The Asomugha Assumption

Is Nnamdi Asomugha still a "shut-down" corner?

It’s long been known that Nnamdi Asomugha is one of the better shutdown corners in the NFL. Quarterbacks are leery throwing his way, no matter who their #1 wide receiver weapon is. Asomugha typically plays the right side of the field and not necessarily the opposing team’s best wide receiver, so it really depends on how the offense decides to lineup or how the play flows through the secondary.  He also can shift around (SS and play the slot on the left).  But, one thing was for sure, Asomugha was there to shut that receiver down.

Over the past few seasons, Oakland typically ranked near the top of the league in terms of their pass defense and yardage allowed and were among the stingiest defenses in fantasy in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers.  Over the last few seasons, he’s seen top receivers like Andre Johnson, Randy Moss, Calvin Johnson and, not to mention, he faces Brandon Marshall 2 times a season.  Between 2007 and 208, Asomugha had some of the stingiest numbers for a cornerback in terms of yardage allowed, completion % and QB rating allowed for passes thrown his way:

2007

• Opposing quarterbacks had a rating of 67.7 when they would throw in his direction
• Opposing quarterbacks targeted receivers he was covering 23 times and only completed 12 passes
• He only surrendered 148 yards and 1 TD

2008

• Opposing quarterbacks had a rating of 55.0 when they would throw in his direction
• Opposing quarterbacks targeted receivers he was covering 30 times and completed 16 passes
• He surrendered 161 yards and gave up no touchdowns

He’s been such an asset to the defense, that the Raiders signed him to a 3 year contract worth $45.3 million with $28.5 million in guaranteed money in February 2009.  This contract made him the league’s highest paid defensive back.  The 2009 season hasn’t been as dominant for him as year’s past.  This season, quarterbacks are going after him a bit more and really testing him.  Through week 14, he’s only given up one touchdown but, he’s allowed 246 yards his way and opposing quarterbacks have a QB rating of 102.9 in balls thrown his way.  He also has an 80.8 target to completion percentage allowed rate (21 completions on 26 targets).  This certainly is no way a knock on him but, you can no longer be afraid to start opposing wide receivers against the Raiders, as they are now among the leaders in the NFL in terms of fantasy points allowed to wide receivers.  This week, the Raiders will have to defend Brandon Marshall, who is coming off a record setting 21 reception performance against the Colts in week 14.  In 4 career games against the Raiders, Marshall is averaging 75 YPG and has a TD in that span (including a 67 yard, 1 TD performance in week 3).  This week, you can’t assume Asomugha is going to be covering Marshall and, either way, Marshall will find a way to make plays.