Pernell McPhee

Health has long been the biggest issue for the 29-year-old McPhee, who had eight sacks in 22 games while filling a part-time role in Chicago last season. He was a three-down player at his peak, but Washington likely will restrict him to backup work behind starting outside linebackers Ryan Kerrigan and Preston Smith.

McPhee has struggled with injuries during his first two years with the Bears, appearing in 23 of 32 games while being limited in a number of games he played. Should he recover fully from the knee injury he suffered in 2016, he’ll be a player to consider in IDP leagues, as he’s posted 10 sacks over his past 23 games.

In his first year with the Bears, McPhee posted 53 tackles, which nearly doubled the total of any of his first four years in the league. In addition to his involvement as a run-stopper, he's now posted at least six sacks in three different seasons. With another year in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's scheme, and along with an infusion of talent on the defensive side of the ball, McPhee will be in a great situation to build on his successful 2015 campaign.

Though his production was overshadowed by the lofty sack totals of teammates Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs, McPhee might have been just as integral to the Ravens’ success in 2014 due to his versatility. McPhee’s ability to routinely cause disruption as a down lineman or edge rusher allowed him to grade out as Pro Football Focus’ second-best 3-4 outside linebacker last season, behind only the Chiefs’ Justin Houston. The Bears evidently took notice of McPhee’s impactful play, signing him to a five-year, $40 million contract in March. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio plans to make McPhee a centerpiece for his 3-4 scheme, but the 26-year-old’s multi-positionality probably works against him in becoming a high-end IDP option. While McPhee could easily improve upon his total of 27 tackles and 7.5 sacks from 2014 now that he’s poised to see a significant uptick in snaps, he won’t be purely deployed as a rusher like Aldon Smith was under Fangio in San Francisco. Instead, McPhee projects to line up all over the field to exploit matchups and stymie the rhythm of offenses, a role that won’t yield overwhelming tackle or sack totals, but one that is extremely valuable from a real-life perspective.

McPhee is a versatile backup who has experience playing both outside linebacker and defensive end.

McPhee surprisingly notched six sacks as a rookie in 2011, but he followed that up with a disappointing 1.5-sack season in 2012. Now he's shifting from 3-4 defensive end to 3-4 outside linebacker, which isn't a transition that players are normally asked to make. McPhee may be on the roster bubble if he struggles with the adjustment.

McPhee is fighting with Art Jones for a starting defensive end spot in Baltimore. Jones is bigger, and probably a better run defender, while McPhee is considered the superior pass rusher. He managed to tally six sacks in limited playing time as a rookie, and could equal that total this year even if he doesn't start. However, there still isn't much IDP potential here since the scheme doesn't count on linemen to make tackles.

McPhee has outperformed his fifth-round selection in training camp, but would have to be absolutely spectacular to have any kind of IDP impact this season.