IDP Spotlight: DT Darnell Dockett, Arizona Cardinals

  Posted 7/16 by Dave Baker, Exclusive to Footballguys.com

The first time I ever really watched Darnell Dockett closely was in the Senior Bowl while Dockett was still enrolled at Florida State. His speed and quickness off the snap amazed me, especially for a man his size. I made a quick mental note that this is a guy who someday will be an NFL stud. Four sacks and 35 tackles later in his rookie season, I figured I was right on the mark. Unfortunately for Dockett owners, those numbers were not matched the following two seasons. Last year, in his fourth season in the NFL, Dockett finally made the impact I had earlier predicted. The question now is, was it a fluke? Was it a one-time aberration? Or can we expect more of the same for Dockett in 2008?

One of the problems I've noticed with Dockett is that he seems to wear down as the season progresses. His biggest games statistically are always near the beginning of the season. In his rookie year of 2004, he had eight solo tackles and a forced fumble in the third game. He failed to have more than three solo tackles in any other game and did not force another fumble. In 2005, Dockett had a sack in the second game and did not record another sack. In 2006, he had a sack in their second game and only had one more sack the rest of the year. And last year, clearly his best thus far, he had 8.5 sacks in the first half of the season and only one more the rest of the way. And despite signing a contract extension in 2006 through 2011, Dockett is looking to renegotiate and has been staying away from workouts. Still, there aren't many linemen that are as quick and athletic as Dockett and having only recently turned 27 years old, Dockett should be settling nicely into his prime.

Dockett and Arizona play in a 3-4 defensive alignment that switches back and forth to a more conventional 4-3. In the 3-4, Dockett lines up as a DE, and this proved successful last year. In the 4-3, he plays under tackle as a 3-technique tackle whose sole charge is to get into the backfield and disrupt plays. Anytime Dockett can use his strength and his athleticism, it's a good thing.

Positives

• Dockett is coming off the best year of his career and his entering his prime as a player
• If you're in a DT must start league, there aren't many better choices than Dockett
• He is explosive off the snap and few offensive linemen can match his combination of quickness and strength

Negatives

• Last season was his first with more than four sacks
• He had a tendency to wear down as the season progresses
• He's having contractual issues
  

Final Thoughts

Darnell Dockett has always impressed me with his abilities and it appears he's finally showing what he can do on the field. While I don't think he'll improve much on his totals from last year, matching them should be within reasonable realm and that's enough to make him one of the best DT in fantasy circles. If you don't have to start a DT, Dockett still can play a valuable role on your squad as a DL. And if Dockett can stay strong throughout the entire season, watch out.

Quotes from the IDP Spotlight Message Thread

To view the entire thread, click here.

Jene Bramel:
"Dockett was unstoppable with 27 solos and 8.5 sacks in the first half of 2008 but then disappeared in the second half when he put up just a single sack."

Zoomanji:
"As a 3-4 DT, I wouldn't expect much in fantasy value. He should be eating up blockers for the LBs and DEs to make tackles. Plus it's dependent on the DEs helping him by drawing blockers from him. I don't see stud DEs in ARZ. I would expect more of the 2nd half type production unless the D makes a big step forward. His numbers were really skewed by 3 big games last year (Ravens, Steelers, Bucs). Probably another 40 tackles and top out at 4-5 sacks."

J Giles Band:
"I happened to be coaching at Florida State (different sport) when Dockett was there, and next to possibly Greg Jones, he was the most impressive athlete I saw at a program teaming with them. He and Jones were physical marvels, especially when you were in the weight room with them. I reference this primarily because he appeared miscast to me with the Cards his first three years as a space-eating DT. While I would definitely say his best position in a 4-3 is as a 3-technique allowed to penetrate and disrupt instead of simply occupying blockers, I always thought he might also have the athletic ability and versatility to slide outside and play a 4-3 DE on running downs (a la Cullen Jenkins in Green Bay).

That said, Dockett obviously thrived once moved to a 3-4 DE in Arizona's multi-front scheme (43 tackles, 15 assists & 9 sacks - all career highs) and I was not in the least bit surprised. And while I don't think it's likely he will be able to duplicate his numbers from the first half of last season, he has never missed a game in his professional career, is entering his age 27 season (the prime of his career) and should be playing the best football of his career now. The loss of Calvin Pace does not help matters, but the potential return to health of Chike Okeafor and Bertrand Berry, the retention of Karlos Dansby as well as the offseason signing of Travis LaBoy could mitigate the impact.

For 2008, I would expect a slight dip in Dockett's sack numbers from last season but similar numbers otherwise across the board. And likely a good bit more consistency than was the case in 2007. Dockett projects as a solid DL3 to me. He has DL2 upside when he's hot (I wouldn't count on it) with DL4 production the more likely variance."

Rozelle:
"I'm still waiting for Dockett to play up to his potential because he's too inconsistent. He showed last year what he's capable of, however, after the week 9 contest vs Tampa Bay where he exploded with a 9-1-2 effort, he basically disappeared from the stat sheet the rest of the year. Does he lack stamina, desire, is he a bit lazy? Or is it all of the above? I don't know, but he definitely can be a force.

He's playing DT/UT in their 4-3 and DE in the 3-4, making him one of the better IDP DT's. He is probably going to be one of those players who will always tease you with his upside.

Dockett signed a contract extension in '06 (thru 2011) and with 4 years remaining, he wants a new deal. Dockett stayed away for all of the voluntary OTAs, and as far as I know, his status for training camp is up in the air. No surprise who his agent is, as we all know, Drew Rosenhaus' clients are notorious for wanting to renegotiate and being disruptive. I don't see a new contract in the near future, so this could get ugly at some point. Hard to say how this will play out. Darnell could pout and moan, causing him to play with a lack of effort, or turn it loose to try to prove his case for a new deal."

BigSteelThrill:
"Dockett is a lightweight DT who looks to have some pass rushing skills which could make him a poor man's La'Roi Glover. Last year he wore down as the season progressed. He and Anthony Smith should be the players who have schemes designed for them to create pressure and get to the quarterback. This bodes well for his '08 outlook. If the team can get some leads to help out his chances, he should be a top DT consideration for leagues that require them. As JGB pointed out, Dockett has 4-3 DE written all over him. And in the 3-4 he will be playing every snap at an end spot."

Projections

IDP Scoring System

• 1.5 pts per Solo Tackle
• 0.75 pts per Assisted Tackle
• 4 pts per Sack
• 4 pts per Forced Fumble
• 4 pts per Fumble Recovery
• 5 pts per Interception
• 1.5 pts per Pass Defensed
• 6 pts per Touchdown
• 2 pts per Safety