IDP play in fantasy football is something that is growing in popularity every year. The usage of individual defensive players takes some of the randomness that team defense seems to bring to fantasy football games. In the coming weeks, we will be going over the IDP contributors that you should be looking at from this rookie class. We will cover every position group, from Defensive ends to 3-4 Linebackers to Safety. This week, we will take a look at some Rookie Defensive Ends.
First up, the second overall pick:
Chase Young, Redskins
Young profiles as an impact EDGE in Ron Rivera’s 4-3 with the upside to become one the NFL’s most prolific defensive playmakers. He’s polished, powerful, athletic, and is going into a system best suited for his talents. In 2018, Young recorded 75 pressures and led the Buckeyes in sacks (10.5) and tackles for loss (14.5). He is joining an elite defense Line made up of former first-rounders including Montez Sweat, Daron Payne, and Jonathan Allen. Those guys will not allow him to be double-teamed, and he should start piling up numbers fairly quickly. I would view him as a borderline DE1 with upside, and someone that should be taken high due to a dearth at the position.Â
Yeter Gross-Matos, Panthers
The former Nittany Lion is an effective pass rusher and run defender who totaled at least eight sacks in each of the past two seasons. He is stepping into some big shoes in Carolina, as they are looking to replace the departed Mario Addison across from Brian Burns. YGM isn’t the elite athlete that Chase Young is, but he is a solid edge rusher who can stop the run, which will give him an opportunity to earn a 3-down role.  He has excellent length and plays with very good leverage that he uses to get off blocks. Gross-Matos sets an edge and has the ability to take on blocks and contain plays from getting to the perimeter. While he may not get full-time work immediately in Carolina, I expect him to take a starting spot sooner rather than later. He should be viewed as having a DE3 floor with high DE2 potential.
Bradlee Anae, Cowboys
Anae does not come with the draft capital that Young or YGM has. A 5th round pick, Anae is not being expected to come in and save the day in Dallas. He does, however, have the opportunity to do just that. Anae excelled at the pass rush in college, where he used his hard-charging stubbornness to fight through blocks and possesses enough quickness to make him a threat to turn the corner. He filled up the stat sheet at Utah, totaling 13 sacks and 41 tackles his senior year. He is a capable run defender as well. Playing across from Demarcus Lawrence should get him every opportunity to make an impact in a rotational role in his rookie year. I would add him as a DE4 with upside, as he could pay off down the road into a solid IDP contributor.Â
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