Rookie Linebacker IDP Tiers

As the 2018 NFL Draft concludes, our preparation for upcoming rookie drafts is about to hit its peak. Now that we know where all of the IDPs we’ve covered all through the process are heading, many questions start to pop up. How will they fit into their new scheme? What is their potential? When should I look to draft them? Luckily for you, I’ll save you some time and guide you on which IDPs you should have on your radar.

This will be a three-piece article as I’ll kick it off with arguably the most highly-touted position in IDP: the linebackers. There were a bunch of solid landing spots, as well as some questionable ones, and then there are those who landed on a team which will change their IDP position tag. I follow draft capital, but I also trust talent and what I saw. There are a bunch of mid-round LBs who could contribute early on.

I have separated the LBs into four tiers. The players in the first have elite potential, and they are followed by those who have the upside to be solid weekly starters. The third tier will be those who have landed in good situations but could be limited, whether they’re just early-down LBs or sub-package LBs. Lastly, the fourth tier contains those who would need some help to make a name for themselves in the IDP landscape.

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TIER ONE

(Expected pick range 1.08 – 2.05 in rookie drafts.)

Tremaine Edmunds, LB BUF

Edmunds landed in a goldmine for IDP as the Bills took him 16th overall in the NFL Draft. Although still in development stages, Edmunds has the freakish athletic ability and versatility to play all three LB positions in Leslie Frazier’s defense. Coach Sean McDermott likes his LBs with some speed and Edmunds shouldn’t have a problem taking over Preston Brown who left his 144 tackles (128 per season average) to join the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency. Edmunds has the highest ceiling in this LB class and there’s no doubt he can hit it in LB-friendly Buffalo. He’s going to have some growing pains in his rookie season so as an owner you have to stay patient and trust the process.

Roquan Smith, LB CHI

The second elite LB has also landed in a great situation as he’ll apply the pain to opposing ball carriers in Soldier Field. Smith is ready is a day one starter and will contribute immediately. His main competition for tackles will be Danny Trevathan, who is a lock for 100 plus tackles when healthy. The Bears defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, will love Smith and can move him all over the defense. He’ll also polish Smith into hitting his potential. We shouldn’t be surprised once Smith lands amongst the top ten LBs in dynasty. That’s his ceiling and like Edmunds, you’re going to have to use a late first to get him.

TIER TWO

(Mid-second to early third.)

Rashaan Evans, LB TEN

The Titans moved up into the first round of the draft to snag Evans, potentially away from the Patriots who had heavy interest. Evans was a solid pickup and replaces Avery Williamson who left for the Jets in free agency. He becomes an immediate plug and play starter alongside savvy vet, Wesley Woodyard. He’s a do-it-all LB and can move around the front seven if needed. You can make a debate that Evans could be the LB3 taken in rookie drafts and rightfully so. He has a high ceiling in Tennessee, especially since he’ll be the one who takes the reign once Woodyard is out. If Evans turns out to be one of the good ‘Bama LBs in the NFL and stays focused, I don’t see why he’s not a top-20 LB in IDP. He has a bright future ahead and the Titans defense just got better in the middle.

Bradley Chubb, LB DEN

The Broncos were gifted Chubb, an elite pass rusher, with the fifth pick as many expected him to go within the first four picks. They get to pair arguably the best edge rusher in the league, Von Miller, with arguably the best pass rusher in the draft. For IDP purposes, if it’s a heavy tackle league then Chubb may not be for you, but big play leaguers will be happy. It doesn’t bother me as much that Chubb will get the LB tag. Treat him as you would with Khalil Mack and Von Miller for example: get your playmakers. Chubb could be on his way to becoming a weekly x-factor.

Chubb might fall in rookie drafts due to him getting the LB tag and that might scare many owners away so there’s a shot you could snag him in the early third. Had he kept his DE tag, it’d be a no brainer that he’s drafted within the first handful of picks in the second. On that defense, Chubb can become a weekly LB3 with a high ceiling due to his game breaking abilities. He’s capable of a double digit sack game or more.

Leighton Vander Esch, LB DAL

With the departure of Anthony Hitchens in free agency, the Cowboys had a hole at the LB position to fill and that’s where Vander Esch enters as the Cowboys drafted him with their 19th overall pick. Vander Esch definitely has three-down potential and should be the Cowboys’ starting ILB entering camp. He’s an instinctive LB and makes his noise stopping the run. He’s still learning the ILB job as well. Don’t be shocked if he gives sub package snaps to Jaylon Smith early on but there’s also a chance that won’t happen and Vander Esch doesn’t leave the field. He’ll get to continue to learn the LB position from one of the better LBs in the game, Sean Lee, and that should only help his growth and improvement. If Vander Esch locks down an every down role early on he should be one of the top LBs taken in rookie drafts, especially in tackle heavy leagues. I’m expecting him to go towards the end of the second round of rookie drafts and he definitely has top 15 appeal in dynasty rankings.

Darius Leonard, LB IND

The Colts may have found their answer for their off-ball LB needs with the pickup of Leonard at the top of the second round. Leonard is a plus coverage defender and has impressive sideline-to-sideline speed. With the Colts transitioning to a 4-3 scheme, Leonard will fit just fine and should eat up a bunch of tackles in Indy. He may not have the name that Evans and Vander Esch possess, but Leonard will make a name for himself real quick. You could land this potential stud towards the back end of the second.

Fred Warner, LB SF

Warner doesn’t have the draft capital like those above him but remember what I said at the top of this article: I trust the talent and what I’ve seen. He is an underrated LB who has a high a ceiling as any in this tier. Warner landed in a great situation on a once again up and coming team. He can pretty much do it all from dropping into coverage, stacking the box and is one of the better LBs at shedding blocks. He will have to compete with Reuben Foster for tackles but there should be plenty to go around in the Bay Area. Snag Warner anywhere in the third round of your draft and enjoy.

TIER THREE

(Mid-third to fourth.)

Jerome Baker, LB MIA

Baker is an athletic LB who the Dolphins need. He has the ball skills that many LBs in this class wish they had. He’s mainly a coverage LB who has wide range, so you’d have to figure he’d get a shot at earning a sub-package role as he works his way up to an every down job. If one day the Dolphins decided to part ways with Kiko Alonso, Baker would be a fine replacement. Baker is an LB I’d draft to stash. He’ll be tough to rely on early on until he solidifies himself with a role.

Malik Jefferson, LB CIN

Jefferson is a perfect draft and stash LB in this rookie class. He needs a lot of work but has the athletic profile to become a solid starter for years. If Jefferson has himself an impressive camp, there could be a role for him early on. We already know Vontaze Burfict will miss games and he’s out for the first four games of the season.

Uchenna Nwosu, LB LAC

Early on, it’s unclear the role of Nwosu on whether or not he’s going to play DE or LB for the Chargers so I will have him in both tiers. There’s a chance Gus Bradley uses Nwosu as his OTTO, which is pretty much a tweener in this defense. Nwosu would play at the line of scrimmage and line-up at both WLB and SLB. If I miss out on Chubb, I’d be just as ecstatic if I land Nwosu towards the latter part of the third or maybe even fourth round of rookie drafts. He’s an active edge rusher who seems to always put his hands up to deflect the football – he had 13 PDs last season at USC.

Harold Landry, LB TEN

Like Nwosu and Chubb, it won’t bother me that they’ll have the LB tag. Landry is arguably the best pass rusher in this draft class and his fall will only feed his hunger. He landed on a perfect team and he can find snaps early and often. Once he gets going, I believe the Titans are going to have a hard time keeping him off the field but he’ll have good mentors to learn from in Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan. For more on Landry, you can read my rookie profile on him.

Lorenzo Carter, LB NYG

The Giants have moved on from Jason Pierre-Paul and found his replacement in the draft with this selection. Carter is a freak athlete and fills a pass rushing need for their new aggressive 3-4 defense. He will be unleashed in this defense and solely focus on rushing the passer. He will be one of the leaders in sacks for rookies this season.

Genard Avery, LB CLE

The Browns got a sneaky one here as Avery projects to be a potential starter at MLB or WLB down the road. In the short-term, he can get into some packages where he can blitz the QB as the Browns lacked that from their LBs last season. I wouldn’t be surprised if he battles it out for a starting job from either LB position. Avery is one to keep your eyes on and could move up my board. Like the Browns did in the NFL Draft, you’ll be able to steal Avery in your rookie drafts with a fourth or fifth round pick.

Azeem Victor, LB OAK

Victor is quite a story. He posted stud numbers in 2015 and 2016 before breaking his leg and having some off-field issues in 2017. He never regained form. In the draft, he was taken in the sixth round by the Raiders, who have LB needs. Victor gets a clean slate. He’s a physical LB who can move and diagnose plays pretty well. He will compete for a starting job if the Raiders don’t bring back Navorro Bowman. I’m a believer in Victor and think he can regain his old self and become a solid starter for the Raiders for years. You will luck out with Victor in the late fourth of your rookie drafts if you can stash him.

Micah Kiser, LB LAR

I’ll admit I wasn’t blown away when I watched Kiser but I will say he shows smarts and intelligence with production to back it up. He has a shot to be a day one contributor next to Mark Barron. Kiser can be the Rams thumper and Wade Phillips should get the most out of him when he sends him on blitzes. If you want the non-flashy LB who may get the job done for a handful of years, Kiser is your guy. He could be snagged in the fourth round.

TIER FOUR

Christian Sam, LB NEP

One of my favorite LBs in this class was drafted by the Patriots, which is a total bummer to his IDP relevancy. But there’s hope. He’s an athletic and fast LB who can cover, which is pretty much just what the Patriots need next to Kyle Van Noy and Dont’a Hightower. Sam can earn himself a sub-package role early on which would limit his IDP productivity to start his career. But he’s well worth the stash. He’ll be one of those LBs you wish you had early before his career starts to take off.

Oren Burks, LB GBP

The safety turned LB posted a 4.5 40-yard dash at the Combine. He will probably find his role in sub-packages as he develops. I call this the Packers version of “Jayon Brown” with another positive that Burks can line up just about at any LB position. Also, in Burks’ favor there is no other LB on the roster who has his skillset. I would keep my eye out for Burks in camp to see how Mike Pettine uses him.

Kenny Young, LB BAL

There is some appeal here and definitely under the radar potential in the Ravens defense for Young. He will compete for the starting ILB next to stud CJ Mosley. He has the three-down skillset and would be the one dropping in coverage in the middle. I would look at Young in deep leagues.

Tegray Scales, LB LAR

Unfortunately, Scales went undrafted therefore he joined the Rams as a UDFA. He has a shot to make some noise if he works hard this off-season. In my opinion, he is a prototypical weakside LB in the NFL. He has the range to cover and sideline to sideline speed. Scales would be a nice sub-package LB for the Rams, but being that he’s an UDFA, it’s a longshot. I’d only put Scales in your queue if your league is deep and has at least a seven-spot taxi squad so you can keep him stashed until further notice.

Skai Moore, LB IND

Moore is another intriguing UDFA and he signed on with the Colts. The Colts are a mess at ILB and Moore is arguably the best cover LB in this draft, yet it’s understandable how he went undrafted. There are injury red flags that make him a risk/reward. There’s no doubt Moore can come into camp and impress from day one to not only make the active roster but earn a significant role. Like Scales, look for Moore towards the end of your draft and stash him. He has upside if he sticks.

Shaquem Griffin, LB SEA

Griffin is a great story and is now reunited with his brother in Seattle. He can fly off the edge, and I’m not going to doubt his work ethic or motivation. I can definitely see Griffin play the role former Seahawk Bruce Irvin had. With that role, you should probably expect a 40-45 tackle 5-7 sack season and that’s not bad at all. It’s just not IDP worthy.

Frank Ginda, LB ARI

The leading tackler in the nation went undrafted and then signed a deal with the Cardinals. Ginda shows good instincts and doesn’t miss many tackles. He has a shot to make the Cardinals roster this off-season as Josh Bynes‘ backup at ILB. I would put Ginda on your watch list as the Cardinals LB unit doesn’t exactly jump out as dominant.

Josey Jewell, LB DEN

Jewell couldn’t have landed in a worse situation as he’ll more than likely be behind Todd Davis and that role is pretty much a two-down role that doesn’t contribute much in IDP. Like most of these LBs, Jewell will see most of his action on special teams to start his career. If you’re a fan of Jewell then draft him, otherwise I’ll pass in drafts.

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