Best Future LB Prospect? (1 Viewer)

[jgb95]

Looking to grab a LB for the future.

Here are the four guys that are under the radar in my league.

Who has the most upside. I've been reading up on all four and I'd like to get a 2nd opinion. It seems that Jamir has upside only if CHI lets Briggs walk (which seems like a given now). Gaither is stuck behind Trotter. Keiaho is good only if IND doesn't invest in Cato June. Last is James Anderson who is listed at OLB and MLB but is again tied to the health of Dan Morgan!!!

Scoring sytem:

2 tackle

1 asst

10 sack

2 PD

2 FF

4 FR

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Birdie048]

Opportunity is a key asset in the value of a prospect. The best situations are Kieaho, Anderson and Gaithers.

Kieaho was drafted with the understanding that Cato June would not be resigned. He has more athletic ability than Gilbert Gardner (SLB), but needs more polish.

Anderson is getting some seasoning now with the move of Dan Morgan to IR. Carolina needs a reliable MLB and Anderson is a prospect for that role. Chris Draft is more of a stop-gap filler. He is OK, but not a playmaker. Anderson has a higher upper potential value IMO.

Gaithers is getting time in the Nickle packages in Trotter's place. Trotter could be a cap casuality next spring and Gaithers could fill the role.

Of the names listed, I rank them:

Anderson

Gaithers

Kieaho

Williams

 

[jgb95]

thanks birdie!!!!

 

[cr8f]

Earlier Anderson was more a WLB prospect long term but when Seward stunk in coverage that may have changed. They may sign another MLB or draft someone.

Birdie do you think they like him more in the middle? I heard they liked him more as a replacement for Spoon.

 

[redman]

Wow, 10 points for a sack! That's a big enough factor that I think you can make that a central part of your analysis.

The guys on your list who play for the teams that like to blitz their LB's the most to my understanding are Gaither in Philly and Anderson in Carolina.

Also, MLB's just aren't blitzed that often. To the extent that you're discussing guys who may end up at MLB, that's worth noting. Only Williams to my understanding is not expected at all to play MLB for his team. Gaither, however, plays for a team that does like to blitz its LB's, including its MLB, although the Eagles LB's to my quick review haven't registered a single sack this season.

Moreover, as far as Keiho goes, the Colts seem to never blitz June - he has zero sacks this year; his real value comes from steady tackles and the opportunism that comes from his position that enables him to get turnovers, usually INT's. (BTW, what points do LB's get for forced fumbles and fumble recoveries/INT's in your league?) To the extent that Keiaho replaces June at WLB, he doesn't figure to get you many 10-pointers. Mitigating this is that I think Keiaho may end up being the best LB (measured by NFL rather than fantasy standards) of this group.

I'd rank them as follows, based mostly upon their likelihood of starting next season and the value of their situation, including the factors cited above:

Williams (seems most likely to start next season of the four)

Keiaho (I think he's a stud in waiting and will put up good numbers, regardless of sacks whether playing the Mike or Will)

Anderson (I'm having trouble understanding the LB situation in Carolina, so I can't figure out whether or where he'll play)

Gaither (Trotter seems likely to return next year - the Will position does seem to get a LOT of tackles though . . .)

BTW- I'm very pleased to say that my dyasty roster has all four guys.

 

[Birdie048]

Earlier Anderson was more a WLB prospect long term but when Seward stunk in coverage that may have changed. They may sign another MLB or draft someone. Birdie do you think they like him more in the middle? I heard they liked him more as a replacement for Spoon.

The story around the Carolina's is that they are pushing Dan Morgan to retire and that Chris Draft is not a playmaker, but more of an able bodied LB. Anderson is viewed as a playmaker and if he continues to impress, they want to try him at MLB. Worst case is he shifts to WLB as Thomas Davis has improved enough to cover the SLB in their system. Dan Morgan has a heavy cap $ if he returns or is released (also a possibility next season).

 

[msommer]

Earlier Anderson was more a WLB prospect long term but when Seward stunk in coverage that may have changed. They may sign another MLB or draft someone. Birdie do you think they like him more in the middle? I heard they liked him more as a replacement for Spoon.

The story around the Carolina's is that they are pushing Dan Morgan to retire and that Chris Draft is not a playmaker, but more of an able bodied LB. Anderson is viewed as a playmaker and if he continues to impress, they want to try him at MLB. Worst case is he shifts to WLB as Thomas Davis has improved enough to cover the SLB in their system. Dan Morgan has a heavy cap $ if he returns or is released (also a possibility next season).

Wasn't Davis supposed to be WLB??

 

[Birdie048]

Earlier Anderson was more a WLB prospect long term but when Seward stunk in coverage that may have changed. They may sign another MLB or draft someone. Birdie do you think they like him more in the middle? I heard they liked him more as a replacement for Spoon.

The story around the Carolina's is that they are pushing Dan Morgan to retire and that Chris Draft is not a playmaker, but more of an able bodied LB. Anderson is viewed as a playmaker and if he continues to impress, they want to try him at MLB. Worst case is he shifts to WLB as Thomas Davis has improved enough to cover the SLB in their system. Dan Morgan has a heavy cap $ if he returns or is released (also a possibility next season).

Wasn't Davis supposed to be WLB??

Yes, he was... but he had trouble on 1 or 2 of the aspects of WLB (sorry, I forget what it was.... RB in flat or blitz?), but he is holding the SLB role better than expected.

 

[jgb95]

Thanks guys you've given me a ton of good info to work with.

I wish i got more responses like this one!!!

Thanks again.

 

[cracKer]

I see Keiaho and Williams as the top 2 based on their opportunities to possibly start next year.