NFL Draft Review: AFC East IDP Winners and Losers

We’ve been covering the NFL draft winners and losers on the offensive side over the past month and recently started to roll out the IDP version. Today we’ll focus on the AFC East.

Winners

Duron Harmon, SS NE

The Patriots released Steve Gregory earlier this offseason and didn’t draft a safety until Jemea Thomas in the sixth round. Thomas is likely better situated at free safety given his corner/safety hybrid ability. This offseason movement should leave Harmon with the starting strong safety spot. He’ll compete with Tavon Wilson and Patrick Chung through OTAs and into camp, but he’s my favorite given his successful play in limited action as a rookie. Harmon is flying under the radar – now is the time to acquire him in virtually all formats.

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Patriots Defensive Line

With the addition of Dominique Easley to the middle, the Patriots defensive line is going to be difficult to handle. In particular, Easley and Vince Wilfork disrupting the inside should leave Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich with more one-on-one match-ups. Containing this line will prevent teams from consistently doubling one player. Logically, that should allow the ends to get to the quarterback more frequently and put together better fantasy years. Sure, more competition for tackles and sacks exist, but the top tier talent across the board should mutually benefit all members of the line.

Calvin Pryor, SS NYJ

Pryor finds himself in a prime situation. He’ll start immediately on a defense lacking a big-play safety. His coverage skills are underrated, so don’t be deterred by those that knock it. Given the talent and situation combination, Pryor is the top rookie safety for 2014.

Duke Williams, FS/SS BUF

Given that the Bills didn’t add another body at safety via the draft, there’s a huge opportunity for Duke in 2014. With the departure of Jairus Byrd, there’s a starting spot open with little competition on the roster. The competition will be among Duke, Da’Norris Searcy, and Jonathan Meeks (to a lesser extent Corey Graham who is likely to play corner). Unfortunately for Da’Norris Searcy, hestruggled mightily in coverage in 2013 and the coaching staff appears tired of his shortcomings. That should leave Duke as the front-runner for the starting position.

The big question is which safety spot. Somesuggest Aaron Williams will play strong safety while others suggest hewill play free safety in 2014. Personally, I’m inclined to agree that Aaron shifts to free safety. Regardless, Duke looks to be situated for a big spike in value given the opportunity at hand.

Dexter McDougle, CB NYJ

McDougle enters a camp with a role player to compete with. Dimitri Patterson is nothing more than a stop-gap for a year with the hopes that McDougle develops into a starter for the 2015 season. The situation is solid for those in corner-required leagues. 

Losers

Brandon Spikes, MLB BUF

Some are pointing to the fact that Spikes is calling the plays in OTAs as a sign that he’s going to play every down. While he was decent in pass coverage situations when called upon with the Patriots, he’s a better two down thumper. With the addition of Preston Brown in the third round, Spikes is the biggest loser. Brown will see snaps on the strongside early on and get some time to grow into a leadership role in the middle with the Bills. It’s a good bet that he’ll ultimately settle in as the middle linebacker in this defense.

David Harris, ILB NYJ

The Jets drafted inside linebacker Jeremiah George in the fifth round of the draft. On the surface that’s a non-event. However, with Harris in his contract year with the Jets and aging (30), this selection may be a sign that the Jets are planning for Harris’s exit in free agency next spring. Who knows where he’ll end up on the market and in what situation, which should be concerning for Harris owner. On the flip-side, George is a worthy stash in deep leagues right now and a guy to keep an eye on in others as he may find himself in a ripe situation come 2015.

Chris Jones, DT NE

Jones was a top 15 defensive tackle in many formats as a rookie. The addition of Dominique Easley and the return of Vince Wilfork are killer for the young tackle’s IDP value. He’ll certainly be part of a rotation in the middle, but don’t expect meaningful production unless Easley or Wilfork miss time.

Dion Jordan, DE MIA

Given the stellar play from Olivier Vernon in 2014 and the lackluster rookie season from the former top-five pick, a draft day trade would have been the best situation for Jordan – particularly a trade to a 3-4 defense where he’s a better fit. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen and he’ll continue to be part of a three-man rotation with the Dolphins. He’ll also continue to take a back-seat to Vernon and Cameron Wake. Owners can only hope that Wake continues to deteriorate as he ages and Jordan’s opportunities increase. Some may be holding on to Jordan’s early offseason fluff, but the struggles in a 4-3 as a rookie are concerning.

Antonio Allen, FS/SS Jets or Dawan Landry, SS

It’s fairly simple – one of these guys will be pushed aside in favor of Calvin Pryor. Allen says he’s not concerned with the addition of Pryor and Rex Ryan says he’ll play guys that make plays (like Allen), so it might not be Allen like most initially thought. Right now, actually, Landry is not practicing with the starters and Allen and Pryor are. Landry is aging and was sub-part in 2013. Given Allen’s tendency to make plays and his ability to cover prominent tight ends, Landry appears to be the loser here.

Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveWyremski

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