Last week, I brought the must-have IDP players for your fantasy squad: the linebackers. This week, I bring you FantasyFootball.com’s ranking for the defensive back, another very important position. Like the linebacker, the defensive back can do almost everything: Sacks, tackles and interceptions, which oftentimes are returned for touchdowns. That sounds good to me.
1. Antoine Winfield, Vikings: Winfield is the top overall DB to target for 2009. He is good for 90-plus tackles a year and 10-plus passes defended as well. He combines the best of both worlds in terms of tackling numbers and numbers in the passing game. He should be a relative lock to be a top-5 DB.
2. Eric Weddle, Chargers: Weddle stepped into the starting lineup in San Diego and took the league by storm in his second year. He managed to rack up 127 tackles with 105 of them being solo tackles. While expecting a repeat of that may be asking a bit much, Weddle is primed to be a top-10 DB and should hover around the top-5 again for 2009.
3. O.J. Atogwe, Rams: If you want consistency, Atogwe will give it to you. He is good for 70-80 tackles to go along with five or so interceptions and 10-plus passes defended every year. Typically, that is good for a top-5 or top-10 finish amongst DBs. With DBs being very inconsistent, Atogwe’s consistency is a breath of fresh air.
4. Adrian Wilson, Cardinals: Wilson had a surprisingly quiet 2008 campaign, but don’t let that stop you from drafting him in 2009. Over the past five years, Wilson has averaged 92 tackles, three-plus sacks, two interceptions and eight passes defended per year. He is used all over the field and is one of the few DBs that blitzes steadily enough to produce viable sack numbers. He is a top-5 talent with a great chance to crack the top-10 annually.
5. Yeremiah Bell, Dolphins: Bell was a monster in 2008, compiling 120 tackles to go along with his 10 passes defended. His value could take a slight hit with the addition of safety Gibril Wilson this year. However, it should be noted that Wilson was moved to free safety and Bell will stay in his customary strong safety spot. While he may not live up to 2008’s numbers, he should finish fairly close and approach 100 tackles again.
6. Cedric Griffin, Vikings: Cedric Griffin has a great chance to repeat his top-10 status in 2009. Griffin is good for 90 tackles, and playing across from Antoine Winfield he gets targeted more then most corners of his skill level. This allows Griffin to mix his 90-plus tackles with 10-plus passes defended. A good recipe for success.
7. Roman Harper, Saints: Roman Harper is going to get you around 90 tackles and 10 passes defended. That is virtually a given. What will determine whether he is more of a top-20 or a top-10 DB is how he does in terms of performance plays in 2009. If he can compile a few sacks, interceptions, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries, then he will finish more toward the top-10. If not, he will finish closer to the top-20. Still, a DB with a top-20 floor is a nice commodity.
8. Kerry Rhodes, Jets: Rhodes bounced back to previous form after a sub-par 2007 by getting back over the 80-tackles mark in 2008. If he can revisit the 90-100 tackle plateau and get back to his 10-plus passes defended in 2009, then he will be a top-10 DB with top-5 upside. With the amount of pressure Rex Ryan’s defense will put on the opposition, Rhodes will see many opportunities.
9. Gibril Wilson, Dolphins: Wilson has basically been the defensive back to have over the past three to four years. He put up crazy numbers with the Giants and then the Raiders. Last year, Wilson finished tops amongst DBs in tackles with 129. However, this year Wilson moves to Miami and will play FS rather then SS. He also will be playing next to a tackling machine in Bell. This will knock Wilson’s stats down a bit, but he should still be good enough to be a top-10 DB in 2009.
10. Nick Collins, Packers: Collins has had really solid years in three of the past four seasons and took a big step forward in 2008. Collins is good for 70-80 tackles a year and usually around 10-12 passes defended. Last year, however, Collins was all over the field and recorded 22 passes defended and seven interceptions. Collins should push the top-15 in 2009.
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