy, DE, CAR
There was probably some concern over whether Ealy was a misspent second-round pick after the former Missouri star followed up his unremarkable rookie season with a slow start to the 2015 season. After finishing his rookie season with 12 tackles and four sacks, Ealy posted just 18 tackles and zero sacks in the first six games of this year, giving him just 30 tackles and four sacks in his first 26 NFL games. Ealy's pass-rushing production has improved in recent weeks, however, and there's reason to think the soon to be 24-year-old end has turned a corner in his development. In his last five games Ealy has nine tackles, five sacks, and three forced fumbles.
Eric Kendricks, MLB, MIN
After missing two games with a ribs injury, Kendricks returned to the field against the Packers on Sunday and wasted no time getting back into form, finishing with seven tackles, including one for a loss, on 68 snaps. Since Minnesota traded Gerald Hodges and installed Kendricks into the starting lineup, the rookie second-round pick has been one of the most productive linebackers, totaling 30 tackles and three sacks in his last four healthy games. Fast and instinctive, Kendricks had high expectations in the NFL, but his pass-rushing impact has been better than expected.
Antone Exum, CB, MIN
With Harrison Smith (knee) ruled out for Sunday's game against Atlanta, Exum is expected to step into the starting safety role for the game. Exum hasn't played much this year, playing just 10 snaps on defense, but he should be able to push for 60 snaps with Smith inactive. At 6-foot, 219 pounds with 4.50 speed, Exum has a legitimate safety build despite possessing cornerback-like speed.
FALLING
Greg Hardy, DE, DAL
Not only is Hardy always in the headlines for the wrong reasons, but lately he's not even putting up the numbers necessary to make an IDP worth owning. Hardy finished Dallas' Thanksgiving Day loss to the Panthers with no stats, and missed team meetings has been an increasingly prevalent theme of late. In his last three games, Hardy has just two tackles and a half sack.
Kwon Alexander, LB, TB
Alexander has been very good for IDP owners this year, as the rookie fourth-round pick has 73 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions in 10 games, but his rookie season might soon be over for the most part due to a four-game suspension he was issued for violating the league's PED policy. He's expected to play this week while the appeals process works, but it would appear as if he's at risk of missing four of the remaining five games after that.
Robert Quinn, DE, STL
Playing against Chicago in Week 10, Quinn returned from a knee injury that cost him one game only to leave that game and end up on the injury report with hip and back issues. Those new injuries kept Quinn from playing against Baltimore last week, and after missing all of St. Louis' practices this week, it's hard to see how Quinn would have any decent shot of playing against the Bengals on Sunday. It's not clear what to expect for Quinn's recovery pace, but if he misses more time, William Hayes will continue to start in his place.
