IDP Sleepers
CB Brandon Flowers, ---
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Flowers slipped under the radar during his draft year, mainly because of questions about his 40 time. But game speed hasn't been a problem for this promising corner who looks like the class of a sneaky-good young secondary in Kansas City. Playing in only 14 games last season, Flowers managed an impressive 68 total tackles to go along with 13 passes defended. His only two interceptions came against Brett Favre (one, he returned for a touchdown), but that number will almost certainly climb this year -- even against quarterbacks who aren't washed up.
S Dashon Goldson, --- - Sleeper (undervalued)
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The versatile Dashon Goldson brings to the table a big play fantasy upside. He was out most of last season with a knee injury and missed time in his rookie campaign thanks to an elbow injury suffered in week 1, so durability is a slight concern. Playmaking, on the other hand, shouldn't be a problem. Goldson has great ball sense and will be an immediate upgrade over Mark Roman who, despite starting every game over the last two seasons, hasn't intercepted a pass, sacked a QB or forced a fumble since 2006.
CB Chris Johnson, BAL
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Johnson filled in for ineffective DeAngelo Hall last season and wound up posting solid numbers. He might only be half the player his opposite number (left corner Nnamdi Asomugha) is, but that doesn't mean he can't be valuable for fantasy purposes. Asomugha has become the most feared and avoided corner in football, meaning Johnson will be constantly tested by opposing quarterbacks. As long as he doesn't crumble under the pressure, Johnson stands to put up big numbers. With his three picks and 12 passes defended last season, he showed he has some ball skills to complement his impressive size for a corner (6'1", 200lbs).
S Michael Mitchell, --- - Sleeper (undervalued)
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Much to self-proclaimed draft expert Mel Kiper's dismay, the Raiders "reached" to select little-known Mike Mitchell with the 47th pick in the 2009 NFL draft. Mitchell played his college ball at Ohio University and wasn't exactly in the national spotlight until draft day, but that doesn't mean the kid can't play. He's a mean-spirited wrecking ball in the secondary whose playing style reminds me a little of the late Sean Taylor. Still raw, Mitchell has a long way to go before he becomes a complete safety. How he fares in coverage may dictate his long-term value, however he should post plenty of tackles, sacks and forced fumbles in a role that favors in-the-box play over a deep presence.
S Sabby Piscitelli, --- - Sleeper (undervalued)
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The plan out of Tampa (and it's a strange one) is to replace Derrick Brooks -- he of 11 Pro Bowls, six first team All-Pros, one Defensive Player of the Year, and one Super Bowl ring -- with a veteran safety who, at the age of 30, will have to learn a new position. Jermaine Phillips has prowled the Tampa Secondary for all of his seven years in the NFL, but now moves to OLB, freeing up a starting spot in the secondary for up-and-coming Sabby Piscitelli. Piscitelli should offer more in coverage than Phillips, without sacrificing too much in terms of run support. Taller and heavier than Phillips, Piscitelli is a big imposing safety in his own right. He'll have every opportunity to prove he deserves the starting SS role even if Phillips can't make it work at linebacker (our suspicion is that Geno Hayes will end up winning the training camp battle for the WILL spot).
