Manny Lawson (1 Viewer)

I play some IDP but not a lot so I need help. Does Manny Lawson hold a lot of value in a dynasty league? A few things I am not sure of...

1 - Will he be an immediate starter in SF?

2 - Is he playing DL or LB?

3 - How did he look in preseason?

4 - Long term what do you think of his potential?

Thanks for any help to a guy pretty new to IDP.

1 - Will he be an immediate starter in SF?

Yep. The Niners have next to zilch at OLB despite spending two draft picks on the position., although recent signee Roderick Green will help. Lawson is firmly entrenched on the right side.

2 - Is he playing DL or LB?

OLB. Essentially a rush end, but he'll have to play in coverage and run support at times as well. There have also been rumblings that the injuries at OLB might push the Niners to run a fair amount of 4-3 looks to start the season, but that didn't go well over the last two pre-season games. With Roderick around it might render that issue dead. Lawson's responsibilities aren't likely to change too much either way. He still played outside backer during the pre-season 4-3 looks.

3 - How did he look in preseason?

Like a rookie. Lost at times, put good pressure on during others. Very little in the boxscore.

4 - Long term what do you think of his potential?

Unless you're in a league that values big plays, a 3-4 rush OLB who doesn't have great run support or coverage skills is worth very little. Demarcus Ware is a reasonable comp (or Joey Porter) and he barely finished above 60 in many standard scoring systems last year. At 245 pounds and with little linebacker experience, he's got a long way to go to make himself into an all-around player. Even the best all-around 3-4 OLB (like Willie McGinest) don't carry much value in standard systems. Shawne Merriman should prove to be an exception here but he's a freak of nature.

Warhogs said:

1 - Will he be an immediate starter in SF?2 - Is he playing DL or LB?3 - How did he look in preseason?4 - Long term what do you think of his potential?

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1. Yes2. LB3. Good4. Not muchOLBs in 3-4s are the lowest scoring LBs in most scoring systems. They get more sacks, but they get considerably less tackles-- by design. Several of us are watching the "freak talent" at the position rather closely. Merriman and Ware are potentially starting IDP LBs from the same position Lawson will play. Wimbley is another freak talent at the position. As talented and valuable as these OLBs are to their teams, they have a long way to go to be valuable to fantasy teams.

Jene Bramel said:

3 - How did he look in preseason?

Like a rookie. Lost at times, put good pressure on during others. Very little in the boxscore.

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I've heard nothing but good things.

Chaos Commish said:

Jene Bramel said:

3 - How did he look in preseason?

Like a rookie. Lost at times, put good pressure on during others. Very little in the boxscore.

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I've heard nothing but good things.

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You're closer to the situation than I am probably, but I haven't heard much buzz one way or the other. Admittedly, I'm basing my thoughts more on boxscores and some comments from the coaches, teammates and Lawson than on eyes-on analysis, but SF first stringers were routinely scored upon and got little pressure on the quarterback this pre-season. Lawson didn't show up in the boxscores much (seven tackles and a pick in four games but a fair amount of PT against ones and twos with the lack of depth at linebacker). And I don't mean to say that he looked bad, but I don't think he had the buzz of "not looking like a rookie" like DeMeco Ryans.I've also seen quotes from this week that suggest Lawson hasn't been comfortable yet. I think Lawson will be a good player, certainly a better NFL player than IDP option, but I don't think he produces as well as Ware did last year in the boxscores. And I'm pretty doubtful he'll ever reach routine starter status despite what's been characterized as a top notch work ethic (I think).

contracostatimes.com

How quickly Lawson comes along in his development also will influence the effectiveness of the pass rush.

"All the weight is not on his shoulders," Young said. "He's just a piece to the puzzle. But he's definitely shown some signs and his last game gave him something to build on. He understands how to rush from the edge. He's going to be OK and we're going to get better as a group."

Lawson, who made the transition from defensive end to linebacker, said he's just now starting to get comfortable.

"The good thing is that we still got a couple of days to practice to finish up on all the things we need to improve on. We're going to be ready," he said.

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What have you been hearing, CC? Has he shown more promise than just pressuring the quarterback? Is he being used much in coverage or is he more or less a stand-up rush end?

Thanks for the help. It sounds like a guy to pass on for most fantasy football formats.

Jene Bramel said:

Chaos Commish said:

Jene Bramel said:

3 - How did he look in preseason?

Like a rookie. Lost at times, put good pressure on during others. Very little in the boxscore.

Click to expand...

I've heard nothing but good things.

Click to expand...

contracostatimes.com

How quickly Lawson comes along in his development also will influence the effectiveness of the pass rush.

"All the weight is not on his shoulders," Young said. "He's just a piece to the puzzle. But he's definitely shown some signs and his last game gave him something to build on. He understands how to rush from the edge. He's going to be OK and we're going to get better as a group."

Lawson, who made the transition from defensive end to linebacker, said he's just now starting to get comfortable.

"The good thing is that we still got a couple of days to practice to finish up on all the things we need to improve on. We're going to be ready," he said.

Click to expand...

What have you been hearing, CC? Has he shown more promise than just pressuring the quarterback? Is he being used much in coverage or is he more or less a stand-up rush end?You're closer to the situation than I am probably...

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We're probably following equally close. I read something about how smart he is, and something else about how he has earned a ton of respect from the vets. I thought he looked great in coverage against SD. His interception was returned for a TD and should have been reviewed. But there was more than just that play. SF was working him in coverage for much of the second half. He also hurried Whitehurst into some bad decisions. The guy just has phenomenal wheels and excellent length. I think he is Demarcus Ware on a faster learning curve. We'll see.

I'm still bitter Dallas drafted Carpenter ahead of Lawson, so my own admiration of Manny may have something to do with my opinion.

As an NC State fan I watched a lot of Lawson over the last few years. He is a freak of nature as indicated by his combine stats. He is a smart guy (made great grades throughout the Engineering program at NCSU) and a quick learner. He's fast and seems to fly to the ball. I haven't been able to watch any preaseason Niner games but it wouldn't surprise me if Lawson had a really nice season as a rookie.

I'm not as knowledgable as most here when it comes to evaluating how talent might translate into IDP stats, but he will definitely be a solid NFL player, as Jene mentioned.

(Rotoworld) The 49ers have transitioned from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defensive alignment.Impact: The move projects to help the IDP value of first-round pick Manny Lawson, who is expected to move to weak-side linebacker.

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I just noticed this a few minutes ago. Lawson is my LB5, so this is good news. The league is not particularly slanted towards sacks, but they are worth about 2 tackles (1 sack = 1 pt, 1 tackle = .60 pt).Anyway, my question is:This news from Rotoworld indicates that this move to a 4-3 is good for Lawson. Why? He's still a pass-rushing OLB. I guess now he's technically a classical WLB but why is that a better fit for him than a 3-4 pass-rush OLB?Thanks... just wondering.

IDP4ME said:

(Rotoworld) The 49ers have transitioned from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defensive alignment.Impact: The move projects to help the IDP value of first-round pick Manny Lawson, who is expected to move to weak-side linebacker.

Click to expand...

I just noticed this a few minutes ago. Lawson is my LB5, so this is good news. The league is not particularly slanted towards sacks, but they are worth about 2 tackles (1 sack = 1 pt, 1 tackle = .60 pt).Anyway, my question is:This news from Rotoworld indicates that this move to a 4-3 is good for Lawson. Why? He's still a pass-rushing OLB. I guess now he's technically a classical WLB but why is that a better fit for him than a 3-4 pass-rush OLB?Thanks... just wondering.

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4-3 WLB is not a better fit for Lawson. He is a converted DE, and he lacked the LB skills of Carpenter and Wimbley in this draft. 3-4 OLB is an adjustment he is making with expected difficulty. To take his pass rush away from him and play him in a 4-3 is not a good thing for him or SF. The good news is the move to 4-3 is about health, and Nolan is a 3-4 coach, trying to assemble the best talent to run the 3-4. In a 4-3 Lawson will see as much time at DE as LB, imo. The base defense in SF will be a 3-4 when everyone is healthy.

IDP4ME said:

(Rotoworld) The 49ers have transitioned from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defensive alignment.

Impact: The move projects to help the IDP value of first-round pick Manny Lawson, who is expected to move to weak-side linebacker.

Click to expand...

I just noticed this a few minutes ago. Lawson is my LB5, so this is good news. The league is not particularly slanted towards sacks, but they are worth about 2 tackles (1 sack = 1 pt, 1 tackle = .60 pt).Anyway, my question is:

This news from Rotoworld indicates that this move to a 4-3 is good for Lawson. Why? He's still a pass-rushing OLB. I guess now he's technically a classical WLB but why is that a better fit for him than a 3-4 pass-rush OLB?

Thanks... just wondering.

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the quote is from the Defensive Coord interview:

the scheme is built out of a 3-4 but can easily move in and out of a 4-3

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doesnt seem like anything to panic about imo...SF depth chart from there own website shows: a 3/4 LINK

here is an interview with billy davis... Interview after Camp Broke

Chaos Commish said:

IDP4ME said:

(Rotoworld) The 49ers have transitioned from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defensive alignment.

Impact: The move projects to help the IDP value of first-round pick Manny Lawson, who is expected to move to weak-side linebacker.

Click to expand...

I just noticed this a few minutes ago. Lawson is my LB5, so this is good news. The league is not particularly slanted towards sacks, but they are worth about 2 tackles (1 sack = 1 pt, 1 tackle = .60 pt).Anyway, my question is:

This news from Rotoworld indicates that this move to a 4-3 is good for Lawson. Why? He's still a pass-rushing OLB. I guess now he's technically a classical WLB but why is that a better fit for him than a 3-4 pass-rush OLB?

Thanks... just wondering.

Click to expand...

4-3 WLB is not a better fit for Lawson. He is a converted DE, and he lacked the LB skills of Carpenter and Wimbley in this draft. 3-4 OLB is an adjustment he is making with expected difficulty. To take his pass rush away from him and play him in a 4-3 is not a good thing for him or SF. The good news is the move to 4-3 is about health, and Nolan is a 3-4 coach, trying to assemble the best talent to run the 3-4. In a 4-3 Lawson will see as much time at DE as LB, imo. The base defense in SF will be a 3-4 when everyone is healthy.

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you pretty much hit the nail on the head...if you listen to the interview i posted Billy goes on to say it depends on who we have healthy etc

Niners signed Roderick Green, formerly of the Ravens, off waivers this week. He should allow them to play the base 3-4 while Moore and Haralyson recover.

As we've said throughout the thread, it's really unlikely Lawson's value changes in a 4-3 front. If anything, it probably makes it more difficult for him to get to the passer from the end at 245-250 pounds.

Any prolonged change to a 4-3 setup would significantly improve the prospects of Derek Smith and Bryant Young, however, who would have a chance at some serious two-way DE numbers outside the tackles.

Bumping this thread to see what people think now. I'm an SF fan and he's looked good to me. Still, I'm a relative noob to IDP and he still doesn't appear in Bloom's latest Dynasty LB rankings, so what am I missing? He's available on the WW in my league, but one more good week and he'll get snapped up based on his stats alone.