As the NFL Draft draws closer, the IDP team at Dynasty Nerds put together the second of three IDP only rookie mock drafts. It goes without saying how important it is to put a value on IDPs to give the Nerd Herd any edge they can get in their rookie drafts. So often I hear questions about where IDPs should go in rookie drafts and startups, the goal here is to give you some insight on where our mock drafters value these players and hopefully you can apply this knowledge to your rookie drafts. This time around, we gathered eight experienced dynasty players who regularly play in IDP leagues to do a two-round mock draft, values have changed quite a bit since the first mock.

1.01: Isaiah Simmons

6’4” 230 lbs

LB, Clemson

· @StatsSAC – Shawn Coleman

Isaiah Simmons is my choice over Chase Young due to talent and situation. Young is as much, if not more, of a dominant individual defensive talent as Simmons. However, with Young headed to a crowded Redskins defensive front, give me the Simmons. Simmons can line up almost anywhere, which means there’s a good chance of a consistent high floor, including plenty of high scoring performances.



1.02: Chase Young

6’5” 265 lbs

DE/EDGE, Ohio State

@Glosser13 – Jon Glosser

Chase Young falls to the 2nd overall pick, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Isaiah Simmons combine puts him in the conversation for the top overall IDP rookie, and truthfully the two are so close if you can land one of Simmons or Young you should leave your rookie draft happy. Chase Young has all the tools to be one of the most feared and dominant players in the NFL for years to come. Assuming Washington drafts him, he will keep his 4-3 DE tag, and that will instantly make him a top-five value at the position.

1.03: Kenneth Murray

6’2” 243 lbs

LB, Oklahoma

@thesofascout – Jeff Abercrombie

Kenneth Murray will be a tackling machine in the NFL. Tackles are the foundation of scoring for most IDP leagues. While he isn’t “generational,” and there are some flaws to his game, specifically his coverage skills, he’s going to be a three-down LB based on expected draft capital and can rack up consistent fantasy points.

1.04: Patrick Queen

6’1” 227 lbs

LB, LSU

@50shadesofdrunk – Jordan Rains

Patrick Queen is the best player available after Simmons, Young, and Murray. Queen has great instincts and can come downhill in an instant once he’s identified the play. He’s likely a top 50 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft as well, which bodes well for playing time and production.

1.05: K’Lavon Chaisson

6’4” 250 lbs

EDGE, LSU

@BeardZeus – Greg Billing

Back to back LSU players should be no surprise to anyone. Chaisson is an explosive athlete off the edge, and I believe he becomes a consistent force on the outside for years. It’s possible we could be talking about a locked in top 5-10 pick if not for the torn ACL in 2018, forcing him to miss the entire season. While it’s most likely, he is a 3-4 outside LB with the push for EDGE designations in IDP leagues, this shouldn’t hurt his value nearly as much as it has others in the past.

1.06: A.J. Espenasa

6’6” 280 lbs

EDGE, Iowa

@phattyj91 – Pat Johnson

A.J. Espenasa is by no means a perfect player, but size and power are going to be how the Iowa star makes his name in the NFL. If he lands on a team with a smart and creative defensive coach who can play to his strengths, he could make an impact quickly as a versatile defensive lineman who regularly plays three downs.

1.07: Xavier McKinney

6’1” 200 lbs

S, Alabama

@sberger1986 – Steve Berger

A bit surprising to pass on Delpit for McKinney here, but overall consistency of production is why. McKinney has shown he can play any of the secondary positions. When I’m looking for a productive DB in IDP leagues, you want a safety who will always be around the ball, and McKinney has done that at Alabama. The big-play potential should have him scoring very well in leagues over the next couple of seasons.

1.08: Grant Delpit

6’3” 201 lbs

S, LSU

@DynastyPonderer – Zach Ponder

Grant Delpit struggled some in 2019, which is the reason for a fall from our first mock draft (1.05), but I think he returns to the 2018 form when he reaches the NFL. LSU defensive backs have been nothing but productive in the NFL for the most part, Delpit has top 5 safety potential.

1.09: Yetur Gross-Matos

6’5” 264 lbs

EDGE, Penn State

@StatsSAC – Shawn Coleman

Though not the most naturally talented pass rusher in this draft, Gross-Matos offers significant upside as an all-around defensive end or edge talent. He has double-digit sack potential but also can defend the run at an above-average rate at times. Not only does he have more tackle production upside than other DL talents in this draft, but he also has big point event potential due to his knack for ending plays in the backfield.

1.10: Derrick Brown

6’2” 245 lbs

DT/IDL, Auburn

@Glosser13 – Jon Glosser

The Auburn star DT is a guaranteed top 10 NFL draft pick, and while his value drops drastically in non-DT required leagues, he can still be a force in IDP leagues. We have to remember even in non-DT required leagues, Aaron Donald, DeForest Buckner, Kenny Clark, and Chris Jones are still very reliable IDP producers. While it may take some time, Brown has a chance to earn that same respect and be on every dynasty player’s radar for years to come.

1.11: Malik Harrison

6’3” 240 lbs

LB, Ohio State

@thesofascout – Jeff Abercrombie

One of the rare players I was able to select in both of the first two mock drafts we did. Malik Harrison heads up the next tier of LBs for me. While watching Jonathan Taylor tape in the Wisconsin/OSU game, Harrison often jumped out as a playmaker. I think he’s going to be a solid contributor, and if he is drafted high, look for him to be a riser in your rookie drafts.

1.12: Jeremy Chinn

6’3” 221 lbs

S, Southern Illinois

@50shadesofdrunk – Jordan Rains

The biggest riser between the first two mocks was Jeremy Chinn, a small school standout. He’s an athletic freak who dominated the combine running a 4.45 40-yard dash (92nd percentile) and 11′-6″ broad jump (99th percentile). Risky, but his athletic profile suggests elite upside potential. The rare combination of size, speed, and athletic ability will make it extremely difficult for an NFL Coordinator to take him off the field.

2.01: Zach Baun

6’2” 238 lbs

EDGE, Wisconsin

@BeardZeus – Greg Billing

Zach Baun is a versatile athlete who has a chance to be a late day one or early day two pick. One of the most important players for the Wisconsin Badgers last season, Baun finished with 19.5 tackles for loss, including 12.5 sacks in 2019. All signs point to him playing standup 3-4 outside LB, but there is potential for him to play the SAM linebacker role in a 4-3 if he’s drafted to that system. One thing for sure Baun has a very high football IQ and can help any defense, I would temper expectations year one, but he should be putting up productive numbers once he carves out a true role for whatever NFL team drafts him.

2.02: Antoine Winfield Jr.

5’9” 203 lbs

DB, Minnesota

@phattyj91 – Pat Johnson

The fourth DB off the board is Antonie Winfield Jr., following a career year with 88 tackles and seven interceptions leading Minnesota to an 11-2 record. Another pick that could be shaped by what team he is drafted to, but whoever drafts him is going to get a safety with good instincts and IQ. Even though he is on the smaller side, he has the potential to become a starting safety in the right scheme.

2.03: Javon Kinlaw

6’5” 324 lbs

DT/IDL, South Carolina

@sberger1986 – Steve Berger

Much like Derrick Brown in Dt required leagues, Javon Kinlaw will hold much more value. In his last 22 games played, Kinlaw has 17 tackles for loss, including 10 sacks. Brown is a giant man with elite physical traits for his size. The South Carolina native will likely see his value change depending on what system he gets drafted in, but it doesn’t matter if he’s a 3-4 DE or a 4-3 DT. He will be making huge plays on Sundays for years to come.

2.04: Kyle Dugger

6’1” 217 lbs

Lenoir-Rhyne

@DynastyPonderer – Zach Ponder

The Lenoir-Rhyne product is one of my favorite DBs in this class. Kyle Dugger was limited to only seven starts in 2019 due to injury but was very productive in 2018 with 76 tackles, three interceptions, and 10 pass breakups. Dugger has all the traits of a box safety you want. Small school prospect who will need to prove it on the next level, but his tape looks great. Kyle Dugger lit up the combine and has a crazy high ceiling with an admittedly low floor.

2.05: Jordyn Brooks

6’0” 240 lbs

LB, Texas Tech

@StatsSAC – Shawn Coleman

Separating this tier of LBs can become very difficult, and at this point, you have to go with the guy you like the most, and for me, that’s Jordyn Brooks. The Texas Tech LB has consistently produced and improved all four years in college. One of the better tacklers and downhill disruptors in the draft, Brooks can get to the ball consistently and not miss when he arrives. Though his coverage skills are a bit of a question, his consistent production stopping the run and in the backfield creates a very high floor with room to grow.

2.06: Troy Dye

6’3” 231 lbs

LB, Oregon

@Glosser13 – Jon Glosser

I don’t see any possible way Troy Dye falls this far in value, but for this mock, I will take it. The Oregon LB falls from 1.12 in our first IDP mock down to 2.06 after not participating in the combine while he’s recovering from injuries. Troy Dye racked up nearly 400 tackles in four seasons at Oregon. Troy Dye is more of a cover LB, but he’s as tough as nails, which is evident by him playing the final four games with a broken thumb and partially torn meniscus to help the Ducks win the Pac 12 Championship.

2.07: Ashtyn Davis

6’1” 202 lbs

S, California

@thesofascout – Jeff Abercrombie

The last DB off the board is Ashtyn Davis, the speedy California safety. Late riser, but the physical attributes combined with his speed should see him drafted early on day 2 of the NFL Draft. While Davis didn’t run at the combine, I don’t believe that hurt his value at all as he went to California for a Track scholarship and walked onto the football team. While it’s likely, Davis’s best skill currently is coverage he did manage to put together back to back seasons of at least 50 tackles as a Junior and Senior. The upside of this pick this late is worth every bit of the risk.

2.08: Bradlee Anae

6’3” 257 lbs

EDGE, Utah

@50shadesofdrunk – Jordan Rains

Since 2017, no edge defender in this class has produced more pressures than Bradlee Anae 158. One of the most polished edge rushers in this class who can win with a variety of moves. Proven 3-down player, accruing 744+ snaps each of the last seasons. Not an athletic specimen, but his technical proficiency makes him an intriguing pick with solid upside.

2.09: Akeem Davis-Gaither

6’1” 224 lbs

LB, Appalachian State

@BeardZeus – Greg Billing

I have been given the reputation as an LB hoarder in most of my deep IDP leagues, so there’s no way after taking two EDGE players I wasn’t going to land at least one true LB. Akeem Davis-Gaither had back to back seasons of at least 104 tackles that’s good enough for me to believe in him earning snaps in the NFL and being very productive with those. This closes the LB tier for me, so if there’s a chance you can land ADG as the LB7, you will be walking away, smiling after the rookie draft.

2.10: Curtis Weaver

6’2” 265 lbs

EDGE, Boise State

@phattyj91 – Pat Johnson

http://trib.com

I don’t foresee Curtis Weaver falling this far post-draft, but for now, I’ll take this value. A small-statured guy who earned All-American honors and is the Mountain West all-time sack leader. Weaver is touted for his high IQ and motor and will need to leverage those to become an everyday player as he likely won’t win on his physical attributes alone. However, he was versatile for Boise State – playing both as a 4-3 DE and a 3-4 edge rusher – which should help him see the field more.

2.11: Raekwon Davis

6’6” 311 lbs

DL, Alabama

@sberger1986 – Steve Berger

http://patspulpit.com

One of the top recruits coming out of High School in 2016, Raekwon Davis broke out as a sophomore for the Crimson Tide with 8.5 sacks. Since the 2017 season, Davis has been very mediocre. One thing you can’t teach is his size and power, and there will be an NFL team that falls in love with him and makes a decent player out of him.

2.12: Ross Blacklock

6’3” 290 lbs

DL, TCU

@DynastyPonderer – Zach Ponder

http://youtube.com

With the “Mr. Irrelevant” in our second mock TCU defensive linemen Ross Blacklock is the pick. Blacklock is another prospect coming off an injury in 2018 but bounced back nicely with 3.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss from the DT position. It goes without saying, but in DT required leagues Blacklock will rise up draft boards. For now, he’s a sleeper who can give you solid production year one if he’s drafted to be an NFL starter.

The Wrap Up

The Dynasty Nerds IDP team has now brought you their top 24 defensive prospects for the 2020 NFL Draft pre-combine. The next mock draft will likely be after the NFL Draft to give the Nerds their best and most up to date values on the rookie IDP class. While fantasy football content isn’t at the front of everybody’s mind with all the problems in the world, it’s important to remember the staff at Dynasty Nerds is working to have you covered for every dynasty league format you play in all year round.