In this series of articles, we discuss some players from each defensive position group that are poised to break out this season. These players should put up a floor of respectable, fantasy starting lineup stat lines with the potential for positional top-15 ceilings.
These are players that can be drafted or acquired with minimal draft capital in most full IDP leagues. An examination of the factors promoting these ascending players will take place in each article. Remarkably, there are quite a few players that are among the “IDP unseen,” as of now. We will start with the defensive line.
Montez Sweat: DE – Washington Redskins
Hindered by a linebacker designation on most fantasy websites, Montez Sweat now has been correctly categorized on most sites at his true position of defensive end and should be released to flourish in IDP leagues for years to come. Sweat possesses the athleticism and raw talent to stand out as a top NFL defensive end.
It seems like everyone has already forgotten that he ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at the 2019 NFL Combine, setting a record for defensive linemen dating back to 2003 when data officially started being tracked. NFLcombineresults.com also shows his 10-yard split, which many feel is more indicative of a defensive lineman’s abilities, of 1.50 seconds was faster than Nick Bosa. If you want further evidence that Sweat is an elite athlete, check out DFF’s Alex Duschenes’ thorough breakdown with further support of the Washington defensive end.
A medical diagnosis before the NFL Combine of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy — a condition in which a portion of the heart becomes thickened without an obvious cause — resulted in Sweat falling to the 26th overall selection in the first round of the draft. The reports have since been refuted by several sources and may have been a misdiagnosis. Sweat was also a standout in the loaded SEC, as a two-time first-team all-conference selection, he posted 22 sacks in just 26 games.
WHY I AM BULLISH ON MONTEZ SWEAT
Regardless of analytics and potential, Sweat put up a promising seven sack stat line in his inaugural season. This was on a Washington team that frequently was trailing, meaning Sweat was provided fewer opportunities to rush the passer, as game script dictated that teams leading the Redskins would run the ball (with ample success against Washington’s 31st ranked rush defense that gave up 146.2 yards per game on the ground). According to pro-football-reference.com, Sweat also posted a respectable 50 tackles with an impressive 31 solo tackles, and best of all, eight TFLs. These are solid numbers for any rookie front seven defender.
Now let’s consider the situation. Sweat now gets the benefit of playing across the line from Chase Young, a young stud that some have touted as a better prospect than the Bosa brothers.
The extra attention Young should demand will open up more opportunities for Sweat this season. On the subject of extra attention, it should be noted that Washington’s entire defensive line is comprised of NFL first-round talent. Montez Sweat and Chase Young team up with Da’Ron Payne and Jonathan Allen on the inside to form a terrifying front for opposing offenses. The first presumed rotational defenders off the bench are yet another NFL first-round talent at defensive end in Ryan Kerrigan, and last year’s 8.5 sack break out star Matt Ioannidis, who can kick down inside or play on the outside. With any improvement in Washington’s rush defense, this is a unit that should provide juicy production for owners in IDP leagues this season and the foreseeable future.
THE BOTTOM LINE
I expect Sweat to record double-digit sacks this season if he stays healthy and plays the majority of the season. Outside of the run defense, which likely will improve with better linebacker play in Cole Holcomb’s second season and the addition of Thomas Davis, the only thing I can see holding back Sweat this season is one of his other members of the D-Line getting to the QB first!
I have been acquiring Montez Sweat for cheap in as many of my leagues as I can.
Ifeadi Odenigbo: DE – Minnesota Vikings
A 2017 seventh-round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings, Ifeadi Odenigbo was finally given an opportunity last season after bouncing around practice squads of the Vikings, Browns, and Cardinals. In his first season with game action in 2019, Odenigbo flashed promise and upside for the Vikings stout defense, serving in a rotational pass-rushing role. Odenigbo possesses the ability to break out in 2020 as potentially a top 15 defensive end.
THE STORY BEHIND THE POTENTIAL
After a standout high school career in football and track, Odenigbo signed with Northwestern Wildcats where he played from 2012-2016. After playing in a rotational pass-rushing role for two seasons in which sports-reference.com shows he recorded 8.5 sacks and 9.5 TFLs in 17 games, Odenigbo earned a starting role for the Wildcats his final two seasons. His junior year he helped the team to a 10-3 record, including his own dominating performance against a then #6 Stanford team (led by studs Christian McCaffery, Austin Hooper, Joshua Garnett, Solomon Thomas, and Blake Martinez) in an upset win in Week 1 of 2015. As a senior, Idenigbo led the Big Ten Conference with 10 sacks en route to First Team All Big Ten honors, including dominant four-sack performance in a win against Iowa (led by NFL talents George Kittle, C.J. Beathard, Josey Jewell, Desmond King, and Josh Jackson). The Minnesota Vikings’ official team roster proudly shares that Ifeadi Odenigbo finished his collegiate career with 23.5 sacks, the second most in Northwestern history.
FLASHES OF PRODUCTION MEET OPPORTUNITY
Last season, Odenigbo served in a rotational pass-rushing role (hmm, where does this sound familiar?) and recorded 7 sacks, 7 TFLs, with 1 FF, 2 FRs, and a TD. This is strong production for a part-time player in a season in which he sees his first professional game action. Odenigbo now enters the 2020 season as the projected starter at defensive end opposite Danielle Hunter. Let’s consider the possibilities for him playing opposite of arguably the best defensive end in the league in Hunter, who recorded 14.5 sacks of his own last season. With last year’s starter, Everson Giffen now departed and in free agency, Odenigbo will have a prime opportunity to shine. Even if Griffen somehow ends up signing with Minnesota again, entering his age 33 season, we can presume Odenigbo should earn the majority of the snaps.
The rest of the depth chart is thin, as career journeymen Anthony Zettel and Eddie Yarbrough look to compete with day three rookies DJ Wonnum and Kenny Willekes for snaps. I expect Odenigbo’s relentless motor and athleticism will allow him to find success in his new role. Considering that Everson Griffen put up 8 sacks with 11 TFLs in that spot across from Hunter last season, Odenigbo has the ability to shine and make you look like the IDP genius of your league.
THE END RESULT
I expect Odenigbo to also record double-digit sacks this season if he stays healthy and plays the majority of the season. His penchant for making impact plays is an added bonus, as he may record an interception or two, or score you another touchdown. If your league is one that rewards added scoring for TFLs, then that pushes him even farther up my rankings.
I have been acquiring Ifeadi Odenigbo for cheap in as many of my leagues as I can.
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