Draft Aftermath: IDP Winners and Losers, AFC North

Eric Breeze Posted On May 9, 2015

burfict

As exciting as it is to drool over incoming rookies each year, it inevitably has an inverse effect on some veteran players. While it’s important to realize a lot of these players were drafted to provide depth on NFL rosters and will potentially never make a single career start, the majority were selected with the intention to replace veterans throughout the league. Here we’ll touch on the IDP “Winners and Losers” in the AFC North.

Winners

Daryl Smith, ILB BAL

The Baltimore Ravens did not select an inside linebacker in the draft, which means they still have confidence in the aging Smith (which they should). He has been great the last two years and is a fantastic LB3 for contending teams. Given his age, he should also be very cheap to acquire.

Paul Dawson, LB CIN

This third round pick is a phenomenal football player, but lacks athleticism. However, that same thing was said about Chris Borland last year and we all saw what he was capable of when he was on the field. The Bengals have been very loyal to Rey Mauluaga his entire career and continued this year with a contract extension, however, Dawson is just better in every way. Last year’s IDP sleeper Emmanual Lamur was also re-signed, but he is a liability in the run game. All signs point to Dawson being a very good IDP asset. The only thing stopping him is Marvin Jones’ continued loyalty to mediocre veterans.

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Karlos Dansby/Craig Robertson/Christian Kirskey, LBs CLE

Danny Shelton is a big man. A very big man. I won’t be investing in him for IDP because he will eat blocks more than tackles, but he helps the entire Browns defense. Dansby and whoever of Robertson/Kirskey wins the other inside linebacker spot should be in for solid tackle production given the upgraded front line.

Shamarko Thomas, SS PIT

The great Troy Polamalu decided to hang up his cleats this off-season which means there is an opportunity at strong safety. This position was also not addressed in the draft so we all finally get to see what the “human missile” Shamarko Thomas is made of. The Steelers traded up to get him a few years ago so they obviously liked his potential.

Losers

Vontaze Burfict, WLB CIN

The selection of Paul Dawson discussed above only worries me more about Burfict’s health. Not only did he have microfracture surgery on his knee this off-season, but he also had multiple concussions last year as well. He was considered an elite dynasty linebacker this time last year but his value truly has fallen off the tracks.

Jarvis Jones, OLB PIT

I don’t think anyone was relying on Jones in IDP even in the most sack heavy of leagues but the selection of Bud Dupree puts a nail in Jones’ IDP and real life coffin. Jones was a recent first round pick and was extremely productive in college but its officially time to label him a full out bust.

Cortez Allen, CB PIT

Allen played only eight games last year but he was extremely productive in the box score when on the field. The problem is, the reason he filled the stat sheet was because he was abused by opposing wide receivers in real life. The Steelers selected Senquez Golson in the second round that was considered a reach by some. Reach or not, it shows Pittsburgh loves Golson’s talent and cannot continue to give Allen snaps unless his on field play significantly improves.

Phil Taylor, NT CLE

When the Browns selected Danny Shelton in with the twelfth pick in the draft, it was pretty clear the team has little intentions of paying Taylor his non-guaranteed $5.5 million. Coach Pettine stated there was some concern regarding Taylor’s knees, so they did not waste the opportunity to replace him with another large human being.

Follow me on Twitter @BreezeIDP.

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