2017 IDP Pre-Draft Positional Rankings

We’re fast approaching the 2017 NFL Draft, some of us are already drafting in leagues and others are taking on mock drafts to get an idea of where certain players fall.  There’s a bunch of talent to fall in love with in this draft, a lot to like and many to be patient on – a handful of off-ball LB’s we hope land in great situations and you’ll notice in my LB ranks I have EDGE listed because those guys will either play OLB or DE on their respective team.  I’ll say it again too, this DB class has some serious depth so even if you don’t land Jamal Adams or Budda Baker you’d be able to acquire some solid talent later.

 2017 Pre-Draft Linebacker Rankings for IDP:

1	RUEBEN FOSTER	LB
2	RAEKWON MCMILLAN	LB
3	ZACH CUNNINGHAM	LB
4	BLAIR BROWN	LB
5	HAASON REDDICK	LB
6	JALEN REEVES-MAYBIN	LB
7	PAUL MAGLOIRE	LB
8	JARRAD DAVIS	LB
9	ELIJAH LEE	LB
10	DUKE RILEY	LB
11	TYUS BOWSER	LB
12	ALEX ANZALONE	LB
13	MARQUEL LEE	LB
14	MYLES GARRETT	EDGE
15	DEREK RIVERS	EDGE
16	VINCE BIEGEL	EDGE
17	HARDY NICKERSON	LB
18	ANTHONY WALKER	LB
19	CARL LAWSON	EDGE
20	KENDALL BECKWITH	LB
21	CONNOR HARRIS	LB
22	BEN GEDEON	LB
23	ERIC WILSON	LB
24	JOE MATHIS	EDGE
25	TJ WATT	EDGE
26	TAKKARIST MCKINLEY	EDGE
27	TIM WILLIAMS	EDGE
28	DEREK BARNETT	EDGE
29	BROOKS ELLIS	LB
30	JAMES ONWUALU	LB

Thoughts: I would be fine if I landed either of the top 8, big fan of Blair Brown, Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Paul Magloire Jr.  Davis is a mean machine BUT at the moment I see him as an early down LB; could possibly bloom into an every down role and thrive.  Reddick has been a hot commodity all off-season and with good reasons, can be a teams version of Jamie Collins.  Some sleepers to keep an eye on are Duke Riley, Connor Harris and Marquel Lee – especially for big roster leagues.  If Rivers lands on a 3/4 team he can have a Suggs like IDP Profile no doubt.  Bowser is an intriguing guy and although we saw limited pass rush plays he has the ability to do it but it’s good to know he has no problem dropping back in coverage, would be a solid 4-3 OLB.  

2017 Pre-Draft DL Rankings for IDP:

1	MYLES GARRETT	EDGE
2	DEREK RIVERS	EDGE
3	JONATHAN ALLEN	DL
4	SOLOMON THOMAS	DL
5	CHARLES HARRIS	EDGE
6	MALIK MCDOWELL	DL
7	JORDAN WILLIS	EDGE
8	CARL LAWSON	EDGE
9	DEREK BARNETT	EDGE
10	FADOL BROWN	DL
11	TAKKARIS MCKINLEY	EDGE
12	CALEB BRANTLEY	DT
13	DEATRICH WISE	DL
14	TARELL BASHAM	EDGE
15	JOE MATHIS	EDGE
16	TACO CHARLTON	EDGE
17	DEMARCUS WALKER	EDGE
18	TREY HENDRICKSON	EDGE
19	DUWANE SMOOT	EDGE
20	TANOH KPASSAGNON	DL
21	DEVONTE FIELDS	EDGE
22	CHRIS WORMLEY	DL
23	EJUAN PRICE	EDGE
24	RYAN ANDERSON	EDGE
25	BRYAN COX	DL

Thoughts: Although nobody here trumps Joey Bosa, there are some solid pieces to add to your roster.  There may not be a bunch of names on this list come draft day IF they get the LB tag, so just keep that in mind.  Think Jonathan Allen will be a Leonard Williams type IDP, pile on the tackles.  Barnett is best suited as a 4/3 DE and would look nice in Carolina or Dallas.  Brantley is a beast at the DT spot, can create havoc from the interior and get after the QB.  Basham is a late riser for me after finally being able to watch him; quick off the snap.  Mathis, Walker and Smoot are solid sleepers to keep on your radar and don’t be surprised if they rise once the draft ends.  Hendrickson is an underrated pass rusher.  

2017 Pre-Draft DB Rankings for IDP:

1	JAMAL ADAMS	DB
2	BUDDA BAKER	DB
3	TEDRIC THOMPSON	DB
4	OBI MELIFONWU	DB
5	MALIK HOOKER	DB
6	JABRILL PEPPERS	DB
7	XAVIER WOODS	DB
8	MARCUS MAYE	DB
9	RAYSHAWN JENKINS	DB
10	LORENZO JEROME	DB
11	MARCUS WILLIAMS	DB
12	JOSH JONES	DB
13	MARSHON LATTIMORE	CB
14	KEVIN KING	CB
15	EDDIE JACKSON	DB
16	JUSTIN EVANS	DB
17	DESMOND KING	DB
18	MARLON HUMPHREY	CB
19	JOHN JOHNSON	DB
20	FISH SMITHSON	DB
21	GAREON CONLEY	CB
22	CHIDOBE AWUZIE	CB
23	ADOREE JACKSON	CB
24	AHKELLO WITHERSPOON	CB
25	SIDNEY JONES	CB

Thoughts:  as usual, the safeties are in the top half here, lot of potential here.  Hooker can be Weddle or can be Earl Thomas – IDP profile wise.  Thompson is flying under the radar at the moment, can pretty much do it all safety.  Peppers is the wildcard, I think he needs to be schemed properly.  Rayshawn reminds me of Deone Bucannon but that doesn’t mean I expect him to turn into a linebacker but more so the player himself, hard hitter.  You don’t see Tre’Davious up there but in IDP world he may not be that valuable, solid corner but doesn’t contribute in the run so tackles could be minimal.  Lorenzo Jerome is intriguing and I’m late to the party, can play in the box or drop back into coverage, able to return kicks too so keep that in mind if you’re in a return yardage league.  He reminds me of Kurt Coleman, is a ballhawk too.  

I will be posting an overall IDP Rookie Rankings once the draft is done, but these positional rankings should help you some and give you an idea.

One Comment

1. 

   Mike

   April 12, 2017 at 7:46 pm

   Great information! Appreciate all your work and thoughts.

   Reply