METHODOLOGY
In this weekly article, we will take a look at a couple of IDP players available in many leagues that appear to show promise or have a foreseeable path to time on the field and production. The hope is that you can acquire these players for free or relatively close to free. It depends on the depth and settings of each individual league. Qualifying players are those available in at least two-thirds of full IDP leagues on MyFantasyLeague.com (MFL).
In leagues with deeper rosters, some of these are players to stash for a few weeks until their time and opportunity to produce are ripe. Getting ahead of your league mates on these players, while also saving valuable waiver budget dollars, will give you an edge over your competition.
When conducting in-season weekly maintenance in your leagues, take advantage of IR spots and opportunities to add players. You may have a player ruled out or on short-term IR that is eligible for your league’s IR list–utilize this! If you haven’t already, make sure you max out your taxi squad players with youngsters you like who are eligible to be placed on that list.
Since most of these recommended additions will occur over the weekend, we will exclude any players from the Thursday night game, since they will be locked from already having played. Let’s explore this week’s recommendations on the IDP crystal ball!
MUST-ADD IF AVAILABLE
Charles Harris – DE – Detroit Lions
Go ahead and check right now, you’ll find that Lions’ DE Charles Harris is a top-20 player across virtually all scoring formats. After playing just a quarter of the defensive snaps in Week 1, Harris has seen his snaps increase every week of the season. He has logged a sack in each of his last three games, two of those against formidable offenses.
Many are quick to forget that Harris was a first-round draft pick of the Dolphins in 2017. Though he posted unimpressive combine numbers, his film at Missouri was impressive. He combined for more than 52 TFLs and sacks across three collegiate seasons. Harris looks as though he may have been one of those slow to develop prospects.
With teammate Romeo Okwara out for the season, the situation has dictated that Harris will be a mainstay along the defensive line. He has certainly earned it with his play as well.
Harris has DE eligibility in most formats, making him a must-add. He will now be relied upon as a full-time starter for the Lions and he enjoys a relatively easy schedule over the next four weeks.
SLOW-PLAY
Trevis Gipson – EDGE – Chicago Bears
The incumbent starter opposite Khalil Mack, Robert Quinn is playing well this season. He is finally living up to the massive contract Chicago signed him to, as last season he was abysmal while struggling through nagging injuries. Trevis Gipson, the Bears’ 2020 fifth-round pick out of Tulsa, has flashed as a pass-rushing on limited attempts this year. His snap percentage has increased on defense each game he has played this season.
Interestingly, the aforementioned Quinn has not played 16 games in a season since 2018. This year there are 17 games and Quinn will be 32 years old by season’s end. As my trusted colleague in IDP has pointed out, Gipson has been credited by PFF with six QB pressures in just 26 pass-rush opportunities. Playing in Quinn’s stead, Gipson has shown great technical skills with his pass rush, as well as improved awareness and recognition in run defense.
While Quinn is playing well, your author has a hard time believing he will play every game this season. Furthermore, Quinn has an out in 2022 in that ridiculous contract he fooled the Bears into offering him. With Gipson’s continued emergence, I could see Chicago letting Quinn go after the season and Gipson becoming the bookend opposite Khalil Mack. Grab Gipson for free now while you still can.
TAXI ELIGIBLE
Joseph Ossai – EDGE – Cincinnati Bengals
Another one of those height, weight, speed specimens that IDP owners like to stash on their taxi squads is Joseph Ossai. Ossai stands 6’4” and weighs 255 lbs and logged a legit 4.6 40-yard dash and 41.5-inch vertical. He inexplicably fell to the Bengals in the third round of the draft, while many experts believed he was an early second-round value.
In his preseason debut, he logged a sack, two QB hits, and five total pressures in just 22 snaps rushing the passer. Unfortunately, Ossai hurt his wrist and left the game for X-rays. It was later revealed that in addition to a wrist injury, Ossai also tore his meniscus and required surgery and a lengthy recovery. He has been on IR since before the regular season began. Ossai is a perfect injury stash, as the upside he displayed in such a short period was immense. Many IDP gamers either didn’t notice or have already dropped Ossai to make room for other players. If you can afford the taxi squad, you may steal yourself a future starter on the EDGE, as Sam Hubbard’s current contract expires after the season.
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