Top 30 2007 IDP Dynasty Rookies

This week we did positional rankings. Now we'll wrap it up with a top 30 IDP overall. I may add a top-50 rookies, skill position and IDP, next week. Thanks for stopping by.

1. Patrick Willis, 49ers LB
2. Jon Beason, Panthers LB
3. Paul Posluzny, Bills LB
4. David Harris, Jets LB
5. LaRon Landry, Redskins S
6. Michael Okwo, Bears LB
7. Buster Davis, Cardinals LB
8. Sabby Piscatelli, Bucs S
9. Anthony Spencer, Cowboys LB
10. Brandon Meriweather, Patriots S
11. Jamaal Anderson, Falcons DE
12. Eric Weddle, Chargers S
13. Quincy Black, Bucs LB
14. Gaines Adams, Bucs DE
15. Aaron Rouse, Packers S

Continue reading "Top 30 IDP Rookies" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 02:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Defensive backs, like defensive linemen, are the most replaceable assets in IDP leagues other than kickers. You can always find a cornerback on the waiver wire that will score points and the year-to-year consistency at the position isn’t there. Except at strong safety.

A great strong safety can be worth nearly as much as a top linebacker in tackle-heavy leagues. That’s why safeties make up the top-five of this list. Guessing which cornerbacks will score in fantasy leagues is too difficult.

1. LaRon Landry, Redskins – Landry seems like a sure bet playing strong safety in Washington next to Sean Taylor. Of course I thought the same thing about Michael Huff last year. Washington’s weak front seven could lead to more tackles for Landry.

2. Sabby Piscatelli, Bucs – Big drop-off between Landry and Piscatelli. Landry is worth a top-20 overall pick, while Piscatelli and the rest of the group are outside of my top 40. I’ll post a top-50 overall on Friday without comments.

Piscatelli is undersized, but he’s a big hitter who should challenge Jermaine Phillips for a starting job right away. The Bucs backfield is always a good source of numbers.

3. Brandon Meriweather, Patriots – He’s so good in coverage that we worry he won’t ever become a true strong safety. Meriweather projects to be closer to an Ed Reed-type, which tend to be unpredictable in fantasy leagues. Look for Meriweather to share free safety duties with Eugene Wilson this year if Rodney Harrison stays healthy.

4. Eric Weddle, Chargers - If I was ranking safeties just on 2007, Weddle would probably be number two. His starting job is nearly guaranteed. He's a heady, versatile player, but the Chargers system hasn't delivered big numbers from tackles in the past.

5. Aaron Rouse, Packers –I didn’t know much about Rouse before the draft, but I like what I’m hearing in Green Bay. He’s huge and an excellent tackler. Marquand Manuel is on thin ice, making Rouse quite the sleeper in deep leagues.

6. Reggie Nelson, Jaguars – See Brandon Meriweather. The wrap on Nelson is that he does one thing exceptionally: play centerfield and read the quarterback. But his deficiencies in other areas will show up in the NFL and lead to low tackle numbers.

Continue reading "Rookie Dynasty Rankings: DBs" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 02:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Linebackers are the defensive position worth reaching for throughout dynasty league drafts. They are highly predictable, can start right away, and have long careers. Their tackle numbers make them the alpha dogs of IDPs. Players like David Harris and Patrick Willis can be plugged into most starting lineups (fantasy and reality) from day one and be left there.

I play in tackle-heavy leagues, so outside linebackers in 3-4 systems get big downgrades. They are too reliant on big plays and not enough on tackles. If your system is structured differently, make adjustments to these rankings.

1. Patrick Willis, 49ers - Willis went fourth overall in my league. I’d rather gamble on Robert Meachem or Brandon Jackson, but Willis is a safe pick. 3-4 inside linebackers have more competition for tackles, but Willis is an exceptional talent that should produce right away.

2. Jon Beason, Panthers - It doesn’t really matter if he plays weak-side linebacker or middle linebacker when Dan Morgan gets hurt or is force to retire. Beason is an intelligent ballhawk that should have at least five good years in a linebacker-friendly system.

The next great Miami LB

3. Paul Posluzny, Bills - Playing in the middle will make Posluzny a valuable IDP starter in Buffalo. Tampa 2 defenses tend to have very productive middle linebackers. I don’t really know why he slipped in the NFL Draft, but the Bills did a nice job with similar players last year.

4. David Harris, Jets - There should be enough tackles to go around for Harris and Jonathan Vilma. It should only be a matter of time before Eric Barton is off the roster, opening up Harris’ starting spot. There is a big drop-off after Harris, so he’s worth a look in the top 35 overall rookie picks. I'd take Harris over LaRon Landry or any DL.

5. Michael Okwo, Bears - The rest of the linebackers may take some time to make an impact. Okwo is the favorite to be the heir apparent to Lance Briggs in Chicago, but he’ll have to beat out Jamar Williams. Boom or bust pick.

Continue reading "Rookie Dynasty Rankings: LBs" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 02:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'll rank keeper league prospects at DL, LB, and DB this week, combining them on Friday with a Top 40 overall rookie rankings. Today, let's look at the linemen.

I'm not into drafting linemen in dynasty leagues, at least not the four-round, 48-player draft in my league. The reason? Huge risk, marginal upside. It's so hard to find offensive talent in dynasty leagues, whereas a serviceable defensive line starter is only a waiver pick away. It's a position that takes time to develop in the NFL, time that isn't worth spending in dynasty leagues. Only a few linemen coming out are difference makers in fantasy leagues each year, and many times they are players like Mark Anderson that come out of nowhere.

With that said, here is my look at the 2007 class. We are listing Anthony Spencer, LaMarr Woodley, and Lawrence Timmons as linebackers. Draft them as DEs if your league allows it.

Continue reading "Rookie Dynasty Rankings: DLs" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 02:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)