Lockout Logistics: Kevin Kolb
The NFL lockout continues to create a unique situation for dynasty league owners this Spring. With no free agent signings or trades allowed, the NFL Draft forced many teams to change their strategies knowing they weren’t guaranteed to land some of their desired free agents.  Some teams took the opposite approach and chose to roll the dice instead.  That left some franchises with gaping holes at important positions, including quarterback, which we all know is the most important of all.  It’s no doubt a risky proposition at this point in time with no end to the lockout in sight.
The result of all this chaos has had a direct effect on many current NFL players. In this series of articles, we take a look at some players who have had their value and fantasy situation directly affected either positively or negatively due to the lockout.
Today, we take a look at Kevin Kolb, quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles (at least for now).
In 2007, the Eagles shocked many draft pundits out there when they took Kolb in the second round with the 36th overall pick. Â Kolb was certainly not without a solid pedigree – he was coming off a season that featured 3,809 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and just four interceptions for the Houston Cougars. Â The surprising part was the fact the Eagles already had a star quarterback in Donovan McNabb and seemingly had lots of holes to fill in order to keep them in contention.
We should just stop doubting Andy Reid and the Eagles brass.
Just a few years later, Philadelphia is sitting pretty with Michael Vick and Kevin Kolb on their depth chart, while Donovan McNabb is struggling to find work. Â With the resurgence of Vick, Philadelphia holds a valuable trade chip with Kolb. They’re most certainly going to cash it in and are virtually guaranteed to recoup much more than the second round pick they originally used on him just a few years ago. Â In fact, many reports are surfacing that the Eagles will most likely land a first round pick and a veteran player as well.
So, what does this do to the fantasy value of Kolb in dynasty leagues?
It’s obviously hard to truly judge his future without knowing exactly where he’ll land, but we’ve seen enough of Kolb to know he can be an effective quarterback at the NFL level. Â His numbers aren’t eye popping. Â In fact, the casual fan may not realize his career touchdown to interception ratio is an unimpressive 11 to 14. Â However, Kolb easily passes the eye test as a player who can make all the throws and just needs more time to really excel. Â If not for an unbelievable season from Vick, he’d be safely at the helm of the explosive Eagles offense. Â We all know that story, though.
The suitors are lining up for Kolb and it seems the Arizona Cardinals may just be the most likely destination. Â If that comes to fruition, it’s hard not to like his chances. Â It’s not a slight to DeSean Jackson or Jeremy Maclin, but with Larry Fitzgerald in the fold, Kolb would easily find himself throwing to the most talented wideout he’s ever played with. Â Add to that an improving offensive line and a running game that just added rookie Ryan Williams and you’d have a pretty solid foundation to work with.
The Seahawks also look to be players in the Kolb derby, though it seems they may be a distant second to Arizona. Â If they were to land Kolb, it wouldn’t be a disaster. Â Mike Williams turned in a legitimate career saving season and Seattle has a group of evolving youngsters on offense who would likely flourish with a player like Kolb. Â He also seems to fit the Pete Carroll offense pretty well as an accurate passer who makes solid decisions.
Regardless of where Kolb ends up, his dynasty value is going to climb much higher than it would be if the Eagles hold on to him. Â Their decision to move him wouldn’t come without major risk, especially with the health history of Michael Vick. However, fantasy owners are chomping at the bit to see it happen.
Kolb sits and waits patiently now as the lockout days seem to pile up. Â It’s an interesting situation and easily one of the biggest storylines in an otherwise quiet offseason thus far. Â His fantasy owners are eagerly awaiting the end of the lockout so we can see just where he’ll end up.
We have Kolb ranked as the 17th best quarterback in dynasty leagues, with the assumption he gets moved this Summer. Â It wouldn’t be a shock at all to see him throw for 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns as early as the 2011 season.
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
