With the 2022 NFL Draft in the books, I will give you three rising IDP stocks that you should add to your IDP portfolios. The landing spots, draft capital, and depth charts for these rookies make them three rising stocks that can provide instant returns for investors.
Lewis Cine, FS, Minnesota Vikings
One of my favorite rising prospects before the draft, safety Lewis Cine is a rookie that I will be looking to add to all of my IDP rookie drafts. With the Vikings using first-round draft capital on him, means that Cine will likely see the field early and often as a rookie. He should slot in at free safety next to veteran star strong safety Harrison Smith. This is a great landing spot and opportunity for Cine to develop and learn from one of the best safeties in the game. Cine is a big-hitting safety that can read and react as well as anyone and does a great job of breaking on the ball and timing up big hits. Cine has the speed (4.37) to cover speedsters down the field and range to cover a lot of ground quickly.
For fantasy managers, Cine should be the safety they want if they can’t get in on the Kyle Hamilton sweepstakes and at a much cheaper investment. While Hamilton will cost you a second-rounder at the least in rookie drafts, Cine can be drafted in the fourth round or later. Not a bad price for a potential starting safety, with a lot of dynasty upside. There is no threatening competition on the Vikings' depth chart currently, so Cine will have the inside track to be a starter. Even if you have a good group at safety, Cine is worth drafting and stashing until one of your studs starts to decline. I currently have Cine ranked as my number three safety on my Top 25 post-draft big board.
Deangelo Malone, DE, Atlanta Falcons
My next rising IDP rookie stock is another one that has continuously been climbing up draft boards. Deangelo Malone played for the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky, where he was one of the nation’s top pass rushers (32½ career sacks) during his time in college. The Falcons have been one of the worst teams at pass-rushing (18 in 2021) the past few seasons and Malone will instantly give them an upgrade in that area. The Falcons currently have free-agent Lorenzo Carter penciled in as a starter at one OLB spot, which leaves the spot opposite him open. The Falcons drafted Arnold Ebiketie (2nd round, 38th overall) and Malone (3rd round, 82nd overall) to help fill that role. Ebiketie may have the higher draft capital and get the first shot, but I like Malone’s game better and believe he’s the answer for Atlanta.
My suggestion for fantasy managers is to take Malone over Ebiketie, as you can get Malone later in rookie drafts and I believe that he not only has the higher floor but the higher ceiling also. Malone has proven production over multiple years in college and his game should translate very well to the NFL. He gets to return home (he’s from Atlanta, GA) and become a star for his hometown team. Fantasy managers will draft Malone on his explosive play potential (sacks & TFLs) and those should be plentiful. Atlanta’s roster depth is in bad need of upgrades everywhere and Malone will help them a lot defensively. In fantasy drafts, you can get in in the 5th round or later and that’s excellent value for a potential starting NFL defensive end.
David Ojabo, Edge, Baltimore Ravens
My final rising IDP rookie stock is one that fantasy managers will have to have some patience with as he will miss most if not all of his rookie season due to an Achilles tear at his pro day. That’s okay though, do just like the Ravens and draft and stash him on IR. When Ojabo gets healthy they get him ready to be the bookend to Odafe Oweh who they drafted last year. Veteran Calais Campbell will hold down the fort for now and be a great mentor for Ojabo as he gets him ready to replace him when he retires. Ojabo was one of the nation's top pass rushers last season at Michigan and Baltimore very much needs help in that area.
Fantasy managers shouldn’t be put off by Ojabo’s injury and the time he will miss, as that will help keep his price tag down in drafts. Fantasy managers will likely let him slide much further down draft boards than they normally would and that gives you the perfect investment opportunity. Ojabo’s value will come in the number of disruptive plays (sacks & TFLs) he can make each week. There is a ton to like about Ojabo and his potential is high, but everything will depend on how he bounces back from this injury. I currently have him ranked as my number five defensive end on my Top 25 post-draft big board.
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 hit me up with any questions, as I’m always glad to help fellow IDPers. #IDPNation #IDP #IDPDevy.
