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Can you win your league with your first round pick? Maybe, but it can definitely lose you your league. When you take late round flyers (not the ones from Philadelphia since this isn’t a hockey article), these are the moves that help. There are two players I’ve come across that I believe can be difference makers in the late rounds of your IDP drafts.  Defensive lineman Kemoko Turay of the Colts and linebacker Drue Tranquill are highlighted here.

 The Colts’ acquired Justin Houston last year, and he led the team in sacks with 11.  He averaged 17.2 pts/100 snaps per Fantasy Data which led the league by DL with over 500 snaps. Another Colts player who was limited by injury to just 84 snaps, was second in the league with 21.7pts/100 snaps. Right now he is listed as a backup to Al-Quadin Muhammad per ESPN, but if can produce like he has when healthy, Kemoko Turay may be that breakout candidate that can help your IDP team this year.

A second round pick in 2018, Turay played in just 385 snaps and had 4 sacks and 13 QB hits. Last year in his limited 84 snaps, he had 1.5 sacks and 5 QB hits. Pro Football Focus gave him a 91.3 grade last year which compared to TJ Watt’s 91.3, Joey Bosa’s 89.8, and Carlos Dunlap’s 89.7.  

Turay suffered a fractured and dislocated ankle against the Chiefs in early October. This injury is one that he should fully recover from, but sometimes the hardware that is used to fix the fracture can cause discomfort. Without the benefit of preseason games this year, it will be hard to assess how he is doing besides the reports we’ll get from training camp. As camp opened Turay was placed on the active/PUP list. This allows him to report to camp and continue his rehab.  He is still on track to start the season with the team.

Last year Houston played in 66.1% of the snaps for the Colts. If Turay can approach 50% this year he can approach 425 to 475 snaps. Rudy Gamble has him projected at 529,  With this playing time, based on his previous production, he could achieve 8 sacks and 20 QB hits.  Depending on your league size and roster set up, he should be considered as a late round flyer who could pay off some serious dividends.

Another player with potential upside is a linebacker from the Chargers. It’s not the heralded rookie Kenneth Murray who has been a late round IDP selection based on the expectation of him taking over as the starting middle linebacker. The player I’m talking about is strong side linebacker Drue Tranquill.  

Tranquill made the most of his limited snaps last season. With only 380 snaps, which was 39% of the team total, Tranquill finished with 75 total tackles. It was second on the team. With the addition of Murray and the expected full season from Derwin James, his tackle rate may not be as high as it was even if he plays more snaps.

The biggest issue with trying to project Tranquill’s numbers this year is the Chargers also signed former Bengal Nick Vigil to a one year contract. Vigil had 111 total tackles last year, but his role on the Chargers is unclear. He is undersized and not the surest of tacklers as he missed 19 tackles last year. He may end up being a pass rushing specialist and special team player with L.A. Also in the mix for a starting spot are Denzel Perryman, Uchenna Nwosu, and Kyzir White.

Our Rudy Gamble projects Tranquill for 192 snaps and Fantasy Data projects him for only 30 total tackles. This is keeping Tranquill off of most people’s draft boards. If you’re in a best ball or have deep benches, Tranquill is the potential starter and if he gets the gig, he can potentially surpass 100 tackles and be a draft day bargain.