Let’s continue wrapping up the 2019 IDP fantasy season. In this series, we analyze trends, identify risers and fallers, and project sleepers for 2020 for each IDP position group (see previous articles below). Today, we’ll focus on cornerback. Without further ado, let’s analyze the 2019 NFL season at cornerback!
Part 1 – Defensive Tackle Wrap Up
Part 2 – Defensive End Wrap Up
Part 3 – Off Ball Linebacker Wrap Up
Part 4 – Edge Linebacker Wrap Up
What We Learned This Year
Logan Ryan was the clear superstar IDP cornerback. The Tennessee Titans star created 112 total tackles, 17 passes defended, four force fumbles, four interceptions and 4.5 sacks on the year. Depending on your scoring system, the Rutgers alum outscored all other corners by at least 4.4 points per game. Other cornerbacks to finish well in 2019 were Marlon Humphrey, Stephon Gilmore, Joe Haden, and Kyle Fuller.
Certain defensive schemes can create more opportunities for cornerbacks on the field. In 2019, schemes that produced multiple top 20 IDP cornerbacks included Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Baltimore (though part of Peters’ season was with LA), and Buffalo. Players who took advantage of their schematic opportunities were Tre’Davious White, Kevin King, Marcus Peters, Levi Wallace, Jaire Alexanders, and Mike Hilton.
Injuries impact every fantasy football season in one way or another. In 2019, cornerbacks to suffer injuries included Dre Kirkpatrick (knee), Adoree’ Jackson (foot), and Xavien Howard (knee). Rostering these injured stars next year could provide some low-cost value in CB required leagues.
Player Comparison – Top 20 IDP producers
| Rank | Name | Age | Team | Tackles | TFLs | Assists | Fum Rec | Fum For | Int | Sacks |
| 1 | Ryan, Logan | 29 | TEN | 73 | 4 | 39 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4.5 |
| 2 | Humphrey, Marlon | 23 | BAL | 53 | 4 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 3 | Gilmore, Stephon | 29 | NEP | 44 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 4 | Haden, Joe | 30 | PIT | 59 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| 5 | Fuller, Kyle | 28 | CHI | 73 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 6 | White, Tre’Davious | 25 | BUF | 47 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
| 7 | King, Kevin | 24 | GBP | 56 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| 8 | Flowers, Tre | 24 | SEA | 65 | 2 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| 9 | Peters, Marcus | 27 | BAL | 40 | 1 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 10 | Davis, Carlton | 23 | TBB | 54 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 11 | Wallace, Levi | 24 | BUF | 66 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 12 | Murphy, Byron | 22 | ARI | 66 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 13 | Jenkins, Janoris | 31 | NOS | 51 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 14 | Rowe, Eric | 27 | MIA | 55 | 1 | 27 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 15 | Alexander, Jaire | 23 | GBP | 50 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 16 | Hilton, Mike | 25 | PIT | 53 | 6 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1.5 |
| 17 | Awuzie, Chidobe | 24 | DAL | 48 | 1 | 31 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 18 | Ward, Charvarius | 23 | KCC | 57 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 19 | Bradberry, James | 26 | CAR | 50 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 20 | Sherman, Richard | 31 | SFO | 47 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Stats sourced from Myfantasyleague.com
Risers
Denzel Ward – CLEVELAND BROWNS
After beginning 2019 battling injuries, Ward got healthy and dominated the second half of the season. In the 10 games between weeks eight and 17, the 2018 fourth overall pick created 38 total tackles, 11 passes defended, three turnovers, and scored a touchdown for the Browns secondary. Over that span, Ward finished sixth among CBs in IDP scoring.
Carlton Davis – TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Davis, an Auburn alum, made the best of his opportunities in his second year as a pro. As a 23-year old, Davis cranked out 60 total tackles and 19 passes defended for the Buccaneers. The 2018 second-round pick has a ton of upside and will continue to receive opportunities in Tampa Bay.
Jourdan Lewis – DALLAS COWBOYS
After playing only 18% of the Cowboys’ defensive snaps in 2018, Lewis was asked to play 71% of them in 2019. With those opportunities, Lewis flashed on many levels of the field, producing 50 total tackles, three turnovers, six passes defended, four sacks and a touchdown. Given Dallas’s other financial concerns coming into 2020, I don’t see much chance for a CB change there, which means Lewis could see as many or more snaps next year.
Fallers
Kendall Fuller – KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Fuller started 2019 red hot, totaling 29 combined tackles during the first month of the season. However, injuries and reduced playing time cut Fuller’s production drastically for the remainder of the season. Coming off of a massive 2018 IDP wise, one could have predicted a regression out of Fuller. Unfortunately, with a PFF player grade of 61.4, signs are pointing to even fewer opportunities for the 25-year old in 2020.
Janoris Jenkins – NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
After eight years of high-end cornerback production, Jenkins time as a star IDP asset is coming to an end. At 31 years old, the former second-round pick could be cut or relegated to the bench by the Saints this offseason. I expect Jenkins to continue his NFL career for a few more years, but 2019 may have been his final 60+ tackle season.
Buster Skrine – CHICAGO BEARS
The 2011, sixth-round pick out of Tennessee-Chattanooga has been a fun player to watch over his nine-year career. Typically a nickel corner, Skrine has amassed amazing tackle numbers his entire career. However, at age 30 (31 by the start of 2020), the end of the road is in sight. I expect Skrine’s production to drop precipitously in the next year or two.
Sleepers
Mike Hughes – MINNESOTA VIKINGS
It’s almost certain that the Vikings will be moving on from Xavier Rhodes and either Trae Waynes or Mackensie Alexander prior to the 2020 season. When that happens, Hughes, a 2018 1st round pick, will be left as a major player in the Vikings defense. If Hughes is unrostered in CB required IDP leagues, grab him for 2020 and beyond.
Sam Beal – NEW YORK GIANTS
Undrafted out of Western Michigan, Beal played three meaningful games for the Giants at the end of the 2019 season. All he did in those contests was average eight tackles per game. If Beal can earn some solid playing time in New York, he could be a deep sleeper in tackle heavy IDP formats.
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