As you know, I recapped the top 14 highest-scoring rookies of the past week every week. We are halfway through the fantasy football season and I am recapping the top 14 IDP rookies for Week 6. 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.
#1 Renardo Green, CB, San Francisco 49ers
We have had a different rookie lead the weekly standings for the sixth straight week. This week we have our first newcomer to the IDP Rookie Recap, CB Renardo Green of the San Francisco 49ers. Green got his biggest snap share (71 defensive snaps/91%) of the season and made the most of it. He recorded six total tackles, four were solo stops, a 66.6% solo rate, one interception returned for 20 yards, and two PBUs for a total of 23.5 fantasy points. Up until this point he’d been nothing more than a backup/special teams guy. A lot of people including myself liked him coming out of the draft and it was great to see him get this opportunity. However, before I can recommend starting him I need to see him do this again and be consistent. The cornerback position is super deep and for fantasy you need consistency. I do like him as a taxi squad stash until we see how it plays out for him.
Season Stats: 6 Games, 104 Defensive Snaps (29%), 10 Tackles, 5 Solos, 50% Solo Rate, 1 Interception, 2 PBUs, 30.1 Fantasy Points, 5.02 Avg
#2 Tykee Smith, SAF, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Coming in at number two on this week’s IDP Rookie Recap is a name that is becoming routine, SAF Tykee Smith of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This makes the 3rd appearance for Smith on this list and he’s becoming a hot rookie stock to have. Smith has made a huge impact on the Buccaneers defense so far but I do have to wonder what the impact of Antoine Winfield Jr returning from injury will have on his snap share? For me, Smith is just too damn good to not have on the field. Do the Bucs feel the same? They should and better find a way to keep him on the field. Smith should be rostered in all IDP formats and depending on start requirements is a must-start.
Season Stats: 6 Games, 2 Starts, 311 Defensive Snaps (73%), 33 Tackles, 22 Solos, 66.6% Solo Rate, 2 TFLs, 2 QB hits, 2 Forced Fumbles, 1 Interception, 4 PBUs, 94.8 Fantasy Points, 15.8 Avg
#3 Trevin Wallace, LB, Carolina Panthers
At number three is one of the hottest names in IDP fantasy right now, LB Trevin Wallace of the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers lost Shaq Thompson for the year and are now dealing with not having Josey Jewell. With those major blows to their linebacking core and a bad season in progress, it was time to see what they had in the rookie linebacker from Kentucky.Wallace has started the last two games for the Panthers and so far he’s been everything they could have hoped for with a combined 24 stops. Hopefully, you had Wallace on your taxi squad but I don’t hate making a play for him in a trade. As long as Jewell is out, Wallace will be an IDP star and the future looks bright for him as well. A must roster and start IDP option!
Season Stats: 6 Games, 2 Starts, 181 Defensive Snaps (44%), 27 Tackles, 19 Solos, 70.3% Solo Rate, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Fumble Recovery, 52 Fantasy Points, 8.67 Avg
#4 Mike Sainristill, CB, Washington Commanders
Next up on the IDP Rookie Recap we get our second cornerback of the week, Mike Sainristill of the Washington Commanders. A really good player who I was lower on than most, but is making a believer out of me. The opportunities are there and he’s taking advantage of every one of them. There is a breath of fresh air in Washington and the excitement is overflowing! Sainristill has been a big part of it with his high level play. This is a better play for those of you who play in position-specific leagues but he’s trending up in all IDP formats. He’s definitely a must-roster fantasy option! He’s had at least six plus tackles in five of the six games played this season and double-digits in three of those contestes.
Season Stats: 6 Games, 5 Starts, 314 Defensive Snaps (85%), 28 Tackles, 22 Solos, 78.5% Solo Rate, 3 PBUs, 81.2 Fantasy Points, 13.53 Avg
#5 Tyler Nubin, SAF, New York Giants
Coming in at number five on this week’s IDP Rookie Recap, is a player, SAF Tyler Nubin of the New York football Giants, that I liked a ton coming out of Minnesota and is exceeding my expectations. The Giants lost Xavier McKinney to free agency and Nubin has made it seem like an afterthought so far. This is the 5th appearance for Nubin on this list this season and he’s thrown his name in the hat for Defensive Rookie of the Year. It may be too late to get Nubin at a decent price with his current play, but I don’t hate taking a stab at him anyways, even with a pay up. A must roster and must start in All IDP formats across the board. This is one player that I definitely wish I had more shares of!
Season Stats: 6 Games, 6 Starts, 359 Defensive Snaps (99%), 39 Tackles, 27 Solos, 69.2% Solo Rate, 2 TFLs, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Fumble Recovery, 92.6 Fantasy Points, 15.43 Avg
#6 Javon Bullard, SAF, Green Bay Packers
As we continue on at number six, we get our third safety in Javon Bullard of the Green Bay Packers. This makes the 4th appearance on the list for Bullard and he’s been a great addition for the Packers. We all know Green Bay’s issues in the secondary over the past few seasons, and they have addressed it in a big way by drafting Bullard and signing free agent Xavier McKinney. This duo hasn’t disappointed at all and might be one of the team’s biggest strengths. Bullard has been the perfect complimentary piece to McKinney and fantasy managers are loving it. Bullard has been a tackling machine for the Pack and I don’t see that stopping anytime soon. Make sure you have him on our roster and enjoy the rewards.
Season Stats: 5 Games, 5 Starts, 335 Defensive Snaps (86%), 36 Tackles, 24 Solos, 66.6% Solo Rate, 1 TFL, 1 PBU, 80.1 Fantasy Points, 13.35 Avg
#7 Nate Wiggins, CB, Baltimore Ravens
We’ve reached the halfway point of this week’s IDPRookie Recap and we get our third cornerback, Nate Wiggins of the Baltimore Ravens. Wiggins shot up the draft boards during the draft process and landed in a perfect situation with Baltimore. I love Wiggins’ fit in this defense but fantasy managers are gonna need to have thick skin as the consistent fantasy numbers will vary week to week because of all the talent they have. If Wiggins was a full-time starter I would like him more, but until then and I think that will happen, he is a bye week option. Don’t get me wrong he’s a must roster option but you have to be patient with him. He’s super talented and the stats will show up soon!
Season Stats: 5 Games, 3 Starts, 170 Defensive Snaps (53%), 12 Tackles, 8 Solos, 66.6% Solo Rate, 1 Forced Fumble, 5 PBUs, 45.2 Fantasy Points, 9.04 Avg
#8 Calen Bullock, SAF, Houston Texans
We start the second half of this week’s IDP Rookie Recap with the fourth safety, Calen Bullock of the Houston Texans. For a team that seemingly has everything, Bullock has been an under the radar star. With all the hype around their pass rushers and linebackers, Bullock has just been able to come in and play his game. Bullock has the ability to drop down in the box and be a force and can drop in coverage and not be a liability. He may be one of the more complete defenders in this class. But one of the more underrated. If Bulluck can be a tad more consistent with his production, his value will shoot way up. He’s had four or more tackles in four of his six games played with a 63.1% solo rate! The future for Bullock is bright and he should be rostered in all IDP formats. This is Bullock’s 4th appearance on this list.
Season Stats: 6 Games, 3 Starts, 296 Defensive Snaps (82%), 19 Tackles, 12 Solos, 63.1% Solo Rate, 3 PBUs, 51.6 Fantasy Points, 12.9 Avg
#9 Evan Williams, SAF, Green Bay Packers
I talked about Green Bay’s much needed change in their secondary at number nine on this week’s IDP Rookie Recap is another really nice player they added through the draft, Evan Williams from Oregon. A tough and aggressive player that can play any of the positions in the secondary and play them at high level. Williams has been a huge upgrade for the Packers defense and as long as he continues to get the reps he’ll be a nice fantasy option. The last two weeks Williams has seen his rep count shoot way up (116 defensive snaps/83%), including one start and he’s responded with 14 total tackles and two PBUs. If Williams continues to get the rep count, he’s definitely worth having on your fantasy rosters. This marks the 3rd appearance for Willimas on this weekly list.
Season Stats: 6 Games, 1 Start, 150 Defensive Snaps (39%), 17 Tackles, 11 Solos, 64.7% Solo Rate, 1 TFL, 1 Interception, 1 PBU, 1 Forced Fumble, 53 Fantasy Points, 8.83 Avg
#10 Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Green Bay Packers
Next up on the IDP Rookie Recap we get the third Green Bay Packer of the week, Edgerrin Cooper, who is making his 3rd appearance on this list. Cooper is the linebacker of the future for Green Bay but he’s having to work harder than expected as he tries to take the starting job away from Isaiah McDuffie. Despite not making any starts, Cooper has seen his rep count increase each week and the production has followed along with that. His time as a starter will come, fantasy managers just need to be patient. Until I like him where you can play the matchups and as a bye week option. This may be a good opportunity and maybe last time that you can acquire him cheaply.
Season Stats: 6 Games, 125 Defensive Snaps (32%), 26 Tackles, 17 Solos, 65.3% Solo Rate, 2 TFLs, 3 QB hits, 1½ sacks, 1 PBU, 1 Fumble Recovery, 58.3 Fantasy Points, 9.72 Avg
#11 Tyrek Funderburk, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Coming in at number 11 on this week’s IDP Rookie Recap is newcomer CB Tyrek Funderburk for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Who??? I said the same thing as this is one of the few players in this rookie class that I’m not familiar with. Funderburk has been mostly a special teams player this year but got some significant playing time (60 defensive reps/86%) last week versus New Orleans. He recorded four total tackles, all solos, with a forced fumble for 14 fantasy points. I say it every week that the cornerback position is super deep so no need to go chasing one-hit-wonders. If you want to stash him on your taxi squad that’s fine, but he’s not someone I am looking to start. Just too small of a sample size!
Season Stats: 4 Games, 60 Defensive Snaps (21%), 4 Tackles, 4 Solos, 100% Solo Rate, 1 Forced Fumble, 14 Fantasy Points, 3.5 Avg
#12 Malik Mustapha, SAF, San Francisco 49ers
Next up at number twelve is the fourth newcomer to the IDP Rookie Recap, CB Malik Mustapha of the San Francisco 49ers. With the issues the 49ers have had at safety, I really liked this pick by them. Mustapha has made two starts this season and has played extremely well in both. He started out mostly as a special teams player to begin the season but has seen a transition to defense the past three weeks. In his two starts Mustpaha has 7 total tackles, one TFL, one interception, and one PBU. He has proven that he can produce some solid numbers when given the opportunities. A must roster in most IDP formats. If your league starts a small number of IDPs then this may not be an option for you, but in larger leagues definitely is.
Season Stats: 6 Games, 2 Starts, 167 Defensive Snaps (46%), 13 Tackles, 7 Solos, 53.8% Solo Rate, 1 TFL, 4 QB hits, 1 Interception, 3 PBUs, 40.1 Fantasy Points, 6.68 Avg
#13 Dejean Cooper, CB, Philadelphia Eagles
At number 13 on this week’s list is CB Dejean Cooper of the Philadelphia Eagles. This makes the first appearance for Cooper on the list this season but there will be many to come. Cooper only played special teams the first five games, but got the start in Week 6. Not sure why he wasn’t on the field more but he should have been. Last week he played 52 defensive snaps (91%) and recorded six total tackles, three were solos, one QB hit, and ½ a sack for 13.6 fantasy points. Cooper is a box score filler and fantasy managers are going to absolutely love him. The key is he has to get the reps/starts to be that and if Philly was wise he’ll stay a starter. He’s a must roster option in position-specific leagues.
Season Stats: 5 Games, 1 Start, 60 Defensive Snaps (19%), 6 Tackles, 3 Solos, 50% Solo Rate, 1 QB hit, ½ Sack, 12.6 Fantasy Points, 2.52 Avg
#14 Payton Wilson, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
We finish this week’s Top 14 IDP Rookie Recap with linebacker Payton Wilson of the Pittsburgh Steelers. This makes the 2nd appearance for Wilson on the IDP Rookie Recap after a slow start to the season. Wilson has seen an increase in snaps the past three weeks, including one start. Over the last three weeks he’s produced 21 total tackles and at least six in each game. Last week he recorded six tackles, five were solos with one TFL for 13.5 fantasy points. He’s a must roster in all IDP formats and depending on the number of starters in your leagues he could be a must start. I like Wilson alot and this may be the last time that you can get him for a decent price in a trade.
Season Stats: 6 Games, 1 Start, 174 Defensive Snaps (47%), 26 Tackles, 18 Solos, 69.2% Solo Rate, 1 TFL, 46.5 Fantasy Points, 7.75 Avg
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.
