IDP Rookie Spotlight: Cornerbacks (1 Viewer)

[Aaron Rudnicki]

2009 IDP Spotlight Series

One of Footballguys best assets is our message board community. The IDP Forum here has grown quickly over the past few years and is probably the best place on the internet to discuss, debate and analyze all things related to IDPs. In what we hope to make an annual tradition, the IDP Spotlight series will be a key part of our preseason effort this year. As many of you know from what has been done with offensive players over the years, we consider the Player Spotlight threads the permanent record for analyzing the fantasy prospects of the player in question. This year, we hope to publish IDP Spotlights for approximately 20-30 players, which should account for many of the most interesting IDP starters for this year and possibly years to come.

Each week we will post a list of players to be discussed. Those threads will remain open for the entire preseason, and should be a central point to discuss expectations for the player in question. Importantly, analysis done in the first week (or possibly longer) of posting will be part of the permanent record in two ways.

1) At the end of the week (or longer when necessary), we will tally the projections into a consensus.

2) We will select a number of pull quotes from forum contributors who make a compelling statement or observation. Both the projections and pull quotes will be part of a published article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Which rookie cornerback will make the biggest impact in 2009?

Here are the highest rated ones, but feel free to make a case for someone else:

Malcolm Jenkins (NO) Player Page

Vontae Davis (MI) Player Page

Alphonso Smith (DEN) Player Page

Darius Butler (NE) Player Page

Each published article will include:

Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
FBG Projections
Consensus Member ProjectionsThe Rules

In order for this thread to provide maximum value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

Focus commentary on the player or players in question, and your expectations for said player(s)
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, we request that you provide projections for the player(s)Projections should include the following categories at minimum:

For DLs: Solos, Assists, Sacks, PD
For LBs: Solos, Assists, Sacks, INT, PD
For DBs: Solos, Assists, Sacks, INT, PDNow let's get on with the conversation! We look forward to your contributions and let me offer a personal thanks in anticipation of the great debate and analysis.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Let's use this thread as the focal point for discussion on the rookie cornerbacks this year.

To get us started, here are some guidelines:

1. Pick one corner who you think will have the biggest impact THIS year (can talk about dynasty potential as well, but 2009 is the focus)

2. Explain your reasoning

3. Provide your statistical projections for that player

 

[msommer]

I've put my money on Malcolm Jenkins, NOS-

Jabari Greer, Tracy Porter, Randall Gay are the primary competition for playing time.

I predict 59 solos, 8 asst, 1 INT, 8 PD if he starts at least 12 games - he will be picked on a lot

 

[Jene Bramel]

This is a very tough call in July unfortunately this season. It's a very safe bet that at least one rookie corner will end up in a starting lineup on opening weekend, and that a couple of others will work themselves into extended playing time by year's end. But it's still unclear who has the best shot. Everyone on this list is currently slated to compete for nickel duty. None are locks for starter's snaps.

Were I to roll the dice today, I'd be looking at Jenkins, Davis and another Miami rookie corner, Sean Smith. Jenkins could beat out Jabari Greer to start alongside Tracy Porter; even if he's the nickel corner only, the Saints could be ahead early and often enough to make him a Richard Marshall-lite value. One cornerback job in Miami is wide open and it's very likely that Davis or Smith will win the job and get bunches of snaps. Both have projectible run support profiles and ball skills. Whichever won wins the job will be the odds-on favorite to be the best rookie corner, assuming Jenkins slots to a nickel role in New Orleans.

 

[bcr8f]

As sleepers I like Sean Smith, but what about Fletcher(StL) and Cox(Jax)? I have heard rumblings about both.

 

[bcr8f]

From PFW

Rookie trio earning high marks in Miami

Posted July 16, 2009 @ 10:04 a.m.

By Matt Sohn

After years of futile drafts under different regimes, the Dolphins' braintrust of Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano scored great success with its first rookie class of 2008. Two draft picks, OT Jake Long and DE Kendall Langford, earned starting jobs, and DE Phillip Merling and OG Donald Thomas are slated for starting honors heading into their second training camp.

The early returns from the 2009 class are just as encouraging, even though there’s less of an opportunity to make a dent in the Dolphins’ lineup this season seeing as how the club is coming off an AFC East-winning campaign as opposed to a 1-15 debacle.

Three rookies stood out in particular: CBs Sean Smith and Vontae Davis, and WR Patrick Turner. Smith, the latter of the club’s two second-round picks, flashed his playmaking ability throughout the spring. A long-limbed converted wide receiver, the 6-foot-3 Smith’s fluidity was a bit of a pleasant surprise. With hands that enabled him to notch nine interceptions his last two college seasons, the threat of the takeaway and what he can create off the turnover were expected. Now, after his quick absorption of the scheme and showing natural movement skills, word is he has a slight edge on winning the starting job opposite Will Allen.

Davis, the first-round pick whose brother is 49ers TE Vernon Davis, has been solid, if not as sensational as Smith. But perhaps more encouraging than anything he has done on the field is how he appears to have fallen in line with Miami's regimented program. Notoriously hot-headed with a knack for drawing his coaches’ ire at Illinois, Davis has actively heeded advice thus far from both coaches and veterans. Offseason acquisition Eric Green is anything but a good bet to even claim the nickel job after many initially penciled him in as a starter.

Turner, meanwhile, looks like he’s finally ready to prove why he was considered the nation’s premier wide receiver coming out of high school in 2005. Following four decent seasons at USC, the 6-foot-5 Turner has been a terror for his defensive counterparts in spring. With ’08 free-agent flop Ernest Wilford flipping to H-back, Turner has the inside track at being the big-bodied red-zone target the Dolphins have lacked in recent seasons.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

any more thoughts here?