Sleeper Watch

Last season, Minnesota was an excellent place to find defensive backs to bolster your IDP roster. Antoine Winfield once again put up excellent tackle totals, racking up 89 solos and nine assists, while teammate Darren Sharper picked off nine passes, returning them for a league-high 276 yards and two scores. The linebacker position, however, was an entirely different matter. This year, that may change.

Sam Cowart led all Minnesota LBs with 72 solo tackles last year, not exactly a number that will earn All-IDP honors. During the off-season, Cowart signed with Houston, leaving EJ Henderson (55 solo stops in 2005) as the Vikings’ top returning veteran. To fill the void left by Cowart’s departure, the team used its first-round pick – #17 overall – to add Iowa’s Chad Greenway to the fold.

Scouts were divided in their evaluation of Greenway. Some raved about the speed, tackling ability, and football smarts that allowed him to bring down more than 150 ball-carriers last year. Others worried about a lack of strength, occasional difficulty evading blockers, and skills that might not translate well to the NFL.

Yet when it comes to judging the fantasy value, opportunity is at least as vital as talent, and opportunity is one thing that Greenway certainly has going for him. The Vikings need him to step up and play a key role in the linebacker unit straight away, and Greenway should find himself very busy once the season kicks off in September.

With ten defenders being drafted ahead of him on April 29, Chad Greenway hasn’t drawn much attention so far, yet keep him in mind when considering options for your fantasy defense. If he can dispel lingering doubts about his ability, he could well be among the top tacklers in this year’s rookie class.

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