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The IDP Roundtable Series

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

What defenders will see their stock drop after changing teams this offseason?

Joseph Haggan

LB Foye Oluokun, Jacksonville
The Falcons defense saw the 6th most defensive snaps in 2021. The Jaguars saw the 16th most, so volume alone may drop. Myles Jack led all Jaguars defenders in tackles and was the only player to eclipse the 100 tackle mark with 108 tackles. The next highest tackler was safety Andrew Wingard with 83 tackles. Jack is gone, and Oluokun is likely to fill his role, but the Jaguars also traded back into the first round of the 2022 draft to select Devin Lloyd and then doubled down by drafting Chad Muma in the third. Both rookies have terrific instincts and are highly effective linebackers. Oluokun will likely lead the Jaguars in tackles, though I don't think he comes anywhere close to the 192 tackles he had in 2021.

Christian Williams

LB Jordan Hicks, Minnesota
Tackle production is where Hicks thrives, and much of that was mop-up duty behind an inconsistent defensive tackle unit. The Vikings boast a better interior. Even when mop-up duty is necessary, Eric Kendricks will retain his starting role alongside Hicks; tackle production isn’t an area he’s lacking. Hicks will certainly be a better real-life football signing than a fantasy football signing.

Gary Davenport

LB Foye Oluokun, Jacksonville
Oluokun was a Foyefade (see what I did there?) even before he got a big payday from the Jacksonville Jaguars. After the ridiculous numbers he posted in 2021, quite a few IDP pundits have slated the fifth-year pro inside the top-five at his position. But the problem with ridiculous numbers is they are just that.

Having 100 solos and 90 assists in the same season isn't a good year. Or a great year. It's absurd. A perfect storm. The odds he can repeat that (or even come close) are next to nil, especially on a new team in front of a new stat crew. Oluokun is still an LB1—but he will be overdrafted with regularity this summer.

Kyle Bellefeuil

LB Foye Oluokun, Jacksonville
This seems to be a popular pick, but I'm going with Foye Oluokun. Oluokun will likely be an LB1 again this year in Jacksonville if he stays healthy, but expecting him to repeat his ridiculous 192 tackles (102 solos) from last year is ridiculous. I also have reservations about Oluokun from a dynasty lens. Jacksonville brought in two very talented rookie linebackers via the draft in Devin Lloyd and Chad Muma. Oluokun has an out in his hefty contract after next season, and while I might be speculating a bit here, his long-term outlook in Jacksonville looks a bit murky.

John Norton

CB Logan Ryan, Tampa Bay
Ryan tops this list for me. He was the fantasy game’s top defensive back in his last season with Tennessee (2019), following it up with a pair of top-15 finishes with the Giants over the previous two seasons. Ryan was listed as a corner but lined up all over the secondary, including as a strong safety with the Titans. He was part of a three-safety big nickel base defense that saw him line up at linebacker depth at times while with New York.