What’s going on, Rush Nation? Welcome to the third and final installment of my “Sleepy Series.” My name is Mase; I analyze players to draft around the middle to end rounds of all defensive fantasy formats. This edition features players that play the defensive lineman (DL) position on your IDP rosters.

If you missed out on the other two installments of the series, you can find them here. 

https://5yardrush.co.uk/idp-sleepy-safeties/

sleepy-linebacker

 

Ever been in a draft where you completely neglected a position? I’m sure you didn’t mean to; you just put it off for a tad too long. Now you have left yourself to search around the draft pool hastily. Don’t draft a random human to whom you have next to no knowledge. Please stick with me and slot yourself a sleepy defensive lineman! 

The defensive lineman position is usually the last position I would aim to fill on any standard IDP league. Though a vital part of any IDP roster, defensive linemen tally the least points per position in most IDP leagues. I look for a player atop the tackling charts. High sack counts are also an excellent stat to consider. 

The mentioned defensive lineman below are all efficient starters for their teams. They are worthy of a draft spot in all formats, specifically Bestball/Dynasty IDP leagues.

If you aren’t familiar with our scoring system, here it is for you and the link to the article written by my friend Nath Davis. IDP + Scoring – A new UK industry standard

 

Daron Payne, Washington Football Team

In 2020 Daron Payne participated in the most snaps in a single season in his career with nine-hundred and forty-eight. Three hundred seventy-eight snaps were in run defense, five hundred and sixty-three were in pass rush, and seven Payne dropped into coverage. Payne tacked the ball carrier 41 times and assisted on 20 tackles. He missed two tackles all season and logged the first interception by a Washington defensive tackle since 2008. (The first of his career)

Current Situation

Daron Payne is the starting defensive tackle in one of the best front sevens in the NFL. He is currently in the 4th year of his five-year contract with Washington. His cap hit does double in 2022, the last year of his deal.

Season Outlook

Payne is an unforgiving force on the field and thrives on a defensive line LOADED with talent. (Chase Young, Jonathan Allen, Montez Sweat, Shaka Toney). All of these players deserve real consideration for your DL roster spots. With the added game this season, I expect Paynes snap count to increase. Payne has 40 or more tackles every season he has played in Washington. Consistent points are what you love as a fantasy manager. Inflict “major pain” on your opponent with Payne. 

Other Washington players of note: Chase Young, Jamin Davis, Cole Holcomb, and Landon Collins.

 

Romeo Okwara, Detroit Lions

2020 was kind to Romeo Okwara as he saw the field a total of seven hundred and forty-eight snaps. (Most of career in a single season) Primarily used on the line. However, Okwara saw 28 snaps in coverage. Otherwise, Okwara could be utilized in a flurry of positions across the defensive line. Mainly he is positioned outside of the offensive tackle. Romeo tackled his opponent 27 times last season. He assisted on five tackles and allowed a 100% completion rate on three passes. (9.7 yards per target)

Current Situation

Romeo Okwara is starting as an EDGE rusher and is under contract until 2024. Romeo’s cap hit increases by Ten million next season.

Season Outlook

Romeo Okwara is a talented player on a defense that is desperately hoping to improve from last season. Trey Flowers is playing on the other side of him this season. I am keeping my eyes on the pair as the season begins to unfold. 

Other Detroit players of note: Trey Flowers and Jamie Collins.

 

Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals

Look up the definition of breakout in Webster’s dictionary, and Trey’s face just might be next to it. From 2017-2019 Trey compiled 6.5 sacks. In 2020 alone, Hendrickson brought the quarterback down 13.5 times. Trey tacked the ball carrier by himself twenty-two times which is double from his 2019 total of eleven. His efforts paid off big as Trey signed a deal with the Bengals this offseason.

Current Situation

As stated above, Hendrickson signed a four-year sixty million dollar deal with Cinncinatiti this off-season. His 2021 dead cap of sixteen million decreases to seven and a half in 2022 and down to five million in 2023. 

Season Outlook

The Bengals invested in their line via both free agency and the draft this off-season. Trey Hendrickson will be a significant piece in the Bengals defense who struggled last season—finishing fourth-worst in rushing yards allowed(2,368) and allowing 5.1 yards per rushing attempt, second behind the one only Houston Texans. Five hundred and eighty-six snaps are the most in a single season for Trey. I believe he tops his single-season snap record this season. More game time means more opportunities for your team to score points. 

Other Cincinnati players of note: Sam Hubbard, Logan Wilson, Vonn Bell.

That’s all I have for you today, Rush Nation; a huge thank you for reading this. I hope it helps, and if you have any questions, feel free to message or interact with me on Twitter https://twitter.com/caliking49er17.