22 IDP Risers And Fallers Heading Into The 2020 Season

Aug 30, 2020

John McCoy/Getty Images

We are in the throngs of fantasy draft season. This has been an offseason unlike any other. COVID19 put OTAs, minicamps and preseason on the shelf. Reporting has been limited during training camps, but what really has put the damper on things, is the lack of preseason games.

We use the preseason as the guide to who's starting, getting subpackage snaps and calling the plays. We're not getting that this season. Beat writers have been essential, and based on the notes and information gathered, here are some IDPs whose stock is rising and falling heading into IDP drafts.

IDP Risers

Sione Takitaki, LB, Cleveland Browns

His stock is rising thanks to a potentially season-ending Achilles injury to Mack Wilson. Takitaki's roster spot was never in doubt, it was just how many snaps he'd garner with the linebacking group - Jacob Phillips, BJ Goodson, Wilson, Tae Davis. Takitaki has been taking most of the first-team reps, while Phillips has been seen wearing the dot. He's shown out in camp - including a pick-six in camp - and I feel comfortable with him as my LB3.

Drue Tranquill, LB, Los Angeles Chargers

Tranquill will be their three-down LB. It's a given since he has continued to impress the staff at camp and will be lining up primarily outside as their WILL. Although Tranquill will lineup everywhere, the important thing here is the volume and that is no longer in question. Tranquill carries LB2 upside.

Jabrill Peppers, S, New York Giants

He was a guy I've been avoiding in drafts, with Xavier McKinney going down with a broken foot, he's now on the radar as a DB2. He should be playing up near the line of scrimmage as their box safety alongside Blake Martinez. There shouldn't be much competition in the way of tackles, so without McKinney, Peppers has 100-tackle upside.

Update 08/31/2020: Of course, Giants sign Logan Ryan and he'll probably lineup as a slot/nickel corner or even safety according to Jordan Raanan. The move puts a potential dent in Peppers's IDP-value. We'll see how they line up on the field. If Logan Ryan is on your wire, grab him as he could have the production of a safety with the CB-designation.

Blake Cashman, LB, New York Jets

CJ Mosley's opt-out opened up snaps at linebacker. Avery Williamson has been eased back in during camp, taking reps with the second-team, while Blake Cashman has been playing well in his first-team reps - playing exclusively with the ones. Williamson, when playing with ones, has been paired with Cashman. As of now, I'm projecting Williamson and Cashman as their three-down LBs. Cashman is a solid late-round/end of draft target.

Jeremy Chinn, S, Carolina Panthers

Chinn is soaking in the fact he has Luke Kuechly to turn to - picking his brain and gleaning as much knowledge from the former All-Pro as possible. Jeremy Chinn is going to start and play at safety or the big-nickel LB role. With the big rookie safeties going down to injuries - McKinney and Grant Delpit - Chinn is on track to be the top rookie DB this season. He has DB2 upside.

Marcus Maye, S, New York Jets

It was assumed, myself included, that Bradley McDougald would slide in as Jamal Adams's replacement but that doesn't appear to be the case. Marcus Maye has relished that opportunity and is playing man coverage, zone and even a little bit of LB. He's shaping up to be a solid DB3 target and carries DB2 upside throughout the season.