Kerry Rhodes

Exiled from the Jets, Rhodes rebounded fairly well in 2010, finishing the year with 90 tackles (78 solo) and three interceptions. It was his third season with 90 or more tackles, as well as his third with four or more interceptions. Unfortunately, last year’s numbers look like somewhat of a best-case scenario for Rhodes. But on a team with a likely below average offense, Rhodes and the rest of the Arizona defense should see plenty of snaps in 2011, so he’ll get every opportunity to maintain his 2010 production.

Needless to say, Rhodes didn't fit in well with Jets head coach Rex Ryan last season and was ultimately deemed expendable after starting 78 of the 80 games he's played in during his first five NFL seasons. The Cards were happy to land him as the replacement for Antrel Rolle, and there's a very good chance he'll return to form after being one of the league's better IDP options at safety prior to last season.

Rhodes has all the tools to thrive in Rex Ryan’s 3-4, not unlike another safety of some note, Baltimore’s Ed Reed. Look for Ryan to use the versatile Rhodes in a variety of ways – he can be effective pass rusher (five sacks in 2006) and ball-hawker (five interceptions in 2007), and he’s a good enough tackler to push triple digits (100 stops as a rookie in 2005, 92 the following season), though he only had 84 last season. He’s been regarded as one of the top safeties in the league for several years – this season, we expect him to make the jump to the top of the IDP defensive back rankings.

Rhodes has started all 48 games since entering the league in 2005. His tackles have dropped each season and 2007 included a particularly sharp fall, from 98 to 67. This can be attributed, in part, to the emergence of linebacker David Harris as one of the NFL's best tacklers. Rhodes is still a worthy and versatile IDP. What he might lack in tackles, he makes up for in interceptions (a career-high five last year as Harris' emergence let Rhodes drop into coverage more often), sacks (seven in the last two seasons) and forced fumbles (two in 2007). Rhodes would rank higher if not for the drop in tackles, but he is versatile so don't underestimate him.

Rhodes might be better in the fantasy world than he is on the field. No coach could argue, of course, with his four picks and five sacks last year, the latter of which tied for the league lead among defensive backs. Nor would anyone be displeased with 98 total tackles. Nonetheless, scouts criticize his dexterity, body control and ability to follow a route in coverage. He's also a bit thin and blockable in run support. Then how has he been a fantasy star in both his years in the NFL? Rhodes plays with a high motor and sticks his nose everywhere he can. If he lacks great fundamentals against the run, he still manages to get everywhere he needs to be. His coaches discovered he has elite ability to mask on a blind-side blitz. At 6-3, he competes well in the air for balls, and playing free safety means he has the freedom to take risks as the second man in on coverage. Experts might not like the complete package, but in the fantasy world that's exactly what Rhodes is.

The Jets drafted Justin Miller in the second round in 2005 to help with their secondary, but it was Rhodes, a fourth-rounder, who made the impact. The Jets knew right away, cutting Reggie Tongue and Jon McGraw in the preseason to give Rhodes the job. Rhodes is pretty big at 6-3, giving him a good chance when balls are up for grabs. His specialty, however, turned out to be having a nose for the ball and completing tackles better than scouts had projected. The Jets have plenty of team needs in switching to a 3-4, which means anybody on this squad with some ability will continue to shine.