Mag Ranks: IDP Shakeup at Defensive Back
In the third and final part of this IDP shakeup series, we examine some changes made in the defensive back rankings:
1. Dolphins FS Gibril Wilson dropped from DB2 to DB20. Wilson has played both the free (Giants) and strong (Raiders) sides in his career. After the Fins paid him $27.5 million in March, it was somewhat natural to assume Wilson would stay at the position he played last (with Oakland) and led all NFL defensive backs in tackles. Wilson, however, is going to play center field and line up off the line of scrimmage. Yeremiah Bell will stay at strong safety and is the better bet for production. All isn't lost for Wilson, but we can't have him just behind No. 1 DB Eric Weddle when he's playing a less IDP-friendly position. This, of course, necessitated Bell's move up from DB9 to DB4. The Dolphins won't have two 100-tackle safeties, and Bell is the better target.
2. Rams FS O.J. Atogwe jumped from DB14 to DB2. Replacing Wilson behind Weddle is one of the safest defensive back bets. Atogwe plays behind arguably the NFC's leakiest front seven, enters another contract season, and has a proven track record. At 28, he also isn't a "fall-off-the-cliff" risk. Atogwe adds a very high ceiling thanks to his nose for the football (16 picks, 27 breakups, 11 fumbles forced over the past three seasons) and the aggressive mentality of new coach Steve Spagnuolo. Atogwe will have more blitz chances and play less "center field" because Spags uses left and right safeties, rather than strong and free. Atogwe is a sure thing.
3. Saints SS Roman Harper leaped from DB18 to DB7. Gregg Rosenthal already covered why Harper is such a great target under new coordinator Gregg Williams, who has an outstanding knack for getting his safeties involved.
4. Eagles S Sean Jones sunk from DB12 to DB59. We simply cannot have a guy ranked this high when he's not assured a starting job. The latest word out of Philly is that Quintin Demps has the lead in the free safety derby, and there's no strong reason to think SS Quintin Mikell is at risk. They both have at least a year in Jimmy Johnson's system, while Jones is a newcomer, even if he's paid like a starter ($3 million/1 year). Jones is a proven playmaker and would start on most teams if his knees still work, but he's too risky.
Other notable movements: Jermaine Phillips is off the list after converting to linebacker (although if he wins Tampa's starting weak-side job and maintains DB eligibility in your league, by all means pounce), rookie Michael Mitchell went from unranked to DB16 as the likely starting strong safety in Oakland, and Sabby Piscitelli went from unranked to DB19. Piscitelli was a game-changer at Oregon State and will start at strong safety for the Bucs, replacing Phillips. It's a safe guess that Tampa secondary coach-turned-head man Raheem Morris knows Piscitelli can make differences.
Comments
Great work Evan.
Posted by: Stephen | July 9, 2009 02:15 PM
thanks for the info Evan
Posted by: pepperj | July 9, 2009 05:24 PM
aD250q
Posted by: Mnwpnxlq | July 14, 2009 06:42 AM
aD250q
Posted by: Mnwpnxlq | July 14, 2009 06:43 AM
Are you trying to piss off Eagles fans by referring to their DC as "Jimmy Johnson"?
I still trust Wilson more than Bell based on a longer record of production and more big-play ability -- especially playing with a questionable set of corners. I like Atogwe, but his reliance on INTs for value makes him less than safe, I think. I also expect Jones to beat out Demps in camp, but the uncertainty definitely has to hurt his value.
Posted by: Matt Schauf | July 15, 2009 10:02 AM
For the first time I am drafting in a 14 team draft including defensive players. 2 dl,lb and db's. What round should you start picking defensive players?
Posted by: canadiangiff | August 7, 2009 02:11 PM