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Fantasy Football ToolsPreseason games are right around the corner and the smell of football is in the air. As we head into the first week of the preseason, hopefully you haven’t started any drafts, because now is the time to watch to see how that preseason sleeper is going to handle real game action and, most important, injuries. It’s also important to keep an eye on how the newly acquired free agents will acclimate with their new surroundings. As we get set for real football action, here are five defensive backs that are gaining and losing value…
Losing Value
1. Adrian Wilson, ARI: Wilson is suffering through a partially torn bicep and his status for the 2011 season is murky at best. He’s already been ruled out for the entire preseason, but he doesn’t want to undergo surgery and try to play through it. He’s going to try and go the rehab route and come back a few weeks into the season. He’ll be 32 in October, so I think this might be an IDP to stay away from.
2. Morgan Burnett, GBP: Burnett was someone I really liked heading into last season, but a torn ACL ended his rookie season prematurely. Right now, the Pack are easing their young strong safety back into camp. Good news is that Burnett seems to be doing all football related activities. Right now, he’s listed behind Charlie Peprah on the depth chart and it’s no guarantee that he gets the starting gig come week one.
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3. LaRon Landry, WAS: The Achilles is officially becoming a concern to me. Landry even admits that a second Achilles’ surgery might be necessary next offseason, which means it could buckle under stress this season and is no guarantee to play a full slate in 2011. He won’t be playing in the preseason opener and keep an eye on his status up until week one.
4. Taylor Mays, SF: Mays stock has fallen harder than the Dow over the last few days. The 49′ers signing of free agent Donte Whitner and Dashon Goldson (re-signed) has all but sealed the fate of Taylor Mays short tenure by the bay. Heck, the 9′ers decided to bring up the old contact list in Outlook and mass blasted an e-mail to all GMs saying, “hey, this guys available, send over your offers.” So they seem to be giving up on him after one season. He was thought to be a sleeper this season, but just hit the snooze.
5. Bernard Pollard, BAL: I still think Pollard is going to be alright in Baltimore, but the Ravens are concerned about his pass coverage skills, as the league shifts to a passing attack. There’s no doubt he’s a thumper against the run and can make the tackle but he’s behind Tom Zbikowski on the depth chart as of now. I’d temper expectations on him being a top 5 DB to, maybe, more of a top 15. Now, if he can regain the starting gig, all bets are off.
Gaining In Value
1. Amari Spievey, DET: Spievey has been running with the first team defense as the strong safety alongside free safety, Louis Delmas. The Lions thought that Erik Coleman would’ve been the guy (who’s coming off a 100 tackle season not too long ago). He showed up in good condition and is looking to slam the door on the Coleman. His value is definitely on the rise.
2. George Wilson, BUF: It wasn’t long ago (2009) that Wilson notched 109 tackles and he appears ready to do the same in 2011 as he’s now the strong safety for the Bills heading into the season. Whitner is in San Francisco and Wilson will also help upgrade the pass coverage. Wilson notched 35 tackles in limited playing time, but the snaps are all his in 2011. He has DB2 upside in most tackle heavy leagues.
3. Courtney Greene, JAC: Greene is coming off a 78 tackle 2010 season in 14 games (including 14 the final two weeks). He’s an in the box safety and, even though he’ll battle Chris Prosinski for the job, he has the lead as he started 11 games at the position and is the better fit in the system.
4. Rahim Moore, DEN: Moore has been playing with the first team defense as the starting free safety alongside Brian Dawkins. The 21-year old is a clear upgrade over Renaldo Hill and is playing with one the best safeties in the game in Dawkins, so let’s hope he’s a quick learner. Definitely someone to upgrade in Dynasty leagues.
5. Rashad Johnson, ARI: Johnson appears to be the guy that will be replacing Adrian Wilson as long as he’s out. He was a solid special teamer and was very physical in his limited playing time. He should be on the IDP radar on a team that’s going to get passed on often.
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