IDP Stock Market: Week 11

Do you feel that? These weeks are getting more and more meaningful as time ticks on. The decisions we must make could potentially extend our season or crash and burn them! The more info we have at our disposal, the better. What do we do with this info? Well, that's for you to decide! All I can do is give you my completely unbiased and nuanced look into the future, right? These are definitive stocks, as confident as I have ever posted. So do with this information what you will and remember, there's no point in playing this game without the intent to win it all!

Fortune 5

Stock Up: Nnamdi Madubuike, Baltimore

There is both good news and bad news associated with Madubuike. The good news is that he is still playing football, despite what his stats previously told us. The bad news is that we may never know if this week was an anomaly. His potential is extremely high but hasn't translated to fantasy production this year. He reminded us this week that he can still go off anytime. Remember, he scored more sacks this week than his season total before the game and achieved 25% of his tackle total. This is the type of game that gives me an appetite to buy him or acquire him if managers gave up early in the season.

Stock Up: T.J. Edwards, Chicago

By his standards, Edwards is having a down year. Because of this, he is not being talked about in the upper echelon of IDP linebackers. This week, he, too, reminded us of his previous greatness. 13 total tackles and an interception this past week must have managers feeling good. Despite his mediocre start to the season, he is still pacing for the 150-tackle range. It has just been an ugly journey to get there. I anticipate he will continue to improve this season and finish as a top 5 linebacker, but he may have his work cut out to do this. Regardless, he's still a top linebacker in IDP, and it was reassuring to get a game like this.

Stock Up: DeMarvion Overshown, Dallas

There's something nice about a young linebacker rising to the occasion and becoming a must-start player. We are seeing that happen in real-time with Overshown in Dallas. He not only has the consistent tackle floor of just over seven tackles a game, but he has shown an ability to affect the quarterback with four sacks. Last week, we saw his best career game with 11 tackles and two sacks. They may not all be as good as last week, but he has proven that he deserves recognition from IDP fans and a spot in your starting lineup. He has some very favorable matchups over the next few weeks against the Texans, Commanders, and Giants in consecutive weeks.

Stock Up: Josey Jewell, Carolina

He may not be the crown jewel of IDP, but Josey Jewell has always been reliable, and this season is no different. Sure, he may not be as sexy as some of these other young and athletic linebackers we all salivate over, but if you are forced to start Jewell, you are doing better than you may think. Since his return to the field, in Week 8 he has 22 tackles which is a solid average and has proven to be a good barometer for his production, considering prior to the injury he was averaging 7.5 a game. There is nothing wrong with having solid, reliable linebacker play, even if it may be boring. He deserves lineup consideration every week, and he rarely will be the reason you lose. But every now and again, he can be the reason you win a matchup, and there is real value in a player who can do this.

Stock Up: Jack Gibbens, Tennessee

Oh man, I skipped the pennies and went straight to the penthouse with this one. When a linebacker emerges with a huge week, I try to temper my expectations and give myself time to process why it happened. After two weeks, I don't need to think any longer; I am reacting, as should you! His stat line the last two weeks is 29 tackles and half a sack. Since Ernest Jones IV left, Gibbens has dominated not only the snap share at the position but the tackles on the field as well. We may have identified our latest "drop all the FAAB you have on this guy" player of the season. He's a dynasty darling, and if Tennessee decides to keep him long-term, he could also be a foundational player in IDP. It is too early to say all of that, but in the short term, you need to get him while you can.

Falling 4

Stock Down: Laiatu Latu, Indianapolis

Colts fans, look away. We may have back-to-back years of bad first-round picks. While I don't feel like the vibe is as low here as it is for Anthony Richardson, there are still serious red flags we need to acknowledge. For starters, we aren't seeing any real growth at the position week over week. He's had three games with zero points and a game that was saved by a defended pass where he had just one assisted tackle. That's 40% of his career games played. What's worse than that? He is a rotational player on the defense. You don't take the first player on defense in the draft for him to be rotational, especially when you see what the Rams are getting from Jared Verse, who plays the same position and is making a case for defensive rookie of the year…

Stock Down: Derwin James Jr., LA Chargers

I am afraid the days of Derwin James Jr. being the end all be all at the safety position are over. He simply isn't doing what he used to do, and I don't know what's to blame. He has a better coach and kept the majority of his teammates around him, but he isn't producing the way he needs to be a no-doubt starter. Maybe it is too early to outright drop him from rosters, but now is the time you sell, even if it is "selling low" because I think it is within the realm of possibility that we are not yet at the bottom. So, recouping any value will ultimately close out what has been a great career from James on your roster. Regardless of your decision, James has been very disappointing, and no one likes a sad ending.

Stock Down: Quinnen Williams, NY Jets

Maybe it is just the defensive tackle position this season, but there are a lot of high-profile players at the position who are simply not producing to the level their name would have you assume. Williams is beginning to fall into this trap. He's coming off a two-game heater, but unfortunately, it is two out of three total games where he has been "good" this season. If you're in a league that requires you to start a defensive tackle, then, of course, you're going to have to ride or die with him, but if it isn't required, he may be a drop candidate or trade fodder. It could just be the disease that is the Jets, but something is up with their good players becoming… not so good! Get away from this team while there is still hope for your fantasy team.

Stock Down: Haason Reddick, NY Jets

Oh, wow: more Jets talk on the bad list? Look, this may feel like a pile-on situation, but we all can admit that Reddick, at his peak, was a top edge-rushing threat. But since he was shipped to the Jets, we have had nothing but drama and poor performance, not to mention a significant amount of time away from the game. I am not confident at all that he will return to form this season and wouldn't be shocked if he was just one of those guys that fades into the ether. It's a shame because he has a skill set in high demand in the NFL, but the unfortunate circumstances of this run may tarnish that legacy and his future prospects around the NFL.  

Premiere Pennies

Stock Up: Dante Fowler Jr, Washington

I was so wrong on Fowler, but I want you to hear me out. We have seen him get hot many times, but it always ends the same. He becomes a player who is often more sizzle than steak, and while I stand by this claim, I can no longer ignore the immense amount of production he has this season. His career-best season was 11 sacks. At the halfway point of the season, he is at 8.5. The only issue with him is that he is truly a sack-dependent player. Of his 25 total tackles, 9 have been on the sack plays. He's playing consistent snaps and is a threat to get to the QB at any given time, but the downside of a player like this is the likelihood he can get you two or fewer points in your lineup. Buyer beware!

Stock Up: D.J. Wonnum, Carolina

Say it with me: "Young edge rushers will always be in style." Wonnum played his first game of the season this past week and was a baller! He has been on the PUP list all season but got his first taste of game action in Week 10 against the Giants. He popped off with six tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. Not too shabby considering the Panthers haven't exactly had much to cheer for this season. He is 27 years old, so we are likely in the peak years, and his competition for snaps is Jadeveon Clowney, who we know can disappoint, and Charles Harris. I don't know about you, but my money is on Wonnum to continue being a top asset for this defense, and he is likely available on your waiver wire.

Stock Up: Calijah Kancey, Tampa Bay

Maybe the wait for Kancey to emerge as the top pass rusher for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is finally here! Vita Vea takes most of the attention in the middle, and rightfully so. This allows for the others in rotation (Kancey leading the charge) to have 1-1 opportunities, and because of this, we need to buy Kancey. He didn't play during the first five weeks of the season, but since returning to the field, he has steadily been a defensive tackle that can be relied upon. Like I said previously, if you don't need to start defensive tackle, I am always of the mindset that you shouldn't, but if you need one or even just take a flyer in a league that you don't, he's a safe bet to keep you from treading water in your matchups.