2014 draft class

[lawilt]

Does anyone see any elite defensive players in this class? Any elite middle lb's?

[breeze]

Well Clowney is the obvious choice for elite DE. Mack and Barr are very explosive pass rushers but they will be OLB and not DE so in fantasy there value will low unless you play in a big play league where sacks are worth a ton. I could see Ealy from Mizzou being a very good DE. De Ford is also an interesting guy depending if he plays OLB or DE. I think he is too small for DE right now but who knows.

For MLB, C.J. Mosley is the obvious choice. I love Skov from Stanford. I think he is a great player. Christian Jones may be a very good MLB too. A guy who I love is Andrew Jackson, he is a big boy and can really play the run. Problem is, he mostly will be a Brandon Spikes player. Great against the run but will only be a 2 play LB and subbed out in nickel formations.

As for DB, Clinton-Dix will be a FS so he may be more valuable in real life than in fantasy. He is a playmaker though. Jimmy Ward may be a nice SS. Safety depends a lot where you land. Example is Cyprien last year. Going to Jax was the best place for fantasy purposes. He can hit the snot out of guys and given that defense, he should be a 100+ tackle safety for many years to come.

[NewtotheBiz]

I'll add Kyle Van Noy at LB. He may be the best tackle-heavy scoring LB in the draft. Can play MLB or WLB. Chris Borland from Wisconsin is another tackle-heavy scoring guy to watch. Really impressed at Senior Bowl practices. Jordie Tripp (Montana) is a guy who will slip into the 4th or 5th rd (maybe further) in your fantasy draft, but is a sleeper to watch.

[Defender]

Going by tape, Kyle Van Noy is a guy who really stands out.

[pack4ever22]

Chris Borland, I will be nabbing him everywhere I can. Watched every one of his games, and while he's not the biggest or fastest, he is strong and the most instinctive player I have ever seen at the college level, he is ALWAYS around the ball and is a tackling and fumble forcing machine. If you doubt me watch his ohio st. film, kid is amazing.

[breeze]

Isn't Van Noy an outside 3-4 LB? I didn't think he was a heavy tackle guy.

[NewtotheBiz]

I think Van Noy is versatile enough to play in either formation. Ideally, he is drafted as a MLB or WLB in a 4-3 though (assuming your scoring system is tackle-heavy).

[failblazer]

Chris Borland, I will be nabbing him everywhere I can. Watched every one of his games, and while he's not the biggest or fastest, he is strong and the most instinctive player I have ever seen at the college level, he is ALWAYS around the ball and is a tackling and fumble forcing machine. If you doubt me watch his ohio st. film, kid is amazing.

This! Kid will get dinged for his combine performance, which I'm guessing will be pedestrian but if he goes somewhere that he can start, he'll put up numbers.

[Matticus]

Chris Borland, I will be nabbing him everywhere I can. Watched every one of his games, and while he's not the biggest or fastest, he is strong and the most instinctive player I have ever seen at the college level, he is ALWAYS around the ball and is a tackling and fumble forcing machine. If you doubt me watch his ohio st. film, kid is amazing.

This! Kid will get dinged for his combine performance, which I'm guessing will be pedestrian but if he goes somewhere that he can start, he'll put up numbers.

I really like him as well. He really needs to end up in a 3-4 IMO; doesn't quite have the speed you look for in 4-3 MLB. I think Cleveland is the perfect spot for him since Pettine ended up there. He's got more ability than Alonzo in my eyes and he had a monster FF rookie campaign.

[Dbolicious]

Also watch some tape of Ryan Shazier, I can't wait for May 8th-10th to see where everyone winds up.

I also found this great article that breaks down points per snap for IDP guys, this may be a good tool to see who was making the most of their time last year and may help to predict who sees a significant increase in playing time as well as identify some breakout candidates as well.

http://www.idpguru.com/2014/02/2013-idp ... -snap.html

[Daphud]

Isn't Van Noy an outside 3-4 LB? I didn't think he was a heavy tackle guy.

This is exactly right. He is one of the best sure tacklers but his pass rush and speed is where he will make his money.

I think Van Noy is versatile enough to play in either formation. Ideally, he is drafted as a MLB or WLB in a 4-3 though (assuming your scoring system is tackle-heavy).

No way is he a MLB.

[Defender]

Isn't Van Noy an outside 3-4 LB? I didn't think he was a heavy tackle guy.

This is exactly right. He is one of the best sure tacklers but his pass rush and speed is where he will make his money.

I think Van Noy is versatile enough to play in either formation. Ideally, he is drafted as a MLB or WLB in a 4-3 though (assuming your scoring system is tackle-heavy).

No way is he a MLB.

Are you trying to say he would be a better dynasty asset drafted into a 3-4 than a 4-3?

[breeze]

I'm not sure you were asking me but I'll chime in anyway, I don't see Van Noy being a dynasty asset you want unless it's a big play league. I think he will be a better NFL player as a 3-4 OLB which means not much value in IDP. If he goes to a 4-3 then he may have better tackle numbers. I still think he is gunna get drafted for his edge rush and not to play the run.

[Blackout]

Is Shazier or Mosley worth drafting as a second rounder ?in a dynasty ?

[breeze]

Is Shazier or Mosley worth drafting as a second rounder ?in a dynasty ?

Depends on landing spot. 2nd round also seems a bit high regardless, maybe a third.

Shazier's ideal spot for me is Denver. Trevathan will slide into the middle and Shazier will play WLB.

I'm not sure about Mosley. I want him to play 4-3 MLB but not sure which teams need that. As a Bears fan I would love him but not sure he will be available or they want to go DL which I can't complain. Seems like all the teams that need an inside backer play the 3-4. Not saying Mosley will bust at 3-4, I just think he has better quickness than he does gap filling ability. Borland will excel at 3-4 ILB.