IDP Roundtable

Sigmund Bloom: Scott Fujita (SLB), Alfred Fincher (MLB) and Scott Shanle (WLB) will start to begin the season. Fujita is the most likely to hold his job all year, as he has been the most stable starter during training. Fincher's job could be usurped by free agent pickup Danny Clark (cut by the Oakland Raiders) and Shanle could be pushed by new acquisition Mark Simoneau (came over from the Philadelphia Eagles in the Donte Stallworth trade). None are worth relying on as fantasy starters, but Fincher or Clark could emerge as fantasy starters if either can hold on to the MLB job. Roman Harper (SS) and Josh Bullocks (FS) will start at safety. Neither will be IDP studs, but both are S2/3 in IDP leagues that break CB and S out, and DB3/4 in leagues that lump the positions together. Harper is the better option as the strong safety on a defense that has weak LBs.

Aaron Rudnicki: It seems to change on a daily basis so I've given up trying to find any value there. Alfred Fincher looks like the starter at MLB for now and he has some nice value in dynasty leagues because of his youth, but the Danny Clark signing is a concern. Clark put up pretty good numbers for the Raiders the past two seasons, but they still decided to cut him loose for some reason. Scott Fujita seems to be the most secure in his starting spot, but he's playing on the strong side which tends to deflate fantasy production. He was productive at SLB in Kansas City though so he might be worth a look as a bench linebacker in some deeper leagues. WLB looks like a toss up between Scott Shanle and Mark Simoneau. Shanle is a good run defender who struggles in coverage while Simoneau is weak against the run but excels in coverage. Given their respective strengths, we can probably expect a platoon situation with Shanle playing early downs and Simoneau playing in the nickel package. Based on all of the above, none of these guys look like reliable fantasy starters to me this year. As for the safeties, it looks like the Saints still have 4 players who could start and compete for playing time. Too much uncertainty there for me to rely on any of them, but I expect Roman Harper and Josh Bullocks to be the starters there at some point. Harper has looked pretty impressive in the preseason and could be a nice fantasy sleeper this year if he wins the starting job early on. Bullocks isn't likely to rack up a bunch of tackles but he's a playmaker that could help you out as a bye week fill-in.

Jene Bramel: The safety position seems to have ironed itself out nicely and the future is now, with Josh Bullocks to start at free safety and Roman Harper at strong safety. The linebacker positions continue to be a mess, though, as the Saints cycle through every replacement level linebacker they can find. After cutting Jay Foreman and Colby Bockwoldt and putting Tommy Polley on season-ending injured reserve this week, the Saints may finally have gotten some closure with the signing of Danny Clark. Scott Fujita looks locked in at SLB and Scott Shanle at WLB. Mark Simoneau will apparently get the week one start at MLB while Clark learns the defense, but you can expect Clark to take over early. Clark and Harper should both prove to be every week starters.

Bob Magaw: A few weeks ago I would have thought MLB Alfred Fincher (3rd - 05) was the most promising of the Saints LBs for IDP purposes but if the persistent rumors of an imminent Donnie Edwards trade (not consummated due to the Chargers insistence on a third rounder), the fact that the Saints wasted no time signing the just released ex-Raider Danny Clark and now late reports suggesting PHI washout Marc Simoneau (acquired in recent Donte Stallworth trade) will be the starting MLB Sunday are any indication, new NO HC Sean Payton and the coaching staff don't appear to have a lot of confidence in the youngster at this time. It's hard to get excited about Simoneau, though, as before Jeremiah Trotter replaced him midway through the 2004 season (after a contract dispute related stint in WAS), he was getting stomped like a drunk tourist in way over his head at the running of the bulls in Pamplona. I would expect Clark to have this job very quickly once he becomes acclimated to the new system (by week 3-4, if not sooner). He could really surprise and a top 30 finish with top 20 upside is a real possibility playing MLB for a team which, while it has outstanding DEs in Charles Grant and Will Smith, has a pretty sketchy interior DL. Scott Fujita put up some pretty good numbers early in his career at his KC, but he is a journeyman and playing the IDP stat buzzkill position of SLB. Ditto for WLB Scott Shanle, another journeyman who Payton knew from his OC stint with the Cowboys. Tommy Polley might have had some potential, but was placed on IR in the pre-season, rather than releasing him, signaling that he could possibly be in the WLB mix in 07. As has already been noted, FS Josh Bullocks ( 2.08 - 05) and SS Roman Harper (2.11 - 06) appear to have emerged as the favorites to start, comprising one of the youngest deep secondaries in the NFL. In what looks to be a rebuilding year, it makes a lot of sense to go with a youth movement (long time vet stalwart Jay Bellamy was just released). Bullocks is the identical twin brother of DET rookie FS Daniel, and they interestingly went at the identical spot in the 05 & 06 drafts (40th pick overall). Josh was supposedly the better ballhawk, with superior aerial skills. Harper is probably the superior IDP prospect playing the more coveted SS position. Harper had a rep as being aggressive and fearless in run support at Alabama, racking up some impressive numbers there, and he could get a lot of tackle opportunities playing behind what has the makings of a porous LB corps (even with Clark). It is worth noting that some very talented safeties have come from the second round in recent years (Bob Sanders, Madieu Williams and Michael Boulware come to mind) and also that there have been quite a few cases of rookies safeties contributing at a high level recently (see Mike Doss, Gibril Wilson, Erik Coleman and Kerry Rhodes). Harper is not particularly big (200 lbs), and it will be interesting to see if he is able to withstand the punishment of such a demanding position for a full season, going against bigger and stronger NFL players. Some other younger, smaller safeties active in run support in recent years, such as the aforementioned Sanders, Williams and Wilson have suffered their share of dings.

Dave Baker: With the surprise roster cut of Colby Bockwoldt and the recent acquisitions of Danny Clark and Mark Simoneau, much is up in the air at the position. As of right now, I'd say it's Scott Shanle on the weakside, but he's strictly a stopgap measure in my opinion. It looks like veteran Scott Fujita plays on the strong side. If there's a person who has his position locked down right now, it's Fujita. Unfortunately, playing on the strong side means his fantasy value is minimal. In the middle, there's second year player Alfred Fincher but Clark could be breathing down his neck for playing time. Fincher, a previous third round pick, has talent but he might be a little raw at this point for the Saints to feel good about starting him. Simoneau competes for both the starting middle and weak side jobs. To answer the question, no, you cannot rely on anyone as a fantasy starter. As for safety, it looks like Josh Bullocks and Roman Harper have locked in their starting spots, especially after Jay Bellamy was waived to make room for Danny Clark. At strong safety, Harper has more upside, but Bullocks could be the kind of playmaker to surprise many.

Shawn Culcasi: Are the Saints done tinkering with their linebacking unit yet? Probably not as there has been speculation of them trading for Donnie Edwards for quite some time, but at this point the starters appear to be SLB Scott Fujita, MLB Alfred Fincher and WLB Scott Shanle. Very little star-power with only Fujita having proven success in the league (98 solo tackles and four sacks in 2003 with Kansas City) but, if nothing else, the new regime in New Orleans has brought in players that they've targeted for their scheme. Mark Simoneau was recently acquired from Philadelphia in the Donte Stallworth trade and there have been reports that he may get a shot at the starting MLB job, but that's a long shot with him washing out at both MLB and WLB in Philly. Simoneau should provide quality depth both inside and outside when called upon, possibly serving as one of the Saints nickel 'backers. Fantasy potential is hard to gauge in the case of Fincher and Shanle because of their limited starting experience and I'd shy away from relying on any of these guys as starters on my squad (short of a 16 team league with large rosters). Best case, Fincher becomes a tackling machine in the middle but the lack of big plays will limit his production. Both Fujita and Shanle could post decent all-around stats but not enough to get excited about. The Saints future appears to be the present in regards to their safeties. Josh Bullocks, a 2nd round pick in 2005, was a certain starter entering camp but it was thought that Roman Harper, this years 2nd rounder, would be eased into the system behind one of the rostered veterans. With a solid training camp and preseason Harper has earned himself the starting strong safety job and, if his production during the preseason is any indication, he may be the best fantasy option out of any of the Saints back seven. Both he and Bullocks should prove to be quality producers/low end starters. EDIT: The Saints have recently signed FA middle linebacker Danny Clark who led the Raiders last year with 113 tackles (82 solo) after posting 99 solos in 2004. He should step into Alfred Fincher's spot and immediately provide a fantasy upgrade as the likely leader in tackles with potential for a couple of sacks and a handful of passes defended.

Who are the players that established themselves late in camp that should be prime targets on this week's final pre-season waiver wire?

SB: Gerald Hayes, starting MLB for Arizona, Roman Harper, starting SS for New Orleans, Sean Jones, starting safety for Cleveland, and DeMeco Ryans, starting MLB for Houston.

AR: Gerald Hayes was forgotten about by many this offseason after disappointing people in previous years. He has played great in the preseason and could finally solidify the Cardinals MLB position this year. DeMeco Ryans is another guy that could be in for a breakout season now that he's been named the starter at MLB in Houston. Angelo Crowell was named the starter at WLB over Takeo Spikes in Buffalo's new Cover 2 defense and should be targeted heavily if he's still available. OJ Atogwe was named the Rams starting free safety recently and could be worth a pickup if you need help at the position. Brady Poppinga was named the starter at SLB in Green Bay over Ben Taylor. With Steve Foley out for the season in San Diego, Shaun Phillips moves into the starting lineup and becomes an interesting option in sack-heavy scoring systems. Ryan Clark won the starting free safety job in Pittsburgh and should put up above average tackle numbers for a free safety. Kamerion Wimbley has also looked great in the preseason and could be extra valuable if he still has DE eligibility.

JB: Gerald Hayes and Roman Harper are must haves. Both have top fifteen potential if they play well enough to remain the starter at their respective positions all year long. Tamba Hali and Terrance Kiel may also be available and are good bets to produce all season long as well. Expect Danny Clark to have a decent chance at a high LB2 finish as well.

BM: Not sure if all these guys are waiver wire material but may be in some leagues. I agree with ARI MLB Gerald Hayes, who looks to be finally ready to fulfill his potential. The Cards have had a screaming need for a strong presence at MLB for a few years now (since Ron McKinnon was discarded), and the lack of one was a big reason they got run over often last season... the NFC West has some outstanding RBs, including Shaun Alexander and Steven Jackson from chief intra-divisional rivals the Seahawks and Rams. E.J. Henderson appears to be coming into his own. One of the top MLB prospects in the 03 draft class (along with Nick Barnett), he struggled with his responsibilities and reads under the previous coaching staff, making him look like a potential bust and career backup. With the season-ending knee injury to first rounder Chad Greenway, Henderson is firmly ensconced at the money position of WLB in the newly implemented Cover Two defense, trimmed down and is playing fast for the first time in his pro career. He is starting to look like the dominant Maryland LB who was one of the best defensive players in the nation as an underclassman, before his collegiate career was marred by back problems (he has showed no ill effects in MIN).

DB: One guy I've always liked is the Bengals LB Landon Johnson. I think he's almost ready to supplant the aging Brian Simmons on the weak side and with the Odell Thurman suspension, Johnson will be a starter on the weak side as they move Simmons to the middle. Another guy to look at is Gerald Hayes, who could be the beneficiary of nagging injuries to Karlos Dansby. Hayes looks good in the middle for the Cardinals and he has excellent downhill pursuit. Hayes could be a nice steal in waivers, if available. Chiefs rookie safety Bernard Pollard continues to show it's only a matter of time before he beats out incumbent Sammy Knight for the starting gig. Minnesota's EJ Henderson would finally play the big role seemingly destined for him when he was first drafted. He's apparently playing better than ever and seems a good fit in their defensive schemes playing on the weak side.

SC: Roman Harper, SS-NO: Rookie with a lot of potential. Keyaron Fox, LB-KC: Making a play for Kendrell Bell's job. Tully Banta-Cain, OLB-NE: Release of Beisel should leave TBC deeper in the mix. Does Seau start with Bruschi? If so, Banta-Cain could be left in a situational role with Vrabel sliding inside-out. Anthony Smith, FS-PIT: He may not win the starting job from day one but he's been mentioned quite a bit in the battle versus Ryan Clark. Chris Draft, WLB-CAR: With the release of Keith Adams and the injury to Na'il Diggs, Draft may once again be the product of opportunity as he was once with Atlanta (102 solo tackles back in 2003). Greg Ellis, OLB-DAL: Seems to have taken well to the switch from defensive end and should provide a legitimate pass rush from the outside. Added value if you get him listed as a DL. Chris Harris, SS-CHI: A Mike Green-type product of the system in Chicago whose value seems to hinge on Mike Brown's Achilles'. Dawan Landry, SS-BAL: Rookie 5th round pick who appears to have taken control of the starting strong safety job. Seven solo tackles with a sack during preseason week 3. Shaun Phillips, OLB-SD: Steve Foley's replacement. Gerald Hayes, MLB-ARI: Norton's lovechild. Antoine Bethea, FS-IND. Omar Gaither, OLB-PHI. Angelo Crowell, WLB-BUF: If you don't know by now, YOU BETTER ASK SOMEONE!!!

How did the Cleveland safety situation play out in camp?

SB: Sean Jones won the SS job, and Brian Russell held onto the FS job. This week, Russell may be limited or not play, allowing Brodney Pool to get into the lineup. Jones is probably the better pickup for the long haul at the more productive SS position, but Pool could outproduce him this week if Jones is forced to shift over to FS to replace Russell.

AR: Sean Jones came through and won the starting strong safety job, which temporarily relegated Brodney Pool to the bench. However, Brian Russell looks like he could miss the season opener after having elbow surgery, so that could open up a starting spot for Pool. Jones/Pool were expected to be the Browns safety tandem of the future when both were drafted with high picks so it's probably only a matter of time until both are starting together.

JB: It appears the Browns will rotate all three players (Brian Russell, Sean Jones, and Brodney Pool) according to offensive personnel and game situation. Russell had surgery to remove a bursa sac last week and is questionable for this week's game. Although the coaching staff likes Russell's veteran presence, the door may be open for Pool and Jones to lock down starting roles with solid games this weekend.

BM: The recent word that HC Romeo Crennel would rotate SS Sean Jones, FS/SS Brodney Pool and FS Brian Russell sent shockwaves through the IDP community, who were hoping talented youngsters Jones and Pool would get the call. Russell is reportedly out for week one after having late surgery on his elbow, but he is expected back as soon as the stitches heal. So while fans of Jones and Pool got a temporary reprieve, the grace period may be fleeting. If Russell remains in the mix and Crennel carries through on his stated intention to use a rotation this season that could make projections pretty murky, for the 2006 season anyway. Crennel must value the former Viking UFA for his veteran leadership and football smarts, because he was a notoriously shoddy open field tackler in MIN, and other than his career year of 03 (9 INTs led NFL), he has not been such an obviously great ballhawk that it would have compensated for his flaws in the run game. Like my colleagues on the FBG IDP team, I expect Jones and Pool to be the future at the position in CLE. They have the pedigree (both second rounders, and Pool was first true safety taken in the 05 draft), the athleticism and the talent to be a great safety tandem for many years. Jones was recently praised by Crennel for being a more mature football player than Pool and further along in his development (he was drafted a year earlier but suffered a season ending knee injury that finished his rookie season before it started). After somewhat languishing last season amidst rumors that he might be a bust, it appears the light has come on for him in a big way. Pool was a big time talent from Oklahoma, probably has better ball skills than Jones and thus has a skill set that more naturally suited to FS, but he has exceptional versatility and is capable of being very effective in run support once the game slows down for him and he learns to play more under control, with better angles, not over pursue and bite so hard on play action and misdirection.

DB: This is a mess. With veteran Brian Russell questionable in game one with his bursa sac elbow injury, both Brodney Pool and Sean Jones could start in week one. Presumably, Pool plays in the nickel. It's hard to decipher who has played better or who the Browns are favoring upon Russell's return. I think Jones might be the one to win it out, as he's driven to prove he wasn't a second round bust, but this is more of a hunch than anything I've witnessed or heard.

SC: Sean Jones appears to have held off Brodney Pool for the starting strong safety job, turning Pool's sights on the free safety job held by Brian Russell. While Pool certainly represents the future at the FS position in Cleveland, Russell will not go down without a fight. Considered the quarterback of their secondary (from his days as an actual quarterback in college), Brian Russell brings a heady veteran presence to a defensive unit that could be starting as many as four players who are 24 years of age or younger. With a 70+ solo tackle/9 interception season under his belt, Russell should not be completely discounted, but it'll be a difficult task to hold off the more physically gifted player in Brodney Pool for the entire season. Russell recently had a surgical procedure on his elbow and his status for the opening weekend isn't known at this time. Any downtime for Russell could open the door for Pool sooner than expected.

What are the prospects for the following IDP studs – Rodney Harrison, Tedy Bruschi, Karlos Dansby, Mike Brown, Takeo Spikes? Will they play Week 1? Can they return to their former levels of production?

SB: All should play week 1 except Dansby. None of the five will have the level of production of their glory days, and all should be avoided as IDP starters until they prove their recovery from their injuries is complete. Mike Brown has the best chance to return to form statistically as the SS in the merciless Bears defense. I think Spikes and Harrison will not be their usual elite selves this year, and may never return to pre-injury form. Dansby has the advantage of being young over the rest of these guys, but his injury is the most troubling heading into the season, as it seems to be getting better very slowly and may threaten his effectiveness for a long time.

AR: Rodney Harrison looks like he's ready to start the season and I expect his tackle numbers to be very good again, but it's unrealistic to expect him to produce like the #1 fantasy DB at his age coming off such a serious injury. Tedy Bruschi is another player getting up in age so he might not be quite as good as he was a couple years ago, so expect fewer big plays but he's still going to be the focal point of that defense. Karlos Dansby has been battling injuries in the preseason but looks like he could be moved to weakside linebacker this year. If healthy, he could reach the fantasy elite adding on solid tackle numbers with all the big plays he makes. Mike Brown re-aggravated an Achilles injury in the preseason and is definitely an injury concern entering the season, but he'll be very productive when in the lineup. The Bills look like they are going to take things slow with Takeo Spikes, thanks to the presence of Angelo Crowell. Spikes will start the year playing on the strong side and isn't expected to play in the team's nickel package, so his fantasy value should take a hit for the time being.

JB: Right now, it looks like Harrison, Bruschi, Brown, and Spikes are good to go for Week 1. Dansby is probably a couple of weeks away yet. It's risky to assume that any of the five former studs will quickly return to their former selves, though. Bruschi should return to playing form, but may see his value blunted a bit if Vrabel stays inside. Spikes will see his opportunities diminished as the LOLB and will have to prove his Achilles injury hasn't robbed him of leverage and playing speed. Harrison assumes the same roles and responsibilities he had during his stud years with the Pats but is less than a year out from the worst injury of the five. Brown owners will have to be concerned about soreness in the same Achilles tendon that ruptured last season -- a major red flag for a repeat injury. And Dansby will have to work his way back into the lineup and prove that he can still be an explosive pass rusher despite a major toe injury.

DB: Rodney Harrison has been a surprise for me. I really thought his career was over last year after the devastating knee injury and even relatively recently didn't think he'd play until closer to midseason. But he could start in week one. Still, I am wary. His preseason time was minimal, albeit understandably so and coming off such an injury as the age of 33 will be a difficult task. He has the drive to succeed and few are better when 100%. But I doubt he's ever 100% again. Tedy Bruschi is another 33 year old trying to play like his old self. After missing the first six games last year due to a stroke, Bruschi now is coming back from a broken wrist early in training camp. But if a guy can come back from a stroke, who am I to doubt his comeback from a measly broken wrist? Seriously, age and coming back from a wrist injury are big enough concerns for me to think he's not going to have the impactful year many have come to expect from him in the past. Karlos Dansby is a wonderfully talented player, but his toe injury has been troubling. He's stated it has affected his entire leg and Dansby has yet to play in preseason. Arizona officials have apparently told Dansby the injury could be career-threatening. Scary stuff. The good news is that if he returns, he could be destined to play the more fantasy friendly weakside position, with Gerald Hayes cemented in the middle and Calvin Pace on the strong side. Dansby is a big time playmaker, though, so I think he comes back big. But he has been battling this for a couple years and it's getting tougher for his body to handle. Mike Brown is also recovering from a scary Achilles injury. Early reports on Brown are that he will play in week one, and hopefully it's not a point of pride for Brown and that he's seriously ready. The Bears have little behind him and would miss him plenty if he's out. I think Brown is young enough to recover quickly and should have a very nice season. Takeo Spikes is another player recovering from an Achilles injury. He only played briefly in one preseason game, and I'm not sure when he returns to the starting lineup, but he should be ready as soon as this week and could still put up some quality numbers as he returns to previous form. Remember, though, that Spikes is on the strong side with Angelo Crowell on the weak side.

Who are your candidates to explode onto the IDP scene with a breakout first month?

SB: DeMeco Ryans is an obvious choice in Houston, he should among the league leaders in tackles. Angelo Crowell and E.J. Henderson get to play the ultra-productive WLB position in their teams cover 2 defenses. Donte Whitner has a chance to really rack up stats as the strong safety on a team that should be behind a lot.

AR: I think DeMeco Ryans is a player to watch who could have a fantasy impact like Lofa Tatupu and Odell Thurman had last year. Other linebackers who should do well early are Will Witherspoon in St Louis, Ernie Sims in Detroit, and EJ Henderson in Minnesota. At DL, I'm expecting continued improvement from Will Smith in New Orleans and am interested to see how Andre Carter does in Washington. At DB, I'll be watching Antrel Rolle in Arizona and Donte Whitner in Buffalo pretty closely.

JB: Defensive linemen James Hall and Tamba Hali. Linebackers Gerald Hayes and Brian Simmons. Defensive backs Roman Harper, Glenn Earl, and Antrel Rolle.

BM: Thomas Davis got off to a slow start last season, troubling his owners, but part of that was attributed to being bounced around from safety to LB and not really having a position. Now that he has settled into the SLB role, he looked as good as advertised in the pre-season, playing fast and being active in run support. He will be a three down LB and could emerge as a monster in the pass rush (CAR already has one of the best pass rushes in the NFL just from their stellar DL, arguably the best in the league). OLB DeMarcus Ware has looked extremely good in the pre-season. He already had one of the fastest first steps for a LB in the league last year, and he added some weight with no discernible drop off in speed. Kirk Morrison led all rookies in tackles last year, and is now the starting MLB for the Raiders. With a questionable interior DL, he could rack up big numbers. MLB Kawika Mitchell finally had the light come on last season and should be primed for a career season and some monster tackle numbers in a division where they like to run a lot. David Thornton is a SLB, but he could become one of the best in the NFL (Marcus Washington the current benchmark) and may have top 20 potential. He will be a three down LB unlike in IND, and was third in the league in tackles as the Colts WLB as recently as the 2003 season. He is a sensational athlete with tremendous speed and burst for a LB, and he takes great angles. Opposing offenses won't be able to avoid him with Keith Bullock on the other side. WLB Pisa Tinoisamoa has quietly been a top 40 LB three seasons in a row, and could have a breakout year in Jim Haslett's more aggressive defense, which is more suited to his athleticism and playmaking skill set to rush the passer or drop into coverage. Don't forget about WLB Angelo Crowell, who was backing up Pro Bowler Takeo Spikes this time last year. He put up huge numbers in a partial season that might have translated into a Spike-like Pro Bowl campaign prorated over a full 16 game schedule. WLB Channing Crowder had probable first round talent but went in the third round of the 05 draft due to a checkered medical history (knee) and some off field red flags (fights), but he has big time talent, and long term could be heir apparent to Zach Thomas in the middle. Prized first round WLB Ernie Sims has the physical skills and natural talent, ability and skills to quickly become dominant. I like the MIN DL to break out, especially DT Kevin Williams (top sack artist among interior DL in first two seasons... 03-04) who could have a huge rebound season, as well as young DEs Kenechi Udeze and Erasmus "Father of the Humanities" James. DE Will Smith is poised to join the ranks of elite DEs. DE Anthony Hargrove has flashed considerable potential in his young career to date, and just needs to be more consistent to take the next step in his evolution. He is a freakish athlete with the requisite work ethic to get there. DE Andre Carter was miscast as a 3-4 OLB in SF and could bust out in WAS embedded in DC Gregg Williams diabolical, insidious defensive schemes. In leagues with mandatory start DT requirements, in addition to Williams, watch out for PHI's good looking pair of DTs Mike Patterson and Broderick Bunkley, who could quickly become one of the better young two way DT tandems in the NFL (Stroud and Hendo better in run support). For DBs, FS Kerry Rhodes put on a show as an unheralded rookie and looks ready to start where he left off last season. FS Madieu Williams was one of the top rookies in the 04 IDP class, & returns from a 2005 season lost to injury. SS Glenn Earl has had an injury plagued last few years, but if he could put his medical issues behind him has the talent and opportunity to surprise many this season. SS Marquand Manuel was handpicked by GB to pair with good looking Nick Collins, and based on limited action in SEA, he could surprise. Antrel Rolle and Carlos Rogers could emerge as best CBs from the 05 draft class, and have the tools to become among the leagues best. They have superior ball skills and also offer stellar run support chops. CB Anthony Henry put up huge numbers before being slowed by injury later in the season. CB Shawntae Spencer is a secret weapon playing in a wasteland of IDP recognition like SF, but he is also an ascendant player ready to make a run at becoming one of the leagues top CBs. CB Fakhir Brown had a fairly undistinguished career in NO, but was brought over by former HC and new STL DC Haslett, and has looked like the Rams best DB by far in camp.

DB: I mentioned him earlier, but I like Gerald Hayes to have a breakout year, almost in the Antonio Pierce mold. I also think the same about EJ Henderson and Landon Johnson in the same vein, but both of their long-term prospects are less rosy.