As the NFL regular season approaches, this article will cover IDP-relevant news and topics from training camps and preseason games. We'll examine injuries, contract situations, camp battles, rookie buzz, and other pertinent IDP topics.
The plan is to have this article ready for your viewing every Thursday until the start of the season. Thanks for tuning in; let's get to it!
IDP News: EDGE Micah Parsons, Dallas
Amid an ugly contract dispute, Micah Parsons requests a trade.
In the first edition of this article, we covered Micah Parsons' contract dispute with the Cowboys, as he reported to camp but was holding in and not participating. Since then, the contract situation has worsened, with Parsons requesting a trade. It's likely part of the process/plan in Parsons' quest for a new contract and to be the highest-paid defender in the league. Still, it's certainly not ideal.
Jerry Jones is stubborn, even with his star players, and likes the spotlight on his Cowboys. Jones even alluded that he's not confident Parsons will be on the field for Week 1. Likely part of his negotiation process. It's a messy situation that seems likely to drag on for a bit yet. We'll check back on this situation again before the season kicks off, and let's hope it's with a new deal in place and one of our elite IDP edge rushers ready to rock for Week 1. Fingers crossed.
IDP News: DT Zach Allen, Denver
Broncos' defensive tackle Zach Allen gets a four-year contract extension.
The Broncos locked down an integral part of their defensive front, rewarding defensive tackle Zach Allen with a hefty four-year, $102 million contract extension. Allen is coming off a fantastic 2024 season, setting career highs in tackles (61), tackles for loss (15), sacks (8.5), and quarterback hits (40). Allen will be a key cog to a stout Denver front again this season, and is a rock-solid DT1 option in redraft leagues. At 27 years old, the contract extension also bodes well for his IDP dynasty stock, as he's a top defensive tackle option in a good situation for the foreseeable future.
IDP News: DT Zach Sieler, Miami
The Dolphins locked down Zach Sieler with a three-year contract extension.
Another big fella up front gets paid, as the Dolphins awarded defensive tackle Zach Sieler a well-deserved three-year, $67.8 million contract extension. Sieler has been excellent along the Miami defensive front, recording back-to-back 10-sack seasons in 2023 and 2024. Those double-digit sack seasons, combined with solid tackle numbers, have helped him achieve DT3 (2023) and DT6 (2024) finishes over the past two years, according to Footballguys scoring. Sieler is again a top defensive tackle target in your IDP true-position leagues this season, aiming for a third straight DT1 finish.
IDP News: CB Nate Hobbs, Green Bay
Nate Hobbs has knee surgery, forcing him to miss the rest of training camp and the preseason.
The Packers will continue training camp and the preseason without cornerback Nate Hobbs. Hobbs underwent a cleanup knee surgery on his meniscus, but the hope is that he could be back for the much-anticipated Week 1 matchup against division foe Detroit. In a corresponding move, Green Bay brought in a familiar face, adding cornerback Corey Ballentine to the roster for depth. If Hobbs isn't ready for Week 1, Carrington Valentine would likely fill his starting spot on the outside opposite Keisean Nixon.
IDP News: CB/WR Travis Hunter, Jacksonville
The case is being made for Travis Hunter being a rare two-way player.
There hasn't been a more polarizing rookie or maybe player in IDP land like Travis Hunter for quite some time. Hunter's potential two-way ability has IDP gamers and football fans excited and intrigued. According to Michael DiRocco, per his ESPN article, Hunter had typically focused on one side of the ball (offense or defense) in practice until last Friday's scrimmage, where he played 17 snaps on offense and another 21 on defense. Adding to the reality of Hunter being a legitimate two-way player, in an interview with Rich Eisen, head coach Liam Coen said he felt Hunter winning Offensive and Defensive rookie of the year was “possible”.
Will Hunter be a legitimate two-way player and an ultimate cheat code for us IDP gamers? We won't know for sure until it happens. However, the news surrounding the situation is positive and promising. The Jaguars' first preseason game is this coming Saturday against Pittsburgh. Hopefully, we'll get a sneak peek into how they plan to use their prized rookie and see Hunter making an impact on both sides of the ball.
IDP News: Colts Linebackers
Is there a competition brewing for the Colts' LB2 role?
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