In the third and final part of this IDP shakeup series, we examine some changes made in the defensive back rankings:

1. Dolphins FS Gibril Wilson dropped from DB2 to DB20. Wilson has played both the free (Giants) and strong (Raiders) sides in his career. After the Fins paid him $27.5 million in March, it was somewhat natural to assume Wilson would stay at the position he played last (with Oakland) and led all NFL defensive backs in tackles. Wilson, however, is going to play center field and line up off the line of scrimmage. Yeremiah Bell will stay at strong safety and is the better bet for production. All isn't lost for Wilson, but we can't have him just behind No. 1 DB Eric Weddle when he's playing a less IDP-friendly position. This, of course, necessitated Bell's move up from DB9 to DB4. The Dolphins won't have two 100-tackle safeties, and Bell is the better target.

Continue reading "Mag Ranks: IDP Shakeup at Defensive Back" »

Posted by Evan Silva at 01:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Patrick Willis should be the first linebacker off the board in any Individual Defensive Player (IDP) format. I tend to draft defensive linemen earlier than linebackers due to position scarcity, but there's no doubt about the No. 1 LB. After him, though, it gets a lot less certain.

Continuing our IDP shakeup series in the 2009 Rotoworld Draft Guide, we'll move on to linebacker changes.

1. Texans OLB Zach Diles dropped from the LB15 overall to the LB62. This is because Diles is no longer assured of a starting job. A former undrafted free agent, Diles opened 2008 as Houston's starting strong-side linebacker. Through nine weeks, he was leading the Texans in tackles (ahead of even Pro Bowl middle 'backer DeMeco Ryans) before falling victim to a fractured tibia. Diles is recovered, but the Texans drafted Brian Cushing in the first round and will start him at SAM. Diles and Xavier Adibi (no pushover) will battle on the weak side. The winner could approach 100 tackles, but Adibi's cover skills may give him the edge.

2. Steelers ILB Lawrence Timmons catapulted from the LB33 to LB21. Even this rank may be conservative for Pittsburgh's prime breakout candidate. While Timmons is "competing" for tackles with highly productive fellow inside man James Farrior, it's obvious who possesses more big-play ability. Timmons registered an amazing five sacks, 65 tackles, and a fumble forced despite being a nickel backup behind Farrior and Larry Foote last year. With Foote gone to Detroit, Timmons will be an every-down player. There's nothing not to like here.

Continue reading "More IDP Shakeup: T-T-Timmons Time" »

Posted by Evan Silva at 01:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (17)

Matt "don't call me Schaub" Schauf did the rankings and profiles for Individual Defensive Players (IDPs) in the 2009 Fantasy Draft Guide. He submitted those in early spring. Some things have obviously changed since then (and there naturally is some difference of opinion), so I spent yesterday updating the defensive linemen, linebackers, and DBs.

Some notable changes in The Defensive Line Ranks:

1. Seahawks RE Darryl Tapp dropped from DL5 to DL14. Tapp has exhibited disruptive ability with 13 sacks and seven forced fumbles over the last two seasons. However, Seattle revealed that it plans to use newly acquired Cory Redding at end on running downs, and Patrick Kerney, 2008 first-round pick Lawrence Jackson, and big-bodied end Baraka Atkins return at the position. That's a formula for rotation, and both Jackson and Redding project as better run stuffers than the undersized Tapp. Tapp could wind up as a nickel end, making him too risky to keep in the top five. He'll still score plenty in big-play leagues.

2. Packers DE Aaron Kampman's position switched to linebacker (DL7 to LB69). That's an ugly drop and Kampman dynasty owners won't like it. But it's the reality of IDP. When defenses transition from 4-3 to 3-4 schemes, the linemen almost always suffer. Kampman's stat projection [71 tackles (51 solo) and 7 sacks] is still generous, but it's rare for 3-4 outside linebackers not named DeMarcus Ware or James Harrison to compete with 4-3 'backers or 3-4 ILBs in most IDP leagues.

Continue reading "Shakeup in the IDPs: Kampman to LB" »

Posted by Evan Silva at 01:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (18)

You'll probably enjoy this video even if you don't play IDP. (I actually posted this in the comments section several weeks ago, but if you don't get into the comments you may not have seen.) It's college clips of much-maligned Raiders second-round pick Michael Mitchell, a strong safety from Ohio.

Ohio is a member of Division I, but has not been very competitive in the MAC over the last three seasons aside from a GMAC Bowl appearance in 2007, which the Bobcats lost 28-7 to Southern Miss. Led by ex-Nebraska coach Frank Solich, Ohio U. went 4-8 last season. Naturally, their players aren't on the national radar.

But Michael Mitchell lays wood.

He is obviously the most talented player on the field in just about every situation. He stands out as a man among boys, and that's what you look for in a real pro prospect from a weaker level of competition. Also notice that he's facing Ohio State in one clip. Mitchell destroys Todd Boeckman on an up-the-middle strong safety blitz.

I already wrote about Mitchell in my IDP Rookie Breakdown two weeks ago, but wanted to make sure everyone on this blog knows about him. He might be a penalty machine with that head-hunting style, but Mitchell is positioned to compete for the league lead in tackles by a defensive back.

Also, I know this sounds real nerdy, but Twitter has become a Rotoworld job requirement. Come follow me at Twitter.com/evansilva.

Posted by Evan Silva at 02:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)