IDP Stock Market Week 3

When evaluating the league and attempting to identify who the risers and fallers are each week, you must go in with a level head. This is likely the hardest skill to acquire in IDP Fantasy Football because we all love this game and root for certain players, teams, or stories, but judgment can be clouded if we allow these emotions to take control of decision-making. That is why you've come here to Footballguys: to get analysis that is to the point, contextualized, and, above all else, trustworthy. So RING THAT BELL!

Fortune 5

These players are on everyone's radar but performing even better than expected.

Stock Up: Edge Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit

Is there any other player worthy of our top spot this week? My goodness did Hutchinson remind us of his status in this league! He's on a shortlist of players who are truly cornerstones not only of their real-life team but of fantasy teams as well. This week against Tampa Bay, he had an astounding 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble. He's 24 years old, a hometown kid living his dream in the community he's belonged to nearly his whole life, and he is steadily making his case for the top player in all IDP Fantasy Football. Through two weeks, he has half of his career-high season sack total and is well on his way to having a career year.

Stock Up: LB Zack Baun, Philadelphia

Boy, do I hope you read last week's edition of the IDP Stock Market. From penny stock to the penthouse, Zack Baun has done exactly what I have been saying he would since preseason. He popped off week one in a primetime spot, but anyone can do it one time right? Well, in Week 2, he added to this performance with what I believe will be his floor production throughout the season. Seven solo tackles and two assists. He was a bonafide league winner and if you were savvy enough to get him off waivers, you need to sit back and just breathe easy. You've found an LB1 who has played all but one snap for his team, and he is producing on the stat sheet. You see what happens when you take our advice?

Stock Up: S Nick Cross, Indianapolis

Sometimes the diamonds are easy to spot, other times you need to dig. The Indianapolis Colts have a monster in their secondary, and if you haven't heard of him until now, it may be too late. The former 2022 3rd-round pick out of Maryland is getting some playing time this season and he is making the most of it, specifically in the tackle department. For those who have followed these articles for a while now, you know that the calling card of winning IDP fantasy football is tackle floors and consistency. Safeties at times can be afterthoughts or not valued to the level of edge rushers or linebackers, but getting one who puts up linebacker tackle numbers is a huge advantage over your competition. Cross is immediately a set-and-forget guy for your lineups and as a bonus, he's just 23 years old! If he's still available somehow, you need to swoop him up now. 29 tackles in just two games doesn't happen too often.

Stock Up: DT Keion White, New England

Another player starting to make his presence known in the league in his first real opportunity is defensive tackle Keion White. White last season tied for the third most snaps at his position as a rookie, but this offseason and preseason he has proved to the coaching staff he can make a difference on the field. Through Week 2, he has played the most snaps at the position and the fifth-most on his entire defense. This signifies how important he is to the team and their identity on the field, and he has the stats to prove it. Thus far he has 11 tackles, four sacks, and a forced fumble at a position that we largely forget about on the defensive line. I can assure you that we will not forget what is happening on the interior defensive line of New England from here on out.

Stock Up: Edge Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas

Is it a stock market if you don't talk about Nvidia? Maxx Crosby is the Nvidia of all the edge rushers in the NFL. The cost to acquire him is expensive and a lot like Nvidia can carry the NYSE at times, Crosby carries the edge rushers in this league. He is the epitome of set and forget. Not only does he give you the sexy plays we all love to see, but even the boring games have week-winning upside. So far, even though teams scheme against him specifically, he has three sacks and five TFLs. This proves that no matter what you do, or who lines up against him, he simply wins the matchup at one point or another. He has no weakness in his game. He's fast, powerful and he finishes plays. He is 27 years old, arguably at the peak of his powers, and has a defensive head coach. How can you not be romantic about IDP Fantasy Football and the beauty of the game's best edge rusher?

Falling 4

The players are highly thought of, but we might need to be worried about their 2024 production.

Prepare yourself Cowboys fans, I am going to pile on…

Stock Down: Edge Micah Parsons, Dallas

It is time we have a serious conversation about what Parsons is in IDP Fantasy Football. We all know how brilliant he is on the field. He can line up at virtually any position, he is faster than linemen and bigger than receivers and tight ends. He may even be faster than a speeding bullet, while also leaping over tall buildings. I do not knock the talent; I simply believe he is overvalued in fantasy football and weeks like last week are going to have to be ones you live with if you want to have him on your roster. This is why I advise that you utilize his name recognition and God-given football abilities and trade him away from your roster. You may never have a more tradeable asset on your roster than a star on the Cowboys, but he also has the uniquely frustrating skillset of being either a league-winner or roster clogger depending on the week. Use the compensation you get from him and get stability in this position. Enough is enough!

Stock Down: Edge DeMarcus Lawrence, Dallas

In what can only be described as an “I told you so” moment, last week in the market when we were celebrating the greatness that Lawrence displayed in Week 1, I said, “I believe weeks like this will be few and far between for him”. Well, there you go. He comes crashing down to Earth with a measly two assisted tackles. This is why capturing windows of opportunity, whether it is to trade or to acquire a player, is so crucial to the success of a dynasty manager. If I told you at the end of the season, that he had 50% startable games and 50% games like Week 2, ask yourself, would you want him on your roster? 

Stock Down: Edge Laiatu Latu, Indianapolis

It is too early to label a bust, but I do see some red flags from the rookie edge rusher in Indianapolis. The questions about his viability within the league were never about his talent or ability to impact the game. It was always whether he would withstand the physicality in the NFL. While he hasn't yet had anything debilitating happen to him, we are beginning to see early into his career that these criticisms aren't unfounded. Last week he left the game against Green Bay early with a hip injury. This isn't anything critical, and he likely will suit up this week. But it is concerning that even in the limited role he's currently in, it only took two games to wind up injured in some capacity. Maybe I'm too early on this, but we must identify the red flags when they show up.

Stock Down: LB Elandon Roberts, Pittsburgh

Last week, it was Patrick Queen who deserved the hate, but now I am beginning to think this unit just isn't good enough to rely upon in IDP Fantasy Football. For the record, none of the members of this position group had what anyone would consider a good day, but I chose to highlight Roberts here for a reason. As much grief as I gave Patrick Queen due to being overhyped, the same should be said for Roberts. Since Cole Holcomb was placed on IR, this team desperately needs a dominant force at linebacker, but it appears that no one wants it. Queen, at least, has played all the snaps, although he hasn't contributed much. Roberts has now played fewer snaps than rookie Payton Wilson! Last season, Roberts had 131 total tackles. This season, he's pacing for 18 total.  

Premiere Pennies

These players aren't highly thought of, but they should be.

Stock Up: LB Baylon Spector, Buffalo

While we are always looking for the darling young linebacker who will make us champions for many years, sometimes getting short-term returns can help contribute to championships as well. Starting inside linebacker Terrel Bernard will likely be out for a month. In the interim, someone has to play this role. Early indications are that Spector is the man for the job. It is worth mentioning that it isn't out of the ordinary for teams to sign players when things like this happen, but in the short term, Spector played 62 snaps and had a great game for IDP Fantasy Football. With 10 total tackles, Spector achieved his career season high in less than one full game. If given the opportunity, he could provide some short-term magic early in the 2024 season.

Stock Up: LB Blake Cashman, Minnesota

I want to start by saying that I have seen people who have fallen for the Cashman trap before, and just like the scene from Arrested Development, I also believe there's no way it could happen to me. Cashman now has a firm grasp on the snap count totals that he isn't used to having. Since Minnesota let Jordan Hicks walk away, there was a void here that needed to be filled. While most people may have thought it was Ivan Pace Jr., it appears to be Cashman who is benefiting the most. Week 1 wasn't something to write home about, but he exploded for 13 total tackles, three defended passes, and a sack last week. Stats like this aren't going to happen weekly, but the fact that we see a stable tackle floor with an ability to pop off occasionally is a great plus to have on your roster, and with a decent chance he's still available in your leagues.

Stock Up: LB Henry To'oto'o, Houston

I was high on To'oto'o last season, but admittedly, the take wasn't exactly defendable toward the end of the season. He was a rookie and shined in spots, but this was ultimately Christian Harris' job to lose. Harris is on the IR and will likely take this role away once he returns, but again, this game is about opportunity windows and capitalizing on them.  To'oto'o has a small window where he can impact your team positively and may be available on waivers. If you can get him, he's a starter-worthy player until the Texans designate Harris to return. In the meantime, there's nothing wrong with 2-3 weeks of solid production especially if you're one of the many affected by these devastating injuries early into the season.