TOP 20 IDP (first version)
1 Thomas Davis, SS/LB, CAR - at safety or LB, he'll be a tremendous playmaker behind the carolina front 4.
panthers have plans for davis
2 Barrett Ruud, MLB, TB - a true MLB, he should be a stalwart starter in tampa beginning in 06.
Ruud ready to claim spot
3 Odell Thurman, MLB, CIN - only landon johnson is in his way at MLB - a little small for a 4-3 MLB, but has the fire to make up for it. some character risk.
profile of thurman
4 Derrick Johnson, OLB, KC - could be the most productive player in the draft, could be a bust - KC LB corps is a mess and DJ could get mired at SLB
5 Channing Crowder, ILB, MIA - his speed and fragility will remind a lot of kendrell bell. draft accordingly.
saban likes crowder
6 Lofa Tatupu, MLB, SEA - eerily reminiscent of dat nguyen - small but lots of heart... bust risk as he may not overcome his shortcomings.
Rookie fitting in nicely in middle
7 Brodney Pool, FS, CLE - this is best youll get at safety since there are no stud SS in this draft. long term, pool should be the QB of the romeo crennel defense and make plays all over the place.
8 Kevin Burnett, LB, DAL - has the skills to be a top 3 IDP from this draft, but if he ends up at 3-4 OLB, his numbers will suffer.
parcells lauds burnett
9 Demarcus Ware, LB, DAL - same as burnett, except we know he's an 3-4 OLB
10 Shawne Merriman, LB, SD - see Ware
Merriman wants to be in camp, but cant
11 David Pollack, SLB, CIN - like Ware and Merriman, a tremendous player stuck in a bad fantasy position
Pollack begins LB training
12 Alfred Fincher, LB, NO - Fincher could easily be as high as #5 or #6 in a few months. he could easily replace courtney watson as the MLB of the future for the saints.
Fincher hoping to break through
13 Kirk Morrison, ILB, OAK - the signing of foreman makes his prospects for this year a little less exciting, but should settle into an ILB spot long term. like fincher, could zoom up this list with a good camp.
14 Robert McCune, MLB, WAS - this guy has jeremiah trotter written all over him.
15 Lance Mitchell, MLB, ARI - dont be too surprised if mitchell is the most productive LB out of this draft - getting over the ACL tear from 03 is the only question.
16 Donte Nicholson, SS, TB - the best SS in the draft - and jermaine phillips is anything but entrenched. a perfect late round rookie pick if you are at a loss.
17 OJ Atogwe, FS, STL - the only guy who can cover among the St louis safeties, should be starting real soon.
18 Leroy Hill, OLB, SEA - very productive LB, but small - could get mired at SLB behind sharper, could be a jackpot late pick if he can win the WLB job. watch his camp closely.
19 Marlin Jackson, CB/FS, IND - i see him as a FS long term as indy lacks a true FS - either way, he'll pile up tackles with his physical style in the cover 2.
20 Antrel Rolle, CB, ARI - will put up big tackle numbers as a CB because of his style, should be picked higher in start 2 CB leagues.
Left off:
Daryl Blackstock, LB, ARI - love the talent, but he's blocked by dansby and only projects to be an SLB
Dan Cody, DE/OLB, BAL Stuck in DE/OLB in baltimore's scheme, not good for fantasy
Erasmus James, DE, MIN - Im just not sold on this guys game beyond the pure pass rush.
Justin Tuck, DE, NYG - probably #21, as he has the best in the biz (strahan) to learn from. bump him up in start 2 DE leagues.
Matt Roth, DE/OLB, MIA - see cody
Josh BUllocks, FS, NO - ballhawk who wont put up big tackle #s
Nick Collins, S/CB, GB - project, and GBs secondary is a mess
Sean Considine, FS, PHI - *sleeper alert* could easily make the top 20 by august - i like his chances of sticking on philly's D as the top backup safety.
Good thread.I think you have Marlin Jackson rated a bit low. As a rookie CB in a Cover-2 system, he should put up some numbers, particularly when his team figures to be involved in some shootouts.
avisPoolAtogweStill shuffling the rest of my DB's.
BloomI agree with Redman on Marlin Jackson.
I just drafted him with this exact reasoning in mind.
Accidental ommission or just don't like the guy??
