In this series of articles, we discuss some players from each defensive position group that are poised to break out this season. These players should put up a floor of respectable, fantasy starting lineup stat lines with the potential for positional top-15 ceilings.
These are players that can be drafted or acquired with minimal draft capital in most full IDP leagues. An examination of the factors promoting these ascending players will take place in each article. Remarkably, there are quite a few players that are among the “IDP unseen,” as of now. The series began with the defensive line last offseason, followed by linebackers a few weeks ago.
Ordinarily, your author does not invest draft capital or resources into the DB position, because knowing schemes and circumstances surrounding an NFL team can lead to finding “DB gold” in IDP leagues. Additionally, savvy waiver play in response to injuries at the safety position can provide a huge boost to an owner’s DB room. Players like Jordan Whitehead, Donovan Wilson, Adrian Phillips, and Josh Jones helped lead your author to many prize winnings last season. Now, the players that can help you win at the defensive back position in 2021 will be discussed!
Raven Greene: S – Green Bay Packers
As an undrafted free agent safety out of James Madison University, Raven Greene was not on many fantasy analysts’ radars in 2018 or 2019. However, Greene just finished up a season in which he contributed in many ways as the Packers’ third safety. Greene logged 50% or more of his team’s defensive snaps in six of his ten games played in 2020. He was productive while he was on the field, garnering 44 total tackles, five passes defended, an INT, and 1.5 sacks. Greene has also been on record several times stating that he is comfortable playing “everywhere in the defense.”
In IDP fantasy, one of the criteria that help players at the safety position stand out is a weak LB group playing in front of them. The Packers happen to be ripe for an upgrade at ILB. Looking at the recent hire of new DC Joe Barry from the Rams’ staff, one can assume that Barry not only has experience working with an LB room with skill limitations but also is used to designing a defensive backfield around an elite piece (Jalen Ramsey). Jaire Alexander could prove to be that piece for the Packers, which may render Greene’s positional versatility even more valuable to the team than it was last season. However, it is important to note that Barry’s coaching background is in linebackers and he has ties to the Vic Fangio system. It will be interesting to see what he thinks of the returning LB group, and how much his influence over the defense affects how the Packers address the position this offseason.
Meanwhile, incumbent starting strong safety Adrian Amos has an out in his contract this offseason that the Packers could exercise to save over $4.5 million in cap space (new free agent J.J. Watt?). While Amos produced for IDP managers this past season and still carries name value, he was beaten badly in coverage many times throughout the year.
Though he is a little undersized compared to most box safeties, Greene showed this past season he can excel in the position. Even if Green Bay chooses to retain Adrian Amos’ $10+ million cap hit, Greene’s ability to play in the slot and around the line of scrimmage in nickel and dime packages assures him fantasy relevance. Go grab him off waivers for free and fortify your safety position.
K’Von Wallace: S – Philadelphia Eagles
While many dynasty IDP owners are enamored over big-name 2020 rookie safeties like Antoine Winfield Jr. , Xavier McKinney, and Jeremy Chinn, many have forgotten about K’Von Wallace. Wallace earned limited action his rookie season, starting three games and playing 35 percent or more of defensive snaps just four times. However, he was a regular as a special teams contributor. Wallace finds himself in a situation with a new head coach in Nick Sirianni and a new DC in Jonathan Gannon.
Gannon is known as a secondary specialist, as his previous seven seasons as an NFL coach has seen him bring out the best in players like Tre Waynes, Malik Hooker, and Harrison Smith. He also played a huge role in Xavier Rhodes regaining his Pro Bowl form last season. Gannon is a Mike Zimmer disciple, so we should see the Eagles employ more cover-two moving forward. This plays to Wallace’s advantage, as his lack of length and below-average make up speed disqualify him from ever being trusted in a deep safety role. Conversely, Wallace has a dense frame with a high football I.Q. and situational awareness, and he is not afraid to mix it up and take on larger ball carriers or blockers.
Last seasons’ starting strong safety, Jalen Mills, is turning 27 and heading to free agency. The new staff should opt to see what they have in Wallace under his rookie contract as opposed to spending money on a free agent safety, given the current state of the team. Wallace is the proto-typical box safety and will have a weak LB core playing in front of him, so the opportunity is ripe for him to produce if he earns the starting job. Grab him for free this offseason and reap the benefits this Fall.
Juston Burris: S / Sam Franklin: OLB/S – Carolina Panthers
This last recommendation does require some offseason monitoring. In 2020, Juston Burris played 86% or more of the Panthers’ defensive snaps in games in which he was not injured. As my esteemed colleague @DynastyTripp can attest, Phil Snow’s unique 3-3-3 scheme provides an opportunity for three safeties to play significant snaps and display fantasy relevance. Rookie standout Jeremy Chinn put up big numbers in his role this past season. For reference, Chinn played 90% or more of the defensive snaps in every game this past season. Deep safety Tre Boston played in 88% or more of Carolina’s defensive snaps last year as well.
Burris was hit or miss last season, with five solid fantasy performances and six forgettable games.
Your writer feels he was probably playing through injury to close the season, as he returned from a ribs injury in Week 10 and his production suffered to close the season. Panthers undrafted rookie OLB/SS Sam Franklin showed well in limited action when Burris went down. Burris has an out in his contract this offseason, and the Panthers may choose to move on from Burris and save $3.8 million towards the cap. That is why this situation needs monitoring.
https://twitter.com/Keeppounding_TV/status/1325594560270118913?s=20Additionally, Shaq Thompson is not a true Mike backer and it is unknown if the team will try to upgrade from Jermaine Carter at the other spot. These circumstances spell out an IDP fantasy opportunity in Carolina. The good news is: both Juston Burris and Sam Franklin should be available for free in your leagues’ free agents list. Whoever has the third safety job this offseason will provide you with a valuable starter at the safety position.
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