In this series, I am going to do a quick IDP daft review for each team. We’ll take a look at their IDP draft haul, what it means for their team, and the impact it will have on fantasy managers. We continue the series with the Baltimore Ravens who now have their star QB back under contract and can now focus on signing their draft class. The Ravens finished the 2022 season with a 10-7 record and are looking to reclaim their throne atop the AFC North. Let’s get started and take a deep dive into their IDP draft haul.
3rd Round 86th overall - Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
In the 3rd round, the Ravens selected linebacker Trenton Simpson from Clemson, with the 86th overall pick. This selection combined with the team declining the 5th-year option on Patrick Queen tells me a lot. One they really like Simpson and two this could be the end for Queen as a Raven. Simpson may have to wait his turn for a year behind Queen, but I’m sure the Ravens will find ways to get the playmaker on the field. I expect Simpson will receive a decent number of reps this season even if he isn’t the starter right away. Fantasy owners need to just be patient and let it play out and reap the rewards when that time comes. I can see the Ravens letting Queen test free agency after the 23’ season and Simpson taking over that spot.
4th Round 124th overall - Tavius Robinson, EDGE, Ole Miss
In the 4th round, Baltimore looked to add a dynamic option to their pass-rushing group and they selected an aggressive, long-framed player in Tavius Robinson. He’s penciled in as the immediate backup to starter Tyus Bowser, who only played nine games and wasn’t very effective. I can see Robinson challenging for significant playing time and maybe even start some games as a rookie. The Ravens don’t have a lot of quality depth at the position, so it's there for the taking for Robinson. With that said, fantasy owners will have to be patient and see how things play out. Robinson is a good taxi squad stash in deep IDP leagues.
5th Round 157th overall - Kyu Blu Kelly, CB, Stanford
Love this pick by the Ravens! With veteran CB Marcus Peters currently a free agent (could possibly return to Ravens) there is an opening for the rookie to try and take. The Ravens currently have Marlon Humphrey locked in at one CB and have recent free-agent pickup, Rock Ya-Sin an Indianapolis Colts cast-off, penciled in as the other starter. Kyu Blu Kelly has NFL DNA, as his father is Brian Kelly, who played eleven seasons (10 with Tampa Bay) and won a Super Bowl. Kyu Blu Kelly started all four years at Stanford where he was one of the best CBs in the nation. He has the size, length, and competitiveness to be a starting NFL corner. It’s a long time between now and the start of the season, so things can change, but I like Kelly as a fit in Baltimore. For those of you in IDP fantasy leagues, I wouldn’t draft him unless you’re in super deep position-specific type leagues as you can get him off the waiver wire.
All stats provided by Pro Football Reference
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 email or dm me with any questions that you have, as I’m always glad to help fellow IDPers. #IDPNation #IDP #IDPDevy
