Today, we continue our 2022 NFL Draft Fantasy Fallout series by talking about the other side of the ball, specifically IDP.
Today, let’s continue our series by talking about the NFL Draft Fantasy Fallout at the Linebacker position.
Immediate IDP Impacts
Devin Lloyd-Jacksonville Jaguars
Utah LB Devin Lloyd had 4 interceptions in 2021, as many as any LB in the country.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 27, 2022
He also had 8.0 sacks, as many as any other inside LB in the country.
A do-it-all player that will make a major instant impact for whoever drafts him. pic.twitter.com/ZqWlyWp41J
Lining up next to the 2021 leading tackler in the NFL, Foye Oluokun, Devin Lloyd, out of the University of Utah, is in a position to be a part of one of the most fantasy point producing inside linebacking tandems in the NFL. This versatile player was ranked (with a minimum of 250 snaps played at the position in 2021 according to PFF) 10th in run defense, 6th in pass-rushing, and 7th in coverage posting a 15.3% total tackle rate and 9.12% solo tackle rate in 2021. To give you a comparison to NFL players with similar metrics look no further than the likes of Bobby Wagner, De’Vondre Campbell, and C.J. Mosley in 2021. All three of those linebackers ranked 7th, 9th, and 10th in FIF IDP scoring averaging 16.5, 16.7, and 16.4 PPG respectively.
He should definitely be considered one of, if not the first inside linebacker selected in your IDP rookie drafts this season, and is one that has the makings of being an every-week starter (LB2) in IDP leagues where you have to roster more than one starting linebacker.
Nakobe Dean-Philadelphia Eagles
Nakobe Dean is a full participant in rookie training camp practice today 🤷♂️
— Thomas R. Petersen (@thomasrp93) May 6, 2022
What a freaking steal.#Eagles pic.twitter.com/IXtl27B3bo
The former Georgia Bulldog, who slipped to the Eagles in the 3rd round of the 2022 NFL Draft due to pectoral injury concerns, is quite possibly the steal of the NFL Draft on defense!
Ranked as the #1 overall linebacker according to PFF, Dean possesses tremendous pass coverage prowess along with his run-stopping and pressure-causing abilities posting a 15.4% total tackle rate and 4.28% pressure rate. In fact, his pressure rate in 2021 projects comparably to NFL players Chandler Jones and Harold Landry III. Folks, this is an INSIDE LINEBACKER matching performance of some of the NFL’s best EDGE rushers in 2021.
Dean is currently listed behind T.J. Edwards and Davion Taylor on the Eagles’ ILB depth charts, but if his performance in rookie minicamps is any indication he could find himself in a starting role sooner rather than later this summer/season.
For dynasty, he’s a Top Two LB in rookie drafts. For redraft, come mid-season he could be a solid LB2 contributor to your IDP rosters.
Quay Walker-Green Bay Packers
Quay Walker: Only SEC Linebacker with 80+ tackling grades in each of the past two seasons👀 pic.twitter.com/V1qxvJy67C
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 17, 2022
Rated as the second-best tackling linebacker in college football with a tackle rate of 14.4% and a solo tackle rate of 8.2%, Quay Walker joins De’Vondre Campbell at inside linebacker for the Green Bay Packers. Ranking 6th in coverage among college football linebackers in 2021, Quay brings an extra skillset to the middle of the football field much like Campbell did this past season. In fact, you could say Walker and Campbell will look to play 1/1A to one another for seasons to come given their talent and matching skillsets!
Quay is definitely a linebacker I’m targeting in my rookie drafts if I go DL/EDGE heavy to start things off. For redraft, I would take him as my third or fourth linebacker drafted for depth (LB3/4).
Dynasty IDP Impacts
Brandon Smith-Carolina Panthers
The @Panthers drafted some SPEEDSTERS 🔥
— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 8, 2022
Brandon Smith – 4.52 40 (5th among LBs)
Amare Barno – 4.36 (1st among EDGEs)
Kalon Barnes – 4.23 (1st among all players) pic.twitter.com/NKxwWkeLW8
Brandon Smith made his bread and butter at Penn State playing in coverage. Among all linebackers in The Power 5 conferences, Smith rated out as the 6th best coverage linebacker according to PFF. He ranked 9th in fewest yards after contact per reception allowed in The Power 5 and now finds himself on a Panthers defense that ranked 20th in pass coverage. He does, currently, play second fiddle to incumbent coverage linebacker Shaq Thompson. However, with free-agent signing Damien Wilson being arrested for assault the Panthers may slide Thompson over to middle linebacker which would clear a path for Smith to utilize his coverage abilities in the starting lineup.
For Dynasty, he’s a solid depth piece to be added to your rosters that could pay dividends in a year or two. I would not draft him in your redraft leagues this season.
Christian Harris-Houston Texans
The Houston Texans pick Alabama LB Christian Harris at No. 75 overall.
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 30, 2022
122 career defensive stops (most by an Alabama LB) 🐘 pic.twitter.com/pGuhbJlhWa
Currently listed behind veteran linebacker Christian Kirksey on the depth chart, it’s only a matter before the 8th best-rated linebacker against the run in the SEC in 2021 takes center stage in this Texans linebacking corp. Taking on the likes of competition of Jonathan Taylor, Derrick Henry, and James Robinson will provide Harris with TONS of IDP point-scoring upside. It might take half a season for him to assert himself as a starter…or even a year for that fact. But make no mistake once he’s on the field as a starter he’s not coming off any time soon.
