Every week throughout the NFL season I will bring you an IDP article talking about anything and everything that consists of IDP. I will talk about IDP Breakout players, keep tabs on possible waiver-wire additions and some IDP Sleeper plays during the year. It should be a fun year. Let’s take a look at three of my favorite Breakout IDP Linebackers for the 2023 season.
3 Breakout Linebackers for IDP Leagues
Troy Andersen, LB, Atlanta Falcons
Troy Andersen was a part-time player as a rookie, but when he got a majority of the snaps, he produced. Entering his second year, Andersen should be moving into the starting middle linebacker role alongside Kaden Ellis, who came over from the New Orleans Saints. The position has been fantasy gold the last few seasons with big seasons from Foyesade Oluokun and Rashaad Evans. Now it’s Andersen’s turn to be the next IDP beast for the Falcons.
Andersen was a physical specimen at Montana State, where he played quarterback, running back, outside linebacker, and inside linebacker. He ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at the combine, which helped vault him to the 58th pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Andersen had 69 tackles in a part-time role last season but looked good in his five starts. Andersen has all the making of a breakout IDP monster this season.
Pete Werner, LB New Orleans Saints
Pete Werner is a sleeping giant. He has battled injuries his first two seasons in New Orleans, but has performed well in his 27 games with 19 starts. The former second-round pick has top-15 IDP potential if he can stay healthy. Werner averaged nearly 19 points per game in his first eight games in 2022 before he got hurt. That would have made him a top-10 LB in most IDP formats.
Werner is on most people’s radar this season, but he is still probably being undervalued. There still might be an opportunity to grab him from nonbelievers. But I think a breakout season feels imminent. Get on the train before it is too late.
Nakobe Dean, LB Philadelphia Eagles
Nakobe Dean is another second-year linebacker who had a lot of fanfare behind him after an excellent college career. Dean was the defensive leader of the best defensive team in the country, helping the Georgia Bulldogs to the 2021 National Championship. Dean, who won the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker, was slightly undersized in college but is reportedly to be up to 231 pounds.
He played in all 17 games as a rookie for the Eagles, but only had 13 tackles and one tackle for loss. He spent the year learning behind T.J. Edwards, who signed with the Chicago Bears, and Kyzir White, who signed with the Arizona Cardinals. With those players gone the chance for playing time is wide open for Dean, who might even where the green dot this season. The talent is not what people have questioned but his size was an issue entering the draft. Everything is set up for Dean to take over this job and be a huge IDP contributor.
Week 1 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Half-PPR by Position