Geno Atkins

Despite all the turmoil going on with the Bengals, Atkins has remained a steady presence. He turned in another Pro-Bowl-worthy season, tallying 10 sacks to go along with 45 tackles. Since missing seven games in 2013 with a knee injury, Atkins has played a full 16-game slate in each of the last five seasons, the last four with nine or more sacks. He'll have a brand new coaching staff in 2019, but expect more of the same from Atkins.

Atkins continued to be a mainstay on the Bengals' defensive line in 2017, recording nine sacks and 46 tackles while playing all 16 games for the fourth consecutive season. His tackle count remains among the higher totals for a defensive tackle. There's a possibility that Atkins will play fewer snaps this season, following the Bengals' signing of Chris Baker from the Buccaneers. Still, he's one of the better sack compilers among interior linemen in the NFL.

Atkins has been one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL for several years now. He put together a strong showing in 2016, compiling 32 tackles, including 9.0 sacks, on the year. He'll man a starting post once again and has shown no signs of slowing down. Look for him to put together another quality campaign in 2017.

Atkins continues to be one of the most dominant defensive lineman in the league year in and year out. Last season, the seven-year veteran racked up 42 tackles, including 11 sacks, and a forced fumble. At 28 years old, Atkins is poised for another big year heading a defense that was seventh-best at stopping the run last season, making him a valuable option in IDP leagues.

An Oct. 31 knee injury is the only concern for Atkins' IDP stock. As of press time, Atkins was expected to participate in some portion of training camp, with Week 1 feeling like a relative certainty for him in the meantime. As long as he's healthy, Atkins is the most disruptive defensive tackle in the league, perhaps even the best defensive tackle by any metric. He possesses unmatched lower-body explosiveness and establishes leverage over the majority of those who attempt to block him, allowing him to split double-teams and close the deal by wrapping up ballcarriers. His tackle totals are modest, but Atkins has 26 sacks in his last 41 games, even with the bullseye on him.

Atkins is perhaps the top 4-3 tackle in the league, and his pass-rushing skills warrant a rankings boost in leagues that give big points to sacks or don’t emphasize the tackle category. But teams tend to avoid Atkins in the running game, so his 54 tackles from 2012 might be a best-case scenario, particularly given that he had just 47 the year before. Atkins should in any case continue to be a double-digit sack threat after posting 12.5 in 2012. Atkins is so explosive and plays with such good leverage that even double-teams aren't necessarily effective on him.

Atkins does not post high tackle totals (just 47 total, 26 solo, in 2011), and that figures to get no better in 2012 – Atkins broke out big time as a disruptor last year and will be the top concern of opposing offensive lines. He totaled 7.5 sacks in 2011, his first as a starter, and 13 of his tackles went for a loss. Atkins is explosive, strong and plays with great leverage, making him one of the league's biggest threats to collapse or break into the pocket. Give him a boost in leagues that reward extra for tackles for “stuffs”, i.e., tackles for a loss.