Dynasty Risers at Linebacker (2022)
Today, we continue our Risers and Fallers series by looking at the other side of the ball on defense. Let us look at who are the Dynasty Risers at Linebacker heading into the 2022 fantasy football season!
Keeping with the trend that fellow Fantasy In Frames writer Brian Ford started (@FFJunkie_ on Twitter), I’m going to give you a list of linebackers who have risen and who could rise in 2022 in terms of dynasty value after their performance in 2021.
Linebackers who have risen…
Jordyn Brooks
Today is Jordyn Brooks’ 28th game and 20th start. If he’s going to be very good, this is when you’d start to see it. pic.twitter.com/4gl0tduOe4
— John Fraley (@johndavidfraley) December 22, 2021
Kudos to this young man for answering the bell in his 2nd year in the NFL. With the departure of K.J. Wright, many were left wondering if this Red Raider out of Texas Tech would be able to handle the responsibilities at weakside linebacker both playing against the run and in coverage, the latter being an aspect in his game that needed some work following his rookie year.
Brooks’ response to the flaws in his game in 2021: Challenge Accepted
According to NFL.com’s Nick Shook,
“Don’t look now, but the Seahawks’ first round pick spent on Jordyn Brooks was well worth it,” Shook said. “Brooks is seemingly always in the right place to make a play, no matter the situation…”
Brooks was 2nd in the NFL, among linebackers, in total tackles with 184 and 1st in solo tackles with 109. His high solo and total tackle rate combined with his single-digit missed tackle rate speak to his ability to execute his assignments and make plays on the ball.
Brooks finished as the LB3 in total FP (Fantasy Pros) fantasy points among linebackers with an average of 14.8 PPG. Using the newly created Fantasy In Frames (FIF) scoring rubric with expands upon the one used at Fantasy Pros with the inclusion of 2pts per QB Hits, Brooks averaged 15.1 PPG.
In terms of dynasty value, Brooks should be seeing his stock rise even higher now with reports that the Seahawks could be in a position to release MLB Bobby Wager, saving them around $16 million if they were to release him.
Right now, in my opinion, Brooks is a borderline low 1st to high 2nd round draft pick. If the Seahawks, do indeed, release Wagner look for the cost for acquiring Brooks to rise to a mid to high first in IDP dynasty leagues
Kyzir White
LB Kyzir White had a career high 144 tackles, 1 sack, three defended passes and two forced fumbles across 17 starts in 2021 with the Chargers, which is the type of player that could make the Chiefs better. He’s a bully on the field. pic.twitter.com/BJJNzbEome https://t.co/4szw0uYo3e
— Phillip V. McGruder (@McGruderPmac) February 22, 2022
Kyzir White chose the absolute right time to explode on the scene as a premier high-volume tackling linebacker in 2021. His impending potential exodus into free agency combined with his expanding skillset from being a decent coverage linebacker to now a proficient run-stopper should help him command a hefty contract this offseason.
White finished as the LB8 in total tackles with 144. What makes that extra special was that he was able to do so while playing a majority of his snaps in coverage, according to PFF. If he ends up shifting to ILB/MLB for his next team, his solo to assisted ratio should take a CONSIDERABLE bump.
In Fantasy Pros scoring he averaged 11.4 PPG. With FIF scoring he averaged 11.9 points. His LB12 finish in FP scoring makes him, IMO, a strong candidate for mid to high LB2 production this upcoming season. Therefore, he’s worthy of a mid 2nd round draft pick.
Linebackers who could rise…
Nick Bolton
#FFIDP This was a solid tackle from Nick Bolton…Nick Chubb is a tough back to bring down on first contact..Bolton sheds the block and brings Chubb down for a TFL… pic.twitter.com/fRQZYLMdRt
— Mike Woellert (@Mike_Woellert) September 13, 2021
Nick, Mother F’ing” Bolton.
In just 12 games this season, Nick Bolton was able to tally over 100 total tackles with a 70/42 split in solo to assisted tackles. His high total and solo tackle rates were higher than almost every high-volume tackling linebacker in the NFL.
In FP scoring, he finished as the LB25 averaging 14.4 PPG and FIF scoring with 14.9 PPG. With the departure of MLB Anthony Hitchens this offseason, Bolton is in a prime position to assume the middle linebacker spot on this defense, and IF HE DOES THAT he could be extremely valuable and productive for not only NFL production but fantasy football production as well.
In terms of dynasty value at the time of this writing, Bolton is valued at a mid-2nd round draft pick according to….well… me. Look for that value to increase over the course of the year if he is in fact named the MLB for Kansas City.
Azeez Al-Shaair
After a breakout season, the return of Azeez Al-Shaair is a must for the Niners.
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers_) February 22, 2022
A former undrafted FA, Azeez was a major key to the defensive success in 2021 ????#49ers || #FTTB pic.twitter.com/DJ7Q1PRrnG
Azeez Al-Shaair was what we all expected Dre Greenlaw to be in 2021.
A player who could make plays against the run as well as in coverage evidenced by his astounding 14% total tackle rate. Now, while he had a decent total tackle rate, which takes solo and assisted tackles into consideration, his solo tackle rate is only 7.9% which is pretty low. Combine that with his absurdly high missed tackle rate of 10.5% some people might question his value to not only his team but fantasy managers going forward
However, in 13 games with the 49ers, Al-Shaair was able to make enough plays on the ball (90/54 solo to assisted, 9TFLs, 5 PDs, 1 FF for starters) as well as in the backfield by sacking the quarterback two times with a QB pressure rate of 12% to potentially earn a spot in the starting lineup for San Fran in 2022. The only problem getting in the way of that is the healthy return of fellow linebacker, Dre Greenlaw.
That being the case if for some reason Greenlaw was released or traded this offseason due to his inexpensive cap hit entering the final year of his rookie deal, Shaair immediately becomes a solid low to mid LB2 for fantasy managers
As far as dynasty value is concerned, right now I would use a high 3rd to low 2nd round pick when trying to acquire him just due to the uncertainty with Greenlaw’s roster status in 2022.
Divine Deablo
Divine Deablo using some athletic ability to make a nice play on the backside and help prevent a big play after a missed tackle pic.twitter.com/EVz9FtkUIi
— Matt Holder (@MHolder95) December 9, 2021
Talk about surviving a game of attrition!
Divine Deablo literally survived a “last man standing” match in the Raiders linebacking corp by being the only stable presence for that position toward the end of the 2021 season.
In his final 6 games as the starter, while Denzel Perryman and K.J. Wright were out due to injury, Deablo put up ridiculous tackle rate percentages. This guy was a magnet to the ball. His 2.2% missed tackle rate was ridiculously impressive as well. His only weakness was playing in coverage evidenced by his 112 NFL QB Passer Rating allowed when targeted.
With Perryman and Wright set to test free agency, Deablo is in a great spot to earn that middle linebacking job. If he’s able to do so and carry his performance into next season, then the sky will be the limit for him.
In terms of dynasty value, giving up a mid to high 3rd round pick packaged with a WR3 as of this posting should be enough to entice IDP fantasy managers to trade with you!