This article is part of our IDP Analysis series.
We're just days away from the first preseason games, and with that, IDP draft season will be in full swing. Let's look at some of our top-ranked players who the fantasy community isn't quite as high on. Targeting some of the players on this list will allow fantasy managers to use earlier draft spots on players at other positions that they covet.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Leonard Williams, New York Jets
RotoWire Rank: 8
ADP: 14
As a 23-year-old, he already has two 60-tackle seasons, and he posted seven sacks on 895 snaps. Despite the Jets potentially playing from behind most weeks, which could limit pass-rush attempts, his talent gives him major upside.
Carlos Dunlap, Cincinnati Bengals
RotoWire Rank: 9
ADP: 15
As a player with a rare combination of size and speed, his upside was shown by his 55-tackle, 13.5-sack 2015 season. During 2016, he played his fewest snaps the last three years, but with the Bengals projected to have an improved offense from last year, there could be plenty of pass-rush opportunities for him.
Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia Eagles
RotoWire Rank: 14
ADP: 22
Cox has always been an athletic marvel, and he showed his ability to produce when he posted 71 tackles and 9.5 sacks in 982 snaps. An ankle injury held him to just 773 snaps last year, and it's reasonable to assume this elite-level player can continue to improve.
LINEBACKER
Alec Ogletree, Los Angeles Rams
RotoWire Rank: 1
ADP: 6
At 25, he should
We're just days away from the first preseason games, and with that, IDP draft season will be in full swing. Let's look at some of our top-ranked players who the fantasy community isn't quite as high on. Targeting some of the players on this list will allow fantasy managers to use earlier draft spots on players at other positions that they covet.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Leonard Williams, New York Jets
RotoWire Rank: 8
ADP: 14
As a 23-year-old, he already has two 60-tackle seasons, and he posted seven sacks on 895 snaps. Despite the Jets potentially playing from behind most weeks, which could limit pass-rush attempts, his talent gives him major upside.
Carlos Dunlap, Cincinnati Bengals
RotoWire Rank: 9
ADP: 15
As a player with a rare combination of size and speed, his upside was shown by his 55-tackle, 13.5-sack 2015 season. During 2016, he played his fewest snaps the last three years, but with the Bengals projected to have an improved offense from last year, there could be plenty of pass-rush opportunities for him.
Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia Eagles
RotoWire Rank: 14
ADP: 22
Cox has always been an athletic marvel, and he showed his ability to produce when he posted 71 tackles and 9.5 sacks in 982 snaps. An ankle injury held him to just 773 snaps last year, and it's reasonable to assume this elite-level player can continue to improve.
LINEBACKER
Alec Ogletree, Los Angeles Rams
RotoWire Rank: 1
ADP: 6
At 25, he should be entering his prime, and the arrival of defensive coordinator Wade Phillips likely will get the most out of this extremely talented player. He's averaged nine tackles in his last 20 games, and both his ability to blitz and cover make him a player who should be used in each area of strength, potentially making him the best IDP in the league this year.
Zach Brown, Washington Redskins
RotoWire Rank: 3
ADP: 12
Brown broke out with the Bills last year after underperforming earlier in his career with the Titans. He has amazing athleticism, and moving to Washington, where the offense will put up lots of points, will only help Brown to see a ton of snaps. Opportunity plus talent equals fantasy gold.
Benardrick McKinney, Houston Texans
RotoWire Rank: 4
ADP: 19
McKinney has a great size/speed combo, and after breaking out in his second season in 2016, he certainly has room to continue improving. The Texans potentially could be better on offense than they were with Brock Osweilier, and if so, McKinney could put up some impressive sack totals when the team plays with more leads this year.
Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
RotoWire Rank: 5
ADP: 9
David averaged 140 tackles per year for four years before having a down year in 2016. Recency bias will have him being ignored in many fantasy drafts due to his disappointing 2016 performance. Since there was no tangible reason to explain the down year, it seems to be an anomaly. A reasonable explanation is that he was used differently than usual in the Bucs' defensive scheme. He should be fully immersed in that system now, and it's reasonable to expect a return to his previous levels of performance.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Johnathan Cyprien, Tennessee Titans
RotoWire Rank: 3
ADP: 8
Since we're talking fantasy, Cyprien's struggles in coverage mean little, because he's a top producer of tackles at his position. He's posted more than 100 tackles in each of his four seasons, and his change of teams should make little difference in terms of his production.
Barry Church, Jacksonville Jaguars
RotoWire Rank: 5
ADP: outside top 15
Church has been a great source of tackles the last four years with the Cowboys, and now he's moving to Jacksonville. The move should suit him well, as he takes over for the departed Johnathan Cyprien, who tallied 127 tackles in 2016
Kurt Coleman, Carolina Panthers
RotoWire Rank: 6
ADP: outside top 15
Watching Coleman on film can be distressing, as he makes plenty of mistakes, largely due to the risky nature of his style of play. However, what can't be questioned is his ability to produce for fantasy. He's averaged 92 tackles, 5.5 INTs and one touchdown the last two years. He should continue to have a three-down role with the team, making him a great fantasy option.
