In fantasy football IDP leagues, finding a difference-maker can vault middling managers into championship contenders. While it’s a little harder to navigate the IDP world, here are some key players from the NFC North division worth targeting in fantasy football leagues.
NFC North Fantasy Football IDP Targets
Minnesota Vikings
Jonathan Greenard, LB
2023 stats: 15 games, 1 FF, 12.5 sacks, 52 total tackles, 15 TFL, 22 QBH.
Replacing an all pro such as Danielle Hunter was always going to be tough. However, the Vikings feel like they made the right choice in signing Jonathan Greenard to be such replacement.
Greenard had a very good season last year with the Houston Texans. With this revamped Minnesota Vikings defense there shouldn’t be any reason why Greenard can’t continue to excel as a pass rusher. Greenard is also excited to be a part of his new team.
“B-Flo is very aggressive. I mesh well with his system,” said Greenard. “I personally believe I could have an even better season than last year. The main thing people asked me is how do I feel as far as filling the shoes of Danielle, but Minnesota didn’t bring me there to be Danielle. They said just be JG, be the same person as far as what I bring to the table. I’m excited about this breath of fresh air and aggressive system with guys who want me and value me. I’m honored and blessed, and I won’t take it for granted. Look at my journey. I’ve always believed in myself.”
Health will be a key factor for Greenard. However, look for him to pick up right where he left off from last year.
Green Bay Packers
Rashan Gary, DE
2023 stats: 17 games, 2 FF, 2 FR, 9 sacks, 44 total tackles, 7 TFL, 22 QBH.
One of my favorite fantasy football IDP player the last couple years has been Rashan Gary. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL in 2022 which cut short a season where he had six sacks in only nine games
Going on two years post-injury, it’s possible Gary can discover his form he was discovering two years prior.
“One thing I told myself is throughout this process I’m taking it day by day,” Gary said during his rehab. “I’m just making sure I’m squeezing the towel as much as I can every day. Making sure I’m not leaving not one inch of doubt of if I pushed it to my all. So that’s all, man. Just going 100 percent day by day and we’ll see where I’ll be.”
Yes, it’s an uphill battle for Gary, but there’s belief he can discover his past form and return to the promising young defensive player he was becoming before his knee injury.
Detroit Lions
Aidan Hutchinson, DE
2023 stats: 17 games, 1 FF, 2 FR, 2.5 sacks, 51 total tackles, 8 TFL, 8 QBH.
Has enough time passed now to consider that the Jacksonville Jaguars picked the wrong player in the 2022 NFL draft? Perhaps, but the Lions nonetheless are reaping the rewards of Aidan Hutchinson falling into their lap.
The kid has it all and it’s hard to see him slowing down. Because of his age, it’s likely he can improve further and bully defenses for years to come.
“With every fiber of my body, I feel like it’s the year,” said Hutchinson speaking to reporters this summer. “Honestly, from this year on, every year is the year. With the guys that we have, I hope that we’re going to sustain the success for a long time. It’s unreal. There’s a lot of hype coming into this year, but I think it’s well-deserved hype, I think a lot more guys on our team understand what this year is, and we understand what we got and we’re all ready.”
That’s a very confident response from the young defensive end, and rightfully so. The Lions have turned their franchise around, and Hutchinson will have a lot to do with their dominance for the foreseeable future.
Chicago Bears
TJ Edwards, LB
2023 stats: 17 games, 3 INT, 3 FF, 2 FR, 11.5 sacks, 155 total tackles, 14 TFL, 33 QBH.
In the last three seasons TJ Edwards has accumulated 444 total tackles, an exception number by any standard. Edwards has yet to become a household name, but plays big nonetheless – and that’s exactly what the Bears love to see.
Edwards knows the stakes are high for his team, and that means he’s likely to continue his consistent play this season.
