RADIO
Chris Wassel identifies IDP (individual defensive players) to watch in 2021 fantasy football leagues, both redraft, and dynasty. These safeties and cornerbacks (DB) could be worth drafting early.
We continue evaluating the top rookie IDP targets for 2021 with the secondary. Read up on the top rookie linebacker targets right here.
At RotoBaller, we aim to give IDP owners detailed fantasy football IDP league coverage all season long, starting with our IDP Top 120 consensus preseason rankings.
Seasoned IDP vets know the top names already and likely know the type of players to target on draft day. But what about those who have yet to suit up in an NFL game? Rookies often surprise us by emerging in unlikely situations or surpassing expectations. For that reason, we are going to analyze the top rookies to monitor throughout the preseason at each major positional category. Let's look at the top safeties and corners today.
Editor's Note: Find sleeper picks, undervalued ADPs, and draft targets to help you dominate your fantasy football drafts. Try our free who to draft tool for personalized recommendations.
Caleb Farley (CB, TEN)
No, not every Tennessee Titans rookie cornerback is going to be on here but Caleb Farley has the kind of talent that screams IDP potential. Remember, potential only goes so far. Adoree Jackson and Malcolm Butler immediately come to mind over the past several seasons.
The great news for Farley is that these two players have moved on to new teams. This should give the Virginia Tech standout some opportunities not only on special teams but in the secondary too. With Farley, this is going to come down to health. If the corner is healthy, then a big training camp may just be in his future.
He has shown his playmaking ability already, including a knack for getting behind the line of scrimmage. Farley can flat-out tackle people and can be quite a ball hawk. He had four INT's in his sophomore season at Virginia Tech and could have had several more. Looking for players who can generate turnovers and tackles is a plus. Caleb Farley could be set up for success as a member of the Tennesee Titans.
Talanoa Hufanga (DB, SF)
The San Francisco 49'ers had a needed and rolled the dice on drafting USC standout Talanoa Hufanga very late in the draft. Do not let that fool you. There were valid concerns here (injuries- shoulder and collarbone) that included his lack of burst speed. However, San Francisco does not necessarily need him for speed and feels they can work with Hufanga there. They love him.
Hufanga is another one of those secondary players that can rack up tons of talents and produce some turnovers. His sophomore season at USC was the one to note in 2019 and 2020 was not bad either. He averaged 9 and 10.3 tackles per game in those seasons and generated a few forced fumbles each year.
Obviously, much of Hufanga's value hinges on how unstable San Francisco's secondary depth really is. If Hufanga plays within himself in training camp and is open to teaching, his 2021 potential will surprise many. AP All Americans combined with easy opportunity to play should be more noticeable.
Jamar Johnson (CB, DEN)
Johnson didn't emerge as a combine warrior, but he stepped up at Indiana when it seemed like all hope was lost in their secondary. The Marcelino Ball ACL tear created an opportunity that Johnson broke through on. He had 43 tackles and picked off two passes while adding 3.5 sacks. He was quite the ballhawk as Indiana's defense experienced marked improvement.
While the Denver defense keeps improving, there may just be a little bit of room for Johnson to make an impact by the end of 2021. Joining one of the better defenses in the league alleviates pressure for Johnson to perform instantly. That said, he has the chance to see significant playing time in 2022, not just in nickel packages. Johnson's run tackling technique was a little flawed but something Denver coaches and Vic Fangio should be able to work on.
If Johnson can show off his coverage skills early on, he has the chance to earn some work at the nickel position right away. He could prove an opportunistic player worth noting in IDP leagues that require a CB and reward passes defended along with sacks.
James Wiggins (S, ARZ)
The Cardinals took a flier late in the seventh round of the draft with the 243rd pick. Wiggins, unlike Jamar Johnson, does not grade quite as well (6.26 for Johnson -- 5.87 for Wiggins).
James Wiggins. stands just 5'11" which isn't exactly the ideal size for a safety. He does have explosive speed and strength but is just 209 pounds and the argument is he cannot put any more weight on at this point. The former Cincinnati safety excelled despite coming off a major ACL tear. Last year was spent getting used to the new knee and yet, Wiggins showed such growth anyway.
Of course, at safety we as IDP players want someone who can rack up tackles and make big plays. Wiggins did have 32 tackles and an interception. His numbers before the tear were a bit more significant -- 54 tackles and four INT's. Wiggins in 2018 made a ton of big plays and Arizona is banking on that big-time play potential.
The concerns are numerous though and Wiggins could be a bit of a project. He is too small to cover the NFL's better tight ends. Run defense was suspect in college and must learn NFL defenses better. If Wiggins does not get back to his full 2018-19 range as a safety, his upside could be that of just a fringe secondary/special teams player. He is one to watch especially to see how the defender grows in development in 2021.
