Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie IDP NFL Draft Review: Day Two

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The second night of the draft was definitely more defensive focused, so for those in IDP leagues, it was a glorious night. In the end, we were rewarded with both great and questionable landing spots for defenders. However, there are quite a few defenders we can get excited about as we head into the 2022 season.

Here’s a recap of day two and a look at how the players selected could impact their teams and their dynasty outlook.

Logan Hall, DT/DE TB

The Bucs add a solid pass rusher who’s still a bit raw. Tampa has addressed pass rush in bits and pieces over the last few seasons, but mostly relying on Jason Pierre-Paul and Shaq Barrett. The Bucs were still a top-10 team in sacks in 2021.

Hall should mostly line up in the B-gap (over the guard) and is going to be a matchup nightmare for most opposing guards. He fits in well with the Bucs mentality of getting to the quarterback. Hall has a good bull-rush and just runs through his opponents.

He should see snaps on the interior and edge, but the Bucs will likely utilize his length on the outside over the tackle. I think he’ll eventually play into a starting role. He’s a disruptor on the line of scrimmage – recording 13 tackles for loss and seven sacks while generating a 10.3% pressure rate. If he has DT eligibility, he should play into a solid DT2/3.

Jalen Pitre, S HOU

The consensus All-American comes in and should help a Houston defense desperate for playmakers.

Houston has some JAGS on their roster and lost Justin Reid to the Chiefs in free agency as well. Pitre is a multi-faceted safety who can play all over the field. Pitre started as a role player, however, developed into a starter and appeared in 909 defensive snaps for the Baylor Bears. He has tremendous range and is a ballhawk. He’ll also man the box, and slot and make impact plays at the line of scrimmage.

Pitre had 29.5 TFLs between 2020 and 2021, along with nine total defended passes and four picks. I like the spot in Houston and should see significant snaps right out of the gate in 2022. I would have Pitre ranked above Lewis Cine, but just behind Kyle Hamilton for the top IDP safety.

Arnold Ebiketie, DE ATL

The Falcons need a boost on the edge and are a team bereft of talent. I think they got one with Ebiketie. He’s a strong and athletic prospect and has the motor to get to the quarterback. Ebiketie made the transfer to Penn State and appeared in 741 regular season snaps, generating a 13.9% pressure rate, resulting in 18 TFLs and 9.5 sacks. I’d say that qualifies as some pass rush help. He produced a win rate of 34.7% – so he was beating blockers in fewer than 2.5 seconds.

I think the landing spot puts Ebiketie in the conversation as the DL4 – even above Travon Walker. His path to snaps shouldn’t be too daunting and has a productive dynasty outlook,

Boye Mafe, EDGE SEA

I really like the spot here for Mafe. He was one of my favorite edge prospects coming out. I thought he’d land in Dallas, but Seattle snagged him in the second round. The Seahawks added Uchenna Owusu in free agency and they’ll pair Mafe with him and Darrell Taylor.

Mafe is a pass rush specialist, so we’ll see if he can develop into a full-time or three-down player in Seattle. There’s no doubt he can get to the quarterback, and was efficient in a pass rush role with the Golden Gophers. Mafe generated a 16.8% pressure rate in 2021, resulting in seven sacks and nine quarterback hits.

He produced a 25% win rate and just line him up outside the tackle. He beats the tackles with his get off the snap and should fit into Seattle’s system as a SAM linebacker or as a wide-9 on the edge. Just let him get a head start and use his hands and explosiveness.

He should see rotational and pass rush situations at the outset. Should be looked as a top-10 DE/EDGE prospect in dynasty.

Andrew Booth, CB MIN

The Vikings get a solid corner with a good ball skills. If you look at the Vikings’ depth chart at the corner position, you can make an argument he’s the best cornerback on the roster.

Inconsistencies caused him to drop into the second, but I do think the Vikings got a solid shut down corner. He had five picks over his last two seasons and allowed a 54.5% catch rate. He’s patient, but just needs coached up on technique – especially leaving his feet. He should play his way into a starting role and has a solid landing spot. He’ll be a target in CB-required leagues.

David Ojabo, EDGE BAL

The Ravens draft another solid football player in Ojabo. Had he not tore his Achilles’ on his Pro Day, he would have been a first round pick. In the end, Ojabo goes from one Harbaugh to another.

You could see the development from 2020 to 2021, which is scary considering he hasn’t played football for very long. Ojabo has busy hands and forced five fumbles as well. He’ll line up on the edge over the tackle and fits the Ravens mold. He’ll be beat blockers with his athleticism and twitchiness. He generated a 14.9% pressure rate – resulting in 11 sacks and seven quarterback hits.

He’ll probably redshirt this season, but should be ready to go for 2023. I’m not scared off by the Achilles. Hopefully, he doen’t have LB designation in your league and has either the DE/EDGE. He’s one of the top-five edge rushers in rookie drafts and I’d still consider him as such. I like the landing spot in Baltimore and will compliment Odafe Oweh and Tyus Bowser.

Jaquan Brisker, S, CHI

Bears fans might have wanted a wide receiver here, but Chicago went defense and nabbed Jaquan Brisker to help in their secondary.

Eddie Jackson does a nice job of manning the defensive backfield, but Brisker will add a presence to the second-level of the defense. He’s a really good run stopper and is an irresistible force when run into. He should be presence near the line of scrimmage, as he played 433 box snaps in 2021 and is decent in coverage.

I like the spot here in Chicago for Brisker. He should have a chance to complete for snaps as the box safety/second-safety this season. He’ll need to improve coverage and not fall for the quarterback’s eyes. I’m hoping Chicago puts him in position to make plays on the ball. Just put Brisker  around the ball carrier. He’s my S3 in rookie drafts.

Sam Williams, EDGE DAL

The Cowboys needed some help with their pass rush and they got it with Williams. Dallas lost Randy Gregory to the Broncos, however, Dante Fowler can be inconsistent. Dorance Armstrong had a solid season, and there’s Demarcus Lawrence,  but it’s not a group that’s going to cause opposing offensive linemen to lose sleep. I think Dallas wants to play Micah Parsons more at traditional off-ball LB and use him occasionally to get to the quarterback.

Williams will be a target in big play scoring leagues. He has trouble setting the edge on the run, but can chase down players in space and the flat. His first step is elite. He gets consistent pressure and had just one game of fewer than four quarterback pressures. Williams generated a 14.2% pressure rate – resulting in 12.5 sacks.

He’s a pure pass rusher and should be a target in big play scoring formats where tackles may be devalued. He may go way late in rookie drafts or undrafted.

Troy Andersen, LB ATL

He’s a versatile athlete and should plug in the gap at linebackers left due to the departure of Foyesade Oluokun.  This hurts Mykal Walker’s IDP value this season, as he’ll now have some legit competition for snaps opposite Deion Jones.

Andersen is a converted quarterback who has tremendous burst and closing speed on the ball. He has a sturdy linebacker build, but needs to get physical and mix it up and welcome contact. He was a tackle machine with Montana State, as he recorded 112 tackles – resulting in a 13% tackle rate.

He’ll be worth a late round pick in your rookie draft. I do like the potential fit with Atlanta’s scheme. Might take a year or two, but should play more on the right side of the defense – the weaker side.

Drake Jackson, DE SF

The 49ers were looking for someone opposite Nick Bosa, and they might have found his running mate.

Jackson started as a true freshman and played 633 snaps in 2019. Last season, he saw 179 pass rush snaps and generated a 14.5% pressure rate, but didn’t have the sack production matching the pressure rate. He’s got to get some power, but he can get to the quarterback. Simply put, he has that bend you look for in an edge rusher.

He’s still young, just turning 21, but should develop into full-time player. He does a great job avoiding the blocks and should compliment Nick Bosa. He’s a big play scoring target, as he doesn’t offer much against the run. As long as he has DE/EDGE positions, he’s a solid add to your DL depth. I like the spot and scheme here, as the 49ers got a real good player here.

Bryan Cook, S KC

The Chiefs lost a leader and physical presence in Tyrann Mathieu, but I think they get that player in the form of Cook.

Cook can play physical and shows up in big games against big time competition, so the bright lights of the NFL shouldn’t scare him away. He can play in the box, one of his strengths, as well as deep. He’ll also come in and play the slot, as well. He’s one of the fundamentally sound tacklers of the entire draft – as he has just 15 total missed tackles over four seasons of football. He’ll help in the run game, as he just sees the run develop like it’s the Matrix. He can track the ball and has a nice jump point. Kansas needed more help in the secondary and they got it with Cook. He’s my S4 among the rookies.

Nik Bonitto, EDGE DEN

The Broncos are still trying to fill the hole left by Von Miller. They still have Bradley Chubb, however, he’s still a health risk. Denver was able to add Randy Gregory from Dallas and Malik Reed has been serviceable. There’s also been talk of moving Baron Browning down to the edge, but they may not have to.

Unless Denver moves one of these guys, the upside may be capped on Bonitto. His path to snaps aren’t clear. He’s a talented edge rusher and generated a 19.8% pressure rate over just 263 pass rush snaps. He’s twitchy and is going to test the get off of opposing tackles. He also improvises and takes in what the tackles give him to make his move. He has average length and gets eaten into blocks.

Bonitto might be a stash. I like the talent, but he landed in a crowded group. There are edge rushers just as talented who landed in better spots.

Brian Asamoah, LB MIN

The Vikings still have Eric Kendricks, and added Jordan Hicks during free agency. The Vikes coaching staff really liked Hicks, so I could see Kendricks and Hicks getting the majority of the snaps this season.

Brian Asamoah is a speedy linebacker who can fly. His sideline-to-sideline range is among the quickest of this class and it allows him to make plays on the ball. He improved his tackling from 2020 to 2021, as he missed just seven tackles (compared to 12 the season before). I loved his 2021 tackle rate of 14.6%. He has the makeup of a safety, so he’ll need to be kept clean. He’s a stash, as I think he’ll have a chance to compete for a role in 2023 and beyond.

Chad Muma, LB JAX

I am confused here. Jags opened the vault for Foyesade Oluokun and took Devin Lloyd later in the first round. Then, they come back in the 3rd and instead of doing anything for Trevor Lawrence, they take another off-ball in Chad Muma.

Muma is a tackling machine and is like a magnet for the ball, and had the Jaguars not drafted Devin Lloyd, he would have been my LB1. He doesn’t over-run plays and has really good instincts.

As of now, he’s a stash in dynasty and I’m off of him in 2022 redraft. He’ll probably end up falling in your rookie draft, so he’ll become a value pick later on in rookie drafts.

Christian Harris, LB HOU

The Texans are a team still in need of decent linebacker play. Zach Cunningham didn’t work, and Christian Kirksey is a play away from IR. They liked Kamu Grugier-Hill, but he’s only a one-year deal.

Harris is a football player and has been starting for the Crimson Tide since 2019 and appeared in over 900 defensive snaps in 2021. He has the body and make-up to be a three-down linebacker in the NFL. He’ll need improve coverage and could exposed in Houston. They’ll need to simplify coverges for him. He finishes and explodes into tackles and can really do anything that’s asked of him.

I think Harris has a clear path to snaps starting this season. He may not play a lot, but should be drafted in your rookie drafts and could compete for a three-down role starting in 2023.

Alex Wright, DE CLE

With question marks surrounding the Browns’ options as Myles Garrett’s running mate, Wright could earn his way into playing time. This could change with a Jadeveon Clowney signing.

Cleveland also added Chase Winovich during free agency, but that’s not going to move the needle. Alex Wright is a pass rush specialist who generated a 19.5% pressure rate and 41.5% win rate. He could have been a higher-rated prospect had he gone to one of the power schools.

Browns hope he’ll develop into a contributor. More of a taxi squad stash in dynasty, but I don’t hate the spot for him, potentially for the long-term. He has the traits, he just needs to be coached up.

Nakobe Dean, LB PHI

Dean had quite the freefall. He went from a potential top-ten pick, to a possible first rounder, then finally got picked in the fourth-round in the end.

I don’t care what his size is, the kid can play football and has the speed and range to get to the ball, quickly. As Yoda says, “Judge me by my size, do you?” He can diagnose in the run and pass. Keep Dean clean, and he’ll  make the plays. Luckily, he has former teammate Jordan Davis doing exactly that. He’s an efficient pass-rusher, generating a 23.8% pressure rate. He’ll definitely play faster than his measureables show. Keep him on the weaker side.

I like the spot here for Dean. Kyzir White is on just a one-year deal and TJ Edwards could potentially be an UFA at the end of the season, as well.  There were concerns about Dean’s medicals, but if he shows that he’s healthy, this could be one of the steals of the draft. The risk is worth the upside with his landing spot.

Channing Tindall, LB MIA

I don’t mind the spot here for Tindall. Miami has struggled finding an linebacker who can play opposite Jerome Baker.

Tindall has elite speed and he’s not going to get beat anywhere on the field. He closes in on the ball and runs through the carrier as well. He’s a solid blitzer and he won’t miss on many tackles, so there won’t be as many misses to clean up at the second-level. He can blitz, spy and stuff the run. I like the spot here for Tindall as he could see anywhere between 75%-80% of the snaps opposite Baker. I think he’s shaping up to be a top-five linebacker in rookie drafts.

Leo Chenal, LB KC

I don’t like the spot here for Chenal. The Chiefs rotate linebacker and he’s a liability in coverage, so he’s going to come off the field in passing downs for Steve Spagnuolo.The Chiefs are already relatively young at LB with Willie Gay and Nick Bolton. I loved Chenal pre-draft, but this is the worst possible scenario for him for IDP.