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: #25
Carolina Panthers Linebacker
Position: W/ILB – Height/Weight: 6-0, 230lb – Age As Of Jan. 1 2020: 25
Salary / Contract
Note: The Panthers just resigned Thompson to a fresh 4 year, $54,433,000 contract. And it including a $16,000,000 signing bonus, and with $27,525,000 of it guaranteed in 2019.
2019 Gridiron Ratings
Overall
84
12th(tied)
Performance
57
15th(tied)
Opportunity
86
6th(tied)
Availability
87
Injury*
Solo
39
14th(tied)
(Ankle) 2 Games*
Combine
40 Yard Dash
4.64 SECONDS
Bench Press
DNP
Vertical Jump
33.5 INCHESBroad Jump 117.0 INCHES3 Cone Drill 6.99 SECONDS
20 Yd Shuttle
4.08 SECONDS
College Credentials
In high school, Thompson was named first-team All-America by Rivals.com as well as one of six finalists for the U.S. Army National Player of the Year Award. And the winner of the fifth annual Paul Hornung Award in 2014. A designation of being the nation’s most versatile player in the NCAA. And also known as a versatile athlete he was a standout baseball player who was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 18th round of the 2012 MLB Draft. But struggled at that pro-level and wisely chose a career in the NFL.
NFL Recap
Thompson was a first-round choice by the Panthers in 2015. But even at pick 25th overall, it did not translate into an instant full-time position. Simply because with inside linebackers like Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis there weren’t enough snaps available. And the selection by the Panthers was rumored as taking the best available player off the board at the time.
Then in 2016, 2017, and 2018, he found himself playing the third in-depth linebacker role. Because this was a defensive scheme that mainly utilizes two inside linebackers. But in those three seasons, Thompson did find more playing time. And it was mainly because of injuries or other situations that came up with Kuechly or Davis.
Then in 2019 a couple of things happened in Thompson’s favor. The first thing was that the Panthers picked up his fifth-year option. And the second thing was that the Panthers let long-time veteran Davis go. Which then opened up a full-time starting position next to Kuechly. So Thompson took full advantage of his situation and filled Davis’s role admirably. And in the end, it earned him a nice payday for another four years.
Fantasy Football Dynasty IDP Target Summary
So from the Dynasty IDP Targets aspect of things. Thompson did show us in 2019 to the capability to produce for fantasy football owners. And in many cases went toe to toe with Kuechly in IDP production in the process. While sometimes out-producing Kuechly in stats. And with Kuechly signed for multiple years these two should remain a strong tandem in the NFL.
At just 25 years old, Thompson is set up great for IDP purposes for the next four years in fantasy football. And if we add in the current shape that the Panthers defensive line is in, it will work in our favor. There also should be a lot of opportunities for Thompson to thrive. Because there are also signs the organization is heading into a rebuilding stage.
So it is this writer’s opinion that as the organization rebuilds that Thompson will be leaned on heavily. And with so many things the Panthers need to address as they reload, Thompson’s position isn’t one of them.
Even a possible defensive scheme change for the team won’t matter. Because Thompson is the second-best inside-linebacker on that Panthers roster currently. And his versatility will translate into either defensive scheme just fine as a starting inside linebacker.
We know that the rebuilding can be painful for NFL teams sometimes. So if the offense does struggle in the process, it will mean extra time on the field for the defense. Which will possibly give him more opportunities to record more tackles? So all IDP fantasy football owners should have him moving up their draft boards in 2020. Because he is a dynasty IDP target just like the guy he replaced. Thomas Davis did spend a lot of time as a top IDP option for fantasy football owners in Carolina. And Thompson now has that same opportunity to be one too.
The Top 26 Dynasty IDP Targets
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- TBD
- Shaq Thompson
- 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.
