Ranking the rookie LINEBACKERS, post draft

[lukkynumber13]

This first tier is the only group of guys that are essentially guaranteed starting gigs going into week 1:
1. Hassan Reddick, Cardinals
2. Jarrad Davis, Lions
3. Reuben Foster, 49ers

This next pair of LBs consists of 2 really good (albeit very different) prospects, with great draft pedigree - but there's a chance you find yourself in a Shaq Thompson scenario if you draft one of them:
4. Zach Cunningham, Texans
5. Raekwon McMillan, Dolphins

This is another pair of very different prospects. Both have solid draft pedigree & are very athletic, but both landed in slightly messy spots as far as surrounding LB talent. And beware of Anzalone: while he has the skill to start somewhere in NOLA, he can't stay healthy.
6. Duke Riley, Falcons
7. Alex Anzalone, Saints

This last trio is comprised of 3 dudes who have varying degrees of talent, don't have a ton in front of them on their respective depth charts, but their draft pedigree means their teams aren't super invested. So take that into consideration:
8. Anthony Walker, Colts
9. Marquel Lee, Raiders
10. Jayon Brown, Titans

[Team Tacos]

Pretty much agree with this one as well, though I might switch Hassan and Jarrad. No Jalen Reeves-Maybin?

This first tier is the only group of guys that are essentially guaranteed starting gigs going into week 1:
1. Hassan Reddick, Cardinals
2. Jarrad Davis, Lions
3. Reuben Foster, 49ers

This next pair of LBs consists of 2 really good (albeit very different) prospects, with great draft pedigree - but there's a chance you find yourself in a Shaq Thompson scenario if you draft one of them:
4. Zach Cunningham, Texans
5. Raekwon McMillan, Dolphins

This is another pair of very different prospects. Both have solid draft pedigree & are very athletic, but both landed in slightly messy spots as far as surrounding LB talent. And beware of Anzalone: while he has the skill to start somewhere in NOLA, he can't stay healthy.
6. Duke Riley, Falcons
7. Alex Anzalone, Saints

This last trio is comprised of 3 dudes who have varying degrees of talent, don't have a ton in front of them on their respective depth charts, but their draft pedigree means their teams aren't super invested. So take that into consideration:
8. Anthony Walker, Colts
9. Marquel Lee, Raiders
10. Jayon Brown, Titans

[Dyno_7]

If Reeves-Maybin is healthy, he may have an excellent chance to start next to Davis. Whitehead may get first crack at it, and JRM may split some snaps. But, a hunch says he will eventually start as the season progresses.

[lukkynumber13]

If I was doing more than 10, Reeves-Mabin would've probably been #11.

I like his talent, I like his draft pedigree (higher than I would've predicted, honestly), don't love his landing spot.

[bruiser]

Haassan Reddick likely to be rotational player. Who would he start over? Chandler Jones, Deonne Bucannon, Karlos Dansby, or Markus Golden? He is a future starter, sure, but Week 1 is only if there is an injury. My 2 cents.

Reuben Foster needs surgery and will miss the 2017 season (see Ragland, Jaylon). He's falling in my rookie drafts to pick 25ish.

Jarrad Davis is still my #1 and is off the board around pick 17-20 in my drafts. I didn't own a pick in this range and have missed out on him.

[lukkynumber13]

Haassan Reddick likely to be rotational player. Who would he start over? Chandler Jones, Deonne Bucannon, Karlos Dansby, or Markus Golden? He is a future starter, sure, but Week 1 is only if there is an injury. My 2 cents.

Reuben Foster needs surgery and will miss the 2017 season (see Ragland, Jaylon). He's falling in my rookie drafts to pick 25ish.

I highly doubt Reddick will start out as a reserve. I don't think they will have a problem keeping Dansby on the bench as a reserve, if they liked HR enough to take him at 13.

Where did you hear that Foster will miss the season? I'm not arguing, I just haven't heard that.

[GridironGuerilla]

I'm hearing he could as "a worse case scenario."

[bruiser]

Reddick to start out as a rotational player, not reserve.

So, yesterday, Kyle Shanghan did me a huge favor and stated that Foster's shoulder is still recovering and "at worst could cost him his rookie year." My drafts were nearing the end of the first round when this news broke, and Foster started to slide.

Today, John Lynch comes on ESPN radio and clears up the Shanahan remarks and says that Foster is a freakish athlete and freakish healer, and he keeps wanting to get on the field. Foster is gonna recover in time for training camp. He will be on the field week 1. My 2 cents.

So, now I sit at 2.10 on the clock with my first selection in this draft. Foster is still sitting there staring me down as the top player on my board (J Davis, Reddick, Garrett all gone too). Pending a trade for a player already picked, Foster is all mine.

I hold 2.11 next and there's his 1st round mate, Solomon Thomas. Wow. I'm clicking my heels. I also own 2.16