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IDP Candidates for Breakout in 2021: Logan Wilson and Bobby Okereke

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The days are flying by and training camp has begun. Who will be IDP candidates for breakout in 2021?

The 2021 NFL season is almost upon us. This time of the year, we will all get a much better look at what plans the teams will implement this season. Logan Wilson and Bobby Okereke are two players who have a great shot at becoming IDP candidates for breakout in 2021!

Logan Wilson, LB, Cincinnati Bengals

23 solos, 10 assists, 4 TFL, 2 QBH, 1 sack, 3 PD, 2 INT

Logan Wilson is a player with a landing spot that IDP analysts loved when he was drafted by Cincinnati in the third round last season. The Bengals have been infused with youth in recent years. Wilson didn’t see much playing time in 2020, playing about 343 defensive snaps. It didn’t help that an ankle injury kept him out the last three games of the season as well.

This offseason, the hype train has been sounding loudly for Wilson. “Under the radar,” is a term he has become used to hearing when his name is brought up. Wilson is perfectly fine with that though, because he’s willing the let his play do the talking for him.

After diving into some of the Bengals’ offseason chatter, it certainly looks like the team is comfortable letting Wilson become their new starter in the middle! He played behind veteran Josh Bynes in 2020, learning the ropes as an NFL linebacker. Wilson put his electric athleticism on display on multiple occasions.

Wilson’s athleticism gave coaching staff in Cincinnati confidence that he could be the player they needed him to be when they drafted him. Wilson’s biggest competition is likely Germaine Pratt. Anyone who has watched Pratt the past couple of seasons will know that it shouldn’t be too hard for Wilson to wrestle the three-down role away from him.

Overview:

Wilson is the first Bengals rookie linebacker in 15 years since Odell Thurman to appear in both the sack and interception column. Talk about drought at a pivotal defensive position. He has been getting a ton of praise from the team’s defensive coordinator, even being named the team’s possible breakout star for 2021. Wilson should be getting a large jump in snaps with a Bengals defense that could be on the field relatively often.

His main competitors for snaps are Germain Pratt and Akeem Davis-Gaither. Wilson plays with tenacity at the linebacker position that Bengals fans have longed for. Wilson should easily bring fantasy managers LB2-3 value. He may even end some weeks in the LB1 range. Get him while you can!

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Bobby Okereke, LB, Indianapolis Colts

57 solos, 17 assists, 4 TFL, 1 QBH, 6 PD, 2 FR, 1 INT

Bobby Okereke has been on the radar of IDP managers for a couple of seasons now. Some analysts have even called him the Colts’ next “star” linebacker. He has displayed exceptional ability to make impact plays! Okereke saw his snap counts increase each of the last two seasons, playing almost 700 defensive snaps last season alone. His main competition for snaps was Anthony Walker Jr.

Now, Walker Jr. is in Cleveland. This helps pave the way for Okereke to see a larger amount of snaps and playing time. Okereke will play alongside IDP favorite Darius Leonard. Okereke will now have ample opportunities to become an impact player for fantasy managers who held onto him.

In the recent past, we’ve seen NFL defenses move away from constantly using three linebackers on the field. We’re now seeing more one or two linebacker sets as defenses move towards more of a nickel and dime base package. This means it’s more important to see which two linebackers teams are using on the field. With very little viable depth behind them, Okereke and Darius Leonard will both see plenty of time on the field.

Okereke will no longer have to compete with Walker Jr. for snaps alongside Leonard. There’s also the thought of the struggle Leonard has displayed of being healthy for a full season. Imagine what Okereke could do for your fantasy squad if Leonard misses time due to injuries.

Overview:

Bobby Okereke could easily surpass the 100 tackle mark in the 2021 season. The Colts have one of the better defenses in the NFL. He does have some stiff competition around him, but Okereke has shown us he has the ability to make plays against both the running and passing game. The coaching staff in Indianapolis gave Okereke a vote of confidence by letting him take over the vacant MIKE role and a starting position on the defense.

Going into his third season, Okereke has said he has mentally adapted to the pros. He wants to be a game-changer for the Colts defense. I believe Bobby Okereke will give his fantasy IDP manager LB2 value weekly, with LB1 upside if Leonard misses anytime in the future.

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