Eyes of the Guru IDP Info: Preseason Update 2

Photo: USA Today Sports

We are in somewhat of a dead zone when it comes to IDP news. Most teams played few or no starters in the second round of preseason games so, with a few exceptions, there was not much valuable insight to be gained from them. Hopefully, we will get more from the final round of warm-ups, but I'm not counting on that either.

Note: Not all teams are mentioned, only teams needing an update since last week's breakdown.

IDP Update: Arizona

The Cardinals rested their starters, but there is one player I want to remind dynasty managers about. Rookie safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (henceforth to be known as DTD) started the game and looked good. He had a couple of tackles and made a strong play on an interception. He is an injury away from being a starter this year, while Budda Baker is in the final year of his contract, and Jalan Thompson has one year left.

IDP Update: Atlanta

Atlanta played no starters in the round two game, but they still gave us the biggest IDP stories of the week. The organization showed how serious they are about winning now by trading for top-shelf edge defender Matthew Judon and then signing one of the league's best safeties, Justin Simmons.

There is not much ripple effect on the Falcons roster. Judon will simply replace rookie Bralen Trice, who was lost for the season. The signing of Simmons sends Richie Grant into a backup role. He should still see some sub-package action, but Grant's IDP value is history unless someone gets hurt.

Judon is an outstanding player who would have good value in any NFL defense. That said, his stock takes a hit with the trade. The Falcons have been chasing a pass rush for most of the last decade plus. They have acquired good veteran players in the past, but virtually all of them have underperformed while on the team. Yes, this is a different staff and scheme. That's reason for optimism, but how many different defensive coordinators have the Falcons had over the last dozen years? Between the change of venue and last year's injury, I have Judon as a solid second starter with top-twelve upside.

I'm not sure what the move to Atlanta does for Simmons, but there is a better chance it will help him than hurt him. He had a couple of strong fantasy seasons during his time with Denver, but more often than not, he was a better player on the field than in box scores. Meanwhile, Atlanta's strong safeties produced 91 solos, 52 assists, 3 sacks, and 3 turnovers. Granted, there was some overlap between Grant and DeMarcco Hellams, but the position was productive.

IDP Update: Baltimore

David Ojabo and Trenton Simpson were the only starters to see time. Presumably, because they are first-time starters. Simpson made some good plays during his stint, finishing with two tackles (one for loss), a QB hit, and a pass defended.

IDP Update: Buffalo

Matt Milano will miss most of the season with a torn biceps. Dorian Williams is the next man up. Williams had the first shot at starting last year when Milano was injured. He didn't last long and was replaced by Tyrel Dodson. Dodson is gone, but the team has Nicholas Morrow, who has plenty of starting experience. They also have veteran Deion Jones on the depth chart. If Williams flops, the team has options.

Buffalo played starters, which makes it interesting that they opened in a nickel with Taylor Rapp at strong safety and four corners. That likely had more to do with some guys being banged up than any deep-scheme design.

Greg Rosseau had 2.5 sacks. They came against backups, so don't get too excited.

IDP Update: Chicago

The Bears played most starters for a while. There were no lineup surprises, but there was a standout player. Kyler Gordon worked the nickel/slot and made a lot of plays. He finished with four tackles and a sack. Injuries have been an issue with Gordon but if he can stay on the field, he could be this year's IDP breakout at the corner position.

IDP Update: Cincinnati

No starters played but the Bengals showed off their depth when the second unit forced Chicago's starters into three and out on the first three series.

Joseph Ossai and Myles Murphy were on the edge with Zach Carter and Kris Jenkins at tackle. Jenkins looked very good. He was hard to move versus the run and landed a sack.

IDP Update: Dallas

Dallas sat their starters so there was not much to be learned from this game. Recently acquired corner, Andrew Booth Jr, made the biggest impression. He led the team with 8 combined tackles.

There are a couple of injuries to keep an eye on at linebacker. DeMarvion Overshown has a hip pointer and Damone Clark missed some practice time with a sore knee. Both players should be ready for the opener but the injuries make it difficult to tell who will be in the lineup.

Dallas signed Carl Lawson to replenish their depth after losing Sam Williams.

IDP Update: Denver

Denver's starters clobbered Green Bay's backups on Sunday. The numbers don't mean much considering the competition level, but there is one important note. Cody Barton got the start at inside linebacker, ahead of Jonas Griffith. The two have been listed as co-starters, but Barton appears to be in the lead.

IDP Update: Detroit

Ifeatu Melifonwu has been one of my favorite late-round targets this summer, but I am starting to get a little nervous about him. He was on the field at safety to open the game versus Kansas City, along with all of the second-team guys. I am still confident that he will have a role, but I am concerned that it might not be big enough.

IDP Update: Green Bay

Isaiah McDuffie is putting up a fight to keep the starting job at linebacker. Edgerrin Cooper is the player everyone expects to eventually overtake McDuffie, but he's been out of action with a groin injury. That doesn't necessarily mean that McDuffie is safe. The Packers drafted another guy this spring. Ty'Ron Harper got the start with the second team versus Denver, and he lit up the stat sheet. Hopper was everywhere, totaling eleven tackles before leaving the field. It's a situation to keep an eye on, especially if Cooper continues to miss time.

IDP Update: Houston

The Texans played several starters but the story is more about where than who. We had heard reports of Jalen Pitre moving back to strong safety after playing deep most of the time last year. He didn't play for long but was working closer to the line when he was on the field. The team is much better so we will never see a repeat of his monster rookie season, but a shift to strong safety should make Pitre relevant again.

IDP Update: Indianapolis

The IDP story we are watching in Indianapolis is the safety competition. Nothing is official but the consensus is that Julian Blackmon and Nick Cross are going to be the starters. The only question remaining is where how they will line up. Blackmon and Cross had been rotating at both positions for much of the summer but recently, Cross was working solely in the deep role at free safety. The coaching staff will get one last look this week against Cincinnati before making the final decision. Whoever lands at strong safety here should be an every-week starter for us. Right now, that looks like Blackmon.

IDP Update: Kansas City

Kansas City played most starters, but Nick Bolton (elbow) and Justin Reed (quad) were held out. Both players have returned to practice. It is unclear if they will suit up for the third game, but they should be in the lineup for week one.

IDP Update: LA Chargers

The Chargers played several starters, including linebacker Daiyan Henley, who continued to impress. He is locked into one of the starting spots while Denzel Perryman continues to work at the other. Perryman's reign may be short, though. Rookie Junior Colston is back on the practice field. He has missed most of training camp after appendix surgery so there is some catching up to do. Colston may not be a week one starter, but there is a good chance he will hold the job when October arrives.

IDP Update: LA Rams

The Rams showed us no starters in their game with the Chargers. The only real question we need to answer is how the safeties are lining up. The team's depth chart tells us that Quentin Lake will be the nickel/slot guy. Most expect Kamren Curl to play strong safety and Johnny Johnson III free. We know those two are going to start but there have been some reports of Johnson working up closer to the line. Maybe the Rams will play their starters for a series or two in the final warmup round.

IDP Update: Minnesota

Last week, I wrote about Blake Cashman taking over the lead role and calling the defense in the huddle. I also mentioned that injuries have been a problem throughout his career. Hours after sending that piece to the editors, it was reported that Cashman would miss some time after having surgery on a finger. The good news is that he will return to action as soon as the stitches heal.

Minnesota signed Stephon Gilmore who should step into the starting spot vacated when Mekhi Blackmon was injured. This should be an upgrade for the Vikings but has little fantasy implication.

IDP Update: New England

The ripple effect of the Matthew Judon trade to Atlanta will be felt on a Patriots team that has all but declared it is in rebuild mode. With Judon gone, the Patriots are down to Joshua Uche and Anfernee Jennings as their starters on the edge, at least when they are in a 3-4. When they line up in a 4-3, it will be Keion White and Deatrich Wise on the outside much of the time. Uche had a great stretch of games to finish the season a couple of years back but never had a chance to pick up where he left off. It will be interesting to see if he can rekindle the magic.

IDP Update: NY Giants

New York played their defensive starters and got the result everyone fears: the loss of a starter to injury. Micah McFadden was playing well throughout camp and showing improvement over his first season as a starter. He left the game with a hip injury that required a cart, which suggests it could be serious. As of Monday evening, there had been no update on his status but it didn't look good.

The Giants are already thin at linebacker. Matthew Adams is missing time with a groin issue and rookie Dyontae Johnson who looked very good in the first preseason contest, was seen in a walking boot after suffering an ankle injury in that game. Johnson is listed as the backup to McFadden and could be a good addition if his ankle is not a big issue.

If Johnson is sidelined, Isaiah Simmons could have a bigger role. He is currently listed on the team's depth chart as the starting slot defender, while Dane Belton is still working ahead of Tyler Nubin at safety.

IDP Update: Philadelphia

Devin White and Zack Baun continue to run as the starting linebackers, but an article on PhiladelphiaEagles.com suggests that the competition for the starting jobs is far from over. I'm not sure where the author gets that idea, but whatever. Dean did manage to lead the team in tackles last week, but he did it while playing with the backups.

IDP Update: Seattle

We are getting mixed reports out of Seattle on the health of Jerome Baker. He missed most of the offseason with a wrist injury and is now sidelined by a sore hamstring. Coach Macdonald said Baker has no set return date, but he is expected to be ready for week one. That is about two weeks away, so he will need to return to practice soon. In other words, IDP managers need to know that Tyrice Knight is in line to start if Baker is not ready. Knight started in the last preseason game, going 4-4 with a tackle for loss. He will be productive if he ends up starting.

IDP Update: Tampa Bay

Mixed signals are coming out of Tampa Bay when it comes to their inside linebacker positions. The team still recognizes K.J. Britt as the starter next to Lavonte David, but he has run with the second team in both preseason games. With Sir'Vocea Dennis banged up, this may be a case of the team being short on bodies or it could be that the fourth-year player needs the extra playing time for experience. It might be nothing more than an illusion, but it is something to be concerned about if you have stock in Britt.

That is going to do it for the preseason. The next time you hear from me, we will be gearing up for week one. It's starting to feel a lot like football!

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