The first week of the college football season is officially in the books and we have our first glimpse of which players are playing which positions. With that begins the never-ending roster management gauntlet. Here is my weekly IDP Devy Stock Market to assist you for Week 2 of the college football season.
Luke Pirris, EDGE, Navy
My first investment for your IDP Devy portfolios is Luke Pirris (Jr) of the Navy Midshipmen. Pirris is listed as the starter at the STRIKER position (or JACK/JOKER), and depending on where you look he’s either an EDGE or OLB. If you can play him at a defensive line spot, that’s a bit of an advantage for you due to his high tackle volume. He is more of a hybrid type of player, that you typically see playing as a stand-up rusher. Pirris is listed at 6’4”/217 lbs with a lot of length. He earned eight starts last year, which has rolled over to him being the full-time starter this year. Despite not starting the first four games he led the team in both TFLs (10) and sacks (4½), while recording six plus tackles in six of the last eight games. Now that he has a full off-season as a starter under his belt, Pirris is already off to a hot start as he filled the box score in Navy’s win over Bucknell. He’s rostered in just 25% of Fantrax leagues.
Week 1 Results: 8 Tackles, 4 Solo, 2½ TFLs, 1½ sacks, 1 FF, 1 FR
Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
If you are a follower of my work, then my next IDP Devy portfolio investment will come as no surprise. For those of you who play in position-specific leagues where you are required to start defensive tackle(s), then DT Peter Woods (So) of Clemson is for you. Hopefully, you already made that investment last year when he was an incoming freshman, but it’s not too late (yet) to add him to your IDP Devy portfolios. Woods showed flashes of his potential in limited action as a freshman (26 tackles & 2½ TFLs), but now he’s a full-time starter as a sophomore. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a player as highly touted as Woods and is as advertised. Despite Clemson taking a loss to Georgia in Week 1, it wasn’t due to Woods not performing at a high level. Georgia is the measuring stick of how good players can be and Woods proved against the Bulldogs, that he belongs among the elite. Clemson is known as an NFL assembly line for defensive linemen and Woods just might be the best yet. He’s rostered in just 38% of Fantrax leagues.
Week 1 Results: 6 Tackles, 5 Solo, 2½ TFLs, 1 sack, 1 FF
Donelius Johnson, LB, Kennesaw State
For my final IDP Devy investment I want to look at a player, linebacker Donelius Johnson (So) of Kennesaw State, whose team is making the jump up to Division I. The Owls joined CUSA and will have a tough road ahead and that should lead to plenty of opportunities for Johnson to rack up the stats. Johnson played in all nine games for the Owls last season and he finished third on the team with 40 total tackles. Fast forward a year and Johnson is poised for a big breakout season. Johnson’s first test at the FBS level came against UTEP in Week 1 and he passed with flying colors. Johnson filled the box score and has some sneaky upside with his ability to rush the passer. He’s rostered in just 5% of Fantrax leagues but if he continues to shine like last week that number will shoot up quickly. If you’re looking for help at linebacker Johnson is a solid low-cost investment that will provide a solid return on your investment.
Week 1 Results: 7 Tackles, 4 Solo, 2½ TFLs, 2 sacks
Thanks for reading my article. I am a member of the FSWA (Fantasy Sports Writers of America). Follow me on Twitter at @HollywoodTitan, on Facebook on my IDPNation page, on Reddit in the fantasy football IDP sub — I’m user KingTitan1 — and tune in each week and listen to IDP Nation and Devy IDP Grind, the podcasts that I co-host, on several different platforms. Feel free to contact me with any questions you have, as I’m always glad to help fellow IDPers. #IDPNation #IDP #IDPDevy.
