4 DL on the All-Opportunity Team

In the first article of this series, we talked about linebackers. In part two, we are turning our attention to the defensive line. Below are three contract-year edge-rushers and one contract-year interior defensive lineman who are looking to make their case for lucrative deals when the offseason gets here. These motivated defensive linemen could also provide some solid IDP production at a nice value along the way. Alright, let's dive in!

*This ADP is courtesy of The IDP Show and is pulled from paid best ball drafts (40 and counting) that began in January.

Carl Granderson, DE, New Orleans Saints

Footballguys Consensus Rank - DE33
The IDP Show ADP - DL60

Considering how quiet Carl Granderson's first three seasons in New Orleans were, his 2022 campaign was a nice surprise. During the 2022 season, Granderson set career-highs in tackles (53), sacks (5.5), and tackles for loss (9). Granderson also played a career-high in defensive snaps (479), matching his 45% snap share from 2021. However, that doesn't quite tell the whole story. After a slow start to the year, it was Granderson's strong finish to last season that aided those new career marks. Over Granderson's last eight games, he logged all four of his starts and carried a 59.6% snap share. Granderson made good use of his added snaps, producing 39 tackles (21 solos), six tackles for loss, and five of his five-and-half sacks over that eight-game stretch. The coaching staff favored Granderson over former first-round picks Marcus Davenport and Payton Turner down the stretch, and he delivered.

Enter the 2023 season. The Saints have a new defensive coordinator in Joe Woods, and Marcus Davenport (490 snaps in 2022) has moved on to Minnesota during free agency. During OTAs, it was Granderson bookending Cameron Jordan with the starters in the Saints' 4-3 base setup. Players like the often-injured Payton Turner, newly-extended Tanoh Kpassagnon, and second-round rookie Isaiah Foskey will all be vying for snaps within the Saints' defensive line rotation. However, the starting job and majority shareholder of the rotation looks to be Granderson's job to lose. Granderson, a former undrafted free agent, is entering a pivotal contract year with his eyes set on a lucrative new deal after his strong 2022 finish. With his potential starting role and increased opportunity, Granderson is an excellent late-round pick coming off the board as DL60.

Marcus Davenport, DE, Minnesota Vikings

Footballguys Consensus Rank - DE63
The IDP Show ADP - DL52

Marcus Davenport has frustrated both Saints fans and IDP managers alike since being drafted 14th overall in 2018. It was a slow first two seasons for Davenport before we saw a glimpse of his talent during the 2021 season. Davenport played in 11 games (9 starts) during that 2021 campaign, holding a 64% snap share (437 snaps) and boasting a solid 14.1% pressure rate, per PFF. In those 11 games, Davenport had far and away his best statistical production, compiling 39 tackles (23 solos), nine tackles for loss, nine sacks, and 16 quarterback hits. Unfortunately, the frustration came roaring back last season. Davenport played in 15 games (9 starts), producing a meager 29 tackles (16 solos), two tackles for loss, and only a half sack. Not great, not great at all.

Heading into 2023, Davenport has a new opportunity and a new team, signing a one-year $13 million deal with Minnesota during free agency. With Za'Darius Smith (771 snaps in 2022) now in Cleveland, Davenport will bookend Danielle Hunter in new defensive coordinator Brian Flores' defense. As our own Tripp Brebner excellently explained in his Reading the New Defense series, Flores' aggressive scheme should allow Davenport to see fewer double teams in Minnesota. Davenport should have every opportunity to revert to the player we saw wreaking havoc two years ago. And if not now, it likely won't happen. The new opportunity and change of scenery might just be what Davenport needs to get back on track. Davenport is a gamble, but given his DL52 ADP, IDP gamers can stash him on their bench and see if he can flourish with his new opportunity.

Jonathan Greenard, DE, Houston Texans

Footballguys Consensus Rank - DE60
The IDP Show ADP - DL61

After a slow rookie campaign in 2020, Jonathan Greenard emerged as a waiver-wire wonder during the 2021 season. In his second season, Greenard started and played in 12 games, supporting a 52% snap share (414 snaps) and a solid 12.6% pressure rate, per PFF. Statistically, Greenard provided some solid production as well in those 12 games, compiling 33 tackles (23 solos), nine tackles for loss, eight sacks, and 12 quarterback hits. IDP gamers who were able to acquire Greenard off the waiver wire were certainly elated. However, Greenard followed his 2021 emergence with a disappointing 2022 outing. Greenard struggled to stay healthy, as a calf injury limited him to only eight games (284 snaps). As expected, the unfortunate injury hindered Greenard's production to just 16 tackles (9 solos) and one-and-a-half sacks.

Things are changing in Houston heading into 2023. The defense has new leaders at the helm, with new defensive-minded head coach Demeco Ryans and new defensive coordinator Matt Burke running things. There were also some departures from the defensive line, as Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (518 snaps in 2022), Rasheem Green (568 snaps in 2022), and Mario Addison (368 snaps in 2022) are all no longer on the roster. However, there is a very relevant newcomer in uber-talented rookie Will Anderson. Greenard and Anderson project as the starting defensive ends for the new, more aggressive Houston defense. Greenard is entering the crucial final year of his rookie deal. Now healthy and ready to go, Greenad has an opportunity to put last year behind him and get back to the player IDP gamers were excited about just two years ago. With an ADP of DL61, a healthy and motivated Greenard has the makings of a late-round steal.

Justin Madubuike, DT, Baltimore Ravens

Footballguys Consensus Rank - DT21
The IDP Show ADP - DL120

Justin Madubuike had a relatively quiet first two seasons in Baltimore after being selected in the third round in 2020. His role continued to expand, but the production was modest. Last season, however, Madubuike took a nice step in his progression, producing career-highs in tackles (42), tackles for loss (8), and sacks (5.5). Madubuike played in all 17 games (16 starts) in 2022, leading the Raven defensive tackle group with a 60% snap share (655 defensive snaps). The increased statistical production to go along with his expanding role is certainly encouraging. However, also encouraging is his growth as a pass rusher from the interior. After logging only 23 pressures over his first two seasons, Madubuike generated 32 pressures last year, per PFF. A positive sign for the pursuit of more splash plays behind the line.

Now entering the final year of his rookie deal, Madubuike has an opportunity to take another step this season and, hopefully, cash in afterward. For IDP, the appeal for Madubuike comes in true-position formats where he carries the DT tag. After the big names are off the board, Madubuike is a solid late-round DT2 target in drafts. Madubuike's ascension presents an opportunity for IDP gamers to mine some nice value as he enters a crucial contract year in 2023.

Final Thoughts

That does it for the second part of the All-Opportunity series. So far, we have covered four linebackers and four defensive linemen who present nice options to help solidify your IDP rosters later in drafts. Stay on the lookout for the final article covering the defensive back position, and I hope you enjoyed the first two installments.

Thanks for taking the time to read my article. Feel free to reach me on Twitter @KBellf54 with any questions or feedback.