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We've already looked at the top rookie linebackers and defensive backs to watch in 2020. Now, we'll finish up on the front lines where the big boys fight in the trenches to find the top tackles and edge rushers. In this space, I'll highlight some rookie IDP (individual defensive player) targets for fantasy football IDP leagues.
I won't be mentioning Chase Young because that just seems like a waste of valuable space. In case you need it in writing, here goes: He's the top rookie DT to target.
Once we get beyond the first-round talent, however, there are plenty of options that could make an impact in year one.
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Yetur Gross-Matos (DE, CAR)
Carolina has a type and Yetur Gross-Matos definitely fits the bill. After spending a first-round pick on undersized edge rusher Brian Burns last year, who weighs all of 249 pounds, they spent a second-rounder on 265-pound Gross-Matos. Burns was able to pick up 7.5 sacks as a rookie and the team is hoping that Gross-Matos also shows the burst to break the edge on passing downs. He has an additional advantage - his 35" arm span ranks in the 92nd percentile. After a quiet freshman season at Penn State, he registered 34.5 tackles for loss between 2018-2019, 17 of which came in the form of QB sacks. His job description is simple - take down the quarterback whenever possible.
This is a unit on the rebuild under new coach Matt Rhule, no question. Carolina spent all seven of its draft picks on that side of the ball, starting with dynamic interior lineman Derrick Brown in the first round. It's a much-needed overhaul; the Panthers Defense was statistically the second-worst in the league last year and now will be without longtime anchor Luke Kuechly. As bad as the Panthers were defensively, the one thing they did right was to apply pressure in the backfield.
Carolina finished second in the NFL with 53 sacks, including the seventh-highest pressure rate. For that reason, Gross-Matos fits perfectly into this scheme where he and Burns can pressure the outside while Brown and Kawann Short plug up the middle. Matt Rhule brought defensive coordinator Phil Snow with him from Baylor in hopes that he can continue the success they had together; Baylor ranked first in the Big 12 with 19.8 points allowed per game and 43 sacks on the season. In tackle-heavy formats, he won't move the needle, but if you are simply looking for sack upside at DE, Gross-Matos might be the best bet after Chase Young.
A.J. Epenesa (DE, BUF)
Epenesa slipped on draft day after being speculated as a possible late first-round pick. Luckily, he fell to one of the top defenses in the league in a year that Tom Brady leaves the division. With Epenesa, the college production was there, but you have to throw the workout numbers out the window.
See what I mean? His disappointing combine numbers caused him to fall out of round one but allowed him to enter a better situation in Buffalo. He doesn't have the speed of Gross-Matos, but as part of a veteran defense where he can be mixed and matched, he may still be opportunistic enough to be productive.
Considering the recent news of Ed Oliver's legal troubles, the team could depend on their rookie lineman even more than expected as last year's first-round pick may face suspension. Epenesa may be slow out the gate and there's a chance he doesn't have enough burst to penetrate the offensive line frequently enough, so he is simply a name to monitor for now.
Julian Okwara (DE, DET)
With only his older brother Romeo to beat out on the depth chart, the younger Okwara could make a splash in 2020. Both are edge rushers out of Notre Dame, standing at 6'4" apiece. The difference is that Romeo was undrafted and doesn't possess superior athleticism. Julian is younger, stronger, and should be more productive.
Like several other players who fell to the third round, Okwara could have been drafted higher if his production didn't slip in 2019. Coming off a junior season where he collected eight sacks, Okwara experienced some injury issues and fell to just five sacks as a senior. That doesn't mean he lost the ability to rush the passer.
Despite a smaller frame, Okwara showed his strength with the occasional bullrush move. This won't fly so often in the NFL, but he won't be pancaked regularly by NFL tackles either.
The Lions' depth chart favors Okwara at the moment. Keep him on your radar in leagues where sacks are rewarded more heavily.
Leki Fotu (DT, ARI)
We've highlighted several Utah players on the defensive side of the ball already, including Jaylon Johnson in the DB version of this article. Fotu is a massive 6'5", 330lb prospect who looks to be another coming of former Ute Star Lotulelei, currently a DT for the Buffalo Bills. While Lotulelei has been light on sacks and fantasy production, Fotu is a heavier build and could benefit fantasy owners in tackle-heavy scoring systems where DT is required.
What helps Fotu is the lesser competition on the D-line in Arizona but also the pace of play. Arizona was fourth in pace of play last year and could pick that up even more with better weapons on offense in DeAndre Hopkins and a full year of Kenyan Drake. That leads to more opportunities on the defensive side of the ball, especially in pass-rush situations if the Cards can score like they want to. Fotu isn't an exciting IDP prospect, but there are precious few DT options that can bring a high point total each week. Fotu is better viewed as a dynasty stash or player to watch than a must-draft.
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