Reggie Nelson

A true center fielder at safety, Nelson is well-established as one of the league's top turnover threats at his position. After intercepting five passes last year, Nelson is up to 17 in the last three seasons. Of course, his tackle totals dropped from 95, to 77, to 65 over that span, so these picks come with mediocre tackle totals. In leagues that reward heavily for interceptions, though, there could be reason to rank Nelson a bit higher than this. With the Raiders’ offense likely to thrive, Nelson should continue seeing interception opportunities as opponents throw to play catch up.

Once considered a bust for his disappointing career in Jacksonville, Nelson got everything figured out in his six-year stay with Cincinnati, emerging as a fine center-field safety. Nelson hit a new gear over the last two years, posting 172 tackles and 12 interceptions, and now he heads to Oakland where what should be a dominant pass rush awaits him. If quarterbacks make hurried and ill-advised decisions against the Raiders, Nelson will be positioned to make them pay. He takes over for the retired Charles Woodson, who enjoyed standout IDP production.

Acquired in 2010 as a rehabilitation project after three busted years in Jacksonville, Nelson improved under Marvin Lewis' watch, culminating in his best IDP season yet in 2014. Nelson reached a career high in tackles for two reasons: he played 16 games for the first time since 2011, and Cincinnati's run defense was unusually bad, which gave him more tackle opportunities. Either could turn less favorable for Nelson this season, making last year a best-case scenario. Still, Nelson will be one of the top ball-hawking threats at safety when he's on the field.

Nelson, who recorded 83 tackles (54 solo) and three interceptions last season, is expected to start at free safety for the Bengals in 2013.

He was a huge bust in Jacksonville as a former first-round pick, but Nelson finally came to life for Cincinnati in 2011. He still isn't much of a tackler, but he posted just enough (85 tackles, 59 solo) to be a non-liability in that department and added four interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and 12 passes defended. He also threw in two sacks and two forced fumbles. With a deep and effective front seven ahead of him, Nelson should continue to see a fair number of rushed, off-target passes as he reprises his role as Cincinnati's center-field safety.

Nelson has a starting safety spot...for now. He struggled as much as any defensive back in the league last year, and we wouldn't be surprised to see him benched or even cut. His days as a productive IDP are over.

Nelson possesses the ability to be a ballhawking safety with high tackle numbers, but has yet to put that talent together in his first two years in the NFL. The jettisoning of Gerald Sensabaugh and the move of Brian Williams back to the cornerback position means that Nelson will have plenty of opportunities to rack up numbers in the revamped Jags defense, but fantasy owners may have to take a slight leap of faith in believing whether he'll do so or not.

Nelson had a great rookie season with five picks, one sack and 57 tackles. Expect those numbers to grow as Nelson continues to mature as a professional.

Nelson, the Jaguars' first-round pick has already been handed the starting free safety spot, and should make an immediate impact for the Jags' defense. His ballhawking and tackling skills could make him one of the top rookie IDP's.