Five IDP Players To Trade Away

With camp battles rapidly approaching, it is time to cash in on some value on your roster. Some battles will drastically affect a player's value based on how well they perform in the preseason. One other thing to address, in dynasty leagues at least, is age-affected value. This is something many managers either forget to do based on a player producing at a high level or are so enamored with youth that they trade players too early. Being able to analyze a player's potential decline is vital to staying on top of value. Here are five IDP players to trade away based on opportunities and age adjusted-value as well.

LB Azeez Al-Shaair, Tennessee Titans

Al-Shaair may be one of the hottest names in IDP circles. He is a player who was incredibly productive in a small sample size. It seemed as though every time Al-Shaair was given an opportunity to see time on the field, he popped in box scores. He is being drafted as the clear-cut LB1 on the Titans roster; I'm not so sure that is the case. The Titans have Monty Rice returning this season, who just finished 2022 on fire.

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Rice finished 2022 with 53 tackles in the final six games missing only 4.7% of his tackles on the season. That is incredibly efficient. For Al-Shaair's career, he has averaged a 12.2% missed tackles rate. Al-Shaair eclipsed the 100 tackle mark in 2021 when he was forced into action with Dre Greenlaw missing time. It was the 2021 season that has IDP managers chomping at the bit for Al-Shaair. Right now, his value could not be higher. He is being drafted 60 picks higher than Rice. I would Trade Al-Shaair now because he may not even be the team's top linebacker.

DT Javon Hargrave, San Francisco 49ers

Telling you to trade Hargrave is by no means a slight on his talent. He may be one of the top three interior pass-rushers in the entire NFL. All this is doing is staying ahead of the age decline and also the potential decline in a new system. Hargrave's last two seasons, both in Philadelphia, were nothing short of spectacular. He had 60 or more pressures in both seasons to go along with 19 sacks. His 11 sacks in 2022 were a career-high...at the age of 29.

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Hargrave is good and has always been, but his spike in production may have been a by-product of the Eagles' defensive scheme. The Eagles sack-finish rate was almost impossible to replicate from 2022 and they led the league in sacks per game with 4.5. Before these past two seasons with the Eagles, he never eclipsed 37 pressures or 5.5 sacks. Hargrave is now again in a new defensive scheme and 30 years old. Now is the perfect time to cash in on the veteran's trade value. Hargrave is one of the top IDP players to trade away.

LB Zaire Franklin, Indianapolis Colts

Franklin is coming off a tremendous 2022 season where he was 4th in the NFL in total tackles with 166. Because of this, his value is off the charts. He is ranked as the consensus LB10 in our Footballguys rankings and currently holds an ADP of LB7 and 33rd overall IDP courtesy of The IDP Show. Though he amassed a plethora of tackles, Franklin was far from efficient.

Of the 26 linebackers who played over 1,000 snaps in 2022, Franklin held the 9th worst missed tackle rate at 12.4%. Franklin's contract is by no means a lock, either. He holds a zero-dollar dead cap if he is cut in 2024. His 2023 production looks primed to take a hit. Shaq Leonard is back in camp and does not look like he is on a snap count. Franklin's value will never be higher than it is right now, making him one of the top IDP players to trade away.

DE Matthew Judon, New England Patriots

This is another case of selling an aging veteran after a career season. Judon is phenomenal, I am taking nothing away from him. He is elite for his position. Judon just finished 2022 with a career-high in pressures (69) and sacks (15.5). The only thing you can do is cash in while you still can. Strike while the iron is hot.

The problem, or reason to trade him, is his age. Judon is 30 this year, and though he locked down a big part of the rotation, he plays on a Patriots team that has been known for IDP volatility. He holds a consensus rank of DE12 on Footballguys rankings and an ADP of DL14 and 21st overall. His value is sky-high right now. It may hurt to trade him away, but this may be the final year to get a solid return on investment for him.

LB Matt Milano, Buffalo Bills

This may seem like a head-scratcher with Milano's age and seemingly increased role on defense. But here is the thing, Milano's role in the defense will not change. Sure, it seems like with the loss of Tremaine Edmunds that Milano will reap the benefits. On the contrary, Milano will remain the weakside linebacker due to his ability in coverage as well as his inefficiency as a tackler.

Of the 60 linebackers who played over 500 snaps, Milano held the worst missed tackle rate at 16.5%. Because of this, Milano will not be moved to the middle linebacker, or MIKE, making his value the same as it has been. Whichever player wins the MIKE role is the Bills linebacker to target, mainly because their value is so low. Milano is the LB20 on Footballguys consensus rankings and holds an ADP of LB13 and 42nd overall. With his role likely to remain the same, he likely remains a high-end LB2, being drafted or valued otherwise. He is a top IDP player to trade away.

Final Thoughts

Some of the players, actually most, in this article seem crazy to think about trading. As a dynasty manager, though, you need to keep in mind age-adjusted value, scheme change, as well as cashing in on breakout years. All of these players fit the bill. Cash in on the value and build for the future without leaving a strain or assets you are unable to trade by waiting too long. Good luck in 2023, and thank you for reading.