Each week, I will recap the top 14 highest-scoring rookies from the previous week. 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 Christian Gonzalez, CB, New England
WOW!!! It sure does look like the Patriots and Bill Bellicheck hit a home run when they drafted CB Christian Gonzalez with the 17th overall pick. This makes the 2nd week in a row that Gonzalez has been the highest-scoring overall IDP rookie! Gonzalez is just one of three rookies overall (Puka Nuca & Bijan Robinson) to have scored twenty-plus fantasy points in the first two weeks of the season. He earned his second consecutive start and once again played every defensive snap (63). He recorded six tackles, all solos, one INT, and one PBU, which added up to 23.5 fantasy points. If you play in position-specific leagues and he’s available, grab him now!
#2 Tuli Tuipulotu, DE, LA Chargers
The Chargers had to get a young pass rusher as Khalil Mack isn’t the stud he used to be and Joey Bosa just can never stay healthy. They drafted Chris Rumph II a couple of seasons ago but he hasn’t developed into what they need yet. They drafted Tuipulotu in the second round with the 54th overall pick and he’s making an immediate impact. With Bosa not fully healthy and on a limited play count, Tuipulotu got his first career start versus the Titans. He played 50 defensive snaps (77%) and had his breakout game with a total of seven tackles, three being solos, one TFL, one QB hit, and one sack. Add that box score up and it comes out to a sum of 20.5 fantasy points. A must roster for dynasty leagues.
#3 Kei’Trel Clark, CB, Arizona
With the Cardinals being a bad team and sorting through multiple injuries, they are being forced to start a lot of younger players, such as rookie Kei’Trel Clark. This makes Clark’s second appearance and the second corner on the list this week. The Cardinals drafted Clark in the sixth round but received his second straight start. He played 66 defensive snaps (97%) and registered five total tackles, all solos, and two PBUs, for a total of 19.8 fantasy points. It’s going to be a long season for Arizona, but it will pay off for them as Clark is getting super valuable experience. Most fantasy managers stream the cornerback position weekly, but if Clark continues to shine, he’s worth a look in all formats.
#4 Jakorian Bennett, CB, Las Vegas
At number four we have yet another cornerback! Just like Gonzalez and Clark, this makes the second consecutive appearance for him on the IDP rookie recap. The Raiders are trying to rebuild their roster the way HC Josh McDaniels wants it and they selected Bennett in the 4th round to help with their coverage deficiencies. Bennett made his second start of the season versus the Buffalo Bills and was on the field for 71 defensive snaps (91%). His stat line for the game was nine total tackles, with five being solos, for a total of 18.8 fantasy points. As you can see this cornerback class is productive and deep, so Bennett is best suited to be rostered in super deep position-specific leagues.
#5 Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Washington
This year’s cornerback class is off and running! Emmanuel Forbes who the Washington Commanders selected in the 1st round with the 16th overall pick, is also making his second appearance on the IDP rookie recap. In his start this week versus the Denver Broncos, he produced three tackles, all solos, one INT, and two PBUs. When you calculate those stats, it comes out to a total of 18.3 fantasy points. Everyone was shocked when the Commanders drafted Forbes as high as they did, but the early return is that they knew exactly what they were doing. Again this is a player that is best suited to be rostered in deep roster specific-position leagues.
#6 Byron Young, DE, LA Rams
As we start the middle of the IDP rookie recap, we get a player at a position other than at cornerback. The Rams drafted DE Byron Young in the 3rd round (77th overall) as they are desperately trying to get younger and add talent. This is Young’s second appearance on the list and he had a very good showing versus the 49ers. He played 52 defensive snaps (91%) and recorded five total tackles, three were solos, two QB hits, and one sack, which added up to 16 fantasy points for the week. Young will have some highs and lows like any rookie does, but his dynasty value is about to shoot through the roof. Add him to your rosters before it’s too late.
#7 Christian Izien, DB, Tampa Bay
The Buccaneers rookie, Christian Izien, was one of two UDRFAs to make an appearance on the IDP rookie recap last week, and here he is yet again. The rookie from Rutgers continues to impress, and despite not starting is receiving significant playing time. Last week versus the Chicago Bears he played 40 defensive snaps (75%) and put together another terrific performance. Izien tallied three tackles, two were solos, one TFL, one INT, and one PBU, which added up to 15.8 fantasy points. This was the second straight week the rookie was able to grab an interception. Izien is the fifth CB of the top seven scoring rookies for this past week. Definitely worth adding to your watchlist.
#8 Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Chicago
Man cornerbacks are dominating the IDP rookie recap, as Tyrique Stevenson, makes it six of the top eight. The Bears fell in love with his tape and once they got him in camp they knew they had a star in the making. This is Stevenson’s second appearance and he didn’t disappoint this week versus the Buccaneers. He played 71 defensive snaps (100%) and registered seven total tackles, four were solos, for a total of 14.8 fantasy points. You have to love the opportunities that Stevenson is getting and they will continue to be plentiful as the Bears are just not a good team.
#9 Ivan Pace Jr, LB, Minnesota
At number nine we get our first linebacker of the week in Ivan Pace Jr. who is making his second straight appearance on this list. He is also the second UDRFA to make this list (both weeks with Izien). He graded off the charts in my IDP rookie grade scoring system and the Vikings are so glad they signed him. Pace has been a monster through the first two weeks of the season with 16 total tackles. He’s playing just over 73.5% of the defensive snaps (107 total) and has back-to-back weeks of eight tackles. Eleven of those 16 are solos for a 68.75% solo rate. Believe it or not, he’s still available in some fantasy leagues, so go check and grab him up.
#10 Deonte Banks, CB, NY Giants
We have our 7th cornerback in the top 10 of this week’s IDP rookie recap. The Giants drafted in in the 1st round (24th overall) to come in and help improve their pass defense. He’s started both games to start the season and played 100% of the defensive snaps (65) this past week. Banks tallied four tackles, all were solo stops, and one TFL. When you calculate those stats, it equals 13.0 fantasy points. I hate telling you to not pick these guys (CBs) on this list up, but it is a super deep position. If you have a taxi squad, then yes stash him for later.
#11 Devon Witherspoon, CB, Seattle
The dominance by CBs on this list continues, as Deonte Banks is the 8th one in the top ten. The Giants drafted Banks in the 1st round (24th overall) and this is his first appearance on the IDP rookie recap. He played 65 defensive snaps (100%) and recorded four tackles, all solos, with one TFL. That box score for the week equaled 13 fantasy points. A dynasty squad stash at best right now due to the depth of position.
#12 Gervon Dexter, DT, Chicago
Another newcomer to the IDP rookie recap list is Gervon Dexter who the Bears drafted in the 2nd round (53rd overall) to anchor their defensive line. Dexter played 33 defensive snaps (46%) and registered four tackles, all being solo stops for a total of 12 fantasy points. If you play in position-specific leagues, Dexter is a solid taxi squad stash for your fantasy teams.
#13 Henry Too Too, LB, Houston
At number 13 we get our 2nd LB and newcomer to this week's IDP rookie recap. The Houston Texans drafted Henry Too Too in the 5th round and hope he’s the answer to their need for a true ILB. In week two versus the Indianapolis Colts, he got the start and played 46 defensive snaps (81%). Too Too tallied seven total tackles with four being solo stops, which added up to 11 fantasy points. The Texans are in a complete rebuild but the early reps are so valuable for a rookie. Too Too is a must-roster and stash option for dynasty leagues.
#14 Jack Campbell, LB, Detroit
As we close out this week's edition of the IDP rookie recap we get the third linebacker to make the list, and a player that many feel is the best IDP rookie outside of Will Anderson Jr. Jack Campbell was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 1st round (18th overall) to be the leader of their defense. They didn’t draft him in the 1st round to sit and learn! While he hasn’t started either of the first two games, it’s just a matter of time, especially if he continues to be efficient and produce like he did last week. Campbell just played 23 defensive snaps (32%) versus Seattle and produced a box score of six total tackles with for being solos, for a total of ten fantasy points. Don’t be discouraged by his early rep count, as the ramp-up is coming very soon. Maybe this weekend! Be patient!
This was an interesting and informative week one list. Cornerbacks were the dominant position on the list as they made up eight of the 14 players (57.1%). Linebackers were next with a 14.2% (2 of 14) share of the list. Defensive tackles were next with one of the 14 (7.1%) players on the list. Trends and statistics of lists can be useful tool for tracking and seeing the trends.
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.
