So far, we've reviewed the rookie IDPs on the defensive line and at linebacker. Now we'll look at the rookie defensive backs. Not only are safeties considered more valuable in general for IDP owners, but with this rookie class at least a half dozen of the drafted safeties are already starters, while the same can't be said for rookie cornerbacks...
Drafted with the first pick in the second round, safety Johnathan Cyprien was generally the highest drafted defensive back in IDP leagues and has also been one of the most productive. With 38-7 tackles, 2 forced fumbles and a sack, only a lack of interceptions prevents Cyprien from true game breaker status. A calf injury has made Cyprien questionable this week, but his career in the league should be a long and successful one...
Good news is something that has been lacking for the Jaguars this year, but along with Cyprien, the team also drafted safety Josh Evans. While his numbers haven't been as flashy as Cyprien's, his play and contribution have arguably been more important. Part of the success Evans has enjoyed may be attributed to him having played a similar style of cover-3 defense in college at Florida, but that doesn't mean that Evans should be ignored in IDP leagues. His future could be as bright as Cyprien's...
The New Orleans Saints selected safety Kenny Vaccaro with their 15th overall draft pick. At this point, it's hard to say enough positive things about Vaccaro. He's done whatever the team has asked of him and done so in a way very un-rookie like manner. The only slight is that sometimes his aggressiveness can come back to bite him. While he may only have 27-6 tackles, he has added an interception and a sack. He may not be an IDP starting safety yet, but give him a little more time and I believe he will become a DB2 or DB3 by the end of this year...
With the 18th overall pick, the 49ers drafted safety Eric Reid. Like with Vaccaro above, Reid has been exceptional. Also like with Vaccaro, his numbers haven't always translated that success. 25-6 tackles and 3 interceptions is nothing to sneeze at though. Any way you look at it, Reid looks like he could be a DB1 before too long and at the very least a positive contributor to his IDP owner as long as he's healthy...
The last safety drafted in the first round was Matt Elam, taken by the Baltimore Ravens. He's also starting, like the others listed above, but has not been quite as impressive. While he hasn't made any big plays, his glaring errors have been minimal as well. Thus far, he has 22-8 tackles...
Elam replaced Michael Huff in the starting lineup, so at free safety his tackle opportunities have been minimized. One tackle that recently made the news was a hit Elam made on Green Bay WR Randall Cobb. The hit ended up fracturing Cobb's fibula and the team placed him on their IR list, with his return expected with about three weeks to play in the season. While the hit was legal by NFL standards, QB Aaron Rodgers, amongst others, believed the hit was low...
Surprisingly, the most productive rookie safety has been Tyrann Mathieu. Drafted by the Cardinals in the third round, Mathieu has 41 solo tackles so far to go along with a forced fumble, an interception and a sack. From the start of the season, Mathieu played solid defense despite not being a starter. When Rashad Johnson went down, Mathieu moved into his starting free safety spot and continued his production. It seems like Mathieu is destined to be full-time starter sooner than later, but it should be noted, as per John Norton's article this week, that with Rashad Johnson's complete recovery last week, Mathieu only played in about half the team's snaps...
D.J. Swearinger Sr was the most recent addition to the rookie safety starter's club, after Danieal Manning went down. Drafted late in the second round by the Texans, Swearinger came in against the Chiefs and had 5-0 tackles. While there's no guarantee he remains a starter, as long as he does IDP owners should keep an eye on him. He could produce big results as early as this season...
Another player who became a starter after an injury, Philadelphia safety Earl Wolff has been the beneficiary of oft-injured Patrick Chung. Like many rookies, Wolff makes his share of mental mistakes, but 29-4 tackles in only 6 games is decent enough and he should definitely be rostered in all dynasty leagues and likely even in redraft leagues...
The most productive cornerback in the draft has been Desmond Trufant. Drafted with the 22nd overall pick by the Falcons, Trufant has 23-5 tackles in six games. While he might not be a CB2 at this point, it should be noted that he played in the nickel package last game and finished with 6-1 tackles and a forced fumble. While his play has not been spectacular, it seems as though Trufant has proven his worth as a first round draft pick...
CB Dee Milliner was drafted with the 9th overall pick by the New York Jets and has struggled, both on the field and with injuries. He came back last week, though, and had his best game of the season against Tom Brady and the Patriots. He doesn't warrant a roster spot in redraft leagues, or for that matter in dynasty leagues, but he remains talented and is one to keep an eye on...
CB D.J. Hayden was also selected in the first round, 12th overall, by Oakland. Hayden has had his moments and has seen an increase in playing time, but has not made a big impact yet. In his last 2 games, though, he has 7-3 tackles, a forced fumble and an interception. Not for 2013, but a bigger impact is more than reasonable starting next year...
The third CB drafted in the first round was Xavier Rhodes. Rhodes has been a pleasant surprise for the hapless Vikings, and at 6'1", 210 pounds, he's a big, physical presence. Although he only has 13-2 tackles so far, I think he could be startable in the last half, at least if he wrangles a starting gig...
Until next week…
If you have any comments or thoughts, please send me a message at baker@footballguys.com