Dynasty Rookie IDP: Day Three Review
Day three of the NFL Draft. Where the diamonds in the rough are found. The 2023 NFL Draft is in the books and we’ll take a look at the IDPs taken who can help stock the shelves of the defensive side of your pantry. This was a good draft to build depth.
Day two and three had more defenders fly off the board. So, who can we get excited about in 2023 and beyond?
Adetomiwa Adebawore, DT/DE, Indianapolis Colts
Can play on the edge and kick inside as a three-technique. I’m surprised he was a day three pick and thought he’d go sooner. Great hand-eye coordination.
He played his best football in 2022 when he lined up over the B-gap and outside the tackle. The Colts brought in Samson Ebukam during free agency, but I think he’ll have the opportunity to carve out a role as a 3rd end or interior lineman behind DeForest Bucker and Grover Stewart.
Brings a powerful bull rush and gets low. If he can improve his hand usage, he’ll develop into a starting-caliber three-tech.
Isaiah McGuire, DE, Cleveland Browns
The Browns need help along the defensive line, with an emphasis on edge rushers. The Browns took Alex Wright last season, but I think McGuire brings some versatility.
He’s a boom or bust athlete, but can play anywhere along the line. Line him up outside the tackle, or slot him inside and allow him to use his pass-rush moves on the interior. Productive during his time with Missouri. Generated a 13.4% pressure over the 2021/2022 seasons, and produced a 26% win rate last season – beating his blockers in fewer than 2.5 seconds.
McGuire is bendy and has a good dip/rip move. He also uses his speed-to-power to catch opposing linemen off guard. Doesn’t have the quickness or first step, so will have to rely on power and moveset. Plays low, so he’ll always have a role in the NFL. Just needs to develop a secondary move, which I’m hoping Jim Schwartz can get out of him.
I think he’ll be able to compete for some rotational snaps in 2023 with the opportunity for more volume in 2024 and beyond.
Owen Pappoe, LB, Arizona Cardinals
Usually, the desert is where linebackers go to flounder for IDP, but I low-key don’t mind this landing spot for Pappoe. How can you not like an LB with 4.4 speed who can lay the wood.
I actually think he has better range in man and zone coverage than Isaiah Simmons. He’s twitchy and plus sideline-to-sideline range. He’s a big hitter and has the athleticism to run with tight ends and pass catching running backs. Produced an 11.3% tackle rate in his senior season.
He just needs to be more proactive when diagnosing and making the play happen. The Cardinals are making some moves around the defense, including Zaven Collins working on the edge. Pappoe could be in the mix at off-ball LB. I’m not scared off by Simmons, who as of this writing hasn’t had his fifth-year option picked up, or Kyzir White.
Nick Herbig, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh loves their Wisconsin defenders. The Steelers add the former Badger edge rusher. He might be used on pass-rushing situations early on, he could transition to off-ball LB.
He worked out with off-ball LBs at the Combine, but could start outside on the edge. He’s flexible around the edge and has plus lateral movement and is fluid in his change of direction. 30 TFLs over his last two seasons at Wisconsin. He’s slithery and is going to catch opposing offensive linemen off guard. His near 20% pressure rate while at Wisconsin is going to be hard to ignore.
I think Herbig ends up transitioning to an off-ball LB at some point during his tenure with Pittburgh, but brings pass rushing upside.
Jammie Robinson, S, Carolina Panthers
I love Jammie Robinson as a player, but I’m not so sure about his landing spot in Carolina. The Panthers brought in Vonn Bell in free agency, and they still have Xavier Woods, Eric Rowe, and Jeremy Chinn.
We’ll see if Jammie has the talent to move up the depth chart. Robinson has the makings of a Pro Bowl safety, but when will that opportunity present itself?
He had a consistent increase in tackle production and recorded a 12.4% tackle rate last season with just seven missed tackles. He has the size of a free safety, but the abilities of a box/slot DB.
I think his landing spot presents value and you might be able to get him at the tail end of your rookie draft and stash him on your taxi.
Antonio Johnson, S, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jaguars got great value with the former Aggie, Antonio Johnson. I think potential Johnson owners in dynasty will get that same value. Although he had an issue with misses, I’m hoping he clean up his technique in the NFL.
He’s a playmaker around the line of scrimmage and is a slot/safety hybrid. Johnson recorded 13.5 TFLs between the 2021 and 2022 seasons. He played his best up on the slot and in the box.
He tends to be overaggressive, which leads to missed plays. If he can reel that in, he’s going to be a dangerous defender. He won’t back down from tight ends and slithers his way through traffic to hit running backs or snuff out screens.
He’ll compete with Rayshawn Jenkins for one of the safety spots. I really like his long-term outlook.
- Dynasty Rookie IDP: Day Three Review - April 30, 2023
- 2022 Post-NFL Draft IDP Rookie Sleepers for Dynasty Fantasy Football - May 3, 2022
- Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie IDP NFL Draft Review: Day Two - April 30, 2022
