A Look at the Rooks, IDP that is.

DEFENSIVE LINE VERSION

We may just be coming up on week 5, but it’s time for a look at the NFL rookies and how they have produced from a fantasy outlook.

Overall, a pretty quiet year for IDP DL rookies in regards to impact. There are a few making their presence known in NFL circles, but if you have been hard up enough to have to start one in a fantasy league, you were likely in some trouble.

Aaron Maybin (Buffalo DE 1st round)

What a disappointment. Since his 38 snaps in week one, Maybin has seen a steady decline in touches. Week two he saw just 27, in week three just 13 and against the Dolphins last week just 14. The plan going into the season was to work Maybin in slowly, but it appears they are working him out quickly. He has shown no ability to either put pressure on the QB or take part in the rushing defense. Dynasty owners shouldn’t give up this early, but in a redraft he should be considered untouchable.

Michael Johnson (Cincinnati DE 3rd round)

Another player that has had zero impact so far in ‘09, Johnson’s lack of impact is even more telling that Maybin’s. At least in Buffalo you have a solid DL rotation at end that features Aaron Schobel, Chris Kelsay and vet Ryan Denney, but in Bengals land they really expected (and needed) Johnson to be a part of the rotation with Antwan Odom and Robert Geathers. Instead, it was been depth player Johnathan Fanene getting those snaps, with Johnson playing sparingly. Sparingly as in one solo all year. Look for Johnson to start getting more snaps as the season progresses, but he’s unlikely to become fantasy useable anytime soon.

Sammy Lee Hill (Detroit DT 4th round)

Not that Hill has done much to warrant much notice, but he did finally manage to remove any doubt that he is the starter opposite Grady Jackson. His 2-1 through three games is not enough to warrant even any talk of fantasy worthiness, but in a DT required league, he has some upside. With a struggling Lions team (surprise), he could manage tackles if he can get the hang of the defense.

Matt Shaughnessy (Oakland DE 3rd round)

The preseason plan for Shaughnessy was clear: Rotate in with recent arrivee Greg Ellis, Trevor Scott and Jay Richardson. But with the signing of veteran Richard Seymour, Shaughnessy was shuffled further back into the depth chart, and he’s unlikely to rise to the surface again this year. But in dyansty and keepers, the guy does have an NFL body and some skills.

Evander Hood (Pittsburgh DE 1st round)

Did not see this one coming. From all indications Hood was close to NFL-ready and was going to be a solid rotation guy, and was the first DE off the bench. But he has been unable to move past Travis Kirsche, and he’s getting virtually no playing time. Of course, even Kirsche has just one tackle himself this year. If this defense was not so dang good, Hood may just be able to put up some numbers.

Everett Brown (Carolina DE 2nd round)

Not many second-rounders in the draft got as much press as Brown. To hear it told, he would make quick work of Tyler Brayton and Charles Johnson and be in the starting grid on game one. At least that was the story, and this panther team really need that to happen to give teams something else to worry about other than Julius Peppers. But Brown, who the Panthers traded away next year’s first rounder for the right to move up and grab him in the draft, has been anything except as advertised. The knock was he was too small, and so far this season in his limited playing time he has had trouble holding ground on running plays and has yet to develop any kind of move in the pass rushing game. Now Peppers is sitting on one sack, the Panthers have just two from their DL, and Brown is a flop.

Tyson Jackson (Kansas City 1st round)

What a weird stat line from Jackson. How does a guy that has started every game this season have a 1-0 seasn stat line? The Chiefs rushing defense is horrendous (128.5 ypg), and team are averaging 31.5 rushing attempts per game. At the least you would expect the DEs to collect at least a few tackles.

Roy Miller (Tampa Bay DT 3rd round)

After all this writing, finally a rookie defender worth talking about. Miller has not even started a singel game this year (although he may this week), but he has racked up 20 fantasy points and 2 sacks. He’s unlilkely to put up 5 sacks in total this year with the way this defense is going, but he’s probably a decent bet for some tackles. Still not fantasy-worthy in any format, but he does have some upside.

Connor Barwin (Houston DE 2nd round)

Barwin is firmly lodged behind Mario Williams and Antonio Smith in the depth chart, but he is at least making the most of his opportunities., He has some serious upside for next season and beyond if he can wrestle the starting gig from Smith, as Williams will provide him some protection. In week 4 Barwin did manage an assist, a fumble recovery and a defended pass. Things are looking up, and in a keeper/dynasty I would seriously look to put him on the taxi squad if I had room.

Terarnce Knighton (Jacksonville NT 3rd round)

It would be a nice story to say the jaguars changed their base defense to a 3-4 based on Knighton’s arrival, but that would not be entirely true. But it did have a factor. As a starting NT, Knighton does have some fantasy value. His 6 solos on the year don’t pop off the page, but he could develop into a decent fantasy performer in a DT-required league.

Ron Brace (New England NT 2nd round)

Nothing of note here, Brace was not expected to compete for a starting gig, and his role is to develop and learn behind VInce Wilfork and Terdell Sands. He would be lucky to see 10 solos this year.

Fili Moala (Indianapolis DT 2nd round)

Like Brace, Moala is doing as expected., He’s behind Ed and Antonio Johnson on the depth charts, and is just rotating in sparingly to learn the ropes. Worthless in fantasy, and is not likely to be a factor even in dynasty leagues.

Sen’Derrick Marks (Tennessee DT 2nd round)

Hate to sound like a broken record, but being buried behind Tony Brown and Jovan Haye is not likely to get you many opportunities to hit the playing field, In week 4 Marks was active for the first time and picked up one tackle. Not much to look forward to this year.

BJ Raji (Green Bay NT 1st rounder)

Now here’s the guy that could have some useable stats this year in deep IDP leagues. Raji made his first start in week four and promptly hung up a 2-2. For a first showing, not bad. Personally, I’m very high on Raji, and think in a tackle-based IDP league he will be a top performer for years to come. He’s worth stashing on dynasty and keeper rosters, and he could be worthwhile this season.