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IDP Fantasy Football Rookie Watch: Rookie Roundup Week 14

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As the season winds down, many are looking for stashes for next season. Some of these rookies are stashes for the 2019 season.

Jaire Alexander

Alexander was tasked with shutting down Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones. While the Green Bay Packers rookie cornerback was picked on, Julio caught eight targets for 106 yards and two touchdowns, Alexander had a monster game in terms of IDP. He accounted for 10 solo tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass defended, and two fumble recoveries. On the season, Alexander has 59 combined tackles, three tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, one interception and 11 passes defended.

Despite giving up a big day to Jones, Alexander has had a phenomenal rookie season. He is the second highest graded rookie cornerback in the league according to PFF. In fact, Alexander has been startable as a defensive back in most IDP leagues. In cornerback required leagues, Alexander should be started every week. Alexander should be rostered in most leagues, so he may not a be a “stash”. But cornerbacks are generally not understood by most IDP players, so he may be available. Pick him up and stash him for next season.

Marcus Davenport

The New Orleans Saints defensive end is a perfect example of a stash. Davenport has shown flashes of dominance this season. Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 14, Davenport had four tackles and just missed a sack. Davenport has accumulated 16 combined tackles, five tackles for loss, four sacks, nine quarterback hits, one forced fumble, and two passes defended.

Davenport has missed a few games, which has led to some of his depressed numbers. He also has been playing behind Alex Okafor on the depth chart. While Okafor has produced more tackles, Davenport has been a better pass rusher. He has more sacks, quarterback hits, and tackles for loss. Davenport has not been a great as Von Miller, Joey Bosa, JJ Watt, Khalil Mack, etc. were in their rookie years, but he has shown his potential. He is the perfect stash at defensive end for next season.

Josey Jewell

The Denver Broncos rookie linebacker has been a common feature on these Rookie Roundups. Jewell has taken over the starting inside linebacker position next to Todd Davis with Brandon Marshall nursing an injury and not playing since October. Unfortunately, came back around the same time and the Broncos have played a lot of snaps in the dime subpackage, resulting in Jewell playing in a reduced percentage of snaps. Regardless, Jewell played in 72% of the Broncos defensive snaps against the San Francisco 49ers in week 14. In those snaps, Jewell amounted five combined tackles and a pass defended. Jewell has 42 tackles, three tackles for loss, and three passes defended on the season.

Jewell has not had a spectacular season in 2018. It is not often that we see rookie seasons as we have from Darius Leonard, Leighton Vander Esch, Tremaine Edmunds, Fred Warner, etc. Jewell is not a dud by any means. He is just being compared to other rookie linebackers that have excelled. Jewell is a good stash, regardless. Marshall’s contract is up after the 2018 season, leaving a starting job open for Jewell. Jewell was a highly thought of linebacker coming out of college. He also is a good fit next to Todd Davis. With a starting job seemingly lined up for him next season, Jewell is a must-stash for 2019.

Jerome Baker

Baker finally had a good game after three duds in a row. The Miami Dolphins rookie linebacker has had an up and down season. He has shown that he can be extremely productive at times despite limited snaps at times. A gainst the New England Patriots in week 14, Baker accounted for seven combined tackles and a pass defended. On the season he has 63 combined tackles, two sacks, one interception, and three passes defended.

Baker is a stash because of his upcoming situation. Starting linebacker Kiko Alonso’s dead cap hit drops to $3.5M versus his cap hit of $8.3M in 2019. This makes Alonso a candidate to be cut. Baker makes Alonso expendable because Baker is better in pass coverage and is still very effective against the run. If Alonso is cut, Baker is in line for a starting role in 2019. Proving he can be effective in a limited role, his production should jump if he becomes a starter. Thus, stash him.

Minkah Fitzpatrick

Fitzpatrick seems to be the forgotten man when it comes to rookie safeties. With the Los Angeles Chargers Derwin James and Cincinnati Bengals Jessie Bates contending for defensive rookie of the year, the Miami Dolphins rookie safety has quietly had a great season. Starting out the season behind TJ McDonald and Reshad Jones, Fitzpatrick has earned a 96% or higher snap share in each of the Dolphins last five games and 7-of-13. Fitzpatrick has rewarded the Dolphins with 67 combined tackles, one interception and seven passes defended, including seven tackles against the Patriots in week 14.

Unfortunately, the Dolphins two starting safeties are signed through 2021. Also unfortunate is that Fitzpatrick has been playing at cornerback the last few weeks with injuries. However, if Fitzpatrick takes over for the safety role for Reshad Jones, he will be among the most productive in the league. This is why he needs to be stashed.

 

Be sure to continue to follow this column and get a jump on up and coming rookies that can help you win now and are valuable dynasty stashes.

For more tips and analysis, follow Sam on twitter here. Get even more depth analysis and tips from the IDP Tipster here. Listen to the guys talk about news, analysis, and strategy on the podcast, and follow the show on twitter @IDPGuys.

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