2016 Dynasty DBs from left field
I was inspired by a question earlier about DBs to target in 2016 fantasy. So I thought I’d put my shortlist and thoughts down in one place. This is in no way exhaustive — I’ve left out obvious buys like Tyrann Mathieu, Landon Collins, Harrison Smith, Reshad Jones, Morgan Burnett, etc. This is much more about my list of unheralded fantasy options that could end up being difference makes for you at a position people are less skilled at predicting.
CB
I’m looking for:
· Bad players who get lots of snaps
· Players with return duties
· Players who show up in the run game [especially slot guys]
· Bad players on teams I dislike. Corner is the one position where you can benefit from players you hate doing badly.
My shortlist is:
Jimmy Smith BAL. Had a terrible year last year. I expect him to bounce back but he’s so physical he’ll always be involved even if his quality of coverage goes back up.
Ras-I Dowling CAR. Someone’s got to take Josh Norman’s spot. And they’re going to get peppered with targets.
Tracy Porter CHI. Likely starting corner even though he’s not very good.
Dre Kirkpatrick CIN. Always on the field and covers poorly. Tackles galore. If William Jackson takes anyone’s snaps it’s in the slot or from Adam Jones.
Joe Haden CLE. Everyone still thinks he’s amazing but he’s just not that guy any more. I think he’ll get targeted and be on the field a lot.
Nevin Lawson DET. Journeyman who play opposite Darius Slay. If he does get the job he’ll targeted a LOT.
Xavien Howard MIA. A reached-for rookie thrown into an unfamiliar scheme? I’m having this one. And I get to watch a Dolphins player suck.
Dee Milliner NYJ. Favourite to start across from Revis Island.
William Gay PIT. Locked into a starting spot somehow. Did very well last year with bad coverage and tackles.
Artie Burns PIT. They drafted him early and little depth means he’s going to play. Same upside as Gay above.
Brandon Browner SEA. A classic case of bullied CB doing well in FF. if he plays S in sub packages it’s even better.
S
I’m looking for:
· Box safeties with high tackle counts
· Great opportunities to stay on the field all day
Tony Jefferson ARI. Almost always on the field.
Robert Blanton BUF. Just a flyer. Noones talking about him but he might start over Baccari Rambo.
George Iloka CIN. Played very well last year but fewer than 60% of snaps. In line for a step up.
Ibraheim Campbell CLE. In line to take Donte Whitner’s spot as a box safety.
Clayton Geathers IND. Many have pointed out he’s about to get the starting SS gig and is a pure box safety.
Rodney Mcleod PHI. Jim Schwartz brought him in from St Louis. Should get plenty of box snaps.
Much tougher pickings at S of course as fantasy players are so much more knowledgeable about what a good option looks like.
Hope it helps a tiny bit!
