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Future
Classes
Player
Rankings
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Fantasy Defensive Back Rankings
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1. Ed
Reed (Baltimore) |
WHY: No defensive player does so much for
his team. Reed excels at making plays and is a good
tackles guy as well.
WHY NOT: He should be the first defender
off the board.
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2004: 76 tackles, 9 INT, 2 sacks, 2 TD, 3 FF, 2
FR, 17 passes defensed. |
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2.
Ronde Barber (Tampa Bay) |
WHY: He is a very underrated all
around player. His stats in one category
might not blow you away, but he brings a
complete game to the table.
WHY NOT: No reasons, draft this guy.
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2004: 98 tackles, 3 INT, 3 sacks, 2 FF, 2
FR, 13 passes defensed. |
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3.
Lito Sheppard (Philadelphia) |
WHY: In his first year as a starter,
he was an All Pro. He is only going to get
better and has the defense around him to
make sure offenses can't avoid his side.
WHY NOT: His interceptions might
fall off, but he is still a playmaker.
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2004: 56 tackles, 5 INT, 2 TD, 1 sack, 14
passes defensed. |
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4.
Donovin Darius (Jacksonville) |
WHY: He is a devastating hitter that
patrols the secondary like a centerfielder.
Will easily have 80 tackles and 5 picks.
WHY NOT: No reasons, draft him.
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2004: 87 tackles, 5 INT, 2 FF, 4 FR, 7
passes defensed. |
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5.
Dunta Robinson (Houston) |
WHY: He was great as a rookie and
the Texans have done the right thing by
bringing in more talent around him.
WHY NOT: Do not expect teams to
challenge his side of the field much this
year.
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2004: 87 tackles, 6 INT, 3 sacks, 3 FF, 19
passes defensed. |
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6.
Marcus Trufant (Seattle) |
WHY: Another phenom at
corner, Trufant is a bruising hitter
and is a threat to score every time
he touches the ball on defense.
WHY NOT: Teams are
going to scheme around him this
year.
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2004: 96 tackles, 5 INT, 1 sack, 20 passes
defensed. |
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7. Nate Clements (Buffalo) |
WHY: He really emerged as
a threat at corner last year, despite
his small frame. Teams are going to have
to keep an eye on him this year.
WHY NOT: He is
underappreciated, so pick him up.
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2004:
73 tackles, 6 INT, 0.5 sacks, 1 TD, 5 FF, 1
FR. |
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8. Chris Gamble (Carolina) |
WHY: He exploded onto the
scene as a rookie. Gamble is big, fast
and can handle the big receivers in the
NFC. He is good for 80 tackles and 5
picks a year for the rest of his career.
WHY NOT: Could the
sophomore slump cause him to fall off?
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2004:
74 tackles, 6 INT, 1 FF, 14 passes defensed.
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9. Ken Lucas (Carolina) |
WHY: He is a top
all-around fantasy corner that can
make tackles and interceptions.
He'll do even better in Carolina.
WHY NOT: Teams in the
NFC South don't throw as much as his
former divisional rivals in the
West.
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2004:
70 tackles, 6 INT, 1 TD, 21 passes defensed.
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10. Troy Polamalu (Pittsburgh) |
WHY: In the middle of the
Steelers defense he is left to make
plays and tackles. He'll push for 100
tackles and 5 picks this year.
WHY NOT: No reasons, draft
this steal.
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2004:
96 tackles, 5 INT, 1 TD, 1 FF, 15 passes
defensed. |
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11. Erik Coleman (New York Jets) |
WHY: 100 tackles and 4
interceptions as a rookie.
WHY NOT: His first year
may be his best. He needs to improve on
reading the ball and playing the run
better.
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2004:
100 tackles, 4 INT, 2 sacks, 13 passes
defensed. |
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12. Sammy Knight (Kansas City) |
WHY: He will be
free to run in the Chiefs
defense and should become one of
the top fantasy safeties again.
WHY NOT: There is
some stiff competition at the
safety spots in KC. He's a
likely starter, but you never
know until the season starts.
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2004:
98 tackles, 4 INT, 2 FF, 1 FR. |
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13. Roy Williams (Dallas) |
WHY: He is finally at home
as a strong safety and should see his
numbers really go up.
WHY NOT: He won't get many
interceptions, but his potential sacks
and tackles will carry him.
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2004:
94 tackles, 2 INT, 1 FF, 10 passes defensed.
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14. Tony Parrish (San Francisco) |
WHY: He has been a fantasy
stud since moving to San Francisco. He's
finally healthy now and ready to step
back up to the top 10.
WHY NOT: He's tough and
will play hurt, but he has been a slow
starter recently.
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2004:
87 tackles, 4 INT, 0.5 sacks, 8 passes
defensed. |
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15. Brian Dawkins (Philadelphia) |
WHY: He is always around
the ball and has a knack for making the
big play.
WHY NOT: His tackle
numbers are never that impressive, but
he does make the majority of them as
solo tackles.
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2004:
69 tackles, 4 INT, 3 sacks, 2 FF, 1 FR, 12
passes defensed. |
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16. Rodney Harrison (New England) |
WHY: He led the league in
defensive back tackles in 2004 and will
be asked to do even more this year.
WHY NOT: He is aging and
his interceptions are not that often.
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2004:
138 tackles, 2 INT, 3 sacks, 3 FF, 8 passes
defensed. |
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17. Madieu Williams (Cincinnati) |
WHY: As a rookie he posted
over 100 tackles and 3 picks. He is only
going to get better and better.
WHY NOT: He is not going
to go very high because most GMs won't
know about him. Sit on him, but don't
forget.
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2004:
103 tackles, 3 INT, 2 sacks, 1 TD, 10 passes
defensed. |
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18. Adrian Wilson (Arizona) |
WHY: He went over
100 tackles in 2004 and will be
given more freedom to make plays
this year.
WHY NOT: He has
never been known as a ballhawk
and isn't a playmaker.
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2004:
102 tackles, 3 INT, 1 sack, 8 passes
defensed. |
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19. Shawn Springs (Washington) |
WHY: Experienced an
upswing in all the key categories in
Washington's remade defense last season.
His 5 INT tied for second best in his
career.
WHY NOT: He's only getting
older, and he continues to be very
injury-prone.
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2004:
64 tackles, 5 INT, 1 sack, 1 FF, 7 passes
defensed. |
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20. Champ Bailey (Denver) |
WHY: Has always been one
of the top CBs in tackles. Trend should
continue this season.
WHY NOT: Was never a big
interception man, and don't expect that
to change this season. All he's going to
give you is good tackle totals for a CB,
and if you're looking for tackles,
target safeties.
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2004:
81 tackles, 3 INT, 9 passes defensed. |
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21. Patrick Surtain (Kansas City) |
WHY: Surtain has always
been a reliable INT man, and he will
continue to get his share as he proves
himself in Kansas City.
WHY NOT: Unless the Chiefs
improve the cast around him, Surtain may
not get a chance to make many plays.
Surtain cannot be relied upon for
tackles.
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2004:
58 tackles, 1 sack, 4 INT, 7 passes defensed. |
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22. Michael Lewis (Philadelphia) |
WHY: Another
strong-tackling SS here.
WHY NOT: He's part of one of the
best secondaries in the league, and
there won't be many plays to go around.
Don't look for him to post big INT
numbers.
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2004:
88 tackles, 2 FF, 1 INT, 11 passes defensed. |
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23. Sam Madison (Miami) |
WHY: Good cover corner who
rarely misses time.
WHY NOT: He's 31, and his
fantasy numbers continue to plummet. Let
someone else make the mistake of
drafting Madison on reputation.
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2004:
44 tackles, 3 FF, 7 passes defensed. |
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24. Jerametrius Butler (St. Louis) |
WHY: Major sleeper here.
Not a big name, but can be relied upon
for 75 tackles and a few interception a
year.
WHY NOT:
He isn't as proven as some other guys
you can get, and you never can be sure
what Marmie will do with his secondary.
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2004: 79 tackles, 5 INT, 14 passes
defensed. |
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25. Anthony Henry (Dallas) |
WHY: He's a
gambling CB that racked up 10
interceptions his rookie year.
Expect him to be among the
leading tacklers at his
position.
WHY NOT: Very
inconsistent player, and there
is no way to know what kind of
fantasy numbers he'll put up in
Dallas.
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2004:
76 tackles, 4 INT, 8 passes defensed. |
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26. Sean Taylor (Washington) |
WHY: Great potential, and
will put up good fantasy stats if he
plays.
WHY NOT: Future is
uncertain for this former Hurricane
great. Will he play in enough games to
justify drafting him here?
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2004:
76 tackles, 1 sack, 2 FF, 4 INT, 9 passes defensed.
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27. Thomas Davis (Carolina) |
WHY: Will be worth the
pick if he can replicate what he did in
Georgia.
WHY NOT: Counting on
rookies in fantasy is very risky. He's
slotted to start, but who knows with
him?
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2004:
N/A |
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28. Tebucky Jones (Miami) |
WHY: Had a breakout year
in 2004 with 101 tackles. Definitely
better than what you might otherwise get
at this point in the draft.
WHY NOT: Overrated player
who does not play up to his statistics.
His range and instincts have always been
in question. Don't be shocked if he is
benched at some point during the season.
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2004:
101 tackles, 1 FF, 1 INT, 3 passes defensed.
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29. Terrence Kiel (San Diego) |
WHY: One of the fantasy
surprises of 2004 with 97 tackles. Worth
the pick.
WHY NOT: Young and raw
player. Can't be sure what you'll get
from him.
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2004:
97 tackles, 1 sack, 2 INT, 8 passes defensed.
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30. Mike Brown (Chicago) |
WHY: Has been one of the
best playmakers in the NFL for several
seasons. Definitely worth the risk at
this point.
WHY NOT: Coming off a
major Achilles injury that wiped out
most of 2004.
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2004:
10 tackles, 1 pass defensed.
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31. Chris Hope (Pittsburgh) |
WHY: Put up good tackle
numbers in his first season as starter.
WHY NOT:
Not much of a playmaker, and is an
unproven commodity.
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2004: 89 tackles, 1 FF, 1 INT, 4
passes defensed. |
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32. Tory James (Cincinnati) |
WHY: Gambling CB
who will get you around 5
interceptions. Made the Pro Bowl
last season.
WHY NOT: He's an
aging player, but he'd be a good
value here. Pick him.
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2004:
61 tackles, 2 FF, 8 INT, 5 passes defensed.
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QB - RB -
WR - TE -
DL - LB - DB -
K
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