IDP Rookies: Who’s Ready Now?

By Bill Edwards

Posted on September 11, 2016

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Hello again, Bill Edwards here. Today we’re going to take a look, team by team, at the rookies who are ready now and could make an impact in 2016. This is huge for dynasty and keeper leagues. These are the players to target through trades, waiver wires, or if by chance you done it yet, your league’s draft. Enjoy.

Note: The following teams do not have any rookies in the starting lineup – Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, , Kansas City, Los Angeles, Minnesota, New England, New Orleans, New York (Giants), Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa Bay, Tennessee and Washington.

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Arizona Cardinals

Robert Nkemdiche, DE

Brandon Williams, CB

Nkemdiche looks to be a rotational player to start the season. He may need an injury to become a weekly starter. Through three preseason games he has four solo tackles, one assisted, one sack, and two quarterback hits. Williams appears to be in a time share with Justin Bethel, but this could lead to full time down the road. Williams recorded six tackles and two passes defended in four preseason tilts.

Atlanta Falcons

Deion Jones, LB

De’Vondre Campbell, LB

Keanu Neal, S (inj)

Jones and Campbell were both named starters for the week one game. Both should produce decent numbers this season. Neal was starting and playing plenty in the preseason until his injury. Once he’s healthy, he should return to his spot in the starting lineup.

Buffalo Bills

Adolphus Washington, DE

Washington is getting the nod at defensive end in Buffalo. He will most likely be in a time share with Leger Douzable but I expect he will get more reps over the length of the season.

Carolina Panthers

James Bradberry, CB

Daryl Worley, CB

Bradberry has eight solo tackles and an assist this preseason. He appears to have locked down the cornerback spot opposite Worley. It appears the Panthers will roll both rookies out at CB to start the season.

Cleveland Browns

Emmanuel Ogbah, DE/OLB

Carl Nassib, DE

Scooby Wright III, LB

Joe Schobert, LB

Ogbah appears to be playing both DE/OLB. He is slated to get near-starter minutes while Nassib, Wright, and Schobert look to be beginning the season as back ups. These three will get decent playing time and opportunities to show they belong in the starting lineup. Wright would have the most upside if an injury occurred in front of him.

Green Bay Packers

Dean Lowry, DE

Kenny Clark, DE

Blake Martinez, LB

Lowry and Clark will be in a rotational timeshares to begin the season. They should see some playing time, with good play they’re reps will obviously increase.

Martinez will be starting in the middle for the Pack this year. He should have plenty of tackle chances with the defensive line he has in front of him. Hopefully he can get off the blocks and get some guys wrapped up!

Jacksonville Jaguars

Jalen Ramsey, CB

Myles Jack, LB

Ramsey will start opposite Davon House at CB. We would expect defenses to try to pick on the rookie, that can turn into more tackles chances and passes defended.

Jack was a stud in college. If not for some right knee issues he would have been a top five pick, instead he slid to the second round. If Jack can stay healthy he should push for starter reps sooner than later. There is already talk of him taking Paul Posluszny’s place in the starting lineup. Jacksonville’s defense is getting better and better. Jack could be in the defensive rookie of the year talk, if he stays healthy (a big if).

Miami Dolphins

Xavien Howard, CB

Howard has not played much this preseason, and they say he hasn’t even practiced that much. The Dolphins are thin at corner, so Howard should see plenty of snaps and should be the player to pick on for opposing offenses. That usually means opportunities for tackles or passes defended.

New York Jets

Jordan Jenkins, OLB

Darron Lee, LB

Jordan has been working through a calf injury. Prior to the injury he was splitting first team reps with fellow linebacker Mike Catapano. Lee will start the season filling in for LB David Harris. If he plays well he should carve out a role going forward, maybe pushing Erin Henderson for his starting spot.

Oakland Raiders

Jihad Ward, DE

Ward may not have officially beaten out Denico Autry yet, but I’m guessing he will end the season playing more snaps than Autry.  With opposing offenses focused on Khalil Mack, Ward will certainly have mostly one-on-one matchups with offensive lineman.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Javon Hargrave, NT

Hargrave is getting the start in the middle of the Steeler’s defense. He will probably be in a rotation with Daniel McCullers. He will most likely end as the better play this season. Be cautious with his immediate success, as he is dealing with a quad injury right now. It may take him a few weeks to regain his top form.

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IDP Rookies: Who’s Ready Now?