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Fantasy Impact: Indianapolis Colts select Bjoen Werner

Bjoern Werner

With the 24th selection of the draft, Indianapolis selected Florida State DE/OLB, Bjoern Werner.

Werner is a highly regarded prospect that suffered slightly in the month following the NFL Combine. His average performance in the drills in Indianapolis meant the workout warriors in the class saw their stock rise past his. Productive in his years as a starter for the Seminoles having recorded 20 sacks in the past two years, Werner’s detractors highlight the fact he doesn’t offer the quickness and power of other D-Ends who declared this year.

What cannot be ignored though is his scope for improvement having not playing football until his second year in high school. Born in Germany, Werner has a 6’ 3” frame that can add bulk to his 266lbs as he has played as big as 275lbs, so he is much more suited to playing as a 4-3 End rather than a 3-4 rush OLB.

Year School Solo Ast Tot Loss Sk Int PD FR Yds TD FF
2010 Florida State

8

12

20

6

3.5

0

1

0

0

0

1

2011 Florida State

25

12

37

11

7

1

9

1

25

1

1

2012 Florida State

30

12

42

18

13

0

8

1

9

0

1

Career

63

36

99

35

23.5

1

18

2

34

1

3

College statistics courtesy of Sports Reference.

Fantasy Impact

Since switching to a 3-4 defense the Colts have needed an outside linebacker and drafting Werner is an attempt to resolve that. Dwight Freeney struggled in the role and was released in the off-season and Erik Walden was signed to replace him. Werner will compete in camp with the pair of veterans and have a chance to start immediately, but fantasy owners will want to know if he’ll be a three-down player? He’ll be used as an edge-rusher early in his career which will limit his fantasy value in balanced and tackle-heavy scoring systems. In big-play scoring systems he would be a late selection in deeper rookie drafts.

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