Today, we continue our series on players to target in your dynasty leagues this season. Let’s keep the train moving as we break down our next IDP dynasty target, Pete Werner!
Peter Werner, the now second-year pro out of The Ohio State University and a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, entered his rookie season on the depth chart behind starters Demario Davis and Kwon Alexander for the New Orleans Saints in 2021. New Orleans, whose primary defensive formation revolves around having just two linebackers, five defensive backs, and four defensive linemen aka the Nickel defense, allowed Werner on the field in limited action throughout the course of the season. Even when linebacker Kwon Alexander missed time due to injury, Werner was still only subbed in as a rotational piece on defense because of his rookie status. However, with a starting role on this defense now on the docket for Werner, what can we actually expect from him in his second season?
Background
As a rookie, Pete Werner tallied 62 total tackles (36 solo/ 26 assisted), had an impressive tackle rate of 15.5% (LB20), and an even more impressive missed tackle rate of just 1.5% (LB13). According to PFF, Werner ranked as the second-best linebacker in all of the NFL defending against the run. That’s right, he played better against the run than the likes of Bobby Wagner, De’Vondre Campbell, fellow teammate Demario Davis, Jordy Brooks, Fred Warner, etc. Only Darius Leonard had a higher grade in that statistical metric than Werner.
Do you think that’s impressive? What if I told you he was the 3rd best-rated defender against the run, in 2021, amongst ALL DEFENSIVE PLAYERS in the NFL….nuts, right?!
#FFIDP – 2ish minutes of New Orleans Saints linebacker Pete Werner playing the run like you like it (as a rookie!):
— Jon Macri (@PFF_Macri) June 15, 2022
91.0 run defense grade in 2021 (2nd among all LBs)
🔥👇 pic.twitter.com/Ccg4cNGXgr
While not as highly graded as he was in run defense, Werner ranked 12th among all rookies when playing in coverage. He ranked as the LB73 in coverage overall. That being the case, you’re not drafting/trading for/starting Werner in your fantasy leagues for his coverage prowess. You’re drafting him to be a run-stopping linebacker.
Current Situation
With Kwon Alexander gone and no free agents or draft picks dedicated to usurping his role, Werner is now in a prime position to start alongside “Mr. Hashtag Tackle Machine” himself Demario Davis for the Saints, which is GREAT NEWS for IDP managers. According to Sleeper, Werner’s ADP is currently the LB67. Player Profiler estimates his trade value being comparable to that of less than a 5th-round rookie pick in 2022. You’re telling me I could easily acquire a linebacker for my dynasty team that is in a position to outproduce his ADP in a BIG way for years to come for the price of peanuts in fantasy football currency?! SIGN. ME. UP.
Outlook
While diehard IDPers have been fully aware of the upside of Werner for some time now this offseason, some newer players to IDP Dynasty Fantasy Football might be absolutely clueless about Werner and his upside. To those individuals, consider yourself informed. Werner is the perfect addition to your dynasty roster for the long haul. He is, currently, my LB23 in my dynasty rankings for linebackers (you can find the rest of my IDP Dynasty rankings by clicking here) and is someone you should be heavily targeting this summer before his dynasty value goes through the roof this season!
Thanks for checking out our IDP Dynasty Target article on Pete Werner. Over the course of the summer make sure to click here for more Dynasty Target articles discussing players for you to acquire this season
.For all your other IDP needs, tune in to “Shoot the Gap” for our weekly IDP Podcast, as part of the Fantasy In Frames Podcast Network.
