Fantasy football IDP leagues are vastly different than standard fantasy formats. And because of that, it’s harder to navigate which players will excel while others may fade. One division that should have plenty of underrated IDP targets this season is the AFC East. These are some of the best targets in the division for the upcoming 2024 NFL season!
AFC East Fantasy Football IDP Targets
Buffalo Bills
Greg Rousseau, DE
2023 Stats: 16 games, 1 FF, 5 sacks, 42 total tackles, 12 TFL, 18 QBH.
The curious case of Greg Rousseau, a first-round pick in 2021 that hasn’t really taken the league by storm. He’s totaled only 17 sacks in three years as a pro, yet secured 15.5 sacks in two years at college. The Bills are hoping he turns a corner and takes off, like he did in his last year of college where he had double digit sacks.
Still only 24 years old and having a presumably healthy Von Miller to take some double teams away from him, bet on Rousseau finally having a breakthrough this upcoming season.
Terrel Bernard, LB
2023 Stats: 17 games, 3 INT, 3 FR, 6.5 sacks, 143 total tackles, 10 TFL, 9 QBH.
An unlikely leader emerged last season on this Bills defense, and that was Terrel Bernard. Terrel made the most of his opportunity last season after only starting one game in his rookie year. The stats speak for itself. Bernard’s stock should continue to rise as he gets more experience.
New Jets York
Jermaine Johnson II, Edge
2023 stats: 17 games, 1 INT, 1 FF, 7.5 sacks, 55 total tackles, 11 TFL, 16 QBH.
Like the aforementioned Rousseau, Jermaine Johnson also hasn’t taken the league by storm – yet. He has only 10 pro sacks to his 18.5 college sacks. However, Johnson is also young, and should take the next step in his career this upcoming year.
With five defensive linemen departing the Jets this offseason, expect Johnson to pick up the slack and dramatically improve his numbers.
He isn’t short of confidence either. “Just really trying to be an apex predator,” Johnson said in a NY Post interview. “Do power at an extremely high level, finesse at an extremely high level, and really put tackles in a bind. Just all-around dominating everything is where my head is.”
This is exactly where fantasy football IDP managers want their player’s head at; ready to improve on all levels going into a very important year on a personal level – and also on a team level.
Quinnen Williams, DT
2023 stats: 17 games, 1 INT, 1 FF, 1 FR, 5.5 sacks, 62 total tackles, 11 TFL, 20 QBH.
Quinnen Williams is a force to be reckoned with. He’s a huge presence on the Jets defensive line and continues to improve year after year.
“I think I’ve been doing a great job of just going in the direction of positivity, just learning every single year, doing things I need to do to get better every single year. And I just think I’m going to just stay on that same track, stay on the same level.” said Williams in a training camp interview.
Look for Williams to take his game to another level this season as he continues the upward trajectory of his career.
Miami Dolphins
Zach Sieler, DL
2023 stats: 17 games, 1 INT, 1 FF, 2 FR, 10 sacks, 63 total tackles, 11 TFL, 22 QBH.
One of the biggest moves of the NFL offseason was defensive lineman Christian Wilkins departing the Miami Dolphins for the Las Vegas Raiders. Wilkins has always been regarded as one of the best defensive players in the NFL. However, his departure opens the door for Zach Sieler a chance to shine.
Sieler is a late bloomer, entering his eighth season in the NFL. He’s improved every year of his career, and with Wilkins gone the Dolphins are going to count on him to keep it up.
Jaelan Phillips, Edge
2023 stats: 8 games, 1 INT, 6.5 sacks, 43 total tackles, 7 TFL, 11 QBH.
It’s really unfortunate Jaelan Phillips had his season come to an abrupt end last year after tearing his Achilles in Week 12. Up until that point, it looked like he was poised to have a spectacular year. Phillips played in eight games and accrued 6.5 sacks. One can only imagine if he stayed healthy what could have happened for Jaelen and the Dolphins.
“Right when the injury happened, I remembered going to the shower and I was crying. I just told myself, like ‘This is OK. I’m going to attack this. I’m going to get over this and this is going to make me stronger at the end of the day.’ I really thanked God. I really said thank you. Thank you for giving me this opportunity, because I know it’s going to make me a monster. So yeah, it’s been a hell of a journey just having to test my patience.” Phillips said in a training camp interview.
Phillips has been cleared to start practicing; and if his injury is fully healed, fantasy football IDP players should expect him to pick up where he left off. It may take a few weeks to get going, but players should be confident his talent will overcome his bad luck with this terrible injury.
New England Patriots
Kyle Dugger, S
2023 stats: 17 games, 2 INT, 7 PD, 1 FF, 1.5 sacks, 109 total tackles, 6 TFL, 5 QBH.
Coming off the best season of his career, expectations were at an all-time high for Kyle Dugger heading into the 2023 NFL season. After long-time Patriots safety Devin McCourty announced his retirement, New England counted on Dugger to help fill the void. They wanted him to establish himself as a true leader within the defense as a whole, and he answered the call.
Dugger secured over 100 tackles last year. He was also on the cusp of being named a captain for the Patriots. It’s hard not to see Dugger continuing to excel and expanding on his already exciting numbers. He’s an excellent player to target in fantasy football IDP leagues.
Matthew Judon, Edge
*2022 stats: 17 games, 2 FF, 1 FR, 15.5 sacks, 60 total tackles, 14 TFL, 28 QBH.
We did not include Matthew Judon‘s 2023 season numbers, because his year was cut short in October to a biceps injury. With that being said, in the four games he did play, Judon had already totaled four sacks. It remains to be seen if he would have surpassed his 2022 sack total, but he was on a similar pace regardless.
Judon has aged like fine wine after leaving the Baltimore Ravens to come to the Patriots. And although there are trade rumors surrounding him and New England, where ever he lands should not disrupt the potential he has in fantasy football IDP leagues.
Post publishing edit: Judon has been traded to the Atlanta Falcons
