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An IDP perspective on the 1st round of the NFL Draft (fantasysharks.com)
24 Days Dee Milliner DB NYJ, Paul Kruger LB CLE, Barkevious Mingo LB CLE, Dion Jordan DL MIA, Antonio Cromartie DB NYJ Comment

Round 1 of the 2013 NFL draft is in the books and the Individual Defensive Player (IDP) landscape has been shifted yet again as we look forward to next season. Positions of need have been addressed and the big name talents we have been evaluating and pontificating over for months are now finding their NFL homes.

Just where their fantasy value lies is yet to be truly determined as there are veterans who will not give their jobs up easily and rookie prospects that fade under the pressure of being in the big show.

Here is an initial quick-hitting look at the IDP prospects drafted in the first round and just what fantasy value they may hold heading into the 2013 season.

Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Miami: The Dolphins jumped up to the third overall pick to secure their bookend pass rushing threat opposite Cameron Wake. Jordan can also drop into coverage or be a pass rushing outside linebacker option when the Dolphins run their hybrid 3-4 defensive look.

Jordan may start training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list (shoulder surgery) but will be ready to go for Week 1 and figures to log plenty of snaps as a rookie. He is a superb athlete with a burst off the edge that will enable him to rack up nice sack totals and has the sideline-to-sideline speed to also be effective in defending the run.

His designation will determine his fantasy value and it would suit IDP owners better if he is designated as a defensive end as his tackle totals as an outside linebacker may put a cap on his value.

Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah, DE, Detroit: The Lions stood pat at No. 5 and watched the big three offensive tackles go off the board before their selection. As a consolation prize, the freakishly athletic 6-foot-5, 271-pound Ansah will do just nicely, thank you.

Ansah fills an immediate need at the defensive end position with the loss of Kyle Vanden Bosch and Cliff Avril as pass rushers. He is still a bit raw as a latecomer to football but his 62 tackles (13 for a loss) and 4� 1/2 sacks last season illustrate what Detroit sees in him. Pencil him in as a starter from Day 1 as a pass rushing specialist who is solid against the run along the defensive front for the Lions and a DL3 out of the gate.

Barkevious Mingo, OLB/DE, Cleveland: Mingo is an ideal fit for new defensive coordinator Ray Horton's defense and teams with the newly acquired Paul Kruger and Jabaal Sheard (unless the Browns deal him) to give the Browns three athletic, edge speed rushers.

He will assume an outside...

Paul Kruger LB CLE
2 Months Cleveland Browns Comment

Browns agreed to terms with OLB Paul Kruger on a five-year, $41 million contract.

It reportedly includes $20 million guaranteed. It's a generous haul for a four-year veteran with just 15.5 career sacks, but probably not what Kruger had in mind before the start of free agency. Kruger will line up opposite OLB Jabaal Sheard in new DC Ray Horton's attacking 3-4 defense. Kruger's signing leaves Cliff Avril as the lone remaining pass-rushing jewel on the open market.

Paul Kruger LB CLE
2 Months Cleveland Browns Comment

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora considers the Browns "almost certain" to land free agent Paul Kruger.

La Canfora is calling the union a near certainty after the Baltimore Sun reported the Browns were "closing in" on the pass rusher Tuesday morning. We anticipate Kruger approaching $10 million in annual value on his Browns deal.

Paul Kruger LB CLE
2 Months Cleveland Browns Comment

Sources tell the Baltimore Sun that the Browns are "closing in" on free agent OLB Paul Kruger.

Paul Kruger LB CLE
2 Months Cleveland Browns Comment

FoxSports.com's Peter Schrager hears that the Browns, Colts, and Saints are all "very interested" in free agent OLB Paul Kruger.

Schrager tweets that we could see an "old fashion bidding war" on Tuesday. The Browns and Colts have been known Kruger pursuers for the past week, but the Saints are a new team added to the mix. New Orleans is up against the cap right now, but they're expected to clear room before the market opens. The more competition, the better for Kruger's wallet.

Paul Kruger LB CLE
2 Months Cleveland Browns Comment

NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah passes along a "a lot of buzz out there" about the Browns being "VERY" aggressive in free agency.

The Browns are among the league leaders in salary cap space and have been connected to a large chunk of free agents via the media. Paul Kruger is believed to be their top target. They may also buy one of the most expensive cornerbacks.

Paul Kruger LB CLE
2 Months Cleveland Browns Comment

The Baltimore Sun reports the Colts and Browns will soon engage in a "bidding war" for free agent OLB Paul Kruger.

The Browns have been "particularly aggressive" on both Kruger and Cliff Avril since Saturday morning's negotiating window opened. One source predicted Kruger will command $10 million to $12 million per year. Both Cleveland and Indianapolis are flush with cap space and need pass-rush help. It's conceivable that the Kruger will go to the Colts and Avril to the Browns, or vice versa.

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