Who are some IDP Stock Market rookie investments that you must add to your fantasy football portfolios for this season?
The 2021 football season is here! The preseason is over and now teams are forced to cut down to 53 players. Who will they cut and what rookies will make the roster? Each week I’ll give you three players' stocks that are trending up and three that are trending down. To open the season, let’s dig into three of my favorite IDP rookie stocks for the 2021 season.
IDP Rookie Buys
Derrick Barnes, LB, Detroit Lions
My first IDP stock market rookie investment is LB Derrick Barnes. The Detroit Lions drafted Barnes in the fourth round (113th overall pick) of the 2021 NFL draft. This is the first Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Barnes at the NFL level. If you have been following my advice, then you know I was high on him before the draft.
Derrick Barnes played college ball for the Purdue Boilermakers and developed into one of the more complete linebackers in this draft class. He played multiple roles in different schemes, which is part of what makes him such a versatile stock. In his four years at Purdue, he totaled 226 tackles, 20 TFLs, and 10.5 sacks. As you can see, he was very productive. Will it translate to the next level?
Over the last few days, the picture has become a little less cloudy for Barnes. The Lions released Jahlani Tavai, which moves Barnes one step up the depth chart. Barnes possesses the versatility to play both ILB or OLB.
Now Jarrad Davis is gone (NYJ), and only veteran Jamie Collins paired with New Orleans Saints cast off Alex Anzalone are ahead of him on the depth chart. I like his odds to become a starter sooner rather than later.
He is being drafted in round five or later of rookie drafts, so the initial investment is minimal. Barnes is a box score filler type of player and that equates to big points in fantasy. You should invest in him now and get a huge payoff reward.
Talanoa Hufanga, SS, San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers drafted Talanoa Hufanga in the fifth round (180th overall pick) of the 2021 NFL draft. Hufanga is an example of the perfect player (stock) landing in the perfect situation.Â
At USC, Hufanga was a star for the Trojans secondary. He earned plus grades in both coverage and run defense. In his three years at USC, Hufanga finished with a total of 203 tackles, 16.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, 4 INTs, 8 PBUs, and 4 forced fumbles. Hufanga is an impact player, who was used as a Swiss Army knife on defense.
The 49ers have brought in all sorts of competition (Tony Jefferson and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix) to compete with incumbents Jaquiski Tartt and Jimmie Ward. It’s been Hufanga who shined the brightest. So much so, that there is some serious discussion of him being a starter in week 1.
Hufanga, in a starting role, should provide investors with a high return. That is because of his high-impact plays and ability to fill the stat sheet. Even if he doesn’t win the starting job right away, I still like his immediate and long-term value.
Hufanga has been super cheap to invest in up to this point, as he’s being drafted in the sixth round or later in rookie drafts. He can even be picked up off waivers in some leagues. Make the investment now for your fantasy portfolios.
Chris Rumph II, DE, Los Angeles Chargers
My last IDP stock market rookie investment is defensive end Chris Rumph II. The Los Angeles Chargers drafted Rumph II in the fourth round (118th overall pick) of the 2021 draft. Unlike the first two IPOs, Rumph II is a stock that you will have to be patient with for the dividends to cash.
He was a star pass rusher for Duke, where he finished third all-time in sacks (17.5). In his three years with the Blue Devils, he recorded 124 tackles, 33 TFLs, 17.5 sacks, and 5 PBUs. He also has NFL DNA, as he is the son of Chicago Bears defensive line coach Chris Rumph. We have seen a wave of second-generation players (Antoine Winfield Jr. & Asante Samuel Jr.) enter the league the past few years.
Rumph II will have to make the transition from defensive end to outside linebacker. However, the opportunity for him to carve out a significant role early is there. He currently only has Uchenna Nwosu ahead of him on the depth chart. A huge advantage is that he would have WLB/EDGE Joey Bosa playing opposite of him.
I don’t believe the wait for him to make an impact will be very long, but investors will have to be patient. You can get this stock for pennies on the dollar, with a potentially super high long-term return.
Thanks for reading my article. I am a member of the FSWA (Fantasy Sports Writers of America), and you can read more of my articles on my author page at IDP Guys. 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 that you have, as I’m always glad to help fellow IDPers. #IDPNation #IDP #IDPDevy.
