ninerfanatic492000
Footballguy
I was thinking this was directed more towards thomas davis and their lack of depth with dan conner leaving.
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LB Tiers (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Jene Bramel
- Start date
voiceofunreason
Footballguy
I'm not an IDP expert but I would see Kuechly starting in the middle. Beason may be on the field but at lesser value.'ninerfanatic492000 said:
ADP
Footballguy
I see Kuechly as MLB, Beason as WLB, and Anderson at SLB. Thomas Davis has become depth due to his injuries. As far as value is concerned, I am not sure I would say Beason would be on field at lesser value. Both Beason and Kuechly will be 3 down backers imo, but worst case, I still think Beason gets the nod over anyone else on 3rd down. Also, the WLB position is not a bad spot for Beason in this defense. he will still put up great fantasy stats (assuming he is back to 100%).
ninerfanatic492000
Footballguy
Beason may very well get shifted over but many talking heads mentioned Kuechly's best positions may be MLB in a straight 4-3 or even better WLB in a tampa2 4-3 which he did land in. his range/instincts and coverage were the main reason for the tampa2 WLB correlation.i know mayock mentioned it and (grain of salt) Bill Polian said he'd draft him for a WLB tampa2 scheme and he'd flourish.
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Jene Bramel
Footballguy
I'll be translating these tiers into a 1-60 ranking and posting it to the website rankings page this weekend.
+ / - notations indicate a player that has moved up or down X number of tiers since last update.
ELITE
Desmond Bishop
D'Qwell Jackson
Colin McCarthy
Patrick Willis
Derrick Johnson
James Laurinaitis
Daryl Washington +
LB1 W/ ELITE UPSIDE
Sean Lee
NaVorro Bowman
Ray Lewis
ELITE LB2 W/ LB1 UPSIDE
Pat Angerer
Paul Posluszny
Sean Weatherspoon
Curtis Lofton
Brian Cushing +
Lawrence Timmons +
Donald Butler
Nick Barnett +
HIGH FLOOR LB2
DeMeco Ryans
Stephen Tulloch -
Luke Kuechly +++
Chad Greenway
Karlos Dansby
Rolando McClain
London Fletcher
Brian Urlacher
Lavonte David +++
RISK-REWARD LB2
Jerod Mayo
Jon Beason
Erin Henderson
Brandon Spikes
Perry Riley
Mason Foster
David Hawthorne
Kavell Conner
KJ Wright
Michael Boley
Wes Woodyard
DJ Williams
RUSH LB2
DeMarcus Ware
Von Miller
James Harrison
Tamba Hali
Aldon Smith
Connor Barwin +
Clay Matthews
HIGH FLOOR LB3
Kevin Burnett -
David Harris
Stephen Nicholas
Lance Briggs
Mathias Kiwanuka +
Daryl Smith
Thomas Howard +
RUSH LB3
Robert Mathis
Justin Houston
LaMarr Woodley
Brian Orakpo
Calvin Pace
Anthony Spencer
MATCHUP LB4
Kelvin Sheppard
Darryl Sharpton
Takeo Spikes
Dan Connor
DeAndre Levy
AJ Hawk
Mychal Kendricks +
Jasper Brinkley
Joe Mays
Rey Maualuga
Barrett Ruud
James Anderson --
Jameel McClain +
Aaron Curry
Keith Rivers +
Jovan Belcher
Jo-Lonn Dunbar +
Leroy Hill
Quincy Black
Ryan Kerrigan
Paris Lenon
Sam Acho
O'Brien Schofield
Shaun Phillips
Jarret Johnson
Justin Durant
Dwight Freeney
Brooks Reed
Scott Fujita
WAITING TO JUMP TIERS
Bobby Wagner
Courtney Upshaw
Melvin Ingram
Zach Brown
Akeem Dent
Nate Irving
Demario Davis
Lofa Tatupu
Nick Perry
Donta Hightower
Mark Herzlich
Martez Wilson
Bruce Carter
DEVELOPMENTAL WATCH
James-Michael Johnson
Stevenson Sylvester
Keenan Robinson
Vontaze Burfict
Malcolm Smith
Audie Cole
+ / - notations indicate a player that has moved up or down X number of tiers since last update.
ELITE
Desmond Bishop
D'Qwell Jackson
Colin McCarthy
Patrick Willis
Derrick Johnson
James Laurinaitis
Daryl Washington +
LB1 W/ ELITE UPSIDE
Sean Lee
NaVorro Bowman
Ray Lewis
ELITE LB2 W/ LB1 UPSIDE
Pat Angerer
Paul Posluszny
Sean Weatherspoon
Curtis Lofton
Brian Cushing +
Lawrence Timmons +
Donald Butler
Nick Barnett +
HIGH FLOOR LB2
DeMeco Ryans
Stephen Tulloch -
Luke Kuechly +++
Chad Greenway
Karlos Dansby
Rolando McClain
London Fletcher
Brian Urlacher
Lavonte David +++
RISK-REWARD LB2
Jerod Mayo
Jon Beason
Erin Henderson
Brandon Spikes
Perry Riley
Mason Foster
David Hawthorne
Kavell Conner
KJ Wright
Michael Boley
Wes Woodyard
DJ Williams
RUSH LB2
DeMarcus Ware
Von Miller
James Harrison
Tamba Hali
Aldon Smith
Connor Barwin +
Clay Matthews
HIGH FLOOR LB3
Kevin Burnett -
David Harris
Stephen Nicholas
Lance Briggs
Mathias Kiwanuka +
Daryl Smith
Thomas Howard +
RUSH LB3
Robert Mathis
Justin Houston
LaMarr Woodley
Brian Orakpo
Calvin Pace
Anthony Spencer
MATCHUP LB4
Kelvin Sheppard
Darryl Sharpton
Takeo Spikes
Dan Connor
DeAndre Levy
AJ Hawk
Mychal Kendricks +
Jasper Brinkley
Joe Mays
Rey Maualuga
Barrett Ruud
James Anderson --
Jameel McClain +
Aaron Curry
Keith Rivers +
Jovan Belcher
Jo-Lonn Dunbar +
Leroy Hill
Quincy Black
Ryan Kerrigan
Paris Lenon
Sam Acho
O'Brien Schofield
Shaun Phillips
Jarret Johnson
Justin Durant
Dwight Freeney
Brooks Reed
Scott Fujita
WAITING TO JUMP TIERS
Bobby Wagner
Courtney Upshaw
Melvin Ingram
Zach Brown
Akeem Dent
Nate Irving
Demario Davis
Lofa Tatupu
Nick Perry
Donta Hightower
Mark Herzlich
Martez Wilson
Bruce Carter
DEVELOPMENTAL WATCH
James-Michael Johnson
Stevenson Sylvester
Keenan Robinson
Vontaze Burfict
Malcolm Smith
Audie Cole
Tick
Footballguy
ADP
Footballguy
Thanks. I probably should of read through entire thread.
Frank Costanza's Lawyer
Footballguy
Why the drop for Tulloch?
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Been wavering on him for weeks. Like the upside, don't like the tackle numbers last year, have some doubts about the total snaps the defense could see this year. Probably not a huge difference in ranking from the top of that tier and the bottom of the tier above.
DesmondBishop
Footballguy
You do not think Akeem Ayers makes the list? I thought he was listed in the other thread as a 3 down LB? Or was it just an oversight on one of the pages?
Or maybe I just keep missing his name.
http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=640524
Or maybe I just keep missing his name.
http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=640524
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
My roster philosophy is very similar in dynasty leagues and redraft leagues. These tiers would be very close to what I'd advocate for dynasty owners, with the exception that I'd lean toward upside and youth with my LB4 and LB5 slots when able.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
I must've made a cut-and-paste error on my worksheet. There are reasons to be concerned about him -- SLB, so-so run support and tackle numbers, questionable pass rush ceiling, chance that Zach Brown could force him out of some subpackages in time -- but he belongs in the matchup LB4 tier for now.Thanks.
Warpig
Footballguy
Jene, love the effort and work as always. IDP gold!
Just curious as to your thoughts on Demario Davis (NYJ) and Sean Spence (PIT). Davis has been climbing in recent drafts I've seen while Spence is still available in my 16 team league. I like Pittsburgh's track history of drafting quality LB's late in drafts and Spence is compared to Lawrence Timmons due to him being somewhat undersized yet very athletic and instinctive.
Just curious as to your thoughts on Demario Davis (NYJ) and Sean Spence (PIT). Davis has been climbing in recent drafts I've seen while Spence is still available in my 16 team league. I like Pittsburgh's track history of drafting quality LB's late in drafts and Spence is compared to Lawrence Timmons due to him being somewhat undersized yet very athletic and instinctive.
saintfool
Dead sexy
i read something the other day from the rookie minicamp over the last week. ryan spoke *very* highly of davis after seeing him on the field. sees a lot of what made ray lewis special - at least in terms of leadership - in the guy. i think chatter about him has been overshadowed by the coples drama, which is good for savvy IDP buyers. it's still way too early but i find it very encouraging.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
I was high on Davis before the draft, arguing that he had every-down talent in my comments during and after the Senior Bowl and leading up to the draft here, on Twitter, on our podcasts and elsewhere. I think the NY scheme is a perfect fit for him. Were I convinced that he was game-ready enough to unseat Bart Scott immediately, I might have a hard time preventing myself from ranking him as the LB2 in this group. But there are just enough questions that I like the established talents a little better for now.I like Spence, too. I've made the same arguments -- he's smart, instinctive, can cover, a little more physical than his size suggests, the way Pittsburgh has developed similar talents is reassuring, etc. -- but I don't like the fit at all. Spence was quick enough to get around blocks at Miami and there were times where he dropped a RB quickly. But when he was engaged, he had no chance of making a play and there were other times where he was dragged downfield by lesser backs. I think Spence needs to gain 10-15 pounds on a frame I'm not sure supports it and become nearly as proficient in shedding blocks as eluding them to play effectively on base downs in one of the few 2-gap leaning 3-4 schemes in the league. That won't be until 2014 at the earliest and it may not happen at all. I'm rooting for him, but I wouldn't take him over some of the WR/TE/RB projects in the fourth round.
DesmondBishop
Footballguy
Hey Jene, thank you for the Ayers feedback, one more question for you. How do you feel about Larry English? He was a first rounder not long ago, was injured most of last year any chance he is on the field a lot this year or is he begging to look like a bust? Thanks again for any info.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
+ / - notations indicate a player that has moved up or down X number of tiers since last update.
Version 3.1
ELITE
Desmond Bishop
D'Qwell Jackson
Colin McCarthy
Patrick Willis
Derrick Johnson
James Laurinaitis
Daryl Washington
Sean Lee +
NaVorro Bowman +
ELITE LB2 W/ LB1 UPSIDE
Ray Lewis
Lawrence Timmons
Pat Angerer
Paul Posluszny
Curtis Lofton
Brian Cushing
Sean Weatherspoon
Donald Butler
NOTE: The next three tiers are one large group of Top 20 capable players. The back end of the risk-reward tier includes players with top 20 upside, but a significantly lower floor. These players will be mixed together in my 1-60 rank list, but roster considerations and risk tolerance will make my decisions on draft day.
HIGH FLOOR LB2
Nick Barnett
Luke Kuechly
London Fletcher
Brian Urlacher
DeMeco Ryans +
Stephen Tulloch
Chad Greenway
Karlos Dansby
Lavonte David
RISK-REWARD LB2
Jerod Mayo
Jon Beason
Erin Henderson
Rolando McClain -
Perry Riley
Mason Foster
Kavell Conner
Bobby Wagner
Wes Woodyard
DJ Williams
RUSH LB2
DeMarcus Ware
Von Miller
Aldon Smith
LB3 w/ TOP 25 UPSIDE
Michael Boley -
David Hawthorne -
Kevin Burnett
David Harris
Brandon Spikes -
KJ Wright -
Stephen Nicholas
Lance Briggs
PRIORITY DEPTH / MATCHUP LB3
Mathias Kiwanuka
Daryl Smith
Thomas Howard
Kelvin Sheppard
Dan Connor
Mychal Kendricks
Rey Maualuga
James Anderson
Aaron Curry
DeAndre Levy
Keith Rivers
ROSTERABLE MATCHUP RUSH LB
James Harrison -
Tamba Hali -
Connor Barwin -
Clay Matthews -
Robert Mathis
Justin Houston
LaMarr Woodley
Brian Orakpo
Calvin Pace
Anthony Spencer
TRAINING CAMP WATCH LIST
Bruce Carter
Darryl Sharpton
Jasper Brinkley
Joe Mays
Melvin Ingram
Zach Brown
James-Michael Johnson
Akeem Dent
Nate Irving
Demario Davis
Nick Perry
Donta Hightower
Mark Herzlich
Version 3.1
ELITE
Desmond Bishop
D'Qwell Jackson
Colin McCarthy
Patrick Willis
Derrick Johnson
James Laurinaitis
Daryl Washington
Sean Lee +
NaVorro Bowman +
ELITE LB2 W/ LB1 UPSIDE
Ray Lewis
Lawrence Timmons
Pat Angerer
Paul Posluszny
Curtis Lofton
Brian Cushing
Sean Weatherspoon
Donald Butler
NOTE: The next three tiers are one large group of Top 20 capable players. The back end of the risk-reward tier includes players with top 20 upside, but a significantly lower floor. These players will be mixed together in my 1-60 rank list, but roster considerations and risk tolerance will make my decisions on draft day.
HIGH FLOOR LB2
Nick Barnett
Luke Kuechly
London Fletcher
Brian Urlacher
DeMeco Ryans +
Stephen Tulloch
Chad Greenway
Karlos Dansby
Lavonte David
RISK-REWARD LB2
Jerod Mayo
Jon Beason
Erin Henderson
Rolando McClain -
Perry Riley
Mason Foster
Kavell Conner
Bobby Wagner
Wes Woodyard
DJ Williams
RUSH LB2
DeMarcus Ware
Von Miller
Aldon Smith
LB3 w/ TOP 25 UPSIDE
Michael Boley -
David Hawthorne -
Kevin Burnett
David Harris
Brandon Spikes -
KJ Wright -
Stephen Nicholas
Lance Briggs
PRIORITY DEPTH / MATCHUP LB3
Mathias Kiwanuka
Daryl Smith
Thomas Howard
Kelvin Sheppard
Dan Connor
Mychal Kendricks
Rey Maualuga
James Anderson
Aaron Curry
DeAndre Levy
Keith Rivers
ROSTERABLE MATCHUP RUSH LB
James Harrison -
Tamba Hali -
Connor Barwin -
Clay Matthews -
Robert Mathis
Justin Houston
LaMarr Woodley
Brian Orakpo
Calvin Pace
Anthony Spencer
TRAINING CAMP WATCH LIST
Bruce Carter
Darryl Sharpton
Jasper Brinkley
Joe Mays
Melvin Ingram
Zach Brown
James-Michael Johnson
Akeem Dent
Nate Irving
Demario Davis
Nick Perry
Donta Hightower
Mark Herzlich
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Jene, Nick Barnett - I don't see him anywhere?
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Cut and paste error.Added to top of High Floor LB2 tier.Thanks.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
No more cut and paste. I'm typing these from scratch next time and proofreading them an extra 17 times.David is essentially unchanged. He still lives in the High Floor LB2 tier.Thanks for the note. 
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Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Not convinced Tatupu or Davis are healthy enough to start and I'm not projecting either as every-down players. Davis might deserve a place on the camp watch list, but I'm not interested in Tatupu.
Kinger
Footballguy
David Lavonte. Lavonte David. I'll be reversing his name all season...
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
1. Wes Woodyard is an every-down WLB for the first six weeks.2. Joe Mays (or Nate Irving) has a very good chance at an every-down job for the first six weeks.3. If Nate Irving wins the MLB job, he could very well stick as an every-down MLB all season.I think it's likely that Williams gets his every-down job back when he returns.
cr8f
Footballguy
That is how it usually plays out when DJ gets hurt.
Kool-Aid Larry
Footballguy
I've been checkin' out some idp mocks where sacks are x4 tackles --- why is harrison going so low?
LargeMouthBass
Footballguy
Is there an updated list for LBs?
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
There's been a few minor changes since it was published, which you can likely parse from my updated rankings, but the most recent list is here.
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Abspara
Footballguy
Hopefull it was a typo and D.J. Smith was intended
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
John Norton and I published updated tiers with discussion for FBG insiders after preseason Week 1 and again early last week.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
I'll be doing a midseason tier review by position for FBG insiders in the Reading the Defense column in the coming weeks.
