2022 IDP Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookies: Top Landing Spots for Linebackers
The countdown to the 2022 NFL Draft is hours away. Hopefully, you’ve done the research, read the profiles, watched some highlights and tape, and are now prepared to head into your rookie drafts.
For those who play in IDP leagues, landing spots for defensive players may be just as vital as offensive players. Over the last two seasons, we’ve seen rookie defenders get eased onto the field and see limited snaps from the outset.
Landing spots are a bit complex and there are a wide range of factors to look at when projecting teams. Looking at depth charts can be a bit overwhelming, but there are quite a few teams who need talent at all positions and I do think this draft class is loaded with players who have a clear path to snaps, as early as this season.
In these articles, I look at the ideal landing spots for the IDPs you should be targeting in your rookie drafts.
Next up…
Linebacker
Chad Muma, LB Wyoming
Ideal Landing Spot: Jacksonville Jaguars
I know the Jaguars spent a ton of money on Foyesade Oluokun, but I’d love Muma to end up in Jacksonville. I think he’d slot in as a three-down LB who can do it all. He showed steady improvement and development during his four years at Wyoming.
The Jaguars are starved for talent at LB, and while they opened the vault for Oluokun, there are deficiencies in his game – mainly coverage. Jacksonville just lost Myles Jack and Damien Wilson, which represents nearly 1,800 vacated snaps. Plus, those two struggled in coverage as well. Muma would bring athleticism and intelligence to the LB room.
From an IDP standpoint, Muma was a tackling machine in 2021. He produced a 15.8% tackle rate – resulting in 142 tackles, including 85 solos. Over three seasons, he missed a tackle in every 13.5 attempts. He can cover ground quickly and won’t overshoot plays. He also represents an improvement in coverage and getting to the QB. He’ll need to develop some physicality. Scouts will glom on to the fact he didn’t face any Power Five team in 2021.
He’s a true three-down LB and held up to 899 defensive snaps in 2021. If he lands on the Jaguars, I don’t see any reason why he couldn’t be a full-time LB right out of the gate. He’ll certainly see the field for the majority of the snaps – sooner than later. Muma is my LB1 in rookie drafts and has the chance to be a top-ten overall LB this season.
Leo Chenal, LB Wisconsin
Ideal Landing Spot: Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers released Joe Schobert and signed Myles Jack from Jacksonville to play alongside Devin Bush and Robert Spillane. Pittsburgh have struggled to find an ILB who had the presence in the middle like Ryan Shazier. Leo Chenal could be that guy.
Jack and Bush aren’t an intimidating duo. Bush took a step back in 2021 and Pittsburgh declined to pick up his fifth-year option. Jack was signed to a two-year deal, but we all know how those deals can go. These two are going to be a sieve against the run.
This is where Chenal would improve the defense – overall. He works best when running downhill and can take on opposing offensive linemen and run them backward. He’s instinctive and reacts to plays and once he gets in space, can track down any ball carrier – especially RBs coming out of the backfield. He had an impact at the line of scrimmage – recording 18.5 TFLs. He produced an 18.9% tackle rate in 2021 – resulting in 115 tackles. He showed as a blitzer, which would be welcomed by TJ Watt. He generated a 25.4% pressure rate, which resulted in eight sacks and QB hits. He’s comfortable in coverage and admits it’s an aspect of his game he needs to improve – especially route identification.
Chenal is a thumper and is an NFL off-ball LB who can also get to the QB – very similar to Micah Parsons. I have him as my LB4 among this season’s rookie LBs.
Darrian Beavers, LB Cincinnati
Ideal Landing Spot: Las Vegas Raiders
After opening the checkbook for Cory Littleton, and taking a chance on Denzel Perryman, the Raiders are still looking for help at linebacker. Divine Deablo could slot in as one of the LBs or play more as an in-the-box-safety.
The Raiders are looking for that bigger-framed linebacker who can help cover tight ends and bigger running backs, and I think Beavers has that profile. Littleton was a failed experiment and Vegas moved on from him. Perryman is really just a run thumper.
Beavers lined up mostly on the right-side, which in most instances, is the weaker side of the offense. When he rushed, he was on the left side. His frame and coverage ability should allow him to keep with tight ends. He gets deep and scans the QBs eyes. I think he projects well in Patrick Graham’s scheme – he shows similar pass-rush traits to Azeez Ojulari but is a run thumping off-ball LB.
Beavers recorded an 11.1% tackle rate, but his missed tackles were a concern (17). Graham is going to love to send him on blitzes and was effective in that role, generating an 18.6% pressure rate in 2021. Although he had three misses against Alabama, he had two pressures – including a sack. He should hold up well to the rigors of the NFL. He could get outrun, but if he takes a good angle, and sheds blocks, he’ll get to the ball carrier.
I think the Raiders could be Beavers’s best spot and he should be able to carve out a role in 2021. A true full-time role may not come until 2023, but he is worth drafting in rookie drafts.
Devin Lloyd, LB Utah
Ideal Landing Spot: Houston Texans/New York Giants
If Houston passes on an edge rusher, I think they need an athletic off-ball linebacker who can make plays from anywhere on the field. The Giants could use the same, as well. They need a playmaker opposite Blake Martinez.
The Texans and Giants have holes at LB. Christian Kirksey is going to be 30 heading into 2022 and the rest of the group is a medley of ‘meh’ talent. We saw the Giants’ LBs when Martinez was lost for the season – it wasn’t pretty.
Devin Lloyd is a three-down player from day one. Like the Usos, Lloyd will line ‘em all up and knock ‘em all down. He was a tackle machine at Utah and recorded a 13% tackle rate – resulting in 110 tackles in 2021. He brought his presence to the line of scrimmage with 22 TFLs. Not only is he a run stopper, he’s a solid blitzer and in cover linebacker. Something the Texans and Giants desperately need – a three tool playmaker in the second level. He’ll beat you with his speed, power, and intelligence.
He’s guy you don’t have take off the field, so he’ll be a three-down the minute he steps into an NFL locker room. He’s shaping up to be my LB2 of the rookie class.
Channing Tindall, LB Georgia
Ideal Landing Spot: Chicago Bears
This could lead to a potential pairing of two former Bulldogs. The LB depth behind Roquan Smith, in the words of King Schultz from Django Unchained, is dubious at best.
The Bears brought in Nicholas Morrow off the streets and there’s a smattering of ‘JAGs’ on the roster. Smith has been carrying the defense since his rookie year and could use a reliable running mate who can make tackles and get to the QB.
The UGA LB room was impressive and should place three ‘backers in the NFL. I really like Tindall’s makeup and speed. I didn’t pay too much attention to his combine numbers, I just watched him play and the kid can fly and he has plus closing speed. He saw a 500% increase in playing time from 2020 to the 2021 season. He recorded a 14.1% tackle rate – resulting in 67 tackles over his 474 defensive snaps. No one is going to beat him to the sidelines and he’s not going to miss – he had just five missed tackles last season. His blitzing ability is an underrated aspect of his game and he runs through everyone.
It may take a season or two for him to become a full-time player, however, he’s a great taxi squad guy. You’ll be able to get him later on in your rookie draft as a nice stash.
Zakoby McClain, LB Auburn
Ideal Landing Spot: Baltimore Ravens
We’ll see how the Patrick Queen experiment continues to progress, but the Ravens still need LB help in the middle.
Baltimore hired Zachary Orr as their LB coach. Orr, I believe, is going to be a positive influence on these younger kids along with Josh Bynes. Bynes is going to be 32 heading into this season, so I don’t think he’s long for the league and is on a one-year deal. Queen hasn’t had any talk regarding any extensions either.
Zakoby McClain plays bigger than his frame and is very sturdy. He has a quick stutter step to get lateral and will move between gaps to get to the ball carrier. He also has active hands to fend off blocks. He has improved in blitzing and coverage from 2018 through his senior year. McClain is a productive linebacker and just needs to improve his coverage abilities. He recorded a 15.8% over his 2020/2021 seasons, however, his missed tackles doubled between that span – eight to 16.
If he lands in Baltimore, the path to snaps might be crowded in 2022, however, he could be a solid IDP producer starting in 2023. He’s a tackle machine and if he develops in coverage, he could be a full-time guy eventually.
Brandon Smith, LB Penn State
Ideal Landing Spot: New York Jets
I think the Jets would make sense for a lot of these linebackers, and any of them could play right away. If the Jets choose to address other positions, they could look to Brandon Smith in the mid-rounds.
CJ Mosley hasn’t had a dependable track record over the last few seasons. 2021 was his first full season since 2018. Quincy Williams made tackles, but is a liability on the field. The Jets are going to need someone athletic on the field.
Brandon Smith played a more traditional off-ball LB in 2021 and appeared in nearly 800 defensive snaps. Smith has the size and frame for the position and moves with very little effort. He’ll be able to hang with tight ends and running backs, and, is above average in man coverage. He just needs to improve his processing and diagnose plays quicker. Film study will help. He recorded a 10.5% tackle rate, but missed on 15, so his rate could have been higher. He needs to clean up the misses and play in control.
Depending on his landing spot, he could eventually earn his way into a starting role. Teams are going to love his athleticism and upside, and I think he could carve out a role quicker with the Jets given their issues at the position.
Quay Walker, LB Georgia
Ideal Landing Spot: Washington Commanders
The Commanders need some help at LB. As of now, they’re heading into the season with Cole Holcomb, Jamin Davis, David Mayo, and Khaleke Hudson. It’s not a room teeming with elite talent.
Holcomb didn’t do anything special in 2021. From an IDP standpoint, he was a solid producer, however, his play told otherwise and he doesn’t have the skillset that makes him untouchable. As of now, I would expect him to hold down his role as play-caller this season, but he’s set to be a free agent at the end of the season. Washington weren’t enamored with Jamin Davis, so it’s entirely possible they look to cut their losses on the former first-round pick.
Quay Walker would represent an upgrade to the room, even with just one year of starting under his belt. Washington would be getting one of the best tacklers in the draft, as Walker has missed seven tackles over three seasons. He’s a better coverage LB than Nakobe Dean and has similar explosiveness. He’ll also keep up with athletic tight ends. Walker isn’t reckless and knows where to go. He’s a better blitzer and generated a 21.6% pressure rate. He just needs to study up so he can diagnose what’s coming next.
Walker recorded an 11% tackle rate during the 2021 season and a 13% tackle rate over the two CFB playoff games. If he lands in Washington, it won’t matter if they run a 4-3, as he’s scheme agnostic and can adapt and make plays in any defense. He’s a three-down player and could see significant snaps in 2022 and play himself into a full-time role in 2023. I like Walker as the LB5 in this class.
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