Week 2 Shuffle: Defensive Backs

Listed are the Top 36 DBs for the upcoming week.  Points are given out as follows: 1 per tackle .5 per assist 1.5 TFL 1.5 PD 3 FF 3 FR 3 INT.  Rankings are based on the projected mean performance without any specific team context on who you should start.  Sometimes you need to start the lower of two players due to upside or a high floor, so things are fluid.  As always, players can move up or down as we approach kickoff.  So please indulge yourself & dissect our list from top to bottom.  Let's Go!

Tier 1:
1. Eric Weddle @PHI
2. Charles Tillman vs MIN
3. Tim Jennings vs MIN
4. Duke Ihenacho @NYG
5. Malcolm Jenkins @TB
6. Tyvon Branch vs JAC
7. LaRon Landry vs MIA
8. Antoine Bethea vs MIA
9. Harrison Smith @CHI
10. DeAngelo Hall @GB
11. Baccari Rambo @GB
12. Brandon Boykin vs SD

- The Chicago DBs are going to have a field day with the depressing product Minnesota puts out on the field.  Weddle should be a tackling machine against the high powered Eagles offense.  Both sets of teammates (Landry & Bethea) (Hall & Rambo) have attractive matchups for multiple tackles.  Burnett would ranking higher if not for his questionable tag.

Tier 2:
13. Sam Shields vs WAS
14. Robert McClain vs STL
15. Bernard Pollard vs TEN
16. Charles Godfey @BUF
17. Roman Harper @TB
18. Eric Berry vs DAL
19. Barry Church @KC
20. Earl Thomas vs SF
21. Ryan Clark @CIN
22. Kam Chancellor vs SF
23. Mark Barron vs NO
24. Steve Gregory vs NYJ

- Boykin has big play potential and Philip Rivers will give him plenty of shots to make it happen.  Shields would see a boost into the top 10 should Burnett miss their games against the 'Skins.  Every safety on this list (Pollard, Godfrey, Harper, Berry, Church, Thomas, Clark, Chancellor, Barron & Gregory) all are going to be tackling machines.  One or more will make a big play but everyone should be home to a safe floor.  McClain is the wildcard, but I'm expecting high tackle numbers and a turnover to head his way Sunday.

Tier 3:

25. Tyrann Mathieu @ARI
26. Da'Norris Searcy vs CAR
27. Leon Hall vs PIT
28. Patrick Peterson vs DET
29. Janoris Jenkins @ATL
30. Jamarca Sanford @CHI
31. William Moore vs STL
32. Cary Williams vs SD
33. Josh Wilson @GB
34. Kyle Arrington vs NYJ

35. Eric Reed @SEA
36. Jimmy Smith vs CLE

- There are plenty of question marks with all of these guys, but enough plausible upside to warrant a start in deep leagues.  Each corner should see around 5 targets and they have enough ability to capitalize on a mistake coming there direction.  Guys like Sanford & Moore are going to hit 8 tackles and nothing else.  If you need a safe floor, they're your guys.  Mathieu should get some play making opportunities against the Carson Palmer led Cardinals but it's tough to trust him with any type of consistency this early in his career.  Update: Morgan Burnett is official out & removed from the rankings.

Check out all our Week 2 Rankings: QB RB WR TE D/ST K LB DL DB


As always, read & discuss.  You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.  Thanks for reading.