DEFENSIVE BACKS

ORIGINAL DEFENSIVE BACKS WITH COMMENTARY

TIER ONE: 

1. Eric Weddle, SD

2. Oshiomogho Atogwe, STL

4. Michael Griffin, TEN

4. Erik Coleman, ATL

5. Gibril Wilson, MIA

__________

TIER TWO: 

6. Antoine Winfield, MIN

7. Nick Collins, GB

8. Antrel Rolle, ARI

9. Brandon Meriweather, NE

10. Roman Harper, NO

__________

Tier 3

11. Yeremiah Bell, MIA

12. Kevin Payne, CHI

13. Michael Lewis, SF

14. Troy Polamalu, PIT

__________

Tier 4

15. Quintin Mikell, PHI

16. Richard Marshall, CAR

17. Cortland Finnegan, TEN

18. Adrian Wilson, ARI

__________

Tier 5

19. DeAngelo Hall, WAS

20. LaRon Landry, WAS

21. Chris Hope, TEN

22. Jermaine Phillips, TB

23. Kerry Rhodes, NYJ

24. Ed Reed, BAL

Dropped out: Bob Sanders (injury concerns)

Notes: Sanders drops out as he is already questionable for the regular season opener. With Antoine Bethea hurt too, Melvin Bullitt instantly becomes a name to keep in mind. But a newcomer to the rankings is Jermaine Phillips, who is winning the battle for WLB for the Bucs. But in nearly every league I have seen, Phillips is still considered a safety. There is the possibility that Phillips could get moved back to safety in light of recent suspension of Tanard Jackson for the first four games. But this is a risk worth taking that Phillips will settle in at the linebacker position.

LINEBACKERS

ORIGINAL LINEBACKERS WITH COMMENTARY

TIER ONE:

1. Patrick Willis, SF

2. Barrett Ruud, TB

3. DeMarcus Ware, DAL

4. Jon Beason, CAR

5. DeMeco Ryans, HOU

__________

TIER TWO:

6. Jon Vilma, NO

7. Jerod Mayo, NE

8. Karlos Dansby, ARI

9. Paul Posluszny, BUF

__________

Tier 3

10. David Harris, NYJ

11. DJ Williams, DEN

12. James Harrison, PIT

13. Chad Greenway, MIN

14. D’Qwell Jackson, CLE

15. Ernie Sims, DET

__________

Tier 4

16. London Fletcher, WAS

17. Lofa Tatupu, SEA

18. Bradie James, DAL

19. AJ Hawk, GB

20. James Laurinaitis, STL

21. Curtis Lofton, ATL

__________

Tier 5

22. Kirk Morrison, OAK

23. Ray Lewis, BAL

24. Lance Briggs, CHI

25. Channing Crowder, MIA

26. Gary Brackett, IND

27. Keith Rivers, CIN

28. EJ Henderson, MIN

29. Brian Urlacher, CHI

__________

Tier 6

30. Justin Durant, JAX

21. Eric Barton, CLE

32. James Farrior. PIT

33. Derrick Johnson, KC

34. Lawrence Timmons, PIT

35. Thomas Davis, CAR

36. Stephen Tulloch, TEN

Dropped out: #30 Nick Barnett (struggling to get back up to speed)

Notes: Kirk Morrison takes a huge hit for the time being as he is locked in a position battle with Ricky Brown. I think Morrison is the better fit at MLB, but until this position is settled, drop Morrison a tier or two, but if he’s available at this ranking, he does present good value for the risk involved (minimal).

DEFENSIVE LINE

ORIGINAL DEFENSIVE LINE WITH COMMENTARY

TIER ONE:

1. Jared Allen, MIN

2. Mario Williams, HOU

3. Trent Cole, PHI

4. Terrell Suggs, BAL

5. Justin Tuck, NYG

__________

TIER TWO:

6. Julius Peppers, CAR

7. John Abraham, ATL

8. Osi Umenyiora, NYG

9. Gaines Adams, TB

10. Aaron Kampman, GB

__________

Tier 3

11. Albert Haynesworth, TEN

12. Robert Mathis, IND

13. Justin Smith, SF

14. Adewale Ogunleye, CHI

__________

Tier 4

15. Chris Long, STL

16. Shaun Rogers, CLE

17. Charles Grant, NO

18. Kevin Williams, MIN

19. Darnell Dockett, ARI

__________

Tier 5

20. Dewayne White, DET

21. Tamba Hali, KC

22. Aaron Smith, PIT

23. Derrick Harvey, JAX

24. Mathias Kiwanuka, NYG

Dropped out: 24. Phillip Merling, MIA

Notes: Not a lot of movement here, but there have been reports that Merling is not coming along as well as the Dolphins had hoped for. Mathias Kiwanuka moves into the rankings.  Kiwanuka might be a backup on the Giants, but I think he’ll make the most of the opportunities he gets in the Giants rotation and decent numbers could be in store for him this year.