Dynasty fantasy football is all about the offseason. Here are some defensive backs to Buy, Sell, and Keep in 2022.
Only three defensive backs finished in the IDP top 25 FFPG scored via FantasyPros in 2021: Derwin James (13.3 FFPG), Antoine Winfield II (13.1 FFPG), Harrison Smith (12.5 FFPG).
In this article, I will be diving into a few defensive backs. I will look at how they finished in FPPG scoring in 2021 and what led to that. Also, I will give you the players’ outlook in the future and whether I would personally buy, sell, or keep each player in dynasty formats.
I have broken down the top thirty fantasy IDP points per game finishers into three brackets of 10 points each. From each of those brackets, I will review two players. All stats stated are per PFF, and all contract information is from Spotrac.
The Top 10 Range (13.3-11.3)
Logan Ryan, FS, New York Giants
2021 Review
Logan Ryan logged 1,003 snaps in 2021, his fewest since 2018 (855). 56% of his total snaps were in coverage. On 43 targets, Ryan allowed an 81% completion percentage and three touchdowns. Of his 1,003 total snaps, 527 were from the free safety position and 209 were in the box.
Ryan’s nine total pressures resulted in two sacks and two hits on the quarterback. He finished the season with 101 combined tackles, his most since 2019. Logan Ryan averaged 11.9 FPPG in his 15 games played.
Contract Details/ADP
Ryan is DB29 in the IDP Guys mock drafts. This season, the 31-year-old’s base salary jumps up $8 million, and he will be a free agent in 2024. The Giants also have a potential out in 2023 to cut him for just under $3 million.
ADP: 297.33 in conjoined leagues
What is the Move?
In 2019, Ryan averaged 14.4 fppg and in 2020, he finished with 10.3 fppg. Now is the time to trade the nine-year veteran off of your roster. Coaching changes could mean moving pieces, and Ryan could be a casualty of that, if not this year, then the next. I would rather be a year early than a year late. If I rebuild, I will offer Ryan a package deal in leagues with offense and defense.
Rasul Douglas, CB, Green Bay Packers
2021 Review
Rasul Douglas started his season in Week 6 and appeared in every game after that. He appeared in 12 games and averaged 11.5 FPPG last season. Douglas had 50 tackles on the season, none of which were assists. Of his total snaps, 91.7% were from the corner position.
With no catches, Douglas had two games where he shut out the opposing receiver. Of his 63 targets, he allowed a 50.8 completion percentage.
Contract Details/ADP
Rasul Douglas was on a one-year deal with the Green Bay Packers. This has been his fourth team in five years. Rasul Douglas is off-the-board in IDP Guys’ mock drafts.
ADP: none
What is the Move?
Douglas is only 26, so he should find a home this off-season. The question then becomes will he sustain his fantasy relevance in a new system. I am not sure if he will put up the same FPPG in future years as Douglas did in 2021 (11.5).
I am not sure if he holds any actual value outside of intensely deep leagues. If you have Douglas, I am saving for now or selling. If you can get a draft selection for him, even one as far as 2024, I would take it and run.
The 11-20 Range (11.2-10.5)
Tracy Walker III, S, Detroit Lions
2021 Review
Tracy Walker‘s rookie deal ended in 2021. He appeared in all 17 games for Detroit, 15 as the free safety and two as the strong safety. Walker was targeted 28 times and allowed a 64.3 catch percentage in coverage.
His 2021 totals included an interception, four pass breakups in the secondary, and one sack on one lone pressure. Walker’s 101 tackles were the most combined in his career. His 14 missed tackles were also the worst of his career. Walker allowed only two touchdowns in coverage.
Aside from his rookie season, that’s his best finish (286 snaps/ 0TD). Tracy Walker’s 10.6 FPPG was the second-best average in his career. His best came in 2019 (13.1 FFPG in 13 games).
Contract Details/ADP
Tracy Walker is currently 27 years old and a free agent this off-season. He is presently the DB19 in mock drafts here at IDP Guys.
ADP: 212 in conjoined leagues
What is the Move?
Safety is the focal point of the Detroit secondary, and Walkers’ numbers improved as the season progressed. If he is re-signed, he will continue to produce if left and could be a consistent producer for your IDP lineups throughout his second contract. Walker seems to be in the Lions’ plans moving forward, as they are rumored to have significant interest in keeping him in Detroit. He should be in your plans as well.
I am trading for Tracy Walker III in all formats. I believe a late-round draft selection or a player in a position you have a surplus of should do the trick. Walker could be an impact player for your roster for a small price, especially in leagues with players from both sides of the ball.
Vonn Bell, S, Cincinnati Bengals
2021 Review
For Bell, 2021 was his sixth season in the NFL and his second with the Bengals. He had nine total pressures, one sack, and no quarterback hits on 29 pash rush attempts. Bell had three forced fumbles and just under 100 combined tackles (92 total), leading the Bengals in solo tackles.
He was targeted 54 times in coverage, allowing an 83% completion percentage and two touchdowns. His 1,004 total snaps in 2021 were the most of any defensive player in Cincinnati.
Contract Details/ADP
Bell is entering the final year of his contract with the Bengals in 2022. He will be 28 years old. Vonn Bell is currently DB16 off the board in IDP Guys mock drafts.
ADP: 190.67 in conjoined leagues
What Is the Move?
Bell averaged 10.5 FPPG this past season which is pretty close to his 10.6 FFPG in 2020. He has never been one for intercepting the ball, as he has only two interceptions in his career. Bell has had a solid fantasy career since signing with Cincinnati, and for that reason, I am holding.
Even if Bell plays elsewhere in future years, he is a reliable player for your IDP roster. If my team is underperforming, I may look to sell in the next year to a competing team for a mid-second draft selection or a solid defensive lineman.
The 21-30 Range (10.3-9.7)
J.C. Jackson, CB, New England Patriots
2021 Review
J.C. Jackson averaged 9.8 FPPG in 17 games and earned second-team All-NFL honors in 2021. He was four snaps shy of 1,000 on the year, which was the highest of his four-year career. Add to that a couple of two-interception games, and twelve pass breakups on the season.
Jackson’s 57 combined tackles were the most of his career, though he didn’t surpass six combined tackles in a game. He also missed 12 tackles, another career record.
Contract Details/ADP
J.C. Jackson was on a one-year deal in 2021 and will hit free agency this off-season. In the IDP Guys February 2022 mock drafts, he is DB30 of the board.
ADP: 270 in conjoined leagues
What Is the Move?
Jackson is a likely candidate for the Patriots’ fantasy tag. He may also look into free agency if he doesn’t like the Patriots’ offer. Jackson has never rushed the quarterback more than two times in a season and it is no secret that Jackson is interception dependent. I wouldn’t feel unique about trading for J.C. Jackson.
He is at the highest cost in his career. I would trade for youth or a draft pick if you currently have Jackson rostered in deeper leagues. At this point, Jackson is a solid flex in deeper leagues, but I can’t imagine someone getting more than a mid to late second-round draft pick in a trade.
A thousand thank yous for reading my Buy, Sell, or Keep article on Dynasty Defensive Backs! If you enjoyed it, be sure to read all my work on my IDP Guys author page, and follow me on Twitter @Caliking49er17.
