In this second part of our Miami 4-EYED TEAM PREVIEW, we’re going to be covering the Dolphins’ IDPs that you should consider rostering for the 2021 fantasy football season.
From a real football perspective, the Dolphins were a much-improved defense in 2020 compared to their 32nd ranked defense unit in 2019. Ranking 15th in overall defense, 12th against the run, and 13th best at rushing the passer, according to Pro Football Focus, under defensive-minded head coach Brian Flores this Dolphins team will look to surprise a lot of people in 2021.
That being said we’re here to talk about fantasy football and the Dolphins have a few must-have defensive options that you should definitely consider rostering in 2021.
So who are these Dolphins IDPs?
Find out now in our 2021 Miami Dolphins IDP Team Preview
Defensive Linemen/Edge Rusher
*Positional designations & ADP data brought to you by Sleeper or FantasyPros.
Andrew Van Ginkel (Current FantasyPros ADP: DL60)
Yes, draft Andrew Van Ginkel.
Currently qualifying as a dual Defensive Lineman/Linebacker on the Sleeper App, Andrew Van Ginkel is the real up-and-coming edge rusher in Miami you should be paying attention to for IDP purposes. Averaging 9.9 fantasy points per game in IDP123 scoring and starting only in 10 games on the season, Van Ginkel was rated to be the 16th best overall pass rusher and 23rd best edge rusher in all of football. He had the shallowest average depth of target when targeted in coverage meaning opposing QBs didn’t even try testing him in the passing game which speaks volumes.
.@AndrewVanGinkel powers through for the sack 💪 #FinsUp
— NFL (@NFL) December 27, 2020
📺: #MIAvsLV on @NFLNetwork
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/Gd3pMdskDl pic.twitter.com/f8sVQB5l3D
Averaging 30 fantasy points per game the final two games of the season he displayed his weekly upside and then some. With reports out of training camp singing his praises of him being a dominant disruptive force on the field, I’m predicting for that to continue in 2021 and for Van Ginkel to be the only pass rusher you want in Miami for fantasy purposes.
Oh BTW did I forget to mention that the Dolphins defense had the second-highest blitz % in the NFL last year? Seems like a good scheme for an up-and-coming elite pass-rusher to be a part of. Wouldn’t you say?
Linbacker
*Positional designations & ADP data brought to you by Sleeper.
Jerome Baker (Current ADP: LB31)
First on the team in total tackles on the season (112), third in QB hits (11), and fourth in tackles for a loss (7), Jerome Baker took his game to a whole other level at the linebacker position for the Dolphins in his third season out of Ohio State. Averaging 16.4 fantasy points per game had him as the LB20 in 2020. While the addition of Bernardrick McKinney at linebacker might take away some of his tackle volume, his playing-making ability in other facets of the game still makes him a viable LB2 this season.
jerome baker hit stick pic.twitter.com/kyACEJUANd
— josh houtz (@houtz) December 20, 2020
Defensive Back
*Positional designations & ADP data brought to you by Sleeper.
Xavien Howard (Current ADP: DB18)
Xavien Howard: 4 games with 0 yards allowed in coverage in 2020 (1st among CBs)
— PFF (@PFF) July 28, 2021
Who should trade for the All-Pro CB? pic.twitter.com/rABcXyTbxt
It is very rare for cornerbacks to be viable IDP Defensive Backs as strong safeties are typically the heavy hitters in the secondary that most fantasy managers target in their drafts and off of the waiver wire each season. However, Xavien Howard is one of those rare cases. In 2020, Howard led all defensive backs in passes defended (20), interceptions (10), and according to Pro Football Focus was the third-best defensive back in coverage. Playing opposite of free-agent cornerback acquisition Byron Jones, Howard was tested early and often by opposing defenses in 2020. In fact, he was targeted in coverage 90 times which was the 11th most amongst cornerbacks in the NFL.
Someone has to be targeted amongst cornerbacks in the secondary and as long as Howard is playing opposite of Byron Jones look for Howard to be the more heavily targeted cornerback which sets him up perfectly for more passes defended and interception opportunities. Look for Howard to retain his DB2 value on those facts alone.
Eric Rowe (Current ADP: DB80)
As I mentioned earlier strong safeties are the players that most IDP managers look at in order to fill their IDP-DB spot. A converted cornerback to safety, Rowe had a career year last year in total tackles and passes defended. As the DB44 in fantasy points per game scored with 13.1 you could do a lot worse than having him as your DB2/3 this season!
That’s all for our Dolphins IDP coverage for today. Stay tuned later for our double coverage of our first team in the AFC West, the Kansas City Chiefs.
