Alec Ogletree

Ogletree might remain more theory than practice for the entirety of his career, but even if his potential is never fully realized he should be a useful IDP in the meantime. The Giants traded for him this offseason, so they almost certainly plan to give him a full-time role, and so long as that's the case the numbers should come with it. An athletic linebacker with uncommon reach, Ogletree can close a lot of ground when he knows where to go, and he can bend the edge a bit as a blitzer. The blown assignments in between won't matter to his IDP owners as long as he's on the field.

Ogletree has been accused of being more athlete than linebacker, but entering his age-25 season he appears to be approaching a new level of productivity. In his last 20 games he totaled 178 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions, and the arrival of defensive coordinator Wade Phillips should mean new playmaking opportunities under the tutelage of one of the best defensive coaches ever. Ogletree has shown the ability to make an impact in coverage and as a blitzer, and he might finally make all the pieces fit as he heads into his prime.

Ogletree's 2015 season was wrecked by a fractured fibula that struck in Week 4, robbing him of the chance to begin his career with three straight 100-tackle seasons. The leg is not a concern heading into 2016, however, so Ogletree should pick up where he left off. Indeed, there's reason to expect a breakout season for the already accomplished Ogletree in 2016, as James Laurinaitis is gone, leaving Ogletree in position to take full ownership of the Rams' LB corps. An elite athlete for the position, Ogletree likely has untapped upside as a blitzer and coverage threat.

Ogletree is the Rams' top IDP linebacker, even with elder and former elite IDP James Laurinaitis still around. Ogletree had more tackles the last two years than Laurinaitis, and few linebackers possess his playmaking upside. One of the league's more explosive linebackers, Ogletree forced 10 fumbles the last two years and has untapped upside for interceptions considering his 22 defended passes over that span. With the St. Louis front four one of the league's best, Ogletree is in position for a career year for tackles, sacks and interceptions.

Ogletree can stand to improve his run defense skills, but he showed some promising traits in his rookie season last year, especially in IDP terms. The Rams selected Ogletree 30th overall in last year's draft knowing he was raw, but they were banking on the big-play potential brought on by his rare athleticism. He definitely made big plays last year, making 111 tackles (95 solo) to go along with 1.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, an interception and one touchdown. He has untapped potential as a pass rusher, possessing long arms and rare lower-body explosiveness for bending the edge as a blitzer. The Rams' first-round investment in Ogletree dictates that he remain in a three-down role in 2014, though he might have trouble establishing LB1 value as long as James Laurinaitis is around to steal tackles. Still, his high solo tackle total as a rookie and top-notch forced fumble count imply that Ogletree will continue making big plays.

Ogletree is a high-risk, high-reward choice, to be sure. James Laurinaitis has one three-down role locked down in St. Louis, so Ogletree will have to battle Jo-Lonn Dunbar for nickel snaps. Dunbar was strong in run defense last year, totaling 113 tackles, 16.5 of which were for a loss. But the team still took Ogletree in the first round of the draft, meaning they expect him to play a full-time role sooner than later. Dunbar did not earn high grades for his coverage, moreover, meaning the team could envision him as a rushing-down specialist. If Ogletree can beat out Dunbar for nickel snaps, his upside will be enormous. Ogletree totaled 111 tackles in 10 games last year at Georgia, and he has the range and length to make an impact in coverage and on the pass rush.