2023 Offseason Sell Candidates for IDP

Jeff Pomazal offers up a 6-pack of linebackers you should consider selling this offseason while their value is at a peak.

With the real NFL season winding down, the dynasty offseason is now upon us. Every manager is looking to capitalize on players’ value and no players are more volatile in regard to their value than IDPs. Every season, there is a huge turnover in regard to top scorers at each position across every league, and it is important to your roster that you take advantage of players when they have hit their peak value. I am not saying to sell off everyone on your IDP roster, but here are some names at the linebacker position I am looking to cash out on while their value is quite possibly at their highest. 

Zaire Franklin/Bobby Okereke (Indianapolis Colts)

No two players saw their value peak more than Zaire Franklin and Bobby Okereke in 2022. With all the dysfunction that the organization had, injuries may have been the largest factor for the team’s woes. On the offensive side of the ball, losing last year’s 1.01 pick was difficult to overcome. When Jonathan Taylor went down, not only did they lose their workhorse back but it did not allow the team to sustain drives and led to more time on the field for the defense. The defensive side of the ball also suffered massive injuries as well, but none bigger than the loss of Shaquille Leonard.

In many leagues, Leonard was among the first linebackers to be drafted. With his preseason back issues that lingered into the season, Leonard just could not repeat the success he had in 2021. As a result of Leonard missing time, it paved the way for Franklin and Okereke to have career seasons. I think both players are great but there is no way they can repeat the success they had last season. With Taylor being healthy next season and Leonard coming back (fingers crossed), both of their snaps will be greatly impacted. If I roster these players, I am looking to grab an upside piece and a pick from a team that loves looking at the end-of-season stats. 

Tremaine Edmunds (Buffalo Bills)

Tremaine Edmunds is only 24 years old but has been in the league for 5 seasons. That is an incredible sentence to type. Edmunds, to me, is more name than game. His name carries a lot of value for the stats he’s racked up in Buffalo, which may be coming to an end this offseason as well. For most of the season, Edmunds was an LB2/3 most weeks, but when you look at preseason and in-season rankings, he is always an LB1. With a player like Edmunds, find someone who loves rankings or is infatuated with big names. Edmunds has the rankings and the name to flip this offseason. With modest production and a possible new landing spot, Edmunds is a sell for me.

T.J. Edwards (Philadelphia Eagles)

It pains me to put T.J. Edwards on this list as I am a huge fan of his since his days at Wisconsin, but like Edmunds, he might be playing somewhere else next season. Edwards has been a stud for the Eagles this season as they make their Super Bowl push and he very well could be re-signed, but with the Eagles drafting Nakobe Dean in the 3rd round of the 2022 Draft, it makes me think they might replace Edwards this season. Third-round draft capital is pretty high praise for an LB who was very highly ranked going into the draft last year. Many, myself included, were shocked to see him slip on draft night; only to find out he fell due to an injury. With a full offseason to heal and learn to be a professional NFL player, it makes Dean a cheap option to replace Edwards, who might be an expensive signing for a team this season. 

Jordan Hicks (Minnesota Vikings)

If Brock Purdy is Mr. Irrelevant, then Jordan Hicks is Mr. Disrespected. Jordan Hicks is a true professional. Since his days with the Eagles, all he does is produce. He was let go by the Eagles and signed with the Cardinals. He played amazingly well for the Cardinals, keeping both highly drafted linebackers—Isaiah Simmons and Zaven Collins—on the bench for most of their rookie season, only to be released and signed by the Vikings. Guess what, it happened again! After an amazing season for the Vikings, Hicks started to lose snaps to 3rd round draft pick Brian Asamoah during the last few weeks of the season. Hicks snaps went from 80-90% in Weeks 1-13 to less than 60% in Weeks 14-17. His stats look great during that time only because they were boosted by a couple of big turnovers in 2 of the 3 games. For those reasons, Hicks is the ultimate sell-high candidate this offseason in my opinion.

Jack Sanborn (Chicago Bears)

I know what you are thinking: “Jeff, seriously another Wisconsin Badger on your list of sells? I thought you were a fan!” Dear readers, trust me: you will not find a bigger fan of Wisconsin Badgers or linebackers, but I am an even bigger fan of maximizing value. No one player increased their value more than Sanborn did this season. Going from an undrafted signing to being a huge waiver wire acquisition in Week 9, Sanborn looked poised to be a league winner for teams lucky enough to add him.

Unfortunately, he was injured and could not live up to the stats he had for a magical 4-5 game run. I fully expect the Bears to move back from the 1.01 pick this coming April and get a massive haul of picks and players. Sanborn is a great story, but there is a reason he went undrafted and needed the Bears to trade All-Pro Roquan Smith and see other injuries in front of him to become relevant. I’d love to be wrong but I think he just was at the right place at the right time and played for a team whose offense was playing poorly, giving the defense a lot of play. I expect the offense to be better and have longer drives next season (which will have an impact on Sanborn’s playing time) and for the Bears to bring in some players through the draft or free agency. 

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There you have it, my friends: a quick look at some of the names I am looking to move this offseason. I’d love to hear what you have for names you are looking to move or feedback on some of these names. Hit me up on Twitter @Boobam131 and feel free to hit me up with those trade questions or ideas you have. Talk to you soon! 

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