As OTAs are in full swing it’s time to go ahead and finish
off our look at rookie IDP prospects from the 2015 NFL Draft.
I have never lied to you folks and I will not start now (unless
it involved money I owe you and then it’s a gray area).
It gets thin quick for IDP players that have a reasonable
shot at contributing right out of the gate.
For the most part, we have mentioned when players have more
dynasty than redraft value and which names to watch on the waiver wire.
Obviously, in rookie only drafts there will be players drafted that I have
chosen not to mention here due to the depth of rosters.
What we have tried to do for the most part in this series is
to highlight names that are the most likely to contribute sooner rather than
later.
Without further ado…
Owa Odighizuwa,
(UCLA), DE, NEW YORK GIANTS, (
3rd
round
)
: The Giants fill a position of need with the powerful Odighizuwa
joining the defensive front. While “Owa” is already an edge rushing threat
using sheer athleticism, his pass rushing technique can use a little work. The
kid is strong as a horse in setting the edge and will more than hold his own
against the run. Odighizuwa should challenge Robert Ayers (coming off of an
injury), George Selvie and Damontre Moore for playing time earlier rather than
later. He is an excellent early round dynasty draft pick that can be had later
in redraft leagues bringing excellent upside potential as he carves out a role
in the defense.
Eli Harold,
(Virginia), OLB, SAN FRANCISCO 49ers,
(
3rd round
)
: Harold may take a
little time to develop into a fantasy force but the talent is there. The 49ers
defense is in a rebuilding mode and Harold’s ability to play the run should
help him garner playing time early as he gets coached up to be an NFL pass
rushing threat. He has the potential to replace Ahmad Brooks down the line and
is a quality mid-round dynasty draft selection.
Jordan Hicks,
(Texas), ILB, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES,
(
3rd round
): Hicks had struggles with injuries in 2012 and 2013 for the
Longhorns before having a very nice senior season. He isn’t a particularly
hard-hitting player but does play well enough in all facets of the game that he
could eventually secure a three-down role in the NFL. The Eagles have been
shopping Mychal Kendricks and DeMeco Ryans will be 31 years old in July. It may
take a little time for Hicks to bring fantasy relevance as he is mainly a
dynasty stash right now with upside as things shake out in Philadelphia.
Danielle Hunter
(LSU), DE, MINNESOTA VIKINGS,
(
3rd round
): Hunter will bring freakish athleticism to the defensive line
and doesn’t take plays off. He will need to add some more pass rushing moves to
fulfill on his promise but that can be coached up. It may take a little time
for Hunter to earn consistent snaps and his value right now is higher in
dynasty formats. With current starting DE Brian Robison never seeming to quite
get over the hump, look for Hunter to eat into his playing time sooner rather
than later.
Henry Anderson,
(Stanford), DE, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS,
(
3rd round
): Anderson has the opportunity to step in and see significant
snaps right away, as there is not a lot of depth along the defensive line for
the Colts. He’s a high motor kid that plays with excellent power and is an
interior pass rushing presence. Anderson should challenge veteran Kendall
Langford for a starting job by the end of training camp. Draft him late in IDP
drafts as a bye week fill-in and perhaps a plug-and-play matchup option.
Paul Dawson, (TCU),
CINCINNATI BENGALS,
(
3rd round
): A miserable performance at the combine and some tardiness
problems while in college may have led to Dawson falling to the third round. He
is a tackling machine that plays faster in the games than his measurable show
in workouts. The Bengals have a history of taking a chance on players with
‘iffy’ character and may have a steal here. Dawson adds immediate insurance in
case injuries continue to plague Vontaze Burfict (concussion and knee issues
are piling up). At worst, Dawson is a nice dynasty stash with great upside and
as a rookie should at least play in sub packages.
Trey Flowers, (Arkansas),
DE, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS,
(
4th round
): This is a great fit for Flowers, as the Patriots will be
able to rotate him in as a situational pass rushing option right away. Flowers
is also solid in setting the edge against the run which could lead to some
early-down action if necessary. He plays through the whistle and is a hard
working kid that has flashed excellent power. Flowers is a solid late round DE
selection as the position thins out quickly for IDP purposes.
James Sample,
(Louisville), FS, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS,
(
4th round
): Yes, I have even managed to find a defensive back to expound
on. Sample looks to be the heir apparent to current Jacksonville FS Sergio
Brown. The move to the younger player could come sooner rather than later as
Sample plays with a seek and destroy mentality against the run and has flashed
the ball skills to develop into a ball-hawking deep zone safety. Grab him in
dynasty leagues for sure and keep an eye out for Sample on the waiver wire in
redraft formats.
Jake Ryan,
(Michigan), LB, GREEN BAY PACKERS,
(
4th round
): Green Bay has been searching for an answer at ILB since
Desmond Bishop suffered a debilitating leg injury back in 2011. Ryan may just
be the man to fit the bill and garner a starting role right out of the gate.
While a bit undersized, he has the frame to bulk up and a nose for ball. Ryan
also brings versatility to the defense as his cover skills are above average
and he can also bring surprising pressure on the QB if called upon. Ryan can be
selected as a #4 LB in redraft leagues and has the upside to put up #3 LB
fantasy production if he secures a three-down role.
Michael Bennett,
(Ohio State), DT, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS,
(
6th round
): Slated to be a pure “4-3 three-technique” Bennett will be
able to bring consistent pressure in the interior. With Sen’Derrick Marks
recovering from a torn ACL, Bennett should have the chance to play a lot of
snaps right away. He obviously holds higher value in DT-required leagues and
can be plucked off the waiver wire in standard formats if he gets on a roll.
That is it folks. For IDP purposes rounds 5-7 are pretty
slim pickings as far as players we need to draft or keep an eye on.
Will some of the later round prospects bring fantasy value
as rookies? Certainly.
Can we confidently advise owners as to who those players are
likely to be with a level of confidence that costs a draft pick? Nah.
Let another owner try to be the smartest guy in the room and
we’ll continue to select proven commodities.
Keep coming back to Fantasy Sharks as Senior IDP Staff
Writer Gary Davenport and I bring you all the IDP information and advice
to dominate your leagues.
Wally Spurlin is a
Fantasy Football Staff Writer at Fantasy Sharks and a member of the Fantasy
Sports Writer Association (FSWA). Spurlin is also a weekly contributor at
Fantasy Insights. Spurlin’s work has appeared in print publications, including
the FSWA award winning 2014 USA Today Fantasy Football magazine. Follow him on
Twitter @WaltonSpurl
An IDP Evaluation of Rounds 3-7 of the 2015 NFL Draft fantasysharks.comTue 6/2/15 9:00 AM