The NFL draft never disappoints football lovers, as it brings plenty of excitement, surprises, and great storylines. For this article, we will look at some of the IDP fantasy football ramifications from what occurred in the first round on Thursday night. Which players saw a boost in value? Which players potentially took a hit? Let's dive in!
IDP Winners
David Bailey (EDGE-NYJ)
After finishing 31st in the league last year with just 26 sacks, the Jets' defense and pass rush were in dire need of reinforcements. Help is on the way, as they selected uber-talented and productive edge rusher David Bailey out of Texas Tech with the second overall pick Thursday night. Bailey is electric off the snap, with speed and burst to eat up ground in a hurry, while also featuring spin, drip/rip, moves, along with his speed-to-power traits. Bailey is also a finisher, posting 14.5 sacks last season, tied for the most in college football (FBS). Bailey will see the field right away and has the game to be an immediate contributor for IDP gamers.
Arvell Reese (LB-NYG)
With his alluring traits and versatility, the Giants were elated that Arvell Reese was still on the board when they selected him fifth overall. Regarding Reese, the biggest question for IDP gamers is where he would fit and how he would be deployed with his new team. Is he an edge rusher? Is he an off-ball linebacker? Coach John Harbaugh answered those questions by stating, "Arvell is a versatile player, and we're going to play him at inside backer, Will linebacker."
Currently, the Giants' edge room is crowded with the likes of Abdul Carter, Brian Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Coach Harbaugh's statement that the plan is to line up Reese next to Tremaine Edmunds at linebacker and shift him around to utilize his pass-rush ability is good news for his IDP appeal. A special athlete at 6-foot-4 and 241 pounds, Reese has the physicality, range, and skill set to make an impact on three downs. Initially, I had reservations about his role, but those were alleviated after the team clarified their vision for Reese.
Sonny Styles (LB-WAS)
The LB1 on the majority of draft boards, Sonny Styles, received ideal Top 10 draft capital after being selected by Washington at seventh overall. At 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds, Styles is an athletic marvel, running a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and posting a 43.5'' vertical jump at the combine. Styles is a three-down linebacker who never has to leave the field. He'll be a staple for the Washington defense and has the potential to anchor the linebacker units of IDP managers for years to come.
The Dallas Defense
The Dallas defense got a big boost Thursday night with their two first-round picks, as they moved up one spot to grab safety Caleb Downs with the 11th pick, and slid back a few spots to select edge rusher Malachi Lawrence at 23rd overall. Downs was the clear top safety of this class, with his football IQ, versatility, and ability to come up as a tone setter against the run. He can play the nickel, deep, and up in the box, and his skill set is ideal for IDP purposes.
Lawrence was a consistent riser leading up to the draft, adding juice to a Cowboys' pass rush that finished with 35 sacks last season, bottom third in the league. Lawrence has the ideal length, with speed and burst off the snap to pair with a solid array of moves. He has the traits to develop into a three-down edge defender, and his first-round draft capital only adds to his IDP dynasty appeal.
Dillon Thieneman (S-CHI)
After losing both Kevin Byard III and Jaquan Brisker, the Bears brought in Coby Bryant to fill one of the voids at safety in free agency. Chicago filled the other vacant spot with the 25th overall pick Thursday night, selecting alluring safety Dillon Thieneman out of Oregon. Thieneman has adequate size (6-foot, 201 pounds) and is an outstanding athlete after lighting up the combine, posting a 9.72 Relative Athletic Score. Thieneman is a versatile safety who can play deep, handle nickel duties, and come up and bang in the box as a run defender. The clear S2 of this class after Downs, Thieneman will have a starting gig right away.
Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE-TB)
Bain's size and length concerns are well noted and might have caused him to slip a few picks in the draft. However, Bain is a powerhouse who is quick off the snap, is relentless in pursuit, and is fully capable of playing all three downs at the next level. Bain will pair nicely with Yaya Diaby in Tampa Bay, and his versatility provides Todd Bowles the capability to kick him inside in certain looks--he'll be a handful at three technique. Bain should have a prominent role right away and might have a chip on his shoulder to prove any doubters wrong.
Caleb Banks (DT-MIN)
Caleb Banks was a bit of a polarizing prospect, as his traits are captivating, but he comes with injury concerns, as a broken foot limited him to just three games this past season. However, Minnesota felt comfortable enough with his medicals to select the big man out of Florida with the 18th overall pick. After losing Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in free agency, the Vikings had a definite need at defensive tackle. At 6-foot-6 and 327 pounds, Banks brings size, surprising athleticism, and power to the Minnesota defensive front. Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores will also like Banks' versatility, with the ability to shift him along the line. In an overall weak defensive tackle class, Banks has enticing upside at defensive tackle for IDP true-position formats.
