IDP News Update - August 29, 2024

Photo: USA Today Sports

With the NFL regular season steadily approaching, this article aims to touch on IDP-relevant news and topics during training camps and preseason games. We'll look at injuries, contract situations, camp battles, rookie buzz, and other pertinent IDP topics. The plan was to have this article ready for your viewing every Thursday until the season kicks off. That means this is the final edition of the 2024 preseason. Thanks for tuning in; let's get to it!

IDP News: EDGE Uchenna Nwosu, Seattle

Uchenna Nwosu suffers a sprained MCL in Seattle's final preseason game.

Shortly after Seattle's preseason finale, news surfaced about Nwosu suffering an apparent MCL sprain with the possibility of a multiple-week absence. At the time of this writing, Seattle has not placed Nwosu on injured reserve, which would have knocked him out at least four games, so there is optimism his absence will be short. However, Seattle made a depth move by trading a 2025 sixth-round pick to Jacksonville for edge rusher Trevis Gipson. This comes after the Seahawks traded Darrell Taylor to Chicago, which we will cover below.

While Nwosu is unavailable, 2023 breakout Boye Mafe will be key off the edge once again, and 2023 second-round pick Derick Hall becomes more important in his second season. Hall only played 307 defensive snaps as a rookie but had alluring traits as a prospect and has flashed this preseason. With Taylor gone and Nwosu out for a few weeks, Hall has a chance to make a serious impression on the new coaching staff. While Seattle did trade for Gipson, he should be viewed as just depth for IDP purposes, as Hall would be the pickup in deeper IDP dynasty and redraft leagues.

IDP News: EDGE Darrell Taylor, Chicago

Chicago sends a 2025 sixth-round pick to Seattle for edger rusher Darrell Taylor.

The Bears have a legit presence off the edge in Montez Sweat, but after him, the edge group is a bit of a question mark of who would step up. Adding Taylor to this group makes sense as a low-risk move to bring some juice to the room. Taylor produced 21.5 sacks over his three seasons as a part-time player in Seattle, with a nine-and-a-half-sack season in 2022. 

DeMarcus Walker is the likely Week 1 starter opposite Sweat as he enters his second season in Chicago. However, Walker compiled just 30 tackles (17 solos) and three-and-a-half sacks over 17 games (12 starts) last season. 2024 fifth-round rookie Austin Booker has had a solid camp and preseason showing and will likely mix in the rotation as he develops. Taylor offers more upside as a pass rusher than Walker and is more experienced than the rookie Booker. There's some intrigue with Taylor and his opportunity with his new team, making him worth a look off of the waiver wire in deeper IDP dynasty leagues if available.

IDP News: LB Christian Harris, Houston

Christian Harris (calf) will begin the season on designated to return injured reserve.

Houston has placed Harris on injured reserve due to his calf injury, meaning he is out for at least the first four weeks. Harris was set to be the Texans' LB2 alongside Azeez Al-Shaair, but now second-year man Henry To'oto'o will likely get the first shot at the vacant role. To'oTo'o should be a serviceable option in IDP leagues where you start three to four linebackers if you need depth or a replacement for Harris. However, when Harris returns, he'll revert to a part-time player.

IDP News: EDGE Bradley Chubb, Miami

Bradley Chubb stays on the PUP list and will miss at least the first four games.

Chubb staying on the PUP list is no surprise, given he is returning from a torn ACL he suffered late last season. Chubb's minimum four-game absence opens the door for highly-touted rookie Chop Robinson to get some fruitful early-season opportunity. Robinson is raw but features an electric first step and serious speed off the edge. Robinson will be a fun IDP rookie to follow early in the season, as he has both dynasty and redraft appeal, given his current situation.