It's time to start reviewing the rookie IDPs and see how they're doing so far. We'll start with a look at the rookies on the defensive line...
With the third overall pick in the NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins selected DE Dion Jordan. Jordan, who played his college ball in Oregon, is an athletic pass rusher and at 6'6" and 250 pounds, he certainly has the size. While Jordan plays the run well, he's not yet as physical as he should be and the result has been a minimum number of snaps and playing only in pass rush situations...
When fellow Dolphin DE Cameron Wake was down with a mild MCL strain, some thought it would be Jordan's chance to shine, but that has not been the result. Also, with Wake and Olivier Vernon in front of him, as well as the team giving time to Derrick Shelby, the opportunities are unlikely to come quick enough to satisfy redraft IDP owners. Lastly, although the team looks set to keep Jordan as a 4-3 DE, he also could move to outside linebacker. Regardless, the long term future for Jordan remains bright, but patience is a virtue...
A couple picks after Jordan was selected, the Detroit Lions drafted DE Ezekiel Ansah. Ansah has been the highest producing rookie DE this year with 5-7 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Ansah, who is nicknamed Ziggy, looks like the real deal, although some contend this will remain a developmental year for him. His athletic abilities are borderline elite, although he's still learning the game...
It's safe to say that Ansah had a late start to the game. Born in Ghana, Ansah played soccer and basketball in his youth. While playing in pickup basketball games in his youth, Ansah met some Mormon missionaries. They became friends (Ansah later was baptized in their Church of LDS) and they recommended to Ansah that if he really wanted to play basketball in college, he should give BYU a shot...
Ansah was accepted to BYU on an academic scholarship and tried out for the basketball team. Twice. He missed the cut both times. He then became a walk-on for the their track and field team and even ran a 10.91 in the one hundred meters. He finally made his way to playing football for the first time in his life and played three seasons there, although it wasn't until his senior season that he played regularly. He's obviously come a long way and with Jason Jones out for the year, only a current abdomen injury seems in the way for greater production for 2013. Long term? The sky is the limit...
Sheldon Richardson was drafted with the 13th overall pick by the New York Jets. Although Richardson played DT in college at Missouri, the Jets have him playing DE in their 3-4 defense. Thus far, Richardson's play has him mentioned in defensive rookie of the year discussions, and he has been very active on the field. He has 8-11 tackles and 1.5 sacks. As a DE in a 3-4, and with Quinton Coples and Muhammad Wilkerson playing alongside him, Richardson might not have tremendous upside, but reliability from an IDP is sometimes equally important...
The general consensus at Green Bay was that when they drafted DE Datone Jones with their 26th overall pick, he would make an immediate contribution. However, that has yet to happen. Drafted for his athleticism as a pass rusher, Jones looked good in camp early on, making plays that seemed to indicate he would be an effective rookie. An ankle injury, though, caused him to miss a week of camp and he hasn't played the same way since. Jones and Green Bay are hopeful that his ankle will heal more in this bye week and that Jones starts making a bigger impact this season. Don't count on starting him anytime soon, though...
The San Francisco 49ers drafted DE Cornellius "Tank" Carradine with the 8th pick in the second round. They did this despite knowing Carradine missed the latter part of his senior year at Florida State due to a torn ACL. San Francisco decided to ease him onto the team and has made sure his rehab goes no quicker than it must. Look for him to begin practicing again around mid-October. Carradine was drafted at least in part due to his high motor and quick feet, so the question remains how long it will take to use those assets effectively again. It's doubtful he provides an impact this year. His future remains solid, but keep in mind he could be transitioned to linebacker at some point...
With the 21st pick in round two, the Bengals selected DE Margus Hunt out of UCLA. Hunt has been eased along slowly by the Bengals. Very slowly. In fact, he has been on the inactive list every week. Like with Ezekiel Ansah, Hunt has not played football very long. Hunt is very quick and athletic, but he's lacking in his techniques and the IDP world will have to wait until 2014 at the earliest to see much of him...
DE Damontre Moore was taken by the Giants in the third round, but a shoulder injury slowed him in camp and preseason. But he has played, and played well, on special teams thus far. With mounting injuries on the line for the Giants, look for Moore to play more in this week's game. Moore's upside, even long term, is somewhat limited inasmuch as he appears to be a pass rushing specialist only...
The Denver Broncos drafted Quanterus Smith in the fifth round, even though a late college season ACL tear caused some concern. Despite playing in the preseason, Smith was placed on the team's IR and cannot return until 2014. While he is for the most part just a situational pass rusher, his actual upside might be more of an every down end. For dynasty league consideration only...
Until next week…
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