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Sean Lanigan evaluates the second tier of incoming rookie linebackers to determine which LB carries more fantasy football value in IDP leagues ahead of the 2019 NFL Draft.
With the NFL Draft in the books, we can finally take a look at some of the dynasty rookie IDP players and start to put together our rookie rankings. We now have landing spots and all questions about draft capital investment have been answered.
As is the case with every NFL Draft, there were plenty of surprises. Some players that were barely on the IDP radar have now stormed into the "fantasy-viable" conversation, while others that were highly thought of prospects have plummeted down boards.
We can evaluate talent all we want before the NFL Draft, but landing in a poor spot or not having a team invest significant draft capital in them will hinder their opportunities and can immediately tank their fantasy value. In some cases, elite talent wins out, but usually, lack of investment means that a team is not as committed to getting a player on the field. Let's take a look at some of the risers and fallers following the NFL Draft.
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Germaine Pratt, Cincinnati Bengals
Germaine Pratt was one of the many linebackers that were always going to be fringe fantasy-relevant. He didn't have the talent to overcome poor draft capital or landing in an unfavorable situation. The good news is that Germaine Pratt won in the draft capital department. The Cincinnati Bengals selected him in the second round with the 72nd pick in the NFL Draft. He officially checks that box.
The situation in Cincinnati is a little murky, but there should be plenty of opportunities to beat out one of the incumbent starters. There isn't a transcendent talent between Nick Vigil, Preston Brown, or Jordan Evans, and Germaine Pratt should have every opportunity to beat one of them out and see significant playing time this year.
Preston Brown was just signed to a three-year extension, but the team could potentially cut him next year. This signing looks like it was an insurance policy in case they didn't get one of their guys in the draft. It was common knowledge that the Bengals were interested in Devin Bush, but they took the consolation prize in Germaine Pratt.
Pratt was likely not among your top dynasty IDP rookie linebackers, but he is certainly worth looking at now. Stock up.
Te'Veon Coney, Oakland Raiders
Te'veon Coney was at one point one of the favorite linebackers in the 2019 NFL Draft for many. The NFL disagreed and let Coney fall out of the draft entirely and go undrafted. This completely tanks his stock as an IDP prospect. It's generally not good practice to bet on production from undrafted rookies.
That said, he ended up signing in Oakland, and their linebacker situation is pretty messy right now. They have Vontaze Burfict who is almost certainly going to be injured or suspended at some point this year. They have Tahir Whitehead, who has been productive but uninspiring. They also brought in Brandon Marshall who is coming off a down-year and signed a modest one-year prove-it deal that shows very little confidence in him.
Despite being an undrafted rookie, Coney did land in a decent spot that should yield decent production if he is able to find his way onto the field. The problem will be forcing his way into playing time with almost no real investment from his team. Stock down.
Sione Takitaki, Cleveland Browns
Sione Takitaki landed with the Browns in the third round of the NFL Draft. The draft capital investment is certainly encouraging, but the landing spot isn't exactly desirable. Cleveland has Schobert and Kirksey already on the roster, two serviceable starters, and the team spent a fifth-round pick on fellow rookie Mack Wilson.
The fact that the Browns spent two picks on the linebacker position indicates that they are likely trying to make some changes to the position in the near future, but it is a crowded group right now. Some people have suggested that Mack Wilson fell for reasons other than his on-the-field play, and the gap between Takitaki from a talent perspective may be less than what the draft capital indicates.
Regardless, this is going to be a tough group to sort through before the season starts so, despite the nice draft capital investment from the Cleveland Browns, this may not be the most desirable option for IDP dynasty rookie drafts. That said, they are certainly indicating that they have plans for him in the future.
As a player that was likely pretty far down your board, Sione Takitaki's stock is rising.
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