The “standard” fantasy football league used to have a starting roster with an entire defense. One would draft the New England Patriots defense to be rewarded for shutouts or turnovers. Now there is a new era of picking your defense known as IDP. Individual Defensive Players or IDP allows one to draft specific defensive players from any team. One could draft Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt, and Jalen Pitre. All studs at their own position. Like your offensive players your defensive players can also be traded. Here is some IDP that I am selling high or buying low on.
Sell High
Philadelphia Eagles- DL/LB – Haason Reddick
The Eagles continue to add depth to their front seven. They drafted a brick wall in Jalen Carter. Freak athlete Nolan Smith ended their first round during the NFL draft. They still have second year monster Jordan Davis who averaged less than 20% (16.2%) snap share in 2022. They brought in Nicholas Morrow who racked up career high 116 tackles last season with Chicago. 2023 third round pick, Nakobe Dean, should see an uptick in usage after playing mostly special teams last season.
Reddick had a career year with sacks last season. 16 sacks tied second with Myles Garrett. He tied for the lead league in fumbles forced with 5. The downside is last season was his first in the last five to record less than 60 tackles with 49. Even with less than 75% snap share Reddick turned in a stellar performance. No doubt Reddick could repeat or improve from his 2022 season. With the Eagles stacking up the front seven it is possible we see his efficiency go down. For that reason, I am selling. I would be trying to trade for a 2024 mid-late second round pick. If you could get Drew Sanders or Owen Pappoe plus a 2024 third round pick, I would accept.
Baltimore Ravens- LB- Patrick Queen
The Ravens chose not to pick up Queen’s fifth year option. That could mean they plan to work a contract extension. He did post career high numbers in tackles (117), sacks (5), and interceptions (2). The Ravens did acquire stud Linebacker Roquan Smith last season. Then they drafted Linebacker Trenton Simpson in the third. Simpson brings 4.43 speed with the ability to play outside or inside. This is my worry. Simpson on tape seems to be more versatile than Queen. Maybe they drafted him to light a fire under Queen. Maybe they drafted him to replace Queen. Simpson right now could possibly be acquired for less than Queen.
For those reasons Queen is a sell high for me. In the case that sooner rather than later Simpson replaces Queen. His price is different. A young Linebacker with tons of upside. We have seen him grow. It seems like the Ravens do not want to invest into him, so maybe we should not too. If you could get Linebacker Jack Campbell for him, accept that. Unless the IDP league puts up high numbers it might be hard selling for a first. I would accept a mid-late second plus a third. Maybe trade for older Linebacker Zaire Franklin, if your league mate is scared with the return of Shaquille Leonard, plus a late second.
Miami Dolphins- DB- Jalen Ramsey
His coverage is top tier. Arguably the best defensive back in the league right now. He is a shutdown corner. The past two seasons he has over 75 tackles with 4 interceptions in each season. Last season specifically he had a career high in tackles (88), sacks (2), and forced fumbles (3). He joins a defense with a ball hawking defensive back in Xavier Howard. Howard has 16 interceptions in the past 3 seasons. 7 more than Ramsey. The team now has two safeties (DeShon Elliott and Jevon Holland) that saw over 90 tackles each last season. The Dolphins also invested their first draft pick of 2023 on cornerback Cam Smith. A smooth coverage corner that should transition well at the pro level. Honestly, he is like a Ramsey 2.0.
What am I trying to say? Ramsey does not need to be the star of this secondary. There is a lot of talent around. Younger, possibly more explosive talent that will likely take another step forward. Ramsey will likely be the leader of the secondary. Even as a leader I see a dip from his career high numbers. For this reason, I am selling. I would trade Ramsey for Safety Darrick Forrest. If you are able package Ramsey and Queen for Linebacker Devin Lloyd and a second round pick.
Buy Low
Miami Dolphins- DL/LB- Jaelan Phillips
The reasons I am selling Ramsey are the reasons I am buying Phillips. With the addition of pass rusher Bradley Chubb last season Phillips saw 18 more tackles than the season before. Double teams were not able to focus on him as much. He was 5 tackles shy and 3.5 sacks from being a top 16 rusher in RPO scoring. He finished as 26th best.
He is a young edge rusher that we have not seen scratch the surface of his prime. With the Dolphins bringing in Ramsey maybe teams try to run more to avoid the chaotic secondary. Phillips is getting better each year. Year 3 should be no different. Acquire him while you can. Personally, I would trade a late second or early third for him.
Indianapolis Colts- LB- Shaquille Leonard
Last season the team had to rely on Linebackers Zaire Franklin and Bobby Okereke. Okereke left to become a Giant. Leonard is coming back off injury. He and Franklin should still be a dominant duo. Both linebackers are tackling machines. Both could easily get over 100 tackles on the season. Last year was the first season we did not see Leonard get over 100 tackles. 2022 was also the only year he played less than 12 games. His first four seasons he averaged 134.5 tackles, 3.75 sacks, 2.25 interceptions, and just over 4 forced fumbles.
He is a force up the middle for opposing offenses. I expect him to be back to full gear this upcoming season. If you can trade a couple third round picks for him, send it. I am also willing to trade Linebacker Nicholas Morrow plus a fourth for him.
Atlanta Falcons- DB- Jessie Bates
His first three seasons in the league he was a force. Bates averaged 100+ tackles with 3 interceptions per season. The past 2 seasons he has averaged less than 90 tackles and 2.5 interceptions. A dip in production. He is joining a secondary with rising stars Cornerback A.J. Terrell and Safety Richie Grant. The Falcons also brought in former 3rd overall pick Cornerback Jeff Okudah. The Falcons secondary will be scary this year. Bates will be a huge part of that. I do expect him to get back over 90 tackles. Over the last 3 seasons Bates has the same number of interceptions as all other defensive backs I mentioned that he is joining.
With Bates being off to a hot start in his career to taking a slight dip he is a buy. His leadership should come through early and often in Atlanta. I would try to trade an early-mid third for him. I would send Safety Rayshawn Jenkins plus a late third for him. Jenkins saw career high 112 tackles last season.
Buy Super Low
Los Angeles Chargers- DL/LB- Khalil Mack
After an injured riddled 2021 Mack showed his new team, he is still a dominant edge rusher. Joey Bosa was hurt for more than half the season. Khalil put up 50 tackles, 8 sacks, and 2 fumbles forced. This is with teams dialing in on him as not much pressure came off the other side. Now imagine a healthy Bosa drawing attention from the other side. Mack may see less tackles this season but more sacks. The sacks could increase with the pressure being stronger closing the pocket rapidly. A prime Mack is faster than Bosa. I would not say Mack is in his prime, but damn does he look good.
I am taking Mack over Bosa. I would trade Za’Darius Smith plus a late third for Mack. If you are able to trade a fourth for him, do it. I would also trade Javon Hargrave who is joining the 49ers on a 4 year deal too.
Jacksonville Jaguars- LB- Devin Lloyd
All the focus in on the leagues tackling leader in 2022 Linebacker Foyesade Oluokun. Rightfully so. He dominated the field last year with 184 tackles. As a rookie Lloyd saw 115 tackles. The Jaguars run a 3-4 scheme meaning they have 3 defensive lineman and 4 linebackers on the field. This means Oluokun and Lloyd will be on the field together more times than not. Oluokun could lead the team, if not the league, in tackles again. Lloyd is the better prospect at less value. What he did as a rookie took Oluokun 3 years to accomplish. Crack over 100 tackles. Lloyd did not have any sacks to his name last season. He did have 3 interceptions.
It is possible offenses focus on where Oluokun is forgetting about Lloyd. I think this season is more balanced between the two linebackers. For this reason, Lloyd is a buy for me. I would trade any of a Nicholas Morrow or Kyzir White plus an early third for Lloyd.
Washington Commanders- DB- Darrick Forrest
Forrest was drafted in the fifth round of 2021. He only played 8 games his rookie year. In 2022 he became a vital part to the Commanders defense. Suiting up for all 17 games Forrest had 84 tackles, 2 fumbles forced, and 4 interceptions. I like this because yes opposite safety Kamren Curl might be the better tackler. Forrest is the better zone coverage safety. I personally think the Commanders front seven is one of the best in the league. This could mean teams choose to win through the air rather than run against them. This could allow Forrest to see more opportunity. He should still get over 70-75 tackles. I think he sees a few more interceptions.
The team does not have that much help in the secondary. First round rookie pick Emmanuel Forbes will help with some coverage, but not enough to make a significant difference. I know Defensive Back Tariq Woolen had a great year for Seattle, but I would trade Woolen for Forrest. Safety Harrison Smith is as consistent as they come. But I would trade the consistent veteran for the younger prospect Forrest.
That does it for the IDP I am selling and buying. Let me know who you are actively trying to trade or acquire. Would you do any of these trades? Remember you never know the value until you send the trade offer.
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If you want to win a championship, make sure you check out our 2023 IDP Rankings or Dynasty LB Rankings.