Tag Archives: Brian Orakpo

Rookie Recap: Washington at Detroit

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In the fourth edition of the Rookie Recap, I will breakdown the performances of Lions Quarterback Matthew Stafford and Redskins Linebacker Brian Orakpo.

Brian Orakpo

Hybrid defender Brian Orakpo notched the first sack of his career against the Lions in Week 3.  Orakpo also added 4 total tackles after being shut out statistically versus the Rams in Week 2.  Orakpo will never be a force in fantasy football if he remains eligible at strong side linebacker in many leagues.  He does retain some value in his ability to put his hand on the ground on third down to rush the quarterback, but that role would be better utilized in a traditional 3-4 scheme.  London Fletcher, LaRon Landry, and Rocky McIntosh dominated the tackle opportunities in this game, and that likely won’t change going forward this season.  Orakpo’s dynasty value is tied to eventually becoming defensive line eligible as his body matures as a pro.  He’s been often compared to DeMarcus Ware because they are both hybrid defenders, but Ware is in another class by himself.  Orakpo is definitely someone worth watching early in his career.

Matthew Stafford

Matthew Stafford accomplished what Dan Orlovsky, Daunte Culpepper and Jon Kitna could not do in 2008; lead the Detroit Lions to victory.  The Number 1 overall draft pick in the 2009 NFL Draft helped the Lions snap their losing streak at 19 games with a 19-14 win over the Redskins.  Stafford had the best game of his young career as he played efficient football as the Lions controlled the clock for the majority of the game.  Stafford fired up his teammates by jawing with the Redskins defenders and displayed the enthusiasm and moxie that the Lions have been missing forever.  The talent level in Detroit is still subpar and the going will be rough at times in 2009, but the Lions do have some excellent building blocks in Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Head Coach Jim Schwartz.

Teams will continue to roll coverage to Calvin Johnson and Bryant Johnson will have to continue to make big plays like his 21 yard touchdown grab in the 1st Quarter for Stafford to have any use as a starter in Fantasy Football this year.  I compared Stafford to Jay Cutler before the season started, and I stick by that assessment.  Stafford will run hot and cold, but his limited game action makes it quite obvious why he was the top overall selection.  I had written both Stafford and Mark Sanchez off from having any fantasy value this year, and I may rethink that stance.  Both are light years ahead in their anticipated development, and you’ll want to stash away both on your bench and keep an eye on them in your dynasty leagues for the future.

Team Defense Sleepers

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The typical fantasy football league usually requires you to start a team defense and kicker every week.   Projecting what teams will have good fantasy defenses can even give the experts a migraine.  Injuries usually play a large role in a vastly underperforming defense; take the 2008 Chargers for example after losing star defender Shawn Merriman.  They were the consensus #1 team defense going into last year, and they finished outside the top 10 in many scoring formats.  Not exactly worth the high price it took to land them in your fantasy football draft.

Listed below are 3 defenses with an average draft position outside the top 15 that could end up as viable starting units down the stretch this season.

St. Louis Rams
Bye Week 9 – Def Coordinator/Head Coach: Ken Flajole/Steve Spagnuolo
Rookie Additions:  LB James Laurinaitis, CB Bradley Fletcher, DT Dorell Scott

Shocked to see the lowly Rams atop this list of sleeper defenses?   The Rams are primed to be the next Cinderella NFL team.  You may have already stopped reading or skipped ahead to the next team defense listed, but hear me out first.  The Rams have a last place schedule in the very average NFC West and have the easiest fantasy schedule by far in 2009.  A new motivated head coach and a last place schedule usually leads to a return to the league average or to the playoffs (Miami, Atlanta, and Baltimore in 2008).  Steve Spagnuolo probably won’t be leading this team to the playoffs, but he will coach up his defense into becoming a viable starting fantasy option.

Spagnuolo’s defense requires putting constant pressure from a variety of different blitz schemes, a large stable to defensive lineman to constantly rotate in fresh bodies, and physical cornerbacks.  It will take time to bring in more linemen to rival the depth chart he enjoyed with the Giants, but you can bet DE Chris Long will continue to wreck havoc.  Bradley Fletcher was an unknown leading up to the draft, but he is a physical cornerback who could develop into the next Corey Webster for Spagnuolo.  The addition of Middle Linebacker James Laurinaitis will help out at two positions; Will Witherspoon shifts over to his more natural spot on the weakside.

A new aggressive defensive minded head coach and a last place schedule make the Rams a great draft day value and should become a viable starting defense or at the very least a bye week replacement.

Seattle Seahawks
Bye Week 7 – Def Coordinator/Head Coach: Gus Bradley/Jim Mora
Rookie Additions:  LB Aaron Curry

The Seahawks were finally dethroned by the Cardinals atop the NFC West in 2008.  The Seahawks were always considered to be one of the NFL’s better teams, but not quite elite.  Typically Seattle is very strong at home with their home field advantage and dreadful on the road when they travel to the East Coast.

Injuries to Matt Hasselbeck and the entire wide receiver depth chart led to the defense being on the field too much.  Outside linebacker Julian Peterson was traded to Detroit, and the team selected Aaron Curry to replace him.  Curry is arguably the most talented defender in the draft class.  He’ll have a much greater impact on the overall Seahawks defense than he will as an IDP.

Like the Rams, the Seahawks also have a weak fantasy schedule and did not forget how to play solid football after one injury riddled season.  Look for Seattle to also be a top 12 defense in 2009.

Washington Redskins
Bye Week 9 – Def Coordinator/Head Coach: Greg Blache/Jim Zorn
Rookie Additions: DE/OLB Brian Orakpo, DE Jeremy Jarmon

Washington landed the biggest offseason prize with the addition of Albert Haynesworth to a record free agent contract.  Haynesworth will demand double teams, and he’ll instantly make the already stout Washington defense even better.  The Redskins play in the brutal NFC East, but their matchups tend to be low scoring slugfests which bode well for their fantasy prospects with the addition of Haynesworth.

The Redskins did not trade away their draft picks like in past years, and added hybrid defender Brian Orakpo out of Texas in the first round.  They envision lining him up all over the field in an effort to get more pressure on the quarterback.  Jarmon was the team’s recent selection in the 3rd round of the Supplemental Draft and will provide depth to their defensive line rotation.

The Redskins also present draft day value as a backup defense you will be able to select in the late round and have the potential to outscore many of the defenses selected before them.

IDP Rookie Rankings

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Rookie Blitz has posted its initial rookie rankings for IDP (Individual Defensive Players). This is a weak draft class for defensive players, but there are some players that will help your Dynasty League team. You should target these players in the best situations to succeed.

James Laurinaitis didn’t get a lot of coverage leading up to the draft, but the Rams were more than willing to bring him into the fold. Coach Spagnuolo can already envision Laurinaitis as his Antonio Pierce in the middle of the defense.

Rey Maualuga will begin the season at strong side linebacker, but will quickly show he is the best person to man the middle in Cincinnati. Often compared to Ray Lewis, Maualuga will be the heart and soul of the Bengals defense for years.

Patrick Chung has the dubious distinction for being traded for Matt Cassell for better or worse. Ironically the player Chung most resembles just hung up his cleats, Rodney Harrison.

Brian Orakpo will benefit from being listed primarily at Defensive End, but will also see plenty of time as an edge rusher at linebacker on the strong side.