4-EYED IDP TEAM PREVIEW: DALLAS COWBOYS (2021)
In this second part of our Dallas Cowboys 4-EYED TEAM PREVIEW, we’re going to be covering the Cowboys IDPs that you should consider rostering for the 2021 fantasy football season
With the arrival of new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn comes new hope and excitement for a defensive unit that finished as the 28th ranked defense in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus. From his time in Seattle with the Legion of Boom to his influence on the defensive side of the ball in Atlanta, Quinn always knew how to maximize the talent on his team to make those players some of the best at their position, which is great for IDP fantasy football. Some would argue that the talent has always been there in Dallas to be successful, but the scheme and philosophy are what’s been missing. This year, the Cowboys made a concerted effort to improve on defense in the NFL Draft as well in free agency, but how does that help you in knowing who you should roster in your IDP leagues?
Easy, because I’ll just tell you…duh.
Let’s take a look at who you should roster in your IDP leagues from the Dallas Cowboys in our 2021 Cowboys IDP 4-EYED Team Preview
*This season at Fantasy In Frames we’ll be using IDP123 scoring as our default scoring rubric when talking about the fantasy relevance of IDP player performance.*
Linebacker
*Positional designations & ADP data brought to you by Sleeper.
Jaylon Smith (Current ADP: LB10 )
Jaylon Smith picks Alex Smith 👀
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) November 27, 2020
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/n4eKZihnYI
Despite grading as the LB33 overall, the LB49 against the run, LB26 in tackling, LB18 in coverage, Smith did grade out well in 2020 rushing the passer as the 9th best linebacker, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). Leading the LB corps in QB hits and tackles for a loss (TFL) we saw how his skill set in this department set him apart from other LBs on the roster. Those plays combined with his high tackle volume (155 total) and other metrics are the reason why we saw him rank as the 9th best linebacker in fantasy points per game average with an 18.3.
The big question going forward for Smith in 2021 is despite his pass-rushing prowess, the Cowboys did select Micah Parsons in the first round of the NFL draft in 2021 who was known in college for not only his high tackle volume but his ability to rush the passer. If Parsons does indeed bite into Smith’s pass-rushing role that could hurt his IDP value a little bit. That being said if that’s the case we should still see his high total tackle floor remain intact which is why I feel his low-end LB1/high-end LB2 ADP is justified. I would recommend drafting him as such.
Micah Parsons (Current ADP: LB18)
LB1 Micah Parsons running downhill is a scary sight
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 13, 2021
(h/t @Hugorso) pic.twitter.com/CL4bnpHi4K
This linebacker out of Penn State University showed us in 2019 (sat out 2020) just why he deserved to be selected so high in the 2021 NFL Draft. Grading as the top LB overall in the BIG10 according to PFF that season, Parsons most excelled in his run defense, tackling, and pass-rushing ranking in the top 5 in all three categories according to PFF.
His 109 total tackles, 14 TFL, 5 passes defended, 4 forced fumbles, and 5 sack performance that season was one of the best performances in the BIG10 in 2019 and explain just why he fits the needs of this Cowboys’ defense so well. Currently, listed as the team’s starting middle linebacker (MLB) aka the running back thumping #tacklemachine of this defensive unit, his pass-rushing ability will only add to his fantasy value going forward. In IDP leagues, Parsons very well could be a top 10 linebacker in fantasy points scored per game this season. Just some food for thought there.
Leighton Vander Esch (Current ADP: LB54 )
I have to be honest here, I can’t recommend drafting Vander Esch this season. I’m sure he’ll have his high-scoring games spread out throughout the season. That being said the guy has had his neck broken the past two seasons literally and he’s already being pushed down the depth chart this offseason. You can do better and find more consistency elsewhere.
Defensive Line
*Positional designations & ADP data brought to you by Sleeper.
Demarcus Lawrence (Current ADP: DL25)
DeMarcus Lawrence’s spin move before the sack was just CRUEL 🤯 @TankLawrence @dallascowboys pic.twitter.com/DSLXHEDqU9
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) July 25, 2020
Averaging 11.5 fantasy points per game in 2020, Demarcus Lawrence will look to continue his impressive performance in 2020 that saw him lead the team amongst defensive linemen in sacks (15), total tackles (58), and was second on the team in QB hits with 11. Especially with new rookie LB Micah Parsons entering the picture as a potential pass-rusher look for Lawrence to still face many one-on-one opportunities as he did in 2020 and maintain his DL2 status in 2021 ASSUMING things go well in his recovery from the THRID back surgery of his career this offseason.
Defensive Backs
*Positional designations & ADP data brought to you by Sleeper.
Keanu Neal (Current ADP: DB14)
💥 BOOM 💥
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) September 20, 2020
We missed you, @Keanu_Neal!
📺: Watch now on FOX pic.twitter.com/FJINoEuK8F
Coming over from the Atlanta Falcons in free agency in 2021, Keanu Neal reunites with his former head coach Dan Quinn who is now the defensive coordinator in Dallas. With reports that Neal could play both roles of a defensive back and linebacker (like he did under Quinn in Atlanta), the 26-year old cornerback out of the University of Florida is in a fantastic position to retain his mid-level DB2 performance in 2020 which saw him average 14.3 fantasy points per game in IDP123 scoring. Draft him as such.