This article is part of our IDP Analysis series.
RISING
Tyrell Adams, (3-4) ILB, HOU
Adams is Houston's replacement at inside linebacker following the season-ending injury to standout starter Benardrick McKinney. Playing full-time next to Zach Cunningham, Adams looks like a potential top IDP for the season's second half after piling up 21 tackles and a sack in his two starts. There's some risk of his playing time fluctuating, particularly if the Texans run defense continues to suffer, but (A) it doesn't seem like those struggles have much to do with Adams specifically and (B) the Texans might be too short on ILB personnel to lower Adams' playing time.
Eric Kendricks, MLB, MIN
In past years the overall quality of the Vikings defense, when combined with Kendricks' consistently elite play, led to fewer tackle opportunities for Kendricks as the Vikings forced more three-and-outs and turnovers than most other defenses. The 2020 Vikings defense clearly isn't very good, by contrast, and that's put a lot more slack on Kendricks, to the delight of his IDP investors.With 14 more tackles against the Falcons on Sunday, Kendricks has eclipsed double-digit tackles in all but one week this year, giving him 67 tackles in six games. Kendricks has never exceeded 120 tackles in an NFL season, but he might do it by his 12th game in 2020.
Avery Williamson, LB, NYJ
Initially eased in to the 2020 season as he returned from a 2019 ACL tear, in recent weeks Williamson has gone full throttle and brought some excellent
RISING
Tyrell Adams, (3-4) ILB, HOU
Adams is Houston's replacement at inside linebacker following the season-ending injury to standout starter Benardrick McKinney. Playing full-time next to Zach Cunningham, Adams looks like a potential top IDP for the season's second half after piling up 21 tackles and a sack in his two starts. There's some risk of his playing time fluctuating, particularly if the Texans run defense continues to suffer, but (A) it doesn't seem like those struggles have much to do with Adams specifically and (B) the Texans might be too short on ILB personnel to lower Adams' playing time.
Eric Kendricks, MLB, MIN
In past years the overall quality of the Vikings defense, when combined with Kendricks' consistently elite play, led to fewer tackle opportunities for Kendricks as the Vikings forced more three-and-outs and turnovers than most other defenses. The 2020 Vikings defense clearly isn't very good, by contrast, and that's put a lot more slack on Kendricks, to the delight of his IDP investors.With 14 more tackles against the Falcons on Sunday, Kendricks has eclipsed double-digit tackles in all but one week this year, giving him 67 tackles in six games. Kendricks has never exceeded 120 tackles in an NFL season, but he might do it by his 12th game in 2020.
Avery Williamson, LB, NYJ
Initially eased in to the 2020 season as he returned from a 2019 ACL tear, in recent weeks Williamson has gone full throttle and brought some excellent IDP production in the process. After piling up 11 tackles against the Dolphins on Sunday, Williamson has 34 tackles in his past four games. In past years Williamson tended to produce around 110-to-120 tackles per 16 games as a starter, but it appears that on this Jets defense he'll maybe be a little more lively as a tackler.
Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, MIA
It's normally less than fruitful to chase production that already occurred, but at the same time when a player produces above assumption like Obgah has lately then it sometimes means there is more future production to secure than previously thought. He's flashed productivity in the past and is definitely one of the league's most athletic defensive ends, so particularly with that noted it might be time to reassess Ogbah as an IDP. After posting two sacks against the Jets on Sunday, Ogbah has five sacks in his last five games.
Donovan Wilson, S, DAL
Darian Thompson was awful in the Cowboys starting lineup so they benched him for Wilson. A 2019 sixth-round pick out of Texas A&M, Wilson is definitely more of a free safety than a strong safety, but his early IDP returns are strong all the same. After posting nine tackles against the Cardinals, Wilson is up to 22 tackles and one sack in three games. So long as he doesn't get benched, the struggling Dallas defense should continue to afford Wilson tackle opportunities.
FALLING
Devin Bush, (3-4) ILB, PIT
Bush unfortunately suffered a torn ACL against the Browns on Sunday, ending his season. The 2019 10th overall pick is still young after just turning 22 in July, but he's probably been a bit of a disappointment to this point in his NFL career. Despite immense athletic talent, Bush might still have more development to do before being the player the Steelers hoped he'd be. Robert Spillane appears to be his replacement next to Vince Williams.
David Mayo, (3-4) ILB, NYG
Perhaps they're only easing him back, but Mayo spent most of his first game back from injury on the Giants bench. He was somewhat expected to start going into this year, but unless the Giants change their game plan from Week 6 then Mayo might more so play a special teams role, which is how he spent his career before he saw regular defensive playing time in 2019. Tae Crowder started over Mayo last week and, after posting 10 tackles and a game-winning fumble recovery for a touchdown, it's hard to see Crowder heading to the bench now of all times.
Ty Summers, (3-4) ILB, GB
Christian Kirksey (pectoral) is expected to return from IR soon, and Krys Barnes has probably outplayed Summers during Kirksey's absence. That means that whenever Kirksey gets back – which is expected to happen within the next couple weeks – it might be Summers who heads to the bench rather than Barnes. Barnes could prove a useful IDP the rest of the year if this turns out to be the case, because he's piled up tackles at a very high per-snap rate. Playing 142 snaps, Barnes so far has a staggering 35 tackles.
