BY KEVIN POWELL

I know a lot of you already are in your dynasty rookie drafts picking up your shiny new toys who may lead you back to the top, but what about the toys you haven’t used for a while, maybe broken once and fixed, or hardly used at all? All of a sudden, in the back of the closet, the forgotten toys become favorites once again. Such is the case for Kevin Minter and Brian Cushing, two forgotten men who could quickly fill a linebacker dynasty gap for the smart player.

Kevin Minter was picked 45th overall in the 2013 draft, and was expected to be a starter almost immediately as Daryl Washington was suspended, and only Jasper Brinkley and Lorenzo Alexander standing in his way. Then the Cardinals were able to sign Karlos Dansby on a team friendly deal, and he goes on to get 122 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and a big deal from the Browns this off-season. Now, Dansby is gone, Washington has pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and certainly will face yet another suspension, and Minter gets his opportunity.

Minter is 6’0, 246 pounds, and runs a 4.67 forty. Only 23 years old, he injects youth and enthusiasm in a really good Cardinals defense. It is not hard to see him collect over 100 tackles and six sacks this season, and continue to improve on that as he gains more experience. He has had a year to learn the system, and with Washington out, will only benefit his dynasty owners with consistent production. He could certainly be a top 15 linebacker this season, with top 10 dynasty potential. He is a free agent in almost every 10 to 12 team league.

COURTESY OF BOB LEVEY/GETTY IMAGES

Brian Cushing has only played 12 games in the past two seasons, yet the Houston Texans signed him to a six-year, $52.5 million contract, $21 million guaranteed, in September 2013 after he had torn his ACL. In October last season, he tore his LCL and broke his fibula, but avoided any damage to his ACL, PCL, MCL, and patella. There is no question that Cushing involves high risk, but if he is a free agent, the rewards far outweigh any risk. His dynasty ceiling is top five, and that alone should be enough to get him on your roster and see what happens. The Texans coaches know that Cushing is the best player on the field when healthy, and he will be ready this year. He is still available in over 65% of 10 to 12 dynasty leagues.

It’s time for you to find those forgotten toys and dominate your league with them! The shiny new toys are not always the best. Make the old look new again as you smile all the way to the ultimate victory!!