News: Patriots cornerback Alfonzo Dennard has been sentenced to two years of probation and 30 days of jail for assaulting a police officer in Lincoln, Neb., last year. A jury in February found Dennard guilty of the felony charge and a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest. The former Nebraska player was acquitted of third-degree assault against another man.
Analysis: The fight occurred five days before the 2012 NFL Draft. Dennard was the 2011 Big Ten defensive back of the year and had been projected to be a second- or third-round pick before his arrest. Dennard's a decent player but a suspension might be coming his way. We'll see. Either way, he's just not worth starting in Fantasy.
News: Patriots cornerback Alfonzo Dennard was convicted Wednesday of assaulting a police officer in Lincoln, Neb., last year. A jury found Dennard guilty of the felony charge and a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest, but acquitted the former Nebraska standout of third-degree assault against another man, Lancaster County Attorney Joe Kelly said. Dennard faces up to five years in prison for the officer assault and up to a year for resisting arrest, Kelly said. His sentencing hearing is April 11.
Analysis: The fight occurred five days before the 2012 NFL draft. Dennard was the 2011 Big Ten defensive back of the year and had been projected to be a second- or third-round pick before his arrest. The Patriots took Dennard in the seventh round and he is coming off his rookie season.
News: Patriots defensive back Alfonzo Dennard did not travel with the team and was downgraded from questionable to out for Sunday's game against the Jaguars in Week 16, according to NFL.com. Dennard, who is dealing with injuries to his knee and hamstring, will miss his first game since Week 4 against the Bills.
Analysis: Dennard has just three interceptions on the year and does not contribute enough to make any sort of impact in Fantasy. He has just 34 tackles this season before missing his first four games this season. Continue to ignore the rookie in all seasonal IDP formats moving forward.
News: Patriots defensive back Alfonzo Dennard tallied four tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown during New England's 59-24 victory over Indianapolis in Week 11. Dennard picked off Andrew Luck at the beginning of the fourth quarter and went 87 yards for the first touchdown of his career. It was one of two pick-sixes the Patriots registered against Luck during Sunday's game.
Analysis: Dennard has been surging with regular playing time recently and increased his interception total to three picks on the season. The rookie out of Nebraska has also knocked down five other passes and is worth scooping up in deeper Fantasy IDP formats at this point.
News: Patriots cornerback Alfonzo Dennard totaled five solo tackles and one interception Week 8 at St. Louis. He now has an interception in two straight games.
Analysis: The rookie from Nebraska saw his most extensive playing time Sunday because of injuries to Kyle Arrington and Marquice Cole. If both players are sidelined moving forward, then Dennard could be worth adding in deeper Fantasy IDP formats. But as of now, he still has little to no Fantasy appeal.
News: The Patriots spent the majority of the 2012 NFL Draft focused on improving 2011's league-worst defense, using six of their seven picks over the weekend on defensive players. The Patriots traded up twice in the first round to select defensive end Chandler Jones of Syracuse at No. 21, and linebacker Dont'a Hightower of Alabama at No. 25. The Patriots also spent both of their second-day picks on defense, selecting safety Tavon Wilson of Illinois in the second round, at No. 48, as well as defensive end Jake Bequette of Arkansas in Round 3, at No. 90. Ohio State safety Nate Ebner and Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard were late-round choices.
Analysis: Jones and Hightower should be key cogs in the defense right away, especially Hightower. Bequette could work in situational downs and has the potential to rack up some sacks sooner than later. Wilson, Ebner and Dennard aren't likely for playing time in the near future. Regarding the players taken after Round 1, we'd spend a late pick on Bequette in dynasty/keeper leagues and a late pick on both him and Wilson in rookie-only drafts.
