Predicting the Defensive Comeback POTY

Photo: USA Today Sports

The IDP Roundtable Series

This summer, the Footballguys staff will discuss various topics to help you in your IDP leagues.

Name your 2022 Defensive Comeback Player of the Year. What makes him an appealing option?

Joseph Haggan

Josey Jewell
Jewell could easily be the IDP Comeback Player of the year. He suffered a torn pectoral after just two games in 2021. He was coming off a 2020 season where he accumulated 113 total tackles (7 per game) while starting all 16 games. The only addition Denver made to its defensive interior was Alex Singleton, who is inefficient at best. Jewell was signed to a two-year, $11 million contract, though the Broncos have an out in 2023 with a dead cap of only $2.5 million. This ultimately puts Jewell in another contract year. Jewell will be busting his tail to earn another contract as the top LB on a strong defense.

Christian Williams

Chase Young
The generational talent has had an inconsistent start to his young career and will be coming off a torn ACL injury in 2022. Despite playing raw and with inconsistencies as a rookie in 2020, he posted 7.5 sacks with four coming in the last six games. When healthy and with some projected development, he could turn into the superstar he was billed to be.

Gary Davenport

Danielle Hunter
Since Chase Young was already mentioned (buncha thunder-stealing grumble grumble grumble…), I'll peg another edge-rusher here—albeit one whose positional eligibility could be shaky depending on your IDP provider.

All many IDP managers remember about Danielle Hunter of the Vikings is that he suffered another major injury in 2021 and has played in seven of 33 games over the past two years. But in both 2018 and 2019, Hunter eclipsed 50 total tackles and logged 14.5 sacks. He also tallied six sacks in seven games last year and was a top-five defensive lineman when he got hurt.

Hunter's new role in Minnesota's 3-4 base should cater to what he does well, and a 15-sack season is well within his reach. If your IDP league uses an EDGE designation or Hunter has eligibility up front, he should be on your target list.