As you know, I recapped the top 14 highest-scoring rookies of the past week every week. Now that the regular season has officially started, I am recapping the top 14 IDP rookies for Week 1. I use 14 as I feel that’s the best average league size of teams The scoring will be based on our IDP Nation Listener League II settings. If you want to look at the scoring used you can use this link to see our scoring system. I have also added the links to my Draft Dreamer profiles on selected players.
#1 Javon Bullard, SAF, Green Bay
This week's top-scoring IDP rookie goes to SAF Javon Bullard of the Green Bay Packers. Bullard played all 76 (100%) of the defensive snaps and 15 special teams snaps (48%) versus the Philadelphia Eagles last week. He recorded 11 total tackles, with seven being solo stops for a 63.6% solo rate for a total of 22.5 fantasy points. Bullard has another favorable matchup this week versus the Indianapolis Colts. With Green Bay not having star QB Jordan Love for the next few weeks, he could see an increase in opportunities. A must-start in all IDP formats.
#2 Terrion Arnold, CB, Detroit
The next highest-scoring IDP rookie for week 1 was CB Terrion Arnold of the Detroit Lions. Arnold played all 76 (97%) of the defensive snaps while recording eight total tackles, with all of them being solo tackles, which added up to a 22 fantasy point week. The Lions have a talented young group defensively and Arnold fits right in with what they like to do. Being a rookie, Arnold will get targeted early and often as teams will make him prove that he can hold his own. He was the 2nd corner drafted ADP-wise in rookie drafts and will be a big asset for fantasy managers. Draft Dreamer Profile
#3 Darius Muasau, LB, NY Giants
At number three we get our first linebacker in Darius Muasau of the New York Giants. Muasau was a rising stock all through the draft process and received his first career start in Week 1 when starter Micah McFadden had to sit out. Muasau registered five total tackles, four solos, 80% solo rate, one interception, and one PBU. That box score equaled an 18.5 fantasy point week. Muasau is a solid fantasy option as long as McFadden is out and I like his potential long-term as well. A must-add for all IDP rosters and taxi squad option. Draft Dreamer Profile
#4 Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Philadelphia
Next on the IDP Rookie Recap, we get our second cornerback on the list is Quinyon Mitchell of the Philadelphia Eagles. Philly had some big issues arise in their secondary last season and they addressed it heavily in the NFL Draft. Mitchell was one of the hottest names throughout the draft process and the Eagles wasted no time, as they selected Mitchell in the 1st round with the 22nd overall pick. He got the start in Week 1 and put together a box score of five total tackles, four solo stops, and two PBUs, for an 18.3 fantasy point week. Most fantasy managers play the matchups and stream the position, but Mitchell isn’t your average corner. He should be rostered in all position-specific IDP leagues.
#5 Caelen Carson, CB, Dallas
At number five on this week's IDP Rookie Recap, we get our third CB, Caelen Carson of the Dallas Cowboys. With the Cowboys losing starter Daron Bland before the season even began, which opened the door for Carson. In Week 1 he played 60 defensive snaps (79%) and had totals of four total tackles, all being solo stops and two PBUs. Playing opposite of Trevon Diggs, Carson will see a lot of targets come his way and volume is what fantasy managers love. A great addition in position-specific leagues as a taxi squad or starting option.
#6 Jared Verse, EDGE, LA Rams
Next up is one of the biggest IDP rookie names in this rookie class, DE Jared Verse of the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams lost superstar Aaron Donald to retirement and are looking for Verse to help pick up some of that lost production. I had Verse ranked as my top IDP rookie and in Week 1 he continued where he left off in college. Verse played 43 defensive snaps (71%) and had a stat line of two total tackles, both solos, with one TFL, and one sack for a total of 16.5 fantasy points. No one will ever replace Donald but Verse will help ease the impact of his absence.
#7 Dallas Turner, EDGE, Minnesota
We have reached the halfway mark of this week’s end IDP Rookie Recap and we get our second EDGE, Dallas Turner of the Minnesota Vikings. While Verse was my top IDP rookie in this draft class, Turner was a very close second. Turner landed in a great situation and the Vikings need him to be the star that Danielle Hunter was, who left for Houston. In Week 1 Turner played 36 defensive snaps (51%) and recorded three total tackles, all solos, one TFL, one QB hit, and one sack. When you add that up it equals a 15.5 fantasy point week.
#8 Mike Sainristil, CB, Washington
As we start the second half of the year-end IDP Rookie Recap, we get our third cornerback. The Commanders have a new HC in Dan Quinn and he drafted cornerback Mike Sainristil from Michigan who won a National Championship with the Wolverines. Quinn knows what type of players best excels in his system and Sainristil is someone that he can depend on to help turn this franchise into a contender. He played 61 defensive snaps (95%) in week one with totals of six tackles, with five solos for 15.1 fantasy points. Sainristil should be targeted a lot and produce a lot of fantasy points.
#9 Andru Phillips, CB, NY Giants
Coming in at number nine get our fourth cornerback and second NY Giant, Andru Phillips. The Giants need talent everywhere and Phillips should be a help defensively. In Week 1 Phillips just played 16 defensive snaps (29%) and 11 special teams snaps (46%) but made the most of his opportunities. He registered four total tackles, three solos, a 75% solo rate, one TFL, and one forced fumble. That all added up to a 14.6 fantasy point week. Phillips isn't someone I’m targeting at this time for my fantasy rosters as it’s such a deep position and better options.
#10 Tyler Nubin, SAF, NY Giants
Next on the IDP rookie recap we get back-to-back Giants with safety Tyler Nubin, He is the second safety and third Giants rookie overall on this week's list. Unlike Phillips above, Nubin is someone I want in all of my IPD leagues. The Giants lost starter Xavier McKinney to the Packers and drafted Nubin to be his replacement. In Week 1 Nubin played all 55 defensive snaps and six special teams snaps (25%), with a box score of six total tackles, with five being solo stops for a 13.8 fantasy point output. Nubin is a must-roster option and must start as the Giants are horrible and that means a ton of opportunities to make plays.
#11 Beanie Bishop, CB, Pittsburgh
Coming in at number 11 on this week’s IDP Rookie Recap we get our fifth cornerback, Beanie Bishop of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bishop is a smaller corner but he graded top of the class in my IDP rookie grade system with a 2.192 BPS (Big Play Score) and 2.153 coverage score. He is feisty and not afraid to mix it up on the field which the Steelers have to love. He played 33 defensive snaps (59%) and six special teams snaps (24%) and recorded four total tackles, all of which were solos. Bishop had 11 fantasy points for the week. Bishop is a taxi squad option at best right now.
#12 Calen Bullock, SAF, Houston
At number 12 we get our third safety on this week’s IDP Rookie Recap, Calen Bullock of the Houston Texans. HC Demeco Ryans is known for defense and he’s put together quite the team in Houston. With stars littered all over the defense, he went and got a young star to patrol the back end at safety. Bullock played 25 defensive snaps (56%) and 11 special teams snaps (44%) in Week 1. He recorded three total tackles, one interception, and one PBU for 10.8 fantasy points. Bullock looks to be the future in Houston, so stash him on your taxi squad now.
#13 Braden Fiske, DT, LA Rams
As we near the end of this week’s IDP Rookie Recap, we get our second team to have multiple players on the list and our first defensive tackle, Braden Fiske of the LA Rams. I mentioned the Rams lost Aaron Donald to retirement and are trying to replace his production. They have one of the best young defensive lines in the league and adding Fiske on the interior will be huge. If you play in position-specific leagues then you’ll want to add Fiske to your IDP rosters. He played 47 defensive snaps (77%) and seven special teams snaps (27%) while recording five total tackles (two solos) for a total of 10.5 fantasy points.
#14 Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Dallas
We wrap up the week’s IDP Rookie Recap the third EDGE and second Cowboy on this week's list. The Dallas Cowboys drafted Marshawn Kneeland to be their bookend to superstar Micah Parsons. They have some aging veterans so Kneeland is a shot of much-needed youth. In Week 1 he played 44 defensive snaps (58%) and three special teams snaps (8%). He had a box score of three tackles, two solo stops, two QB hits, and one PBU for a total of 10.3 fantasy points. If you have room on your taxi squad, Kneeland is worth stashing for the future.
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.
