Football is back!!! With Week 1 just days away, I am here to help you with your IDP portfolios. Each week I will bring you the IDP Stock Market with suggestions on which players you investing in and which ones you should be liquidating. There is nothing more important than staying ahead of the market and making the right decisions as you embark on your championship quests. No matter what type of IDP format you play, I am here to guide you. Let’s get right into it with three IDP investments and three IDP liquidations that can get your season off on the right foot.
IDP Stock Market Investments
Dorian Williams, LB, Buffalo Bills
My first IDP stock market investment is linebacker (LB) Dorian Williams of the Buffalo Bills. Williams, heading into his second year with the team has a huge opportunity in front of him this season. Starter Matt Milano recently suffered a torn biceps and is out indefinitely. With that news, comes the question of who is the next man up. The answer is Williams, whose stock you should be investing in. With Milano out, the Bills turn to Williams with hopes that they don’t miss a beat with him next to Bernard. Last season he played in all 17 games as a rookie and made two starts with 40 total tackles, 25 solos, and two QB hits. In his one start where he received the full complement of game reps, Williams recorded 10 total tackles, six solo stops, and one QB hit. Williams is an IDP sock that you should be investing in not only for week one but for the season.
Justin Simmons, SAF, Atlanta Falcons
My next IDP stock market investment is safety (SAF) Justin Simmons of the Atlanta Falcons. We saw starter DeMarcco Hellams go down in the first week of the preseason with a severe ankle injury. With the injury, will miss significant time. Days later the Falcons would sign veteran safety Justin Simmons. He will slot in at the strong safety position next to Jessie Bates. The Falcons begin the season playing the Pittsburgh Steelers who are still trying to figure out things at the QB position. They also love to run the ball which should benefit Simmons. He’s had six or more tackles in four of his seven career week 1 starts. I’m willing to bet he’ll accomplish that again this year. If you’re scrambling to find help at the safety position, Simmons can still be found available on the waiver wire. At that price, it makes him a great investment for your IDP portfolio for week one and beyond.
Sam Hubbard, DE, Cincinnati Bengals
For my final IDP stock market investment for week one, I suggest you go with DE Sam Hubbard of the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals play the New England Patriots in week one. Hubbard has had some nice production as a starter in week one. In his five starts in Week 1 over his career, he has an average of 6.6 tackles per game. Hubbard has also produced eight or more tackles in three of those contests. Hubbard is known mostly for his ability to rush the passer, don’t be blind to his ability to produce high tackle numbers. Especially to begin a season. There is a new coaching regime in New England and a new QB as well, so I expect it will take them some time to get their house in order, making this a perfect opportunity for Hubbard to get a hot start to his seventh NFL season. You never want to get cute early, so just invest in the stocks that project high-floor returns, and Hubbard is that.
IDP Stock Market Liquidations
Clelin Ferrell, DE, Washington Commanders
My first IDP stock market liquidation is defensive end (DE) Clelin Ferrell of the Washington Commanders. He is entering his sixth year in the NFL and his first with Washington. Sometimes a change of scenery can breathe new life into a player. But there is nothing Ferrell has accomplished or the Commanders have in place that makes me feel he’ll be a success. The Commanders are going through a complete rebuild starting this year. So don’t be fooled into thinking that Ferrell will finally break out. He spent four seasons with the Raiders and one with the 49ers with a career total of just 13.5 sacks. Ferrell has three streaks of ten or more consecutive games without a sack and only has two career multi-sack performances. Ferrell is a player that I have liquidated from all of my IDP portfolios and you should as well.
Harold Landry, OLB, Tennessee Titans
My next IDP stock market liquidation for week 1 is outside linebacker (OLB) Harold Landry of the Tennessee Titans. Landry’s history suggests that his week 1 matchup versus the Chicago Bears won’t be a productive one for fantasy managers. He’s been held to four tackles or less (2.5 per game) in each of his four career week 1 starts. While Landry is known for producing high tackle numbers each season, he generally starts slow in week 1. That nudges me to look for a better option for the first week of the fantasy season. With a new coaching staff in place, I need to see what Landry looks like under the new regime. I’m not telling you to liquidate Landry from your IDP portfolios altogether. I would consider investing in another option for the first week of the season.
Joey Bosa, OLB, Los Angeles Chargers
My final IDP stock market liquidation for Week 1 is outside linebacker (OLB) Joey Bosa of the Los Angeles Chargers. When healthy, Bosa is one of the league’s best pass rushers. Of course, being healthy is the one thing he just hasn’t been able to do. In his eight seasons in the NFL, Bosa has played the full season only three times. He has missed a total of 29 regular season games and is currently nursing a wrist/hand injury this preseason.
When asked about an update, HC Jim Harbaugh replied, “He’s still working through something.” Bosa still carries some value, so trade him for some pieces you can use. Like Ferrell above, I have already liquidated any shares of Bosa from my IDP portfolios. Let someone else worry about that headache.