Talking some about rookie drafts, and most of the focus has been on the offensive positions. But some leagues incorporate individual defensive players, and there are some key targets among the rookies in that area, too. Most notably the two linebackers selected earliest, Roquan Smith (pictured) and Tremaine Edmunds.
Those aren't the only early selections. The Cowboys took Leighton Vander Esch, and the Titans took Rashaan Evans, also in the first round. All four project as immediate inside linebacker starters for those teams, and all could push for big tackle numbers right away.
Last year's top rookie tacklers were a little disappointing -- good players, but not difference-making fantasy performers. Jarrad Davis of the Lions led the way with 96 tackles, and Zach Cunningham of the Texans had 90. In each of the previous five seasons, and seven of eight, multiple rookies had reached 100 tackles. Only two other times this century (2001 and 2011) has there been a season where at least one rookie didn't have at least 100 total tackles.
100-TACKLE ROOKIES, 2000-PRESENT (plus 2017's best) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Player | Pos | Solo | Ast | Tot |
2017 | Jarrad Davis, Det. | MLB | 65 | 31 | 96 |
2017 | Zach Cunningham, Hou. | ILB | 48 | 42 | 90 |
2016 | Deion Jones, Atl. | MLB | 75 | 33 | 108 |
2016 | Keanu Neal, Atl. | SS | 72 | 34 | 106 |
2015 | Stephone Anthony, N.O. | MLB | 70 | 42 | 112 |
2015 | Landon Collins, NYG | FS | 84 | 28 | 112 |
2014 | C.J. Mosley, Balt. | ILB | 89 | 44 | 133 |
2014 | Preston Brown, Buff. | OLB | 66 | 43 | 109 |
2014 | Chris Borland, S.F. | ILB | 84 | 24 | 108 |
2014 | Telvin Smith, Jac. | ILB | 72 | 32 | 104 |
2013 | Kiko Alonso, Buff. | MLB | 87 | 72 | 159 |
2013 | Paul Worrilow, Atl. | OLB | 79 | 48 | 127 |
2013 | Alec Ogletree, St.L. | OLB | 94 | 23 | 117 |
2013 | Johnathan Cyprien, Jac. | SS | 87 | 17 | 104 |
2012 | Luke Kuechly, Car. | MLB | 103 | 61 | 164 |
2012 | Bobby Wagner, Sea. | MLB | 87 | 53 | 140 |
2012 | Lavonte David, T.B. | OLB | 112 | 27 | 139 |
2012 | Vontaze Burfict, Cin. | OLB | 73 | 54 | 127 |
2012 | Harrison Smith, Minn. | FS | 74 | 30 | 104 |
2010 | T.J. Ward, Clev. | SS | 95 | 28 | 123 |
2010 | Alterraun Verner, Tenn. | CB | 85 | 16 | 101 |
2009 | Brian Cushing, Hou. | OLB | 86 | 47 | 133 |
2009 | James Laurinaitis, St.L. | MLB | 107 | 13 | 120 |
2008 | Jerod Mayo, N.E. | ILB | 100 | 28 | 128 |
2007 | Patrick Willis, S.F. | ILB | 135 | 39 | 174 |
2007 | Jon Beason, Car. | MLB | 106 | 34 | 140 |
2007 | David Harris, NYJ | ILB | 90 | 37 | 127 |
2006 | DeMeco Ryans, Hou. | MLB | 125 | 30 | 155 |
2006 | Ernie Sims, Det. | OLB | 81 | 43 | 124 |
2006 | A.J. Hawk, G.B. | OLB | 82 | 37 | 119 |
2006 | Thomas Howard, Oak. | OLB | 88 | 22 | 110 |
2006 | Donte Whitner, Buff. | SS | 67 | 37 | 104 |
2005 | Kirk Morrison, Oak. | LB | 91 | 25 | 116 |
2005 | Kerry Rhodes, NYJ | SS | 85 | 20 | 105 |
2005 | Lofa Tatupu, Sea. | MLB | 85 | 19 | 104 |
2004 | D.J. Williams, Den. | OLB | 81 | 33 | 114 |
2004 | Jonathan Vilma, NYJ | MLB | 77 | 30 | 107 |
2004 | Madieu Williams, Cin. | FS | 86 | 17 | 103 |
2004 | Teddy Lehman, Det. | OLB | 75 | 27 | 102 |
2004 | Erik Coleman, NYJ | FS | 73 | 27 | 100 |
2003 | Nick Barnett, G.B. | MLB | 86 | 26 | 112 |
2003 | Mike Doss, Ind. | SS | 73 | 29 | 102 |
2002 | Chris Cash, Det. | CB | 87 | 13 | 100 |
Smith, selected by the Bears at No. 9 overall, looks like the best bet, with Edmunds, the Bills' pick at No. 16, also a candidate. Those guys should start at middle linebacker right away, replacing high-tackle players. (Former Bill Preston Brown led the league in tackles a year ago.) Vander Esch joins Sean Lee and Jaylon Smith in Dallas; Lee will probably be that team's best fantasy option this year. Evans probably won't be taken as early in IDP drafts, so some value in that pick; he should also start in Tennessee.
--Andy Richardson