IDP-Only Rookie Mock Draft

With the NFL Combine over and Pro Days being completed, we know the Draft is right around the corner. We’re all anxious to see IDP landing spots. I know I can’t wait to see where certain players are drafted because shortly after, we’ll have an idea of where IDPs will go in your rookie drafts.

A handful of your DLF IDP team came together to do a quick three-round, IDP-only mock draft (12 teams). There were only six of us, so we each had two picks in each round.

We completed this IDP-only mock draft with NPLB (No Position Left Behind) scoring. I’ll get into that shortly but if you’re wondering why this scoring setting; it’s simply because we’re all big fans of it. It balances out across the board as it has individual scoring for each position in IDP.

Let’s take a look at the scoring format. I’ll share the main categories (Tackles, Assists, Sacks, TFL, PDs) as this is pretty much the base of it.

Tackles (Solo/Assist)

• LB 2 solo/1 ast
• DT 3.5 solo/1.75 ast
• DE 3 solo/1.50 ast
• CB 2.5 solo/1.25 ast
• S 2.25 solo/1.25 ast

QB Sacks

• 3 points per .50 sack straight across the board for each position

Tackle for Loss (TFL)

• LB: 2
• DT: 3
• DE: 2
• CB: 2
• S: 2

Pass Deflections (PDs)

• Each position was given 2 points per PD, except CBs. They were awarded 3 points per PD.

Take a good look at this scoring format. Every IDP league scores differently but if yours is similar, you know how much fun it is. However, I’m not here to talk about the NPLB scoring format.

There were six DLF IDP writers who took part in this mock draft. They were Doug (@BigBoardIDP), Bee (@IDPwithBEE), Ghost (@TheFFGhost), Sticky (@Adamtz), Travis (@FF_TravisM) and Tom (@TomDegenerate) and if you’re not already following them on twitter, hit that follow button before proceeding. Since there were only six of us, we all picked twice in each round and we give you an idea of the values of these rookie IDPs as you start prepping your draft board.

Now let’s get down to business and check out how the draft went, with my comments on each pick.

First Round

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1.01 Roquan Smith, LB UGA – Doug

Not a big surprise here. Roquan could very well be the top IDP taken in rookie drafts. He’s arguably the best LB in this class.

1.02 Tremaine Edmunds, LB Va Tech – Bee

My top LB in this class is only 19 years old. The sky is the limit and I believe he has the highest ceiling in this class. He’s a blend of Anthony Barr and Lavonte David.

1.03 Leighton Vander Esch, LB Boise St – Ghost

‘LVE’ seems to do it all and killed it at the combine. This is a deep LB class but only a handful can start from day one – LVE is one of them.

1.04 Bradley Chubb, EDGE NC State – Sticky

Chubb is likely to be the first edge to be taken in rookie drafts. He’d be a goldmine if he gets the DE tag with NPLB scoring.

1.05 Rashaan Evans, LB Alabama – Travis

An argument can be made for Evans to be one of the top two LBs to be taken in rookie drafts. Keep tabs on Evans as he could be solid value in drafts.

1.06 Harold Landry, EDGE Boston College – Tom

Landry might be the best pass rusher in the class. he could easily be a top 15 selection in the NFL draft. Pass rushers are the most precious commodity in IDP. – Tom

1.07 Derwin James, DB FSU – Doug

Doug took a shot with the first DB off the board and the best safety in this draft class. His versatility is a huge get. Although he went in the first here, you should see James go late second or early third in rookie drafts.

1.08 Duke Ejiofor, EDGE Wake Forest – Bee

One of my fav EDGE rushers in this draft, I’d be OK if he gets the LB tag. Look for him in the middle of the third round. He will also be a dark horse to lead rookies in sacks.

1.09 Malik Jefferson, LB Texas – Ghost

Malik is a freak and has the potential to be an every-down LB at next level. His landing spot is key – but after the four top LBs get taken, it’s nearly a toss-up the rest of the way. I believe Ghost went with upside here.

1.10 Marcus Davenport, EDGE UTSA – Sticky

Davenport is still raw and needs to develop. He’s similar to Danielle Hunter. Don’t ignore Davenport’s bullish behavior on film. He will get after the QB.

1.11 Jerome Baker, LB OSU – Travis

As Travis said, “Baker is an LB cheat code”.I’m not sure I agree, but Trav likes him and I can see a prototypical WILL at next level who has no problem dropping into coverage. Travis believes he will turn into an every-down LB, and rightfully so. We could have ourselves a “Jayon Brown” type here and if he gets taken in the second round of the NFL Draft, he’ll be making an early appearance in rookie drafts.

1.12 Kemoko Turay, EDGE Rutgers – Tom

Turay is a 6’5″, pure edge rusher who can bend like a boomerang and runs a 4.65. He might need some development but he’s very toolsy. – Tom

Second Round

Moving onto the second round, there’s still a lot of talent on the board. You’re going to love your third round picks and might as well start stockpiling some fourths too if you need some IDP depth on your dynasty squad.

2.01 Darius Leonard, LB SC State – Doug

Get to know this sideline-to-sideline beast. He’s underrated at the moment, but I won’t be surprised if his value rises from the NFL Draft.

2.02 Tegray Scales, LB Indiana – Bee

The perfect weakside LB in today’s game doesn’t get talked about enough. He is one of my favorite LBs in this class.

2.03 Josey Jewell, LB Iowa – Ghost

2.04 Arden Key, EDGE LSU – Sticky

Think landing spot is key (no pun intended) for Arden but oh, how quickly he fell off from being the top edge.

2.05 Ronnie Harrison, DB Alabama – Travis

2.06 Sam Hubbard, EDGE OSU – Tom

Hubbard is straight out of the Ohio State DE handbook. He’s an average athlete but has the motor and hands to make himself a real handful at the next level. – Tom

2.07 Lorenzo Carter, EDGE UGA – Doug

Doug said Carter reminds him of Leonard Floyd. I think he’ll be better, but either way, we believe Carter is going to be a stellar EDGE and you should look for him late-third/early-fourth in your drafts.

2.08 Josh Sweat, EDGE FSU – Bee

Sweat killed it at the combine and shown flashes on film what he’s capable of. He has great burst and should start off as a rotational pass rusher, similar to Derek Barnett. If he’s there in the fourth round, I’ll take him all day for DE depth.

2.09 Chad Thomas, EDGE The U – Ghost

I’ll keep it short and simple: sleeper alert. I love his versatility – he can lineup inside as well.

2.10 Deshon Elliot, DB Texas – Sticky

2.11 Hercules Mata’afa, DL Wash St – Travis

He didn’t do so well at the combine and may have dropped his stock, but not with Travis. With that size and get-off, he’s insane. I think he had the quickest get-off at the snap in college. Some people just don’t test well, but his film speaks for himself – he’s a stud.

2.12 Shaquem Griffin, LB UCF – Tom

I’m a bit worried about his lack of a natural position given his college usage and low weight but his desire is off the charts and I can’t resist the feel-good story. Also, it annoyed Doug when I took him. Bonus. – Tom

Third Round

Lastly, we’ll take a look at how the third round panned out. Would you believe me that after 24 IDPs have been taken, there’s still some talent left?

3.01 Nick DeLuca, LB NDSU – Doug

3.02 Uchenna Nwosu, EDGE USC – Bee

He’s an underrated edge who always seems to have his hands up to bat passes down when he’s rushing the QB.

3.03 Rasheem Green, DL USC – Ghost

3.04 Vita Vea, DT Washington – Sticky

In DT-leagues, I can see Vea go as early as the third round and that may be a little rich for some.

3.05 Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB Alabama – Travis

The slot CB/safety hybrid would need to land in an IDP-friendly team but owners might draft him on name alone. Fitzpatrick has great instincts though and will make plays on the ball.

3.06 Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, EDGE Oklahoma – Tom

He’s a limited pass rusher but I didn’t like any of the LBs here and he has the production to make it worthwhile taking a chance on him. – Tom

3.07 Fred Warner, LB BYU – Doug

3.08 Christian Sam, LB ASU – Bee

3.09 Dorance Armstrong, EDGE Kansas – Ghost

An EDGE rusher who’ll rise on peoples draft boards real soon, he’s near the top for me. Imagine if he lands on a team like Carolina?

3.10 Frank Ginda, LB San Jose St – Sticky

3.11 Maurice Hurst, DT Michigan – Travis

He has the best DT tape on the market, and if he can prevail from his heart precaution, he’s going to be the top DT taken in rookie drafts, bank on it.

3.12 Natrell Jameson, DB Wisconsin – Tom

No one else here sees what I do in Jameson and that’s OK. I see a ridiculously feisty and aggressive slot corner/safety hybrid with crazy athleticism in a small, powerful package. That sounds an awful lot like Budda Baker and Tyrann Mathieu doesn’t it? – Tom

The best of the rest

Other IDP Rookies to keep tabs on heading into the draft.

Jack Cichy, LB Wisconsin

Kylie Fitts, EDGE Utah

Tyquan Lewis, EDGE OSU

Taven Bryan, DL Florida

Azeem Victor, LB Washington

Keishawn Berrira, LB Washington

Skai Moore, LB South Carolina

Da’Ron Payne, DL Alabama

Quin Blanding, SS UVA

Jessie Bates, S Wake Forest

As you can see, there’s still a handful of IDPs left on the draft board and I haven’t even brought up the CBs, so the depth is there. Let’s hope your taxi squads can hold at least ten rookies. There are many sleepers here and as usual, if a mid-round IDP lands in a perfect situation, you’re going to see their value rise (Jack Cichy is a prime example).

Thanks to my DLF IDP brothers for taking part in this and we’re always around on Twitter for discussions.

Aloha.

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