2022 IDP Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookies: Top Landing Spots for Defensive Backs
The countdown to the 2022 NFL Draft is hours away. Hopefully, you’ve done the research, read the profiles, watched some highlights and tape, and are now prepared to head into your rookie drafts.
For those who play in IDP leagues, landing spots for defensive players may be just as vital as offensive players. Over the last two seasons, we’ve seen rookie defenders get eased onto the field and see limited snaps from the outset.
Landing spots are a bit complex and there are a wide range of factors to look at when projecting teams. Looking at depth charts can be a bit overwhelming, but there are quite a few teams who need talent at all positions and I do think this draft class is loaded with players who have a clear path to snaps, as early as this season.
In these articles, I look at the ideal landing spots for the IDPs you should be targeting in your rookie drafts.
Finally…
Defensive Back
Kyle Hamilton, S Notre Dame
Ideal Landing Spot: Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, New York Giants, New York Jets
Hamilton has been labeled by some as the best overall player in the draft. Any of these teams would love to have a playmaking safety of Hamilton’s caliber. Who will pull the trigger?
The Falcons drafted Richie Grant in 2020 and the Texans just lost Justin Reid to the Chiefs. The Giants have Xavier McKinney, however not much else. The Jets brought in Jordan Whitehead in free agency, but the depth behind him is uninspiring.
I don’t think NFL scouts are going to be scared by Hamilton’s NFL Combine numbers or 40 time. His play shows up on tape. He has been playing significant snaps since entering the Golden Dome. He recorded eight interceptions and had a 29% play on ball rate. Hamilton, when targeted, allowed a 47.5% completion rate. He has a wide range when playing deeper and plays quick sideline-to-sideline. He measured at a 21mph top speed. He is multi-faceted and can play anywhere on the field. We’ll see how he recovers from the knee injury he suffered against USC.
Any of the above spots would bode well for IDP production. In 2021, he played just 26% of his snaps deep, so he should play quite a bit up on the line of scrimmage – either in the box or the slot. He’s a ball tracker, so when playing deep, he’ll have big-play upside to turn the ball over. He’s my DB1.
Daxton Hill, S Michigan
Ideal Landing Spot: San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles
Hill is labeled as an S but played primarily in the slot in 2021. He’s been called the second-best safety in the draft, however, his projections on landing spot have been all over the place. I think his combine numbers probably landed him in the first round.
The Saints brought in Marcus Maye in free agency from the Jets but lost Malcolm Jenkins to retirement, so the depth at the safety position is shaky. The Eagles and 49ers could also use Hill’s services as well.
Hill was a multi-faceted defensive back, but he really showed his coverage skills in 2021. He has plus speed and can recover quickly. He’s a big hitter and will get into the backfield and make plays. He plays bigger than he is, but that can get him in trouble just because he lacks the strength in his body. He’ll be able to make up for any mistakes the front of the defense makes.
I think Hill could slot right into a role and see significant snaps with any of these teams.
Jaquan Brisker, S Penn State
Ideal Landing Spot: Pittsburgh Steelers
If Brisker lands with the Steelers, it would be a homecoming for the Pittsburgh native. He checks off the boxes and is one of the better all-around safeties in the draft – just behind Hamilton, Hill and Lewis Cine.
Pairing Brisker with Minkah Fitzpatrick would give them quite the one-two punch at the position and provide some insurance at the position. Pittsburgh is set to offer Fitzpatrick a lucrative deal, but Terrell Edmunds is still a free agent. He is still playing below his talent level and doesn’t bring the skills Brisker offers. If Fitzpatrick doesn’t sign, he’s set to be an FA at the end of 2022. However, teams aren’t breaking the bank for safeties.
Brisker looks to be a box safety and brings a physical presence. They can both drop into coverage, but Brisker may allow Fitzpatrick to focus on playing deep while Brisker lays the wood from the second level.
Brisker appeared in nearly 800 defensive snaps and produced an 8.1% tackle rate while also making a play on the ball 33% of the time he was targeted. He is multi-faceted and can play around the field. He’s best up on the line of scrimmage – either in the box or slot. You want Brisker around the ball making plays. He sets the tone and will shed blocks, turn the ball over and use his explosiveness. He’ll just need to improve his reads in zone coverage.
Brisker’s physicality matches a Steeler mindset and I think he can see significant snaps as a rookie if he lands in Pittsburgh. He’s my S4/DB4 among this season’s rookie safeties/defensive backs.
Smoke Monday, S Auburn
Ideal Landing Spot: San Francisco 49ers
Smoke Monday is the Street Profits’ (WWE tag team) favorite DB in the draft – he wants the smoke. Why wouldn’t you want a guy named Smoke on your roster?
I think Monday would be a nice fit in the Bay Area. I do think the 49ers are limited at the position with Jimmie Ward and Talanoa Hufanga. Ward is a solid deep safety, but I’m not sure about Hufanga.
Monday excels in the box but needs some refinement in coverage. He played 273 deep snaps and 437 total between the box and slot. He was one of those rare four-year players and showed steady improvement and development year over year. He’s a solid hitter and can cover ground from the back end. He’s a multi-faceted safety who can run downhill or play the single/high. He’ll need to add some bulk and improve his man-to-man coverage as he’s still a bit stiff.
I think he’d play well alongside Ward and Fred Warner. I could see him starting out as s special teamer but developing into a starter and every-down player.
Jalen Pitre, S Baylor
Ideal Landing Spot: Houston Texans
The Texans have guys at their safety positions, but no one stands out as a difference-maker. Justin Reid, their only real playmaker, left for Kansas City. They’ll need someone who can make plays at the second level.
There really isn’t a whole lot that can be said about Houston’s current safety room. So, really, I’ll just leave it that.
Pitre is another safety who played a lot of snaps in the slot. He played well in the slot as well as the box. He recorded a 10.1% tackle rate, however, his upside comes from the pass rush. He generated a 25% pressure rate – which resulted in 3.5 sacks and 16 QB hurries. The Texans need a physical hitter, and Pitre is that. He’ll run through the ball carrier and won’t stop until he gets his man. He’s really good in space and is solid in coverage. Pitre’s average depth of tackle was around a yard, so he’s going to make plays at the line of scrimmage. He’s got a nose for the ball, but needs to show he can be one of those multi-faceted safeties and be willing to play where asked.
With Houston’s current depth, I think he could see the field right away. He’s my S4 among this season’s crop of rookies.
Bryan Cook, S Cincinnati
Ideal Landing Spot: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs could use some depth at the position, especially with Jordan Whitehead leaving for the Jets in free agency. Antoine Winfield Jr is manning the deep role and Logan Ryan is more of a slot. Mike Edwards isn’t a guy who prevents you from drafting another safety.
Winfield is a really good safety, but he mans the defensive backfield. He played just over 670 deep snaps. Logan Ryan will play up in the box and slot, but he’ll also be used in high situations and played 527 deep snaps in 2021.
Cook had quite the journey to a starter. He played meaningful snaps in 2020 after transferring from Howard, but had a three-down role for the Bearcats in 2021 and appeared in 747 defensive snaps in the regular season and an additional 153 in the CFB playoffs. During the regular season, Cook recorded a 12.4% tackle rate and missed on just six tackles. He diagnoses plays quickly and has an eye for the ball – he made a play on the ball 32% of the time he was targeted, resulting in two picks and nine defended passes. He just has one season of full-time play. The Bucs might want Ryan to focus on the slot and Cook to play those combo box/deep snaps.
The addition of Cook to the Bucs’ roster could bode well for a short path to snaps.
- Dynasty Rookie IDP: Day Three Review - April 30, 2023
- 2022 Post-NFL Draft IDP Rookie Sleepers for Dynasty Fantasy Football - May 3, 2022
- Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie IDP NFL Draft Review: Day Two - April 30, 2022
