2016 ROOKIE IDP (CB/S) RANKINGS

RANK	PLAYER	TEAM	QUICK HITS
1	KARL JOSEPH	OAK	should have no problem getting the starting gig next to Nelson, best thing too is we won’t see his full potential just yet as he’s still recovering from his knee injury he suffered mid-2015 season. Joseph is a SS with FS range and will fit well with OAK, I have no problem if he or Neal are the first 2 DB’s taken in rookie drafts (they won’t be though, just remember that)
2	KEANU NEAL	ATL	The Falcons have their version of Kam Chancellor (sorta), Neal should be playing in the box a lot with minimal coverage duties and with minimal competition to get the starting SS gig (Ishmael isn’t all that). Neal won’t be but should be one of the top DB’s taken in rookie drafts, early 3rd will probably do it – i may even squeeze in anywhere between 2.10 – 2.12.
3	DARIAN THOMPSON	NYG	Darian is a complete safety and should thrive in NYG, he’ll be competing against Mykkele and Behle for starting FS spot but should win it in no time, he can drop back into coverage or play up in the box (but that’s where Landon will be). If/when Darian earns the starting job, I could definitely see him putting up top 25 numbers right out the gate.
4	SU’A CRAVENS	WAS	The Redskins have listed Cravens as a Safety and that brings joy to the IDP land because if he has/had the LB tag then his value wouldn’t be too appealing. There’s no fit for Cravens on the LB corp and will be best suited as the roaming safety for WAS (also helps Breeland/Norman are the CB’s). Cravens will be a sneaky draft value in rookie drafts where I could see him going early 3rd as well if you miss on the others.
5	JEREMY CASH	CAR	went undrafted (im still shocked) but has signed with CAR as an UDFA and has the opportunity to thrive and earn a starting job with not much in front of him (Boston, Colin Jones). Cash can step in and become their younger version of what Roman Harper brought to the team, should play in the box often to help with run support & crossing routes. Think you can sneak in Cash in the late 4th of rookie drafts too
6	JALEN RAMSEY	JAC	I will say this, his value will get a major uptick when he becomes a safety but since he’s just a CB … you dont have to have him. As long as Prince is healthy there could be a contest on who can rack up the most tackles between Ramsey & Prince (used to have nearly 80 tackles when healthy). I’ll take that optimism and target Ramsey mid-3rd/late-3rd in your rookie drafts but on name alone I will not be surprised when he goes late 2nd/early 3rd.
7	MILES KILLEBREW	DET	hybrid safety that is probably comfortable playing in the box, Lions need a thumper and Ihendigbo isn’t getting any younger. Lions also lost Quddus so his snaps should go to Killebrew and then some, wouldn’t be surprised if Killebrew even moved into a SLB role here and there because the Lions will need to get their playmakers on the field & Killebrew is a playmaker.
8	VONN BELL	NOS	Dark horse IDP right here, has the skillset to get playing time right away because Byrd/Vacarro haven’t really been “stellar” and Saints need some coverage in that secondary (Bell can cover). Bell may go late 3rd but if you have an early 4th I’d definitely target Bell as he’ll surprise.
9	VERNON HARGREAVES III	TBB	lands in a good situation and a team that can utilize Hargreaves to his strength, more than likely he’ll be taking care of the SCB job but don’t forget TBB shuffled CB’s often last year and Verner saw the bench more times than not so if Hargreaves has a solid camp, a starting job will follow and CB15 numbers can be had (yup!)
10	JUSTIN SIMMONS	DEN	sleeper pick in the 5th round in rookie drafts, once he gets accustomed to Wade’s defensive scheme he should overtake Stewart sooner than later. Simmons is a sneaky DB option to target and stash.
11	MACKENSIE ALEXANDER	MIN	will probably man the SCB duties for now but can/will play outside eventually as he’ll make a good pairing with Rhodes. CB’s are a wildcard but in CB required leagues I will be targeting Mackensie for sure, late-5th should be fine but with lack of offensive talent anywhere I could see mid-4th/late-4th on Mackensie.
12	SEAN DAVIS	PIT	needs to develop a little more but with lack of depth in the PIT secondary he may be forced into action early and often, he can’t be as bad as the other PIT CB’s before him though (Allen/Blake) but keep in mind they where IDP studs at one point, especially Blake (who has left for TEN). I can see Davis eventually developing into the future FS for PIT, sneaky value in the 5th round of drafts.
13	CYRUS JONES	NEP	Jones should be the SCB, he’s pretty good in run support as well. I’d only target him in CB required leagues though as my CB3/4 with intrguing upside.
14	WILLIAM JACKSON	CIN	I like Jackson, called him this years Marcus Peters-ish but not in this situation, he’ll probably take at least a year before he makes any real impact in IDP but if he’s vaulted into action mid-season he could put up pretty good weekly numbers here and there but I don’t expect him to beat out Kirkpatrick or Jones anytime soon.
15	KAVON FRAZIER	DAL	The Cowboys have found their Barry Church replacement in the forseeable future.
16	ZACK SANCHEZ	CAR	productive in college and has the chance to apply it in Carolina, I can see Sanchez competing for a CB3/4 job for CAR but also he’ll probably just contribute on ST’s for the time being as the secondary is getting back into shape.
17	ARTIE BURNS	PIT	another CB that needs some time, he’ll get picked on a lot and when he struggles that’ll hurt him, I’d only target in CB required leagues.
18	KJ DILLON	HOU	sleeper value here, could win the SS job in HOU
19	WILL REDMOND	SF	CB’s are dime a dozen but Redmond could produce in SF as they need help in the secondary
20	JAMES BRADBERRY	CAR	between Sanchez and Bradberry, the replacement of Josh Norman has begun, don’t expect either to see much time but I’d bet Bradberry sees a little less early on as he’ll continue to develop & improve.

 

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