Welcome to the fantasy football’s Top 26 dynasty IDP targets under 26 in 2020. This series of articles is intended to help those fantasy football owners looking to revamp or start a dynasty roster. So why 26 under 26? Because our focus is on a group of fantasy football defensive players that are no older than 25. And have shown to be long term potential IDP assets at the highest level. The kind players we want to have on our rosters as they hit their prime years. And hopefully helping us earn a few titles as the seasons roll by.

Dynasty IDP Targets Ranking Ground Rules

Ranking fantasy football players can vary in opinions. So we will lay out the ground rules on how those IDP hairs were split between these players. Starting with the following things taken under consideration. And making this statement now.

No matter how, when. or why it’s an opinion.  And the same can be said on who the players are that are chosen to be in the rankings. 

So with that being said, my credentials in IDP knowledge runs around fifteen years now. And much of that time is not just spent on fantasy football data. It also includes researching and keeping up on the latest reports and news. And although “numbers” have to be used to rank. I find that those IDP hairs are so thin to split that normally I’d soon have any player within a difference of ten from any given rank.

The point here is we’ll list the considerations taken into these rankings. And my personal opinions are just that. Because all of the 26 and likely a few that didn’t make my list, boils down to my personal preferences.

Now on to our Top 26 Dynasty IDP Targets under 26 years old for 2020.

Considered

Player statistics

Team situation

Surrounding Talent

Player potential

Consistency Margin Of Error

Preferences

2020’s Fantasy Football Top Dynasty IDP Targets: #2

Indianapolis Colt Linebacker Darius Leonard

Position: WLB  –  Height/Weight: 6-2, 230lb  –  Age As Of Jan.1, 2020: 24

Salary / Contract

2019 Gridiron Ratings

Overall

 80

Rank 6th* (tied)

Performance

83

Rank 5th* (tied)

Opportunity

 91

Rank 4th* (tied)

Availability

 80*

Injured*

Solo

84*

Rank 17th*

Note* Rankings exclude any outside linebackers in the 3-4 defensive scheme. Concerning his availability rating, Leonard was out three weeks with a concussion. At the time there were some rumors, we’re adding the following to clear those up to the best of our knowledge. Leonard’s Solo ranking of 17th would have likely been higher if he played the entire season. And considering he did return and played out the rest of the season, there are not any red flags on the situation from our standpoint.

Retirement NEVER once came out my mouth! I did say that having a concussion made me look at my family/this game while sitting out but not retirement??‍♂️! My Goal is 15 years and I’m going to take it day by day to reach my goal! Don’t believe everything you see ✊? #Maniac

— Darius Shaquille Leonard (@dsleon45) October 15, 2019

The apparent resource to the false rumor.

Never believe anything you see from @BleacherReport report! That’s the same website that said……?????????????????????????????????? should’ve been lost their credibility ??‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/Nj3aoNZAh1

— Darius Shaquille Leonard (@dsleon45) October 15, 2019

It has this writer wondering just how many fantasy football owners acted on this rumor, and it cost them big time. And always try to verify resources with another resource no matter how legit the report seems to be. After a lot of in-depth digging, I never did see a resolution to the dispute between Leonard and the resource. These posts remain on Leonard’s Twitter account, just interesting to say the least.

Combine

40 Yard Dash  4.70 SECONDS

Bench Press

 17 REP

Vertical Jump

NA INCHESBroad Jump NA INCHES3 Cone Drill NA SECONDS

20 Yd Shuttle

NA SECONDS

Dynasty IDP Targets, Had To Giggle

While coming off the topic of Leonard’s rumor, I had to laugh a little when locating his combine numbers. And I quote…

“Prospect Grade 6.30 – WILL BE STARTER WITHIN FIRST TWO SEASONS”

Resource: NFL.com HERE

It’s not that this writer knew better, It’s just funny. Rookie hype or opinions before the fact can go either way, no matter the stature of the resource. And whoever wrote it, well, they weren’t wrong.?

College Credentials

After graduating from Lake View High School in Lake View, South Carolina, Darius Leonard kept his talents in-state attending South Carolina State. Whereas a Bulldog redshirt freshman in 2014, he recorded 86 combined tackles, fourteen for a loss, and five sacks. Then as a sophomore in 2015, Leonard went for 70 combined tackles, fourteen for a loss, and five sacks earning All-Conference first-team honors. Leonard exploded in 2016, finishing his junior year with 124 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, two interceptions, and four forced fumbles. Only to continue his rampage as a senior by making the top ten in the nation with 73 solo tackles out of 113 combined in total, adding nine sacks and two interceptions. Both strong campaigns secured the MEAC defensive player of the year award and put Leonard on the map as a strong NFL prospect. 

NFL Recap

Before the combine, Leonard made a huge impression in the 2018 Senior Bowl. An impression that only doubled his draft stock in the upcoming 2018 draft. Unfortunately, at the combine, Leonard did injure his quadriceps and wasn’t able to compete in all the designated drills. But in the end, he was still a highly ranked linebacker and projected as a third-round selection by most experts. So it wasn’t quite the reach when the Colts selected him as the 36th overall pick in the second round, as some experts mumbled at the time. And Leonard hushed those credits when the Colts allowed him to do so off the top the following season. And as a starting weakside linebacker his rookie season, he did more than just make his mark in the NFL.

Lenard lead the league as a rookie, recording 163 combined tackles, eight passes defended, and seven sacks in only 15 games. And during the process left an outstanding impression on the field. Showing his talent and team leadership while he caught the attention of every NFL fan who saw a game. Raising the expectations for the 2016 season, Leonard didn’t disappoint the second time around. Picking up right where he left off despite missing three contests with a concussion we mentioned. And his follow up performance, to any doubters, of 121 combined tackles, five sacks, and five interceptions secured him as one of the best selections the Colts have made in any recent draft.  

Fantasy Football Dynasty IDP Targets Summary

It isn’t shocking to any veteran fantasy football owner that plays IDP Leonard is ranked second. And actually might have some wondering how he isn’t ranked first among these dynasty IDP targets. He has racked up the IDP production for two seasons now and at a very high level. So much so we won’t waste a lot of time breaking it all down here.

Leonard consistently produces combined tackles and owns a good solo to assisted tackle ratio overall. Although, that ratio did take a dip in 2019, with multiple players around him improving their playing style for the Colts. But he still managed to show his great value in those thirteen contests and was able to add to his value by making more game-changing type plays. When a player can come off his rookie season leading the league in combined tackles, only to follow it up in fewer games with another high triple-digit effort, it shows just how good he is.

It is this Writer’s Opinion

It’s this writer’s opinion that Leonard is currently a no-brainer if selected as IDP owner’s first selection in any draft format. And when number one is revealed soon, readers will maybe understand how I split the hairs slotting Leonard in second place. But it’s all by preference, and although in the long term he looks like the top option among these dynasty IDP targets, the argument could be made the Colts defense is showing signs of improvement. But don’t let that fool you as to why he is second, because it’s a lot deeper than that.

Wrapping this cut and dry take up, Leonard is definitely worthy of the overall selection by any IDP owner. And his payout for the next three or four years will be at a very high level. Noting here, it’s three or four years because he is already 24 years old. And getting five to six season out of him isn’t out of the question either. Let’s remember that he is just about to hit his real prime-age mentally and psychically. And not to mention he is heading into his third season when most players really put things together.

To just state he is an LB1 isn’t going to cut it here and know that he is on every IDP radar out there. And we get what we pay for, so be prepared to be that owner who pays for his high trade value or selecting him higher than most would like to in a draft. Knowing when you do, you’re securing one of the best dynasty IDP targets out there in almost any format. And anchoring your lineup with a set and forget player that consistently will fill your score box to bring the title home.

Top 26 Dynasty IDP Targets To “Click On” And…

1. Blake Martinez
2. Darius Leonard
3. Landon Collins  –Tied–  Danielle Hunter
4. T.J. Watt
5. Roquan Smith
6. Zach Cunningham
7. Joey Bosa
8. Budda Baker
9. Jaylon Smith
10. Nick Bosa
11. Jamal Adams
12. Devin Bush
13. Devin White
14. Leighton Vander Esch
15. Jayon Brown
16. John Johnson
17. Myles Garrett
18. Derwin James
19. Deforest Buckner
20. Tremaine Edmunds
21. Fred Warner
22. Bradley Chubb
23. Deion Jones
24. Tracy Walker
25. Shaq Thompson
26. Kenny Clark

Thank you for joining me as we rank the top 26 under 26 fantasy football dynasty IDP targets for 2020.

Gary VanDyke

“The IDP Tipster”

Would you like directly have access to Gary VanDyke and his fantasy Football IDP “takes” or interact? You can find him here @TheIDPTipster via Twitter. His most active account. Or chat with us using our member’s chat on site. We look forward to hearing from you.