Maximizing your players’ draft position or auction price

Posted by Joseph Buccellato August 3, 2009

.

Absolutely devastating news for the Eagles and IDP owners today. Middle linebacker Stewart Bradley is done for the season after tearing his ACL. My next IDP “Reach Vs. Value” piece was going to be Bradley. That would have been weird if I chose him yesterday instead of James.

.

While we do wish for a healthy recovery, IDP owners went scrambling to find a replacement. Well there’s an opening in Philly, so let’s look at the contenders. You should note I am not labeling anyone a definite “reach” or “value”. It’s been one day since the injury and it’s too soon to make a bold prediction.

.

Omar Gaither, LB, PHI

Icon Sports Media

He couldn’t handle the outside gig last season, and was eventually replaced by Akeem Jordan. His final stats were 51 solos, eight assists, three turnovers, and 2.5 sacks. Very ordinary, but don’t be fooled – Those are weakside stats. In 2007, Jeremiah Trotter was released and Gaither took his place in the middle. His tackles numbers were far better, ending the season with 69 solos and 33 assists. He also chipped in with two turnovers, but didn’t have a sack. As mentioned in previous articles, it is impossible to comprehend the scheme unless you talk directly with coaches and/or players. Was Gaither not fast enough to play the outside? Was Gaither the benefactor of cleaning up players running right at him in the middle? I don’t have the answer. What I do know is that he was a capable fantasy producer when he played middle linebacker in 2007, and the position is available again. Remember, IDP fantasy success doesn’t always equal a good player. The obvious position is a shutdown cornerback, but the same is true for linebackers. Demorrio Williams is a dreadful linebacker, but he produced decent fantasy stats. The Eagles coaches might not think highly of Gaither, even if he could repeat 100+ total tackles. Can someone please go to Eagles training camp and tell me how he looks? Thanks.

.

.

.

.

Joe Mays, LB, PHI

Icon Sports Media

Nice idea tattooing his name on his arms. It will come in handy if he wakes up in an alley with amnesia. Mays was a sixth round pick for the Eagles in 2008. He recorded zero tackles all of last season. It’s not that big of a deal – Bradley barely played in his rookie season (totaling 18 tackles), and he ended up the boss on defense. Here is an excerpt from philadelphiaeagles.com: “A powerfully built linebacker known for his outstanding performances in the training room and bone-jarring hits on the playing field, Joe Mays has the ability to generate explosion on contact and has had good success dislodging the ball from ballcarriers during his three years as a starter. The 2007 Great West Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year has always been a tremendous hitter who turns heads with his “de-cleater” tackles. He has excellent quickness for his size and was the unquestioned defensive leader in the middle of the field. He has solid football instincts and is always around the action.”. Sounds like a middle linebacker I want to own. It appears evident that Mays isn’t suited for strongside or weakside action, so he’d have to win the middle gig. The ability of Gaither to move around to any of the linebacker slots is good news for Mays. There is no competition outside of Gaither for the middle spot. If the Eagles are inclined to move Gaither outside, the job is all Mays’. Today, there were reports that Mays lined up as the starter, but Gaither and Jordan played the nickel package. You must be sure Mays can handle being a three-down linebacker before you invest heavily in his fantasy services.

.

.

.

.

This is a previous article posted on July 9, 2009. Today’s news of Bradley’s injury further increases Jordan’s ability to be a three-down linebacker and solid fantasy contributor.

.

Value: Akeem Jordan, LB, PHI

Icon Sports Media

I just did my rankings for DLs, LBs, and DBs (click position, see “Buccellato”). I wanted so badly to put Akeem in my top 45 LB, but I couldn’t bump anyone. This is great news for his preseason value. I want this guy on every one of my fantasy teams. If you read yesterday’s “value” report on Pierre Thomas, the similarities are identical. Akeem, like Pierre, was given meaningful playing time towards the end of the season, and both guys produced good stats. In the final six games of the season, Akeem averaged 6.3 solos and one assist. Not outstanding, but serviceable. The Eagles outside linebacker depth is not impressive; he’ll be competing against Chris Gocong, Omar Gaither, Tank Daniels, Moise Fokou, and Tracy White. Don’t let Gaither scare you – he couldn’t do the job last year and he won’t surpass Akeem this year. Middle LB Stewart Bradley is clearly the man in Philly, but there’s room for Akeem. Ball-hawk Brian Dawkins left for Denver, so there are considerable stats to be redistributed. Akeem’s age (24 on opening day), Eagles’ defensive philosophy, and his projected favorable weak-side linebacker status are other factors working in his favor. His current Dynasty/Keeper LB projection is in the high 50’s. That makes him a reserve LB draft pick is most fantasy leagues. It also makes him a great Dynasty/Keeper player to target on draft/auction day.

.

.

.

.

Eagles Safeties Quintin Mikell, Quintin Demps, Sean Jones

Icon Sports Media

Sean Jones has been an effective fantasy contributor over his career, and his arrival in Philly somewhat clouds the secondary outlook. Belief around the fantasy community is that Mikell is the defensive back to own. He totaled 68 solos, 25 assists, seven big plays, and nine passes defended last season. Look for improved stats with the departure of Brian Dawkins. If you are in leagues that reward special team yardage, keep your eye on Demps. He was great last season, and he could be a strong fantasy play if he can combine special team yardage with tackles. The loss of Bradley gobbling up tackles in the middle shouldn’t really affect the secondary all that much.

.

..

.

.

.

.

Share this Post: