A much debated member of the draft class, and projected #1 Defensive End, Quinton Coples has split the draftniks. To some he is an explosive edge-rusher echoing the skills of his UNC alum, Julius Peppers, while others point to him taking plays off, being a shade under-sized for a five-technique and a one-dimensional pass-rusher. Whatever is being said, he still registered 17.5 sacks, 30.5 tackles for loss and 114 tackles in his final two years in college, off the back of his bull rush and he will generate interest in fantasy leagues as a 4-3 DE. Following on from a bountiful draft class last year, in which Robert Quinn (also from UNC), Adrian Clayborn and Jabaal Sheard were all able to make solid contributions as DEs (Aldon Smith, JJ Watt and Ryan Kerrigan were also successful, but not as 4-3 Ends) I expect the risky Coples to be over-drafted.
Coples selection by the Jets is a double-edged sword as if there was any place you would want to see a slightly unhinged pass-rusher, it’s on a Rex Ryan defense. However recent seasons have not produced fantasy starters from blitzing Jets defenders, which does dampen my enthusiasm somewhat. Whether a 3-4 end or outside linebacker, the requirement of the defensive scheme puts a cap on a player's fantasy value, so I’d be very cautious in drafting Coples not only in redraft leagues, but dynasty leagues too.
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