Culcasi's Thoughts

As the first linebacker selected in the 2003 NFL draft (29th overall player), Nick Barnett had a lot of expectations placed on his back with some concerns that followed. After seeing time at both safety and outside linebacker during his days at Oregon State, he entered his first training camp as the Packers starting middle linebacker with no history of playing inside. The main question was whether or not he'd be able to hold up in the middle for a full season. He played in 15 games during his rookie year, but I'm not sure that we were given a definite answer.

At 6'2 233 Barnett doesn't have ideal MLB size, but that's typical from what we're seeing in the league today with quicker, lighter players taking over in the middle. He makes up for a lack of size with speed, intensity, strength and an aggressive nature that needs to be harnessed for him to reach his full potential. His aggression leaves him susceptible to play action and he loses sight of his assignments, overpursues and falls out of position. Luckily, this is a bad trait that can easily be cured with experience. Barnett's size leaves him as a player who needs space to make plays, otherwise he can become engulfed by the offensive line.

If the Defensive Rookie of the Year award were handed out mid-season, Nick Barnett would've been a shoe in with 55 solo tackles, two sacks and two interceptions through his first eight NFL games. An ankle injury during week 11 accelerated his "rookie wall" and he lost the award to Ravens situational pass-rushing LB Terrell Suggs. He did finish #2 in rookie Pro Bowl votes, behind only Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin.

Positives

• Nick Barnett became the first Packers rookie to start at middle linebacker in 25 years. He led all NFL rookies in tackles, finishing top 25 in solo tackles leaguewide.



• Barnett has great speed, strength, tackling skills and explosion, making him a sideline to sideline force who's capable of filling up the boxscore like few others.



• Saying that he was the heart of Green Bays defense a year ago would be an understatement. The teams defensive MVP, he led them in tackles while playing in over 87% of the teams defensive snaps.
  

Negatives

• Rookie stuff. Barnett is a high energy player whose aggression got the better of him at times, forcing him to overpursue.



• He's considered a solid coverage linebacker who made some highlight reel plays a year ago, but it's an area that he could improve in (mainly down field)

Final Thoughts

Nick Barnett has the ability to be a big-time playmaker in this league. A year of experience will work wonders on the flaws that he does have in his game, leaving him with incredible expectations from those of us pointing to his first eight games last year as production potential. Can he control his aggressive style, leaving him in better position to make plays? His game won't change entirely in one year, so he'll still be out of position at times, but he should be a staple as a top 10 fantasy linebacker for many years to come.

Quotes from the IDP Spotlight Message Thread:

To view the entire thread, click here: LB Nick Barnett, Green Bay Packers

grady:
"Nick Barnett is in the right situation for a fantasy team. In NFL terms, he is a little undersized and is probably better suited to play WLB or SS. He is a very good athlete and has nowhere to go but up. The rather poor front seven in Green Bay helps his fantasy stock a ton as he has to play above his head to keep the team in games."

Gadzooks:
"Was 24th in avg ff pts per game last year and 24th in tackles for LBs. 89 tackles in 15 games. Very solid and I expect similar numbers next year with a slight improvement."

The Hunchback:
"I don't think that Barnett will play a full season and miss a few games this year. The DL looks to be in pieces and have a hard keeping the opposing line from blocking him, thus wearing him down throughout the game and year. I will project my numbers as if he were to play all 16 games."

claughren:
"I like Nick as a top 6-8 LB this year assuming he can stay healthy for 16 games. It took him a few games to get going but he is the man on their LB corps and I believe he will continue to get better as the year goes on."

Projections

IDP Scoring System
1 pt per Solo Tackle
0.5 pt per Assisted Tackle
3 pts per Sack
4 pts per Interception
1 pt per Pass Defensed
2 pts per Forced Fumble
2 pts per Fumble Recovery