Sometimes season ending injuries force us to forget about IDP players the following season. Here I will cover one who may actually help you win your league.
Bradley Chubb was drafted 5th overall in the 2018 draft, which some thought was an odd pick for the Broncos. Some thought that this was a bit of a reach for the Broncos as it was not a true position of need with some top quarterback and inside linebacker prospects still on the board. Plus, the fact the Broncos had IDP edge rushers like Shane Ray and Shaquil Barrett already on the roster.
Chubb proved those doubters wrong as he beat out both players for the starting job, and had it not been for the unbelievable rookie season Darius Leonard had, Chubb would have been defensive rookie of the year. He started 2019 on fire as well, but unfortunately tore his ACL after four games. Now going into 2020 he seems to be the forgotten IDP edge, here I will explain why.
Bradley Chubb‘s Rookie Season
As mentioned earlier Darius Leonard‘s unreal rookie season overshadowed every other rookie in 2018. His season totals were 163 tackles (111 solo), 12 tackles for a loss, 7 sacks, 8 passes defended, 2 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. The entire rookie inside linebacker class did as a matter of fact. That class consisted of the likes of Roquan Smith, Tremaine Edmunds, Leighton Vander Esch, Fred Warner and Jerome Baker. It was quite the talented linebacker class and that includes Bradley Chubb.
Because Chubb was listed as a linebacker he got a little lost in the mix of these tackle hogging linebackers. What he did have, was a huge rookie season as a pass rusher where you can see he was equally as good or better as multiple First Team All-Pro teammate Von Miller. Miller ended the season with 48 tackles, 14 for a loss, 14.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and 26 QB hits. Chubb finished with 60 tackles, 14 for a loss, 12 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 21 QB hits.
Top IDP Edge Pass Rush Moves
During that rookie season Bradley Chubb showcased a vast array of pass rush moves. To begin, lets check out his speed rush. At the 2018 draft combine Chubb ran a 4.66 second 40 yard dash. At 6’4 and 275 lbs, that is absolutely scary. Watch here as Chubb blasts past the offensive tackle and throws Nick Mullens to the ground:
Bradley Chubb now has 12 sacks on the season — passing Von Miller for the Broncos rookie record! #WPN pic.twitter.com/cd8dmoClse
— Pack Pride (@PackPride) December 9, 2018
Then you have just the pure power of Chubb. Watch here as he drives his hands straight into the chest of the tackle and gets to the quarterback easily for the sack:
Bradley Chubb is a beast 😤
(via @thecheckdown)pic.twitter.com/cQzZPWoVQw
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) August 20, 2019
Here you see Chubb come on a stunt move, the exact move he actually tore his ACL on and still came up with the sack:
Bradley Chubb forced this Gardner Minshew fumble AFTER tearing his ACL. pic.twitter.com/8oLOw2cuhy
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) September 30, 2019
One thing that Bradley Chubb does exceptionally well is the strip sack. It looks like he has been learning from his mentor Von Miller. Watch how he attacks the ball before he goes for the quarterback, the turnover is always on his mind.
Bradley Chubb's strip sack in #DENvsCIN was poetry in motion.#ProBowlVote + @astronaut https://t.co/4dAbvIjezs
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 4, 2018
Chubb’s Draft Value
Many fantasy football leagues are switching to what is called true position scoring. This lists defensive ends in a 3-4 base and defensive tackles as interior defensive lineman and outside linebackers in a 3-4 and defensive ends in a 4-3 listed as edge players. If you use Sleeper App than he is listed as as a DL. Bradley Chubb is being severely underrated as an edge player. Our ADP at IDPGUYS, (check it out here), classifies Chubb as a defensive line and his average draft position right now is an ADP of 194 which is good enough for the DL23. He is being drafted after the likes of IDP edge rushers like Frank Clark (DL16), DeForest Buckner (DL15), Calais Campbell (DL17) and Grady Jarrett (DL19).
While all of those guys are excellent defensive lineman, Frank Clark is currently playing in a 3-4 base as a defensive end and his tackle and sack numbers suffered for it. DeForest Buckner is entering a new situation over in Indianapolis and will likely see the most attention of any defensive lineman on the Colts line. Calais Campbell is entering his age 34 season and has moved to a 3-4 base defensive end with the Ravens. Grady Jarrett, like Buckner is playing defensive tackle. Chubb’s running mate Von Miller is showing signs of fading after a subpar 2019 to his standards. Fortunately for Chubb, Miller still requires plenty of attention.
Conclusion
Bradley Chubb looked like a young Von Miller during his rookie season. At times it was tough to tell the two apart while they were on the field together. Chubb should be fully recovered from his ACL injury and is being drafted as a back end DL2. His potential is an elite DL1 if he can get back to form. I am 100% willing to reach for Chubb as my DL2. If he ends up being the player I and the Broncos hope, I will be left with two upper tier defensive lineman. Bradley Chubb is the forgotten IDP edge rusher that can win you your league.
