NFL Draft Review: IDP Rookies 21-43

Steve Wyremski

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We began the all-encompassing IDP breakdown yesterday with the top 20 and now continue with my IDP rookies ranked at #21-#43.

21. Chris Smith, DE Jaguars

Smith will fit nicely in the Leo position behind aging veterans Jason Babin and Chris Clemons. Smith fits the mold perfectly as a versatile edge rusher. He likely won’t see enough snaps in 2014 to be useful in IDP, but long-term Smith has the potential to be essential to the Jaguars’ defense. His explosiveness is hard to ignore. He destroyed both the explosion and college production ratios used to identify front seven potential. He’s a perfect later pick in deep leagues with solid upside.

Target: Early 5th Round

22. Avery Williamson, ILB Titans

Williamson will enter the mix for the inside linebacker spots with Zach Brown, Akeem Ayers, Moise Fokou and Zavier Gooden. With the switch to a 3-4 hybrid scheme, defensive coordinator Ray Horton is looking for inside fixtures. Williamson has a good a shot as anyone walking into a great situation.

Target: Early 5th Round

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23. Jordan Tripp, WLB Dolphins

Tripp is one of my favorite sleepers given the situation he was drafted into, his versatility, as well as his ability to eventually play every down. Tripp played all linebacker spots and is self proclaimed as comfortable to play inside and outside linebacker spots. Dannell Ellerbe can play in the middle or move to weakside linebacker, which gives Tripp an opportunity at either spot. It’s unclear what position Philip Wheeler and Koa Misi will play in 2014, but Tripp will be in the mix. Watch to see if he wins weakside or middle linebacker snaps. That could lead to long-term value.

Target: Mid 5th Round

24. Chris Borland, ILB 49ers

The 49ers drafting of Borland is both a short-term and long-term play. With Navarro Bowman on the mend through the summer and most probably starting the season on the PUP list, Borland should see snaps immediately. However, when Bowman re-enters the starting line-up, Borland will lose value and be relegated to a rotational role. He’s a phenomenal talent who is drafted into a horrible IDP situation given the presence of Bowman and Patrick Willis who are both under contract until at least 2017. He’d be ranked significantly higher based on talent alone, but his situation is less than appealing long-term. If you’re willing to be patient or believe the 49ers would eventually cut one of their LBs, I would move Borland up quite a bit.

Target: Mid 5th Round

25. Dezmen Southward, FS Falcons

The Falcons are looking for a replacement for Thomas Decoud and GM Thomas Dimitroff believes Southward has upside. With little competition at free safety, he has a good shot to start in 2014 and stick long-term.

Target: Mid 5th Round

26. Marcus Smith, OLB Eagles

Smith is the likely successor to Trent Cole. With Cole’s salary about to jump in 2015, expect him to be released and Smith to take over. Given Smith’s role as a 3-4 outside linebacker and the fact he’ll take a year to be IDP relevant, he’s a depth player with potential long-term upside outside of big play leagues.

Target: Mid to Late 5th Round

27. Jason Varrett, CB Chargers

Varrett is possibly the top rookie corner option in 2014. He should be an uncontested starter who is targeted often. The fact he’s active in run support is a plus both short-term and long-term.

Target:  Mid to Late 5th Round

28. Justin Gilbert, CB Browns

Gilbert is another favorite for the rookie corner rule. He’s likely to start opposite Joe Haden and see a ton of targets with Haden forcing quarterbacks to test his counterpart.

Target: Mid to Late 5th Round

29. Will Clarke, DE Bengals

Clarke is being compared to Michael Johnson in his early days as a Bengal. The Bengals staff expects him to put on weight and be part of the defensive end rotation with Margus Hunt and Carlos Dunlap. Given Hunt’s early struggles, Clarke may be presented with a rookie season opportunity should Hunt continue to struggle.

Target: Late 5th Round

30. Dee Ford, OLB, Chiefs

A 3-4 outside linebacker who has two dominant pass rushers ahead of him in Tamba Hali and Justin Houston, Ford will struggle to hold value in rookie drafts. He’s an exceptional edge rusher, but Hali is under contract through 2015, which may keep him from being reliable or usable. With Hali aging and reportedly over optimal playing weight, it certainly is possible something changes sooner, though. For now, Ford has a long runway and little short-term value, leaving him with little value in tackle heavy leagues.

Target: Late 5th to Early 6th Round

31. Dominique Easley, DT Patriots

Like Donald, Easley is extremely explosive. The biggest question is his health. If he’s healthy, he has an opportunity to be a top defensive tackle option. It’s all about risk tolerance, though. If you’re ok with losing a prospect to injury, I’d be comfortable slating him about ten spots higher.

Target: Early 6th Round

32. Timmy Jernigan, NT Ravens

The Ravens got a potential steal after Jernigan fell due to a diluted drug test sample. He should have the opportunity to start as a rookie at nose tackle. He’s an athletic big player who can stuff the run and stay on the field in passing situations. He’ll see a nice share of tackle opportunities with the ability to play in different situations.

Target: Early 6th Round

33. Jay Bromley, DT, Giants

With the loss of Linval Joseph moving on in free agency to the Vikings, the Giants need talent at defensive tackle. Cullen Jenkins should see the bulk of snaps among the Giants’ defensive tackles, but Bromley will be part of the 2014 rotation and a potential long-term solution.

Target: Early 6th Round

34. Tre Boston, SS Panthers

Roman Harper is the starter for now, but given his age and recent injury struggles, Boston is liable to be presented with an opportunity in the short-term. He can play both safety spots, but given his tackling ability and the presence of Thomas Decoud at free safety, strong safety seems to make the most sense.

Target: Mid 6th Round

35. Darqueze Dennard, CB Bengals

Assuming he starts, Dennard should see a lot of targets playing across from Leon Hall as a rookie. Because of that, he may be a potential rookie corner rule option. Given how effective he is at tackling, he should also be a reliable long-term option. He’s not a shoe-in for as a rookie corner option, though, as he’ll battle Terrance Newman and Dre Kirkpatrick for the starting spot this summer. If he wins the job, expect him to be challenged and for him to produce for IDP purposes.

Target: Mid 6th Round

36. Kyle Fuller, CB Bears

Charles Tillman is a free agent in 2015, which should spring Fuller into the starting lineup. There are also reports Tillman could move to safety in 2014, but it’s more likely Fuller plays nickel corner in 2014. The best part about his game is he’s an ample tackler, which means long-term IDP production.

Target:  Late 6th Round

37. Kareem Martin, OLB/DE Cardinals

It’ll be interesting to see where Martin is classified in 2014, but long-term, he projects as the replacement for either Calais Campbell or Darnell Dockett. Both are signed through 2016, but the Cardinals have already approached Dockett for a pay cut. A 2015 offseason release is not out of the question once Martin gets his legs under him and gains some weight. For now though, Martin is likely to be used as needed in various situations. He admits he’s most comfortable with his hand in the dirt and that’s where he believes he’ll ultimately play. He’s an interesting sleeper candidate.

Target: Late 6th Round

38. Jimmie Ward, SS/CB 49ers

Coach Jim Harbaugh calls him a vicious tackler. Unfortunately for Ward, Antoine Bethea and Eric Reid are the expected 2014 starters. Harbaugh talked about Ward playing the nickel corner spot as a rookie given his versatility. So, watch to see where Ward is classified. He’s a short-term corner who should ultimately play the safety spot. Early in his career, though, he’s likely a better football player than IDP option given the versatile role he’s expected to play. While that’s my initial knee jerk reaction, the 49ers appear to love him, so he’s going to play. The question we need answered is how (in addition to the nickel corner role). It’s possible Ward is put in situations where he’ll make plays and be productive for IDP purposes. More than likely, though, he isn’t going to be productive enough in 2014 as a nickel corner unless it’s a deeper league. If that’s the case, he’ll be a better long-term option. We need to watch this one.

Target: Late 6th Round

39. Cassius Marsh, DE Seahawks

Multiple people have compared Marsh to Michael Bennett as he’s versatile enough to play both defensive end and defensive tackle. The expectation is he’ll play on the outside on first and second down and kick inside on third down. So what does that mean for IDP? It’s unclear at this point, but given his versatility and high motor, he’s someone to watch. Cliff Avril is also a free agent in 2015 – another reason to see how Marsh progresses.

Target: Target: Late 6th Round – Early 7th Round

40. Terrance Brooks, FS Ravens

Brooks will come in and compete for the free safety spot in the Ravens defense. Matt Elam will move to the strong safety spot in 2014. Brooks could surprise with IDP production given his pass coverage and tackling ability (despite it being inconsistent).

Target: Target: Late 6th Round – Early 7th Round

41. Jackson Jeffcoat, DE Seahawks

Like Marsh, Jeffcoat has the potential to make a long-term impact. The undrafted free agent is known to be a pass rusher with a high motor. Like Marsh, he’ll be competing for snaps and the ultimate goal of succeeding Cliff Avril as starter or potentially competing with Bruce Irvin for the Leo role as a Chris Clemons replacement. He’s someone to monitor or stash in deeper leagues given the 2013 college season he put together.

Target: Late 6th Round – Early 7th Round

42. Shayne Skov, ILB 49ers

It’s too bad Skov didn’t sign with the Oakland Raiders as originally suspected because he’d be significantly higher on this list. I like his ability despite being undrafted, but he faces a depth chart roadblock to fantasy relevance. The best thing for IDP purposes would be if he’s cut and he lands in a favorable situation.

Target: Early 7th Round

43. Lamarcus Joyner, CB, Rams

Joyner is a versatile tackler who played both safety and cornerback. The expectation appears to be that he’ll play nickel corner on day one, though. The potential to play safety is enticing given his stellar tackling skills, but it sounds like they’ll move him around in various roles depending on the package. If he sticks at corner, he’s a nice insurance policy for Trumaine Johnson who is likely to see an expanded role in 2014. Deep corner leagues are the only leagues where I’d consider Joyner given Jeff Fisher’s post-draft comments on the rookie’s role.

Target: Early 7th Round

Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveWyremski

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