Converting corners (1 Viewer)

[Hoodoo]

Tonight on my local sports radio show they had New Orleans' NFL Analyst Mike Detilier on and he was discussing the lack of talent in this years draft at the safety position yet a lot of teams were in need of safeties with cover skills. What he had to say reminded me a lot of the discussion here about typical in-the-box safeties. He went on to say that given the lack of talent at safety in the draft he expects some teams to start trying to convert CBs safety.

So, all this got me wondering if it might be a good idea to try to identify teams that need help at the position and have CBs who might fit the mold of a convert. I think if they can be identified early a few nice sleepers could emerge.

 

[Chaos Commish]

While I agree with the idea that this class has a few corners who could and/or should convert to safety, I'm not sure we should be impressed with the trend for fantasy purposes. A converted corner is most likely going to be a free safety, a cover guy, playing deep, far from the box. While there are some free safeties who put up nice stats, none of them fit the physical profile of a converted corner, not that I know of anyway. Anyone?

From this draft, I think Charles Godfrey and Terrell Thomas are excellent prospects to convert to FS. Dwight Lowery is another good possibility. All of them would be good in deep coverage. Thomas could be a very good tackler too, so he'd be the rookie to watch, imo. Godfrey will probably get every opportunity to make it at corner.

I can't speak for other situations around the league, but I know Henry has been mentioned as a possible convert in Dallas. The Pacman deal may increase the likelihood. Still, I don't think it changes his value if he does convert, it just preserves it in the presence of Pacman.

Also, I'm not sold on the idea that this class of safeties is all that bad. I tend to latch onto some kids I've seen play at a high level and they don't always pan out, but this class has some decent prospects to keep an eye on. Guys who aren't getting much play.

Quentin Demps and Josh Barrett have outstanding measureables and could be pretty big surprises. Morgan, Phillips and Johnson all look like typical late first round quality safeties to me. Keyes and Horton from UCLA are both good prospects. Horton has less hype, but he's the one to watch. David Roach from TCU had a fantastic career on a very tough defense. He's one of my favorite players in the draft.

 

[Rozelle]

I agree with CC: converted corners are likely to be FS.

Kinda pressed for time this morning, can't go into much detail. I think ... for the most part, the conversion types are basically the same corners who are best suited in a Tampa/Cover 2 scheme.

 

[msommer]

I agree with CC: converted corners are likely to be FS.

Kinda pressed for time this morning, can't go into much detail. I think ... for the most part, the conversion types are basically the same corners who are best suited in a Tampa/Cover 2 scheme.

And unless they go as CB in that scheme to me that spells S-T-A-Y- A-W-A-Y on draft day

 

[FUBAR]

I'm pretty sure I'd prefer LBs who get converted to Safeties. Not sure how many of those are out there.

I only know of one Safety who turned into a LB, and he's turned out pretty good. (Urlacher)

 

[Rozelle]

I'm pretty sure I'd prefer LBs who get converted to Safeties. Not sure how many of those are out there.

I only know of one Safety who turned into a LB, and he's turned out pretty good. (Urlacher)

Those days are probably over.If I recall ... Cato June was another

 

[kerpow]

I agree with CC: converted corners are likely to be FS.

Kinda pressed for time this morning, can't go into much detail. I think ... for the most part, the conversion types are basically the same corners who are best suited in a Tampa/Cover 2 scheme.

Marlin Jackson covered for Bob Sanders at SS but that was obviously circumstancial and not very effective - the Colts D improved dramatically when Bob returned in the playoffs.

 

[BoltBacker]

I'm pretty sure I'd prefer LBs who get converted to Safeties. Not sure how many of those are out there.

I only know of one Safety who turned into a LB, and he's turned out pretty good. (Urlacher)

Those days are probably over.If I recall ... Cato June was another

Thomas Davis(CAR)

 

[Rozelle]

I'm pretty sure I'd prefer LBs who get converted to Safeties. Not sure how many of those are out there.

I only know of one Safety who turned into a LB, and he's turned out pretty good. (Urlacher)

Those days are probably over.If I recall ... Cato June was another

Thomas Davis(CAR)

Your right, however I'm pretty sure when they drafted Davis they had every intention of him playing safety, LB was a backup plan.

 

[corpcow]

I'm pretty sure I'd prefer LBs who get converted to Safeties. Not sure how many of those are out there.

I only know of one Safety who turned into a LB, and he's turned out pretty good. (Urlacher)

Those days are probably over.If I recall ... Cato June was another

Thomas Davis(CAR)

Your right, however I'm pretty sure when they drafted Davis they had every intention of him playing safety, LB was a backup plan.

Boulware was another one right? How's that working out right now?

 

[massraider]

I think the trend that is going to be more interesting is the practice of teams using less of the in-the-box SS guy, and having interchangeable safeties.

I think that thumper SS is going to become more of a dinosaur, as offenses try and isolate that guy deep. Tight ends are becoming better and better athletes, and I think that more defenses will want both safeties able to cover deep, and we'll see better numbers from perceived free safeties, and lesser numbers from strong safeties.

 

[JaxBill]

I think the trend that is going to be more interesting is the practice of teams using less of the in-the-box SS guy, and having interchangeable safeties. I think that thumper SS is going to become more of a dinosaur, as offenses try and isolate that guy deep. Tight ends are becoming better and better athletes, and I think that more defenses will want both safeties able to cover deep, and we'll see better numbers from perceived free safeties, and lesser numbers from strong safeties.

This has been on my mind this week. Radio interviews with playes have all but confirmed that Brian Williams is moving to safety and Drayton Florence is starting at corner for the Jags. Rumor on PFT that the Cowboys want to get rid of Roy Williams. Do the Eagles have Sheldon Brown playing a corner/safety mix? It's all about a safety's coverage skills now. And several schemes have little or no distinction between free and strong safety.