This article is part of our IDP Analysis series.
RISING
Kyle Emanuel, (3-4) ILB, SD
Emanuel began the season as an outside linebacker in San Diego's 3-4 but will reportedly move to inside linebacker as the Chargers try to cover for the injury losses of Manti Te'o, Jatavis Brown and Denzel Perryman. Although he has only 23 tackles this year, Emanuel's production rates aren't applicable for his projections at inside linebacker, where it's far easier to pile up tackles. Those who look to Emanuel for IDP purposes just need to account for the fact that his usefulness will likely be short term -- Brown is only expected to miss about a week and Perryman is only expected to miss two.
Elandon Roberts, OLB, NE
With Jamie Collins traded to the Browns, the Patriots need a new starter at outside linebacker. Roberts is expected to be the main replacement option and, given his combination of standout athleticism and elite college production, he could thrive as an IDP if he just gets the snaps. In what already looks like a potentially botched evaluation by scouting departments, Roberts fell to the sixth round of this year's draft despite displaying 4.60 speed and piling up huge stats at Houston. Roberts totaled 142 tackles (19 for a loss) and six sacks in 14 games for the Cougars last year.
Daniel Sorensen, S, KC
Sorensen isn't a full-time player and is therefore probably too risky to speculate on in shallower IDP formats, but for those who start multiple defensive backs
RISING
Kyle Emanuel, (3-4) ILB, SD
Emanuel began the season as an outside linebacker in San Diego's 3-4 but will reportedly move to inside linebacker as the Chargers try to cover for the injury losses of Manti Te'o, Jatavis Brown and Denzel Perryman. Although he has only 23 tackles this year, Emanuel's production rates aren't applicable for his projections at inside linebacker, where it's far easier to pile up tackles. Those who look to Emanuel for IDP purposes just need to account for the fact that his usefulness will likely be short term -- Brown is only expected to miss about a week and Perryman is only expected to miss two.
Elandon Roberts, OLB, NE
With Jamie Collins traded to the Browns, the Patriots need a new starter at outside linebacker. Roberts is expected to be the main replacement option and, given his combination of standout athleticism and elite college production, he could thrive as an IDP if he just gets the snaps. In what already looks like a potentially botched evaluation by scouting departments, Roberts fell to the sixth round of this year's draft despite displaying 4.60 speed and piling up huge stats at Houston. Roberts totaled 142 tackles (19 for a loss) and six sacks in 14 games for the Cougars last year.
Daniel Sorensen, S, KC
Sorensen isn't a full-time player and is therefore probably too risky to speculate on in shallower IDP formats, but for those who start multiple defensive backs he could prove to be a useful depth piece. Playing about 60 percent of Kansas City's snaps in the last month, Sorensen has 24 tackles (three for a loss), one sack, two interceptions and one forced fumble in his last four games, which is probably DB1 production in most formats. Some regression seems likely so long as he plays fewer than 85 percent of Kansas City's snaps, but for now there's reason to think Sorensen can produce at a rate that makes his limited workload tolerable.
Sheldon Rankins, DT, NO
Defensive tackles usually aren't as useful of IDPs as defensive ends, but Rankins could be one of the relatively uncommon tackles to provide eventual starting IDP utility. After missing all of the year with a broken fibula in training camp, Rankins is set to make his debut this week for the Saints. The 12th overall is a gap-shooting tackle in the mold of Geno Atkins, combining a leverage advantage at a stout 6-foot-1 with standout athleticism to make tackles in the backfield. In addition to posting double-digit tackles for loss in his final two seasons at Louisville, Rankins posted 58 tackles in 13 games last year. His lack of NFL track record and uncertain initial playing time mostly make him a player to monitor, but those in very deep leagues might want to considering investing.
FALLING
Jamie Collins, (3-4) OLB, CLE
Collins has been referred to multiple times as an inside linebacker for the Browns, but that's wrong. Intuitively it makes no sense -- Collins was slightly miscast as a 4-3 outside linebacker given that his skill set is more conventionally similar to a 4-3 end than a 4-3 linebacker -- and Browns have not indicated he'll play any snaps on the inside. Indeed, their initial post-trade depth chart listed Collins as an outside linebacker in their 3-4. If Collins is playing outside linebacker in the 3-4, then his IDP value might suffer to a considerable extent. Tackles are always more scarce at outside 3-4 linebacker than inside 3-4 linebacker or any 4-3 linebacker position. Collins was a strong IDP playing in a mostly 4-3 outside linebacker role at New England, but the trade and consequent position trade could make it a struggle for him to stay on the LB3 radar outside of leagues that reward heavily for sacks. The pass-rushing opportunities should increase, at least, even if at direct expense of the tackle opportunities.
Aaron Williams, S, BUF
Williams' NFL career has mostly been defined by injuries, and his latest injury – a season-ending neck injury for the second year in a row – may be one that ends his career. Williams has never played a 16-game season in his six-year career, and was limited to just 10 games over the last two years due to the neck issues. Robert Blanton was Williams' replacement against the Patriots and therefore seems like the best candidate to pick up Williams' snaps.
Barry Church, S, DAL
Church is an elite defensive back IDP when healthy, but unfortunately he suffered an arm injury against the Eagles on Sunday that figures to cost him three to five weeks. That he has 45 tackles and two interceptions this year -- and 349 tackles in the three years prior to this one – means Church is worth making bench space for in most formats, but in the meantime Dallas will need to replace a three-down player. J.J. Wilcox and Jeff Heath seem like the best bets to pick up snaps in Church's absence, but anticipating their specific IDP utility is difficult. Wilcox generally seems to have the better chance to be useful, though.
Denzel Perryman, (3-4) ILB, SD
No one has made the IDP barometer this year more than Perryman, whose ups and downs are simply dizzying at this point. A hamstring injury has Perryman week-to-week at the moment, providing the biggest setback yet for his owners. A prolific tackle producer on a per-snap basis, Perryman has seen his playing time fluctuate enough to make his IDP utility hit or miss, and already missed some time this year with a shoulder injury. If he's merely going to play a run-stopping specialist role upon his eventual return, Perryman probably is only worth holding on to in the deepest of IDP formats.
