The NFC West is filled with all kinds of different IDP outlooks. Rookies are entering the field and veterans have moved on from the field. Here are the players to watch and then some of the eventual winners to have on your dynasty IDP rosters.
San Francisco 49ers IDP Outlook
Defensive Line/Edge
The returning players of significance in my IDP outlook include Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, and Drake Jackson.
Bosa is arguably the best at his position in the NFL. He is dominating at the point of attack, even in double teams. His combined stats over the past two years speak for themselves. Bosa produced a two-year total of 103 tackles (81 solo), 40 tackles for a loss, 80 QB hits, 34 sacks, 2 passes defended, and 6 forced fumbles. Consider yourself lucky and blessed if you have him on your roster. Set it and forget it for this 25-year-old.
Former First Rounder continues to Disappoint.
Armstead only played eight games in 2022. He broke 65% of the defensive snaps in just five games. It was a very disappointing effort for the former 2015 first-round pick. He posted just 11 tackles (8 solo), 2 tackles for a loss, 4 QB hits, and zero sacks. Armstead has played now for eight years. In those eight years, Armstead posted double-digit sacks just once. He posted six sacks one time. His other six years were at three and a half sacks or less. Leave him on the waiver wire.
Jackson was a second-round draft pick last year out of USC. In his rookie season, Jackson played 50% of the snaps just twice. He played 36% or less of the defensive snaps in twelve games. In his limited snaps, Jackson produced 14 tackles (8 solo), 3 tackles for a loss, 6 QB hits, 3 sacks, 8 passes defended, and an interception. I expect Jackson to step up into a more prominent role and play closer to 60% of the defensive snaps. He might be a sneaky bye-week starter and best-ball target. Especially with the attention that Bosa commands.
The newcomer to the 49ers DE/Edge group includes Javon Hargrave. He will be a force from the start. Hargrave has been delivering since he was drafted in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. His last three years have been with the Philadelphia Eagles where he has posted 60 or more tackles in the two most recent years. Hargrave is aging like a fine wine as he just posted a career-best 11 sacks. He will fit in just fine with the 49ers and their championship defense.
Linebacker
The returning players of significance in my IDP outlook include Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw.
Warner has been the leader of this defense for five years now. Triple-digit tackles every year. Zero missed games in five years. 35 passes defended, 4 interceptions, and a touchdown in his five years. He is an absolute stud that you start each and every week. At 26 years old, Warner is not slowing down anytime soon. He just had his overall best year as a pro and was named to the AP first team and to the Pro Bowl by his peers.
Greenlaw is Robin to Warner’s Batman. He fits and plays his role perfectly. Greenlaw just had his best year as a pro while posting 127 Tackles (82 solo), 3 tackles for a loss, 6 passes defended, 1 interception, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 touchdown. Greenlaw actually had a better tackle per game average than Warner in 2022. Warner was better all around though by “real” football standards. You can not go wrong if you have one of these two linebackers on your roster. Play them with confidence regardless of the matchup.
Defensive Back
The returning players of significance in my IDP outlook include Talanoa Hufanga, Tashaun Gipson, Charvarius Ward, and Deommodore Lenoir.
Hufanga is emerging as a superstar in just two years in the league. After starting just three games in 2021 as a fifth-round rookie, he played in and started all 17 games last year. It is a treat to watch Hufanga rack up fantasy points every week. His first year as a starter had him produce 97 tackles (66 solo), 5 tackles for a loss, 3 QB hits, 2 sacks, 9 passes defended, 4 interceptions, 1 for a touchdown, and 2 forced fumbles. Expect him to only improve. Sit back and enjoy watching him play.
The other safety will be 33 years old this season.
Gipson is entering his twelfth season in the NFL. He has played for five different franchises and this will be his second with the 49ers. He played at least 85% of the defensive snaps last year with a majority of the games being at 100% of the defensive snaps. Gipson only produced 61 tackles (43 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, 1 QB hit, half a sack, 2 passes defended, and 2 interceptions. This starting safety on an incredible defense does not belong in your lineup.
Cornerbacks on the 49ers’ defense are a valuable play because their opponents will most likely be playing catchup during most games. Ward will be playing his second year with the 49ers after playing for the Kansas City Chiefs for his first four years. Ward posted 87 tackles (59 solo), 3 tackles for loss, 11 passes defended, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Be confident in starting him in cornerback-required leagues.
Lenoir took a big step in his second year with the 49ers. He started 13 games and produced 79 tackles (54 solo), 6 tackles for a loss, 2 QB hits, 1 sack, 7 passes defended, and an interception. Lenoir played basically special teams in the first three games of the season. I believe he has solidified his spot on the field and will score at a premium for your teams.
Wildcard is third round Rookie Ji’Ayir Brown.
The newcomer to the 49ers defensive back group includes Brown. He was drafted out of Penn State with the plan of filling the spot opposite of Hufanga. Gipson does not have much left in the tank but can be a very good mentor for Brown. Based on his last two years of production, he should take that spot before this season is complete. His 2 year combined stats include 147 tackles (117 solo), 8 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, 8 passes defended, 10 interceptions, 1 for a touchdown, 3 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 1 of those for a touchdown.
Los Angeles Rams IDP Outlook
Defensive Line/Edge
The returning players of significance in my IDP outlook include Aaron Donald and Michael Hoecht.
Donald is simply the best to ever play the defensive tackle position in the history of the NFL. He has made the Pro Bowl in each of his nine years with the Rams. Last season, Donald missed his first games due to injury since the 2017 season. A high ankle sprain kept him out of the last six games. 2021 had Donald set a career-high in tackles. As long as he is suiting up, you should have him in your lineup. The 32-year-old is just a very special player.
Hoecht just completed his second year after signing as an undrafted college free agent out of Brown University. He is set up to be a starter for the 2023 season. After playing just special teams in the first 11 weeks of last year, Hoecht got his chance in week 12. In the final seven weeks of the season, he started six of them and produced 36 tackles (23 solo), 4 tackles for loss, 9 QB hits, 4.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. The Rams trusted him as they had him out there for at least 75% of the defensive snaps during this stretch. Hoecht will produce solid numbers for your team and is a favorite deep sleeper of the company this year.
The Rebuild is real with four defensive linemen drafted.
The newcomers to the Rams’ defensive line group include rookie draft picks Byron Young, Kobie Turner, Desjuan Johnson, and Ochaun Mathis.
The Rams used two third-round picks, a sixth-round pick, and a seventh-round pick on defensive linemen in this past NFL draft. They are definitely reloading and setting up for the future. I can see Young and Turner getting significant play time this year as the Rams evaluate where they are. There doesn’t seem to be a path where they put up relevant numbers though, even with 50% or more of the defensive snaps. I think the Rams are in for a long year.
Linebacker
The returning player of significance in my IDP outlook includes Ernest Jones.
Jones played next to Bobby Wagner last year and soaked up as much knowledge as he possibly could from the future Hall of Famer. The third-rounder out of South Carolina just finished his second year in the NFL. Jones started 11 games and played roughly 70% of the defensive snaps. With that playtime, Jones delivered 114 tackles (66 solo), 4 tackles for a loss, 1 QB hit, 2 passes defended, 1 interception, and a forced fumble. He is set to be the leader of the Rams’ defense and should put up around 150 tackles.
The other linebacker is completely unknown. They have Christian Rozeboom returning who has 11 tackles in his first two years in the league. Jake Hummel has four tackles to his credit. Then you have the fifth-round rookie in Nick Hampton. One of these three players should get significant play time and put up decent numbers. The Rams will be trailing a lot and the linebackers will have ample opportunity to post very nice tackle numbers. Rozeboom is my bet to win the second job. Keep an ear to the training camp battles as whoever gets the nod, will be a free pickup that will produce.
Defensive Back
The returning player of significance in my IDP outlook includes Jordan Fuller.
Fuller missed all but three games last year due to a hamstring injury. His production in 2021 has him as the returning starter and posting very nice tackle numbers in 2023. In 2021, the sixth-round pick out of Ohio State posted 113 tackles (63 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, 4 passes defended, and an interception. I should be a solid starter that produces similar tackle numbers this year.
As with the linebackers, the Rams will be looking for a second safety to play opposite Fuller. Those that will have a legitimate shot at winning the job include Russ Yeast, Decobie Durant, Robert Rochell, and seventh-round rookie Jason Taylor. Pay attention here also, as the second safety could be a nice addition to your squad. I am leaning that Yeast will be the winner.
There will not be a recommendation for any cornerbacks from the Rams’ defense. The Rams will be trailing and their opponents should be running the ball, and running the ball very often.
Seattle Seahawks IDP Outlook
Defensive Line/Edge
The returning players of significance in my IDP outlook include Uchenna Nwosu and Darrell Taylor.
Nwosu broke out last year in his first year with the Seahawks. His first four years were spent with the Los Angeles Chargers. Nwosu posted anywhere from 28-40 tackles and 2-5 sacks per season. He produced an all-pro type season last year with 66 tackles (42 solo), 12 tackles for loss, 26 QB hits, 9.5 sacks, 4 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. Nwosu will only get better and he needs to be on your roster.
Taylor was a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Tennessee. After starting five games and posting 37 tackles and 6.5 sacks, the Seahawks thought Taylor was ready to become the next great Seahawks defensive player. He got starts in the Seahawks’ first three games last year and played 67-82% of the defensive snaps. Taylor did not produce though in posting just 6 tackles (6 solo), 2 tackles for a loss, 1 QB hit, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble in those three games that accumulated into 145 defensive snaps. He only posted 50% or more defensive snaps just three times the rest of the year. Year three is usually the year for defensive linemen, so you just might want to take a flyer on him.
Another former Denver Bronco goes to the Seahawks.
The newcomer to the Seahawks’ defensive line group includes Dre’Mont Jones. After four years with the Broncos, Jones signed with the Seahawks. He is a solid player that started all 13 of the games last year that he played. In those 13 games, Jones produced 47 tackles (24 solo), 9 tackles for a loss, 10 QB hits, 6.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. They are not very big numbers for a former third-round pick out of Ohio State. He’ll be a nice bye-week fill-in, but not a weekly starter.
Linebacker
The returning player of significance in my IDP outlook is Jordyn Brooks.
Brooks was a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft out of Texas Tech. Brooks didn’t see much action as a rookie, but then 2021 happened. Playing next to Bobby Wagner, Brooks soaked up all the knowledge he could and exploded on the scene with 184 tackles (109 solo), 10 tackles for a loss, 3 QB hits, 1 sack, 5 passes defended, and 1 fumble recovery. Last year, with Wagner moving to the Rams, Brooks was repeating his 2021 effort until he tore his ACL in week 17. He actually had more solo tackles per game and added a forced fumble.
When will Brooks be on the field again?
He tore his ACL on January 1st. Brooks had surgery on January 20th. It has not even been 27 weeks since his surgery. That is just 189 days. He has been placed on the PUP list. Will he play in Week 1, or Week 8, or will he play this year at all? I’m leaning toward earlier over later. The Seahawks refused his fifth-year option. Brooks wants to get paid next year. Roster him with confidence.
The newcomers to the Seahawks linebacker room include Wagner and Devin Bush.
Wagner comes back home after just one year away.
Wagner is the future Hall of Famer coming back home. The 33-year-old refuses to slow down. He just had the third-best tackle year of his career. Wagner has posted triple-digit tackles in every one of his 11 years in the NFL. He set a career-high in sacks last year. Wagner has been an AP All-Pro in every year except 2013. His tackle numbers will continue and you need to take advantage of his perceived lower value and cash out with this set-and-forget player.
Bush was the 10th overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had a nice rookie year posting 109 tackles and finishing third in the AP defensive rookie of the year. Bush has been a disappointment in his last three years. The Steelers refused his fifth-year option and Bush became a free agent. He could only find a one-year $3.5 million deal with the Seahawks. He will be a nice backup, but should not be on your roster.
Defensive Backs
The returning players of significance in my IDP outlook are Jamal Adams, Tariq Woolen, and Coby Bryant.
Adams was the sixth overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft by the New York Jets. The Seahawks acquired Adams via trade prior to the 2020 season. Adams is always in the middle of the action with tackles, sacks, and turnovers. He has posted 75-115 tackles, up to 9.5 sacks, and has made the AP All-Pro team in three of his five years playing. Adams is a leader of men. Last year, he tore his quadriceps muscle on the 15th play of the season and missed the remainder of the 2022 season. He will return with a chip and very fresh legs to be a force again.
The two rookie cornerbacks showed they were ready for the big stage.
Woolen started every game and posted 63 tackles (46 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, 16 passes defended, 6 interceptions, 1 returned for a touchdown, and 3 fumble recoveries. He is a starter in your cornerback-required leagues every week.
Bryant is your other returning rookie. The fourth-round pick out of Cincinnati played 65% of the defensive snaps in 11 of his games. He started five games. Bryant had 70 tackles (52 solo), 4 tackles for a loss, 4 QB hits, 2 sacks, 4 passes defended, and 4 forced fumbles. He will be a fine bye-week replacement with the opportunity for more.
Seahawks add another Rookie CB with the fifth overall pick.
The newcomer to the Seahawks defensive backfield room is former Illinois cornerback, Devon Witherspoon. In his four-year Illinois career, Witherspoon produced 157 tackles (115 solo), 11.5 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 25 passes defended, 5 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, and 3 fumble recoveries. Witherspoon will fit in perfectly with Woolen and Bryant to form one of the best cornerback rooms in the league. Remember, opposing QBs usually target rookie CBs very often which provides an increase in point production for your squad.
Arizona Cardinals IDP Outlook
Defensive Line/Edge
The returning players of significance in my IDP outlook are Zaven Collins, Myjai Sanders, and Cameron Thomas.
Collins is the unknown in 2023. The former first-round pick out of Tulsa is changing positions from linebacker to edge. He has not been an edge during either his college or NFL career. He posted just 7.5 sacks in his three years at Tulsa. His stats from last year shows him with two sacks. Collins’s tackle numbers will definitely decrease from the 100 he had last year. I will be careful not to spend up to obtain his services.
Sanders and Thomas were both rookies without extended playtime.
Sanders only saw 40% or more of the defensive snaps in five games. He never had more than 55% of those snaps in a game. Sanders still managed to record 23 tackles (17 solo), 3 tackles for a loss, 5 QB hits, 3 sacks, 3 passes defended, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. He has the tools to be a force in this league, I just don’t think it will be in 2023.
Thomas saw even fewer snaps but put up comparable numbers. He only had eight games with higher than 20% of the defensive snaps. Only one of those games was higher than 37% of the defensive snaps. He produced 18 tackles (7 solo), 3 tackles for a loss, 6 QB hits, 3 sacks, and a pass defended. I have a good feeling about Thomas and believe he will surprise a lot of people in 2023. He will be last year’s Zach Allen.
The newcomer to the Cardinals’ defensive line room is the second-round rookie out of LSU, BJ Ojulari.
Ojulari should earn immediate play time as there just isn’t much competition in the desert. The Cardinals’ new head coach, Jonathan Gannon, ran a very nice defense for the Philadelphia Eagles last year. I have every confidence that Gannon will have Ojulari at a high level relatively quickly. In his final two years combined at LSU, Ojulari posted a well-rounded stat line of 112 tackles (66 solo), 20.5 tackles for a loss, 12.5 sacks, a pass defended, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. He is someone I will be targeting because of opportunity.
Linebacker
There are zero returning players of significance in my IDP outlook at the linebacker position.
The newcomers to the linebacker room include Kyzir White, Krys Barnes, and Owen Pappoe.
White comes over from the Eagles with an understanding of what Gannon wants his defense to represent. He will be the leader of this defense in player and stats. The last two years combined have White posting an incredible 254 tackles (156 solo), 10 tackles for a loss, 7 QB hits, 2.5 sacks, 10 passes defended, 2 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles. His value is not high and you should be taking advantage of that now.
Barnes will fill in nicely as a backup for the Cardinals. He has started 24 out of his 35 games played with the Green Bay Packers. Barnes has not broken the 81-tackle mark for a season yet. He most likely will be on your waiver wire, and you should keep him there unless an injury pops up for a player ahead of him. I believe the Cardinal opponents will be running a lot.
Pappoe is a fifth-round rookie out of Auburn and should earn the second linebacker spot for the Cardinals. He posted 93 tackles (56 solo) as a sophomore and 91 tackles (51 solo) as a senior. His Junior year was cut short due to an ankle injury. Pappoe will be a sleeper that will help teams win playoff spots.
Defensive Back
The returning players of significance in my IDP outlook are Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, and Isaiah Simmons.
The defensive backfield in Arizona is the strength of this team. The safety position in particular as they will be crashing down to stop the run. The cornerbacks will not be a factor as the Cardinals will be trailing and their opponents will then run the ball more.
Baker is the leader in the clubhouse and in the stats. He posts 100+ tackles like clockwork. Last year, it was 111 tackles (75 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, 2 QB hits, 7 passes defended, 2 interceptions, and a forced fumble. He has been selected to the last four Pro Bowls. He is consistent and will stay consistent for the foreseeable future. Roster him if you can.
Thompson is just as good of a stat producer with a much lower price tag. He posted 110 tackles (79 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, 1 QB hit, 8 passes defended, 1 interception, and a fumble recovery. Thompson will post his third straight 100+ tackle season in 2023.
Simmons will be the wildcard. He played linebacker in his first three years in the league. The former eighth-overall pick will be making the move to the defensive backfield in 2023. He should be the one in the box more often and then shift out to play slot cornerback some too. He has the potential to be the highest-scoring of the three players listed here. His cost is the lowest of these three players. 100+ tackles with a few sacks and a couple of turnovers should be in the cards but be wary of IDPs who live and die by the “big play” splash plays.
Thank you for checking out my 2023 Divisional IDP Outlooks 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 consider becoming a subscriber!
