NFL Draft Aftermath: IDP Winners and Losers from the AFC West
The NFL draft has been and gone, but we’re beginning to get a better idea of how the incoming rookies will affect the veterans in your dynasty leagues. Here, we cover the IDP winners and losers from the AFC West.
Denver Broncos
Winner: DeMarcus Walker
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You might be saying “Hey! Derek Wolf is pretty good and signed an extension last year!” and you would be right, but he’s also missed six games in the last two years and there are potential outs in his contract the next two years. Not to mention that the other end in Denver, Jared Crick is a free agent after this season. Selected in the early second round the former Seminole might not get playing time right away, except as a rotational guy, but he’s in line to receive a starting gig in 2018, if he showcases all he did at Florida State.
Losers: None
This is a pretty stout unit that helped lead them to their last Super Bowl win, but it’s getting older and pretty expensive. They currently are spending the most on defense of any team in the NFL, mostly thanks to Von Miller’s massive contract. I’d still consider them a top five defense going forward, but they will need to address some of these issues in future drafts. If Walker produces, add Crick to the losers list.
Kansas City Chiefs
Winner: Tanoh Kpassagon
Coming from the FCS, Kpassagon has a ton to prove, but he has a massive ceiling. After Chris Jones the pickings get slim for defensive ends with some excitement. The same can be said for the middle of the line as well, unless you think Bennie Logan is better than decent. Kpassagon has the size to play inside if needed and can develop into an anchor of the line.
Losers: Kansas City Chiefs
This defense is OLD. I count six starters older than 28. While that’s not in-the-grave old, it’s not great for the future of a very good defense. Players like the aforementioned Jones and Marcus Peters will help transition the defense, but just like the Broncos, they need to inject some youth into this defense in the future.
Los Angeles Chargers
Winner: Jatavis Brown
The former fifth rounder came on very strong last season, recording a team leading 63 tackles and three sacks on only 53% of the defense snaps. They didn’t address the linebacker position at all and Brown should be in for a massive year.
Losers: None
Another AFC West team and another team without anyone that got their job stolen. If anything, the rest of the division is in for some losses when that defensive line comes to town.
Oakland Raiders
Winner: Obi Melifonwu
Throw Reggie Nelson on the losers list. Obi is a fantastic athlete (His mockdraftable page is incredible) and his ball skills have gotten better each year at UCONN. He might be taking a backup role in the short term, but if he can live up to his athleticism, he could be a stud NFL safety.
Loser: Marquel Lee
Substitute Ben Heeney or Cory James here as well. This is a very messy situation at middle linebacker. Someone is either going to win the job or it will be a nasty rotation for multiple years. I think Lee has the most upside and should win the majority of the snaps eventually, but it’s an avoid situation in the short term.
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- 2023 NFL Scouting Combine: Defensive Player Dynasty Review - March 13, 2023
- 2022 NFL Scouting Combine: IDP Dynasty Review - March 10, 2022
- 2021 Post-Draft Superflex and Integrated IDP Rookie Mock - May 14, 2021
