The Los Angeles Rams are your defending Super Bowl champions, and their team defense was a big reason why. Who are their IDP Buy/Sell candidates who will help them repeat?
Buy
Jalen Ramsey, Cornerback
The Los Angeles Rams traded for cornerback Jalen Ramsey in 2019. This was after he was the fifth overall pick in 2016 by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ramsey has been a stud ever since and, to top it off, has only missed six games in his six-year career. Half of those games were of the non-injury kind, right before he was traded to the Rams.
What if I told you Ramsey was an overall top 10 IDP scorer in 2021? How about if he was the second-ranked scoring cornerback behind only Kenny Moore? What if I told you Ramsey outscored Darius Leonard and Minkah Fitzpatrick in 2021 in my leagues? (We have customized scoring by position.) What if I told you he had 77 tackles, with 62 of them being solo? I bet you would want him on your roster.
As a rookie, Ramsey had 65 tackles (55 solos), 2 tackles for a loss, 1 QB hit, 14 passes defended, 2 interceptions, 1 touchdown, and a forced fumble. He produced very similar stats in all three seasons with the Jaguars.
Ramsey’s worst year was his first full year with the Rams. He managed 44 tackles (36 solos), 2 tackles for a loss, 1 QB hit, 9 passes defended, and 1 interception. Ramsey was still voted to the AP first team and the Pro Bowl.
Best Overall Year as a Pro.
Ramsey excelled to new heights as a cornerback in his second full season with the Rams. He delivered with 77 tackles (62 solos), 9 tackles for a loss, 1 QB hit, 16 passes defended, 4 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery.
Ramsey was voted to the AP first team and the Pro Bowl for his second straight year. In a typical 12-team league, he outscored the #13 ranked scoring cornerback, D.J. Reed, by 62 points. That is a big enough difference to win some weeks.
Ramsey is just 27 years old and seems to be getting even better at his game. He is not afraid of contact at 6′ 1″ and 208 lbs and will never shy away from it like so many other cornerbacks in the NFL. I expect an even bigger year from Ramsey in 2022 as the Rams go for the Super Bowl repeat.
Buy him now for much less than a top 10 IDP player should ever cost because of the disrespect and shade that many fantasy owners throw at the cornerback position. Just smile as you walk away with the championship partly because of Jalen Ramsey.
Sell
Aaron Donald, Defensive Line
The Rams selected Aaron Donald with the 13th overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft. In my opinion, he has been the most dominant and destructive defensive tackle in NFL history. Offenses double and triple team Donald, and he still produces at an incredible level.
As a rookie in 2014, Donald started 12 of his 16 games and produced 48 tackles (38 solos), 18 tackles for a loss, 13 QB hits, 9 sacks, 1 pass defended, and 2 forced fumbles. This was good enough for him to be voted the AP defensive rookie of the year and to the NFL Pro Bowl. Donald delivered similar stats over the next six years, only missing two games in 2017, the only ones he has missed in his career.
From 2015-2020, Donald averaged 51. 5 tackles (34.8 solos), 18.8 tackles for a loss, and 12 sacks per season. He was voted to the Pro Bowl every year. Donald was voted the AP defensive player of the year in 2017, 2018, and 2020. He dominated each and every year. Donald had 20.5 sacks in 2018 as a defensive tackle which is unheard of.
Best Tackle Producing Year
Last season was a very special year for Donald. Not only did he finally get his Super Bowl ring, but he also delivered some of the best stats in his career. Donald posted his best tackle numbers with 84 tackles (38 solos), 19 tackles for a loss, 25 QB hits, 12.5 sacks, 4 passes defended, and 4 forced fumbles. He is ranked the #1 defensive tackle and #31 overall IDP player on IDP Guys this year.
Why would you sell a player with his record of success? Donald is 31 years old and dang near retired this past off-season. I do not see him repeating those tackle numbers. Based on his ranking, his value is still through the roof. Set yourself up for the future and sell now. You could be amazed at what you could get in return for a defensive tackle that might be in the final year of his NFL career.
Thank you for checking out the latest Buy/Sell/Keep article! You can read all of my articles on my IDP Guys author page. Be sure to follow me on Twitter at @OldMan_FF and @IDPGuys (we have offense, too), and please check out our website at idpguys.org.
