Two weeks ago, we revisited the rookie IDPs on the defensive line. Now we'll revisit the rookie linebackers...
As noted earlier this year, while Arthur Brown was highly touted and was the first linebacker drafted (by the Ravens), veteran Daryl Smith came over from Jacksonville and has been starting all year. That relegated Brown to a supporting role, mainly behind Josh Bynes...
Not a lot has changed since then. Brown has enjoyed more snaps in some games, but just last week against the Steelers he had just eight snaps. He continues to play only in nickel packages, as the team has made it clear that they are moving him along very slowly. The good news is that Brown is already developing a reputation as a hard worker and is one of the last to leave the facility every night. Brown's future does not appear as optimistic as it did immediately following the draft, but he's certainly one to hold on to in dynasty leagues and is player to watch in 2014...
Pittsburgh LB Jarvis Jones started the season seeing plenty of snaps and making an impact on special teams. But then he lost his starting gig (as it were) and saw reduced playing time. Drafted as a pass rushing specialist, Jones did not record his first sack until the team's ninth game...
Some suggest that Jones has not adapted very well to the NFL. One reason may be that Jones has been unable to freelance in his position as he did in college at Georgia. Pittsburgh has narrowed his role somewhat and the outcome has not been positive. An injury to LaMarr Woodley provided Jones with more snaps, but he has not responded with much authority. Woodley is still hobbling, but if Jones does not turn things around quickly, the bust label will become more and more attached to his name...
One of the few impact rookie linebacker this year has been Alec Ogletree of the St. Louis Rams. The first round draft choice has certainly made his share of mistakes, but he continues to play almost every snap and he continues to produce numbers that equate his value to a LB2. While he has generally struggled more against the run and excelled in passing situations, in the last game it was just the opposite. He has 72-14 tackles and 4 forced fumbles on the year. While Ogletree may never be a top end linebacker by NFL standards, he should remain a valuable asset in IDP leagues for quite some time...
After an injured foot in preseason caused Manti Te'o (Manti Te'o) to miss the first 3 regular season games, it appeared from this writer's perspective that Te'o was going to play well throughout the rest of the season. Well, despite a relatively strong first 2 games, he has simply not played well since. One thought on Te'o is that he has struggled moving sideline to sideline. The team believes that he is still adjusting and is starting to play much better. Whether or not he lives up to his potential remains to be seen. Whether or not he has truly moved past the escapades regarding his fake girlfriend is another story. I maintain he has the talent to be a solid IDP contributor, and I think that will start to happen in 2014...
Kevin Minter, drafted in the mid-second round by Arizona, was initially expected by many to be a starter in 2013, but he has been stuck behind Karlos Dansby and Daryl Washington and has seen only special teams duty. It's possible that Dansby is gone next year so Minter could compete with Jasper Brinkley for a starting spot. While he was a three down player in college, there's no guarantee he'll be the same in the pros. I'm no longer sure I recommend holding onto him in dynasty leagues, but we should know more in the next offseason...
Buffalo linebacker Kiko Alonso continues to stroll along his rookie year by tossing up LB1 worthy production. He has 67-58 tackles, 2 sacks and 4 interceptions. He is leading all linebackers in Pro Bowl voting and is a favorite for defensive rookie of the year. There's really not much more to add about the guy. If you've got him in your league, well done. If you don't, he'll be pricey to grab from someone else...
Patriot's linebacker Jamie Collins was selected in the second round, and the Patriots started the season by bringing him along slowly. They increased his snaps to 26 against the Broncos and he responded with 6-4 tackles. However, he did see as much time the following game. His long term future as an IDP starter remains in the air and he should be viewed cautiously...
The highest drafted rookie linebacker was Barkevious Mingo, chosen by Cleveland with the 6th overall draft pick. Mingo started the season strongly, with 3 sacks in his first 3 games. Since then, though, he has leveled off. While there's nothing shameful about 21-10 tackles and 4 sacks thus far in his rookie campaign, it doesn't appear as though Mingo will be playing all three downs anytime soon...
The Oakland Raiders drafted Sio Moore in the third round and the Raiders thought Moore could play an every down role. In fact he did so early in the preseason. As the season wore on, Moore has sometimes found himself having a big impact (see his 8-2 tackles and a sack against the Giants) or a small impact (see the following game where he only had 1-0 tackle). He has been somewhat limited by injuries so the bigger test will occur when or if Moore gets closer to 100% for any sustained period of time...
Jon Bostic of the Chicago Bears, drafted in the middle of the second round, played the role of starting two down middle linebacker in preseason and played well, but that changed on opening day when D.J. Williams returned. When D.J. Williams tore his pectoral muscle, Bostic was inserted back into the starting lineup. In the six games since then, he has 27-10 tackles, a sack and an interception. While he has been maligned by some Bears fans (he has been especially weak in pass coverage), he has shown plenty of signs of improvement. While he may never take the Mike Singletary spot in the hearts of fans, Bostic still has the talent and time to develop into a good player and IDP performer...
Perhaps the biggest surprise from the rookie linebacker group has been Atlanta Falcon Paul Worrilow. The undrafted Worrilow was signed as a free agent by the team and has made them look brilliant, accumulating remarkable numbers. While he may be undersized, not very athletic, and not explosive, Worrilow possesses tremendous instincts and handles himself well on the field. Since becoming a starter midway through the season, Worrilow has 43-29 tackles in just 5 games. While those numbers can't possibly be sustained, going undrafted and not starting until halfway through the season, and yet still being in the discussion in defensive rookie of the year honors, is an incredible thing...
Until next week…
If you have any comments or thoughts, please send me a message at baker@footballguys.com
