The 2019 NFL Draft is in the books and it’s time to take a look at which IDP prospects have landed in prime position to be fantasy producers. It was an exciting weekend for IDP purposes with an impressive 17 defensive players being selected in the first round. That being said there is no guarantee of immediate fantasy production as many of these players will need to adjust to the level of play in the NFL. Player designation will also determine success or failure for many of the 2019 rookie class. Here are the top fantasy landing spots for IDP purposes from this year’s crop of rookies.
Defensive Linemen
Nick Bosa (SF)
Despite playing just three games in 2018 due to a core injury that required surgery Bosa was the first defensive player taken in the draft. While rookie defensive ends tend to struggle to reach double-digit sacks Bosa has the chance to join his brother Joey Bosa, who accomplished the feat back in 2016. Edge rusher Bradley Chubb did put up 12 sacks last year in Denver but unfortunately had an outside linebacker designation capping his fantasy value. Playing alongside the newly acquired Dee Ford as well as DeForest Buckner will enhance Bosa’s chances for success as offensive lines will have to pick their poison as to who gets double teamed. There will plenty of competition between the three for sacks and that’s why Bosa brings high-end DL2 value with DL1 possibility to the 2019 season.
Clelin Ferrell (OAK)
The Raiders turned a few heads by making Ferrell the second defensive end off the board but definitely filled a position of need. Oakland managed to post just 13 sacks last season and were led by defensive tackle Maurice Hurst who posted four. The leading defensive end was Bruce Irvin with three and he is now a member of the Carolina Panthers. Ferrell was dominant in his last two seasons at Clemson racking up 121 total tackles with 21 sacks along with five forced fumbles. Likely a better dynasty pick than redraft as the Raiders continue to build their pass rush weapons Ferrell is a DL3 option with the upside to possibly reach low-end DL2 numbers.
Montez Sweat (WSH)
A misdiagnosed heart condition may have cost Sweat a top-10 draft selection after he flashed athleticism at both The Senior Bowl and NFL combine. The Redskins traded back into the first round to select Sweat with the 26th overall pick which may prove to be one the drafts biggest steals. At 6’6″/260 Sweat ran an amazing 4.41 at the combine and is a solid edge-setting defensive end with the ability to rush the quarterback. In his two seasons at Mississippi State Sweat would post 101 total tackles, 22.5 sacks and 30 tackles for a loss. Opposing offenses will now have to account for the pass rush of Jonathan Allen, Ryan Kerrigan as well as Sweat. Sweat is likely a DL4 on fantasy draft day with the upside to finish his rookie campaign with solid DL3 numbers.
Quinnen Williams (NYJ)
This is a nice landing spot Williams from an NFL perspective as the Jets are looking to improve the interior of their defensive line. Unfortunately, unless it is a defensive tackle required format Williams fantasy value will be capped if he keeps that designation. Working in Williams favor is that he is likely to hit the field right away and did rack up 71 total tackles and eight sacks for Alabama in 2018. Another positive factor is the presence of Leonard Williams along the Jets defensive front which should free up some space for Williams. Williams is a late-round selection in leagues that do not differentiate between tackles and ends with DL4 potential.
Linebackers
Devin White (TB)
One of the most frequently mocked selections came to fruition on day one of the draft with Tampa Bay selecting Devin White at number five.In new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles 3-4 scheme White steps in as a three-down inside linebacker next to veteran Lavonte David. White is the complete package and likely a better fantasy as well as NFL option than the departed Kwon Alexander. White brings sideline to sideline speed allowing him to rack up tackle totals (he averaged 128 per season in the past two years) with above average coverage skills. Splash plays will also be on the table as White is a threat in blitz packages having put up 7.5 in the past two seasons at LSU. White is a LB1 prospect in 2019.
Devin Bush (PIT)
It was nice to be named Devin on day one of the draft as the Steelers traded up to the ten spot to fill the void on defense left by the injury Ryan Shazier suffered two years ago. While he is a bit shorter at 5’11” than the 6’0″ Shazier Bush brings a skill set built for fantasy success in Pittsburgh. Bush has a game built on speed and solid tackling abilities while also bringing splash play potential. The 4.43 40-yard dash Bush posted at the combine allows him to be a pass rush threat from multiple positions along the defense. In the past two seasons at Michigan Bush had 10 sacks and 18.5 tackles for a loss. The Steelers release of Jon Bostic lands Bush in an immediate three-down role and high-end LB2 or low-end LB1 territory.
Defensive Backs
Johnathan Abram (OAK)
In selecting Abram Raiders head coach Jon Gruden got a player that he had the chance to see up close and personal during practices for the Senior Bowl. This is a player that can do it all in the secondary and showed it last season posting 99 total tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles for Mississippi State. A willing tackler who is comfortable playing deep or in the slot Abram has a clear path to playing time in 2019. The current coaching staff doesn’t seem completely sold on Karl Joseph as a starting safety. In the first seven games last season Joseph seemed to be in the dog house averaging just 19 snaps per game. There was an uptick in snaps down the stretch as Joseph averaged 62 snaps in the final six weeks. Look for Abram to unseat either Joseph or newly signed Lamarcus Joyner quickly and bring DB3 potential into 2019.
Mike Edwards (TB)
Despite being selected in the third round Edwards is another safety that has the chance to supplant the players ahead of him quickly and assume a starting role. New head coach Bruce Arians and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles don’t seem particularly enamored with the current secondary as they selected three defensive backs in rounds two and three of the draft. Edwards is a durable player that never missed a game while at Kentucky and averaged 89 total tackles per game the last two years. He is also a playmaker finishing his college career with 10 interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two defensive touchdowns. Another factor working in his favor is that Edwards has a bit of Tyrann Mathieu to his game and Arians coached Mathieu in Arizona. Look for Edwards to crack the starting lineup quickly and bring solid DB3 production for the Buccaneers.
Walton Spurlin is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Walton, check out his archive and follow him @waltonspurlin.
