IDP Stock Market Week 15

Photo: USA Today Sports

Well, this is it. You've climbed atop that mountain. It has been a long and arduous season. We have seen many familiar names fall by the wayside and new names emerge. We have learned, we have loved, but most importantly, we have won! Well, at least for the sake of this intro, we have. Whether you're looking to be the man on top of the mountain in your league or looking to avoid your league-worst punishment, the market is available to you for that analysis we all need oh so much of. So, without further adieu, It is time for another weekly edition of the IDP Stock Market. RING THAT BELL!

The Fortune 5

LB Ivan Pace Jr., Vikings: This game we play at times is really a battle of attrition. Do you have the patience and stomach to hold longer than others? Should you move from someone? If you're a Pace manager or fan, you likely had this question swirling in your head most of this season. Well, if you held firm, you could be rewarded with a league winner. Weeks 1 & 2 were surprising, to say the least. When Pace emerged on the scene for the Vikings, he hit the ground running. In each of his first two games, he had eight tackles. Then we saw a harsh reality check for the undrafted rookie, losing snaps, and, more importantly, stats. Since the devastating injury to Jordan Hicks, Pace has become a must-start down the stretch. He has had three straight games of 9+ tackles and has two sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble in that time frame. He is setting himself up for hero status among IDP managers if he continues this into the fantasy playoffs.

EDGE Harold Landry III, Titans: Landry is a player who doesn't get enough credit for his consistency. His only year where he had less than 55 tackles was his rookie year, where he had 44 tackles. He also is the exact player that fits the mold of "won't lose a week." Here lately, however, he has been a bonafide star. Since Week 10, he has had 33 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Last week was arguably his best career game, but the most appealing part of Landry is that down the stretch, he faces the Texans two times in the fantasy playoff schedule. With the status of C.J. Stroud unknown, we could see him feast on a backup quarterback.

LB Kenneth Murray Jr., Chargers: In one of the surprises of the season, we are seeing Kenneth Murray have his best season as a pro. He just crossed the 100 total tackle threshold with four games to go, but the most impressive part of his season has been his durability. He has played 100% of his team's snaps in 10/13 games this season. When a player is on the field, he will score. This offseason cast a lot of doubt on the Chargers' linebacking corps. We saw Drue Tranquil leave, Eric Kendricks sign as a free agent, and Daiyan Henley was drafted. In the choppy waters of the Los Angeles Chargers, Murray has been a significant bright spot for fantasy managers. Let's hope you didn't give up on him!

DT Justin Madubuike, Ravens: If there was a breakout player of the year for IDP, Madubuike would be on the shortlist to win it. He has a sack in 11/13 games played this season, including a current streak of 10 straight games. You must play this man while he is doing this because teams clearly do not know how to handle him. With the defensive prowess of Jon Harbaugh and a defense feared at all levels, It shouldn't surprise us that someone new would emerge. His position on the interior line may give managers cause for concern, but Madubuike is proving that if you have faith, he will contribute, and in a huge way. He has a career-high in sacks, tackles, and fantasy points. Managers don't overthink this. If you haven't already, start playing Madubuike.

DT Cameron Heyward, Steelers: Heyward is just one of those guys that, until he retires or gets hurt, you must start him each week. When he plays, he is arguably one of the best at his position of interior defensive line. Now, it is important to point out that he is 34 years old, which may as well be a dinosaur in professional sports, so he does have the occasional bad game. Still, if you are confident enough in your team to weather this storm, he has upside, unlike many players at his position. Give the old guy a shot on your playoff rosters, will ya!