Free agency is in full swing and the first wave of players has signed. Who's stock is up, and who's is down? Let's dive into the DT Winners and Losers!
Every year, free agency shakes up the IDP fantasy football Rankings landscape for those who hit the market and for some players on the teams that signed or lost free agents. So who are the Defensive Tackle Rankings Winners and Losers of free agency so far? Let's talk about the signings and how they impact IDP Rankings!
Who Are The Top Free Agents Available:
[QB][RB][WR][TE][DT][EDGE][LB][DB]
To check out the other winners and losers:
- Linebackers
- Edge Rushers
- Defensive Backs
- Defensive Tackles
- Quarterbacks
Christian Wilkins, Las Vegas Raiders
The biggest splash at DT in free agency belongs to the Raiders, who signed former Dolphin Christian Wilkins. Wilkins got a bag too, at a four-year deal for $110M, with $84.75M guaranteed. This is huge for the emerging young DT and his new teammates.
Implications for Fantasy
What does it mean for IDP gamers? Well for Wilkins, it's a slight stock up, as Maxx Crosby will be commanding attention more than any Dolphin did. It'll help Tyree Wilson in Las Vegas too, as he should see all single teams. Finally, Zach Sieler has to be considered stock up too, as he will be the top DT in Miami, with Neville Gallimore my favorite for the second DT spot.
Leonard Williams, Seattle Seahawks
The other big free agent DT was Leonard Williams, who agreed to stay in Seattle after the midseason trade from the Giants. Williams failed to have a significant impact but still received a three-year, $64.5M deal with just shy of $44M guaranteed. So what does this deal mean, and who are the DT winners and losers?
Implications for Fantasy
The biggest winner is probably Williams, as he should thrive under a new coach who'll utilize him to the max. It's also great for Uchenna Nwosu, who'll be back from injury and have help from the interior.
Arik Armstead, Jacksonville Jaguars
In a surprising turn of events, the 49ers decided to cut Arik Armstead. He was quickly scooped up by the Jaguars though. He signed a three-year deal for $51M, a fantastic deal for the Jaguars. Armstead will form a formidable pairing with Josh Allen to get after the QB.
Implications for Fantasy
The biggest winner is probably Allen. Armstead and Allen are set to give offensive lines a nightmare. A sneaky winner is Travon Walker too, who'll see many one-on-ones. Javon Hargrave and Nick Bosa are both slight losers but will be fine. Maliek Collins, joining the 49ers to replace Armstead, is also a stock-up player by joining such a strong line.
D.J. Reader, Detroit Lions
One free agent signing I love for real life is D.J. Reader joining the Lions to help up front on defense. Reader signed a solid two-year, $22M contract for just shy of $7.5M guaranteed. While Reader is unlikely to have much IDP relevance, who are some of the DT winners and losers from this deal?
Implications for Fantasy
Reader there should be more opportunities across the line for Alim McNeill as well as Aidan Hutchinson and whoever plays opposite him. In theory that's Marcus Davenport but this is a prime spot for a rookie. This is also great news for Alex Anzalone and Jack Campbell. We'll hit on the Bengals players below as they replaced Reader in free agency as well.
Sheldon Rankins, Cincinnati Bengals
Letting Reader walk while replacing him with Sheldon Rankins is an interesting decision by the Bengals. They signed the former twelfth-overall draft pick to a two-year, $24.5M deal with $8M guaranteed. This appears to be a case of if you can't stop them, sign them, as Rankins had three sacks against the Bengals when the teams last met.
Implications for Fantasy
Reader wasn't the most productive player, but he was a space eater for Cincinnati. It's going to be interesting to see B.J. Hill playing without that next to him, and Hill and Logan Wilson probably both get hurt a bit by the change. It's a good move for Rankins though, and will be interesting to see how the defense changes with this move.
Two other moves of note
I'd be remiss to miss two other important moves for the DT winners and losers discussions. The first is the Giants agreeing to trade and extend Brian Burns from the Carolina Panthers. The second is former Rams DT Aaron Donald's decision to retire.
Implications for Fantasy
The Giants' decision to add Burns is a coup for Dexter Lawrence (and Kayvon Thibodeaux). In the past two seasons, Lawrence has posted elite pressure numbers at the DT position (second and fourth the last two years, per PFF) but hasn't produced sack totals to match. Expect Lawrence to post double-digit sacks for the first time in his career. Should be considered for the top overall DT in 2024 in my mind.
The biggest news at DT though belongs to Donald, who decided to hang up his cleats this offseason. Many are running out to crown Kobie Turner, but he produced with Donald next to him. As such, similar to how Lawrence's efficiency was down, Turner's was likely up. Will he produce as the guy seeing double teams? We shall see but he's a DT loser since he won't play next to perhaps the greatest DT of all time.
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Thank you for reading my Free Agency DT Winners and Losers article! Please follow me for more content via X @JFryeDP and @IDP_Plus. Check out my IDP Plus author page and the IDP Plus website.
