2012 IDP Rankings: Cornerbacks

As more and more fantasy football enthusiasts take the plunge and partake in the additional strategy and excitement of individual defensive player (IDP) leagues, we're seeing another phenomenon develop, as many of these leagues are eschewing the more "traditional" defensive lineman/linebacker/defensive back setup in favor of separating defensive ends and defensive tackles as well as safeties and cornerbacks.

I tackled the beefeaters with Defensive Tackle rankings in my last article here at FantasySharks, so now it's time to focus on the players trying their best to stop the passing onslaught that is today's National Football League ... the cornerbacks.

As is the case with defensive tackles, cornerbacks are with a very few exceptions, incredibly inconsistent, and the waiver wire in most IDP leagues usually features several viable options on a weekly basis.

So, unless you really want a Charles Tillman or Charles Woodson or you play in a league that rewards highly for interceptions and passes defended, you can wait until the later rounds of your IDP draft to select your corners. And if they don't work out simply cut them loose and move on with another player. Turn ‘em and burn ‘em.

These rankings are based off the scoring used in the WALL IDP-only showcase league here at FantasySharks, which requires that teams start at least two cornerbacks. You can view that scoring by clicking here.

1) Charles Tillman, Chicago: Tillman missed being the top overall defensive back in this scoring by all of one point after racking up a career-high 99 stops in 2011, and the 31-year-old has posted four straight Top 25 IDP defensive back finishes.

2) Charles Woodson, Green Bay: At 35-years-old, Charles Woodson is certainly no spring chicken, but it's awfully hard to argue with his fantasy production after four straight Top 10 IDP finishes among defensive backs.

3) Jason McCourty, Tennessee: Jason McCourty exploded into fantasy prominence after topping 100 tackles in 2011, and while there's a risk that he's a "one-year wonder" Titans cornerbacks have been viable fantasy options for several seasons.

4) Terrell Thomas, New York Giants: A torn ACL wiped out Thomas' 2011 season, and while that injury is reason for a measure of concern, Thomas put up IDP DB1 numbers in both 2009 and 2010.

5) Antoine Winfield, Minnesota: The 14-year veteran seemed to be well on his way to another solid season before a broken collarbone ended his 2011 campaign, but Winfield is reportedly fully recovered and remains one of the surest-tackling cornerbacks in the NFL.

6) DeAngelo Hall, Washington: The fact that Hall is mediocre in coverage is actually a benefit to his fantasy value, as opposing quarterbacks have no qualms about throwing in the ninth-year pro's direction.

7) Kyle Arrington, New England: The fourth-year pro tied for the NFL lead in interceptions last season with seven, and while Arrington may be hard-pressed to match that number this year, he also chipped in nearly 90 tackles in 2011.

8) Patrick Peterson, Arizona: Peterson racked up 64 stops, a sack, and two interceptions as a rookie, and his considerable talents in the return game increases his IDP value considerably in fantasy leagues that award points for return yards.

9) Richard Marshall, Miami: After one year in the desert, Marshall took his talents to South Beach, but the seventh-year veteran has yet to record less than 70 tackles in a season and has been productive no matter his team or role.

10) Devin McCourty, New England: McCourty's interception total dropped from seven in 2010 to two a season ago, but the Patriots should find themselves in plenty of shootouts in the upcoming season.

11) Tramon Williams, Green Bay: Even with a bum shoulder, Williams was still able to post IDP DB2 numbers for the Packers last year, and a healthy Williams represents one of the more interesting upside selections on this list.

12) Lardarius Webb, Baltimore: After a torrid start to the 2011 season, Webb cooled off considerably later in the year, but the fact remains that at the end of the season Webb still managed a Top 30 finish on the heels of 67 tackles and five interceptions.

13) Cortland Finnegan, St. Louis: After six years in Tennessee, Finnegan went to the Rams in free agency, and while he's shown the ability to be a productive IDP asset there's a chance that opposing quarterbacks won't afford Finnegan as many opportunities to make plays in the Gateway City.

14) Brent Grimes, Atlanta: Grimes missed four games last season and failed to crack the Top 50 fantasy defensive backs, but the year before the sixth-year pro tallied 87 total tackles, picked off five passes, and posted a Top 25 finish.

15) Brandon Flowers, Kansas City: The 26-year-old failed to crack 60 total tackles for the first time last year, but Flowers will be expected to pick up his game in 2012 with Brandon Carr now in Dallas.

16) Brandon Browner, Seattle: A perfect example of the sort of surprise IDP cornerback that comes from nowhere to post solid numbers. The 27-year-old "rookie" finally got to show what he was capable of last year with half a dozen interceptions.

17) Alterraun Verner, Tennessee: Cortland Finnegan's departure thrusts Verner back into the starting lineup, and if he can come anywhere close to matching his 101-tackle 2010 season, the third-year pro could be an excellent value in this spot.

18) Ronald Bartell, Oakland: A neck injury wiped out nearly all of Bartell's 2011 season with St. Louis, but Bartell has shown the ability to produce in the past and is arguably the best of a very suspect group of Raiders cornerbacks.

19) Joe Haden, Cleveland: Haden had a fairly successful rookie campaign with 65 tackles, a sack and an interception. The only potential pitfall with Haden is that he might be "too good" to be targeted a lot by opposing passers.

20) Chris Houston, Detroit: Eric Wright's departure to Tampa Bay leaves Houston as the top dog in a suspect Lions' secondary that should find themselves in plenty of shootouts this year.

21) Darrelle Revis, New York Jets: Revis is quite possibly the best cornerback in the National Football League, but that actually limits his fantasy upside given that opposing signal-callers usually think twice about chucking the ball his way.

22) Eric Wright, Tampa Bay: Wright may be the anti-Revis, as the imminently burnable sixth-year pro inspires very little trepidation in opposing quarterbacks. However, a recent DUI arrest raises the possibility of discipline from the NFL and is a hit to Wright's IDP value until the situation is resolved.

23) Jerraud Powers, Indianapolis: The 24-year-old has shown flashes of being IDP-relevant in the past but durability is a significant concern, as Powers has yet to play in 16 games in his four-year NFL career.

24) Richard Sherman, Seattle: Another Seattle cornerback that came from nowhere to post decent fantasy numbers. Sherman racked up 45 tackles and four interceptions in 10 starts, making him a serviceable CB2 in 2012.

25) Tracy Porter, Denver: Porter's numbers were far from eye-popping in 2011, due in part to the fact that the fifth-year veteran missed two games. However, the 25-year-old should see an increase in targets and opportunities for fantasy production playing across from Champ Bailey in Denver.

Have a question about a particular player? Check out the Fantasy Sharks IDP Forum or email me at askgary@fantasysharks.com. I'll do my best to help!

Also, follow @IDPManor on Twitter for all the latest breaking news on individual defensive players around the NFL.

Finally, if you're looking for an IDP league for 2012, be sure to check out the Deathmatch 2012 thread in the FantasySharks league forums. All are welcome!