This article is part of our IDP Analysis series.
RISING
Stephon Tuitt, (3-4) DE, PIT
Long labeled as a talented underachiever, Tuitt's rookie year gave the impression that the 2014 second-round pick out of Notre Dame might continue to flash talent without ever translating it into the production that was consequently expected. Through four games this year, however, Tuitt looks dominant. After a monstrous 10-tackle, one-sack showing against Baltimore on Thursday, he's up to 21 tackles, 3.5 sacks and five tackles for loss. This all comes after a rookie season where Tuitt totaled just 17 tackles and one sack all year. Still just 22, it looks like Tuitt could be something special for the Steelers. He's a clear DL1 until further notice.
Vic Beasley, DE, ATL
Playing with a DE designation rather than an LB one, Beasley has top-tier upside at his IDP position. Beasley was one to watch even with an LB categorization, as Beasley has Von Miller-like upside as a pass rusher, but comparing his numbers against defensive linemen makes him an obvious mismatch to his IDP competition. Through three games, Beasley looks like the game-changing pass rusher Atlanta expected when he was picked eighth overall. After posting two tackles and a sack against Dallas on Sunday, Beasley is up to 10 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble in his first three games. Beasley's upside should get bigger as the season goes on, because Atlanta will have reason to raise his current activity level of 64.6 percent of Atlanta's defensive snaps.
RISING
Stephon Tuitt, (3-4) DE, PIT
Long labeled as a talented underachiever, Tuitt's rookie year gave the impression that the 2014 second-round pick out of Notre Dame might continue to flash talent without ever translating it into the production that was consequently expected. Through four games this year, however, Tuitt looks dominant. After a monstrous 10-tackle, one-sack showing against Baltimore on Thursday, he's up to 21 tackles, 3.5 sacks and five tackles for loss. This all comes after a rookie season where Tuitt totaled just 17 tackles and one sack all year. Still just 22, it looks like Tuitt could be something special for the Steelers. He's a clear DL1 until further notice.
Vic Beasley, DE, ATL
Playing with a DE designation rather than an LB one, Beasley has top-tier upside at his IDP position. Beasley was one to watch even with an LB categorization, as Beasley has Von Miller-like upside as a pass rusher, but comparing his numbers against defensive linemen makes him an obvious mismatch to his IDP competition. Through three games, Beasley looks like the game-changing pass rusher Atlanta expected when he was picked eighth overall. After posting two tackles and a sack against Dallas on Sunday, Beasley is up to 10 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble in his first three games. Beasley's upside should get bigger as the season goes on, because Atlanta will have reason to raise his current activity level of 64.6 percent of Atlanta's defensive snaps.
Justin Durant, OLB, ATL
Unwanted by almost the entire league in 2013, then allowed to walk in free agency by Dallas prior to this year, Durant didn't profile as a player who would see a lot of playing time in 2015, let alone produce in the event that he did play much. But Durant has led the Falcons in linebacker snaps through three games – ahead of even Paul Worrilow – and he's posting big IDP numbers in the process. Durante posted at least eight tackles in each game so far this year, totaling 27 (21 solo) and a forced fumble in his first three games as a Falcon. Durant has LB1 upside at this rate, and should be considered no less than a high-level LB3 at the moment.
Greg Hardy, DE, DAL
Just a friendly reminder that, if you have a bench spot available and don't mind profiting from a player with wildly disturbing allegations of violence against him, Hardy will return from his four-game suspension one week from now, in Week 5. Once he's back, the immensely talented Hardy will be a clear DL1 in any IDP format.
Jared Allen, DE, CAR
Allen's value got a huge boost when the Bears traded him to Carolina. Not only will he play a lead role soon and perhaps right away while Charles Johnson (hamstring) is sidelined, but the trade changes his positional designation from LB to DL. Stats are far more scarce among linemen than linebackers, so the grading curve just got a lot more favorable for Allen. Of course, fantasy leagues will need to allow mid-season position switches for the change to occur.
FALLING
Alterraun Verner, CB, TB
One of the premier reasons why Lovie Smith will eventually get fired in Tampa Bay, Verner is on the bench with the Buccaneers just one year after Tampa gave him a four-year, $25.5 million contract with $14 million in guarantees. Even in a game where Johnthan Banks (knee) left after 10 snaps, Verner playing just 28 snaps against the Texans on Sunday.
Ezekiel Ansah, DE, DET
His owners need to hold on to him in the vast majority of cases, but the nagging injury issue that held Ansah back in his first two NFL seasons is once again in play as the Lions head into Week 4. A groin injury kept Ansah out of practice Thursday after limiting him to 35 snaps against the Broncos on Sunday. Incredibly athletic and generally productive when active, Ansah will never capitalize on his potential if he keeps having his reps and effectiveness limited by persistent injuries.
Jordan Hicks, (3-4) ILB, PHI
Hicks has made a strong early impression in his rookie year, as the third-round pick rose to the occasion the last two weeks while Kiko Alonso (knee) and Mychal Kendricks (hamstring) missed time. Hicks posted 17 tackles (16 solo), one sack, one interception and one forced fumble, getting his foot in the door of Philadelphia's lead linebacker rotation as a result. But Kendricks will play again this week, and DeMeco Ryans will force his way onto the field regularly, as well. Hicks' per-snap production could remain elite, but he might not get enough snaps for it to show.
