3 IDP Sleepers to Target

Photo: USA Today Sports

The off-season is in full effect. The first wave of free agency is done, the combine is complete, and the draft is rapidly approaching. At this point, many fantasy managers are neck-deep in prospect research so they can nail their rookie drafts. This is actually a great time to send out trade offers. Find players who are flying under the radar and may have extra opportunities this year, and send some late-round draft picks for them.

With managers so focused on rookie drafts, you can take advantage of the want and luster of draft picks. Here are three IDP players to acquire cheaply.

S Taylor Rapp, Buffalo Bills

2023 Stats: 45 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 2 passes defended, 1 interception, and 1 fumble recovery

At one point, Rapp was a popular name in IDP circles. During his playing time with the Rams, he eclipsed the 90-tackle mark in three of his four seasons. The only season he did not was in 2020 when he only played nine games. During that same four-year stint, he racked up nine interceptions and 23 passes defended. Rapp seemed to fall out of favor with the Rams, though, and the safety position in its own right is being devalued by general managers in the NFL. Thus, the Rams chose not to extend Rapp.

The Bills chose to sign Rapp to a one-year deal in 2023, and he made two starts and played in 16 games. The hope was that Rapp, still just 26 years old, could be the eventual replacement for the aging safety standout, Jordan Poyer. Apparently, Rapp impressed the Bills. They let Poyer walk in free agency and signed Rapp to a three-year deal. He is now set to take on Poyer's role who led the Bills in defensive snaps in 2023.

In the four games in 2023 in which Rapp was virtually an every-down player, he averaged seven-and-a-half tackles per game. Rapp could have a career resurgence in Buffalo, where Poyer was routinely a top-10 safety, and you could acquire him for pennies on the dollar right now. I would go into a deal offering a fifth-round pick. You could potentially land a game-changer.

EDGE A.J. Epenesa, Buffalo Bills

2023 Stats: 20 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 8 passes defended, 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 defensive touchdown

Epenesa was a big name when he was drafted but seemed like an eventual bust. Though he never was the game changer the Bills hoped he would be, he has continually progressed. Epenesa, still just 25, is coming off of his best season as a pro, setting a career-high in tackles and interceptions while tying his career-high in sacks. As a reserve, Epenesa has 13 sacks over the past two seasons.

Epenesa has also looked good when forced to drop into coverage. Though he was not asked to do it often, when he did, his football IQ was evident, and he made plays. The Bills have had a decent amount of roster turnover this off-season, as you saw earlier with Rapp replacing Poyer. The Bills signed Leonard Floyd to a one-year deal in 2023. It worked out. Floyd had a strong year with 10.5 sacks. Epenesa impressed enough to allow the Bills to let Floyd walk and re-sign the younger, ascending player.

The Bills gave Epenesa a two-year, $12 million contract with $10.6 million guaranteed. He will now fill the role of Leonard Floyd, who left 627 snaps vacant, the second-most of any edge defender at the time. I am very excited to see what Epenesa can do with an expanded role. He probably could be acquired for no more than a fourth-round pick.