All true fantasy football fanatics (especially in dynasty leagues) know that for all intents and purposes there is no offseason, and it's as vital to keep up to date on all the Individual Defensive Players (IDP) comings and goings in February as it is in September. The 2012 NFL Scouting Combine begins in one short week, as hundreds of collegiate athletes gather in Indianapolis to show off for scouts and coaches in the hopes of bolstering their stock in April's NFL Draft. However, before we get to New York City we must first navigate the treacherous waters of the annual insanity that is free agency in the NFL, which begins on March 13. Player movement can have a huge IDP impact not only on the players that join new teams but also their former and new teammates, so this article will be the finale of a three-part series looking at some of the prominent free agents at each of the major IDP positions, where those players might be headed, and what it all could mean for their fantasy football value in 2012 and beyond. It's worth mentioning that in the case of defensive backs (with a very few exceptions) there's no real point in worrying too much about a player's long-term value, as defensive backs are so inconsistent from season to season that "dynasty" becomes a very relative term where the position is concerned. Also, there are about six million defensive backs that might be IDP-relevant in 2012, and about a third of those are free agents, so I have no doubt I'm about to miss a few guys. If you have any questions regarding those players there are links at the end of this article that will direct you to the information you seek. Tyvon Branch, SS, Oakland: Very few defensive backs over the past several seasons have been as consistent as the Raiders' strong safety, who has topped 100 tackles and finished in the Top 20 at his position in Default IDP Manor Scoring three years running. Branch is a classic "in the box" strong safety, stout against the run but something of a liability in coverage, and even should he remain in Oakland his IDP value may take something of a hit in 2012 given the new coaching staff's potential switch to a 3-4 defense in Oakland and the differing ways in which them may choose to utilize Branch. Should he depart the Bay Area, the fantasy value of Branch could vary quite a bit for next season, but with most signs pointing to him hanging around he appears to be set for at least one more season of serviceable IDP DB1 value. LaRon Landry, SS, Washington: The Redskins' strong safety appeared well on his way to a breakout season in 2010, averaging well over a fantasy point per game more than the second highest scoring IDP defensive back before his season was cut short by an achilles injury. That same achilles injury plagued the fifth-year pro throughout the 2011 season, costing Landry eight games and limiting him to the lowest tackle totals of his career. Fast forward to 2012, and guess what? The achilles is still an issue, and given Landry's refusal to have it surgically repaired (which would shelve the 27-year-old for at least a year) both Landry's future in the nation's capital and his IDP value for 2012 are anyone's guess at this point. Whether Landry signs a one-year "show me" deal to remain with the Redskins or departs isn't as important to his fantasy value as the health of that one pesky tendon, as a healthy Landry is a Top 5 fantasy defensive back while a gimpy one is just taking up a roster spot. In all honesty, I'm not overly optimistic about Landry's non-surgical treatments healing the ailment, (if they could have, wouldn't it have happened by now?) so while my personal outlook for Landry in 2012 isn't overly rosy right now the upside he presents is tempting as a buy low candidate. Richard Marshall, CB, Arizona: Marshall's no Darrelle Revis in coverage, but what's made him so appealing to IDP types throughout his six-year career is his willingness and capability in run support, as Marshall has averaged more than 80 tackles a season over that stretch, and in none of those seasons did Marshall record fewer than 75 total stops. Marshall's fantasy value is tied into his playing time much more than where he spends it, so whether he remains in the desert or goes elsewhere so long he's on the field enough, he should have a better than average shot at his fifth Top 25 IDP finish at his position, making him a viable IDP DB2 and solid starting option in fantasy leagues that require cornerbacks. Cortland Finnegan, CB, Tennessee: Another cornerback with no qualms about getting his nose dirty in run support, Finnegan's statistics last year backslid from 2010, when he recorded 100 tackles and posted a Top 20 fantasy finish, but the sixth-year veteran still managed to post 75 stops while taking an IDP back seat to batterymate Jason McCourty. Finnegan seems to think his days in Nashville are numbered, but there will be no shortage of suitors for the 28-year-old in a weak market at the position. Finnegan's tackling skills aside his coverage skills have improved to the point that he doesn't get targeted as much as one might like for fantasy purposes, so regardless of his 2012 destination it's hard to view Finnegan as more than a speculative IDP DB4. Jordan Babineaux, SS, Tennessee: Three quarters of the Titans' starting secondary enters free agency in 2012, as does reserve strong safety Jordan Babineaux, who made 93 tackles and finished in the Top 25 among fantasy defensive backs last year in 14 starts in place of the injured Chris Hope. Babineaux is two years younger than Hope and will probably come at a cheaper price, so he's the player of the duo that I expect the Titans to retain, and given that the 29-year-old also cracked 100 tackles and the Top 25 fantasy defensive backs in 2009 while starting for the Seattle Seahawks, Babineaux is an interesting early sleeper target in 2012 as a potential IDP DB2. Terrell Thomas, CB, New York Giants : After posting a surprising Top 10 IDP finish in 2009 Terrell Thomas followed that up with an even bigger 2010, topping 100 total tackles and finishing as fantasy football's top defensive back. Thomas was denied the opportunity to back that up in 2011 however, as a torn ACL ended the four-year veteran's season before it started. Much like LaRon Landry, Thomas' health, 2012 destination and fantasy value are all very much question marks at this point. Assuming that Thomas is healthy, one of the things that makes him such an attractive IDP option is that, much like Richard Marshall, Thomas isn't great in coverage, so opposing quarterbacks aren't inclined to shy away from him. The uncertainty about Thomas' knee and concerns about his coverage skills should cap his marketability significantly, and should he then re-up with the defending Super Bowl champs for a manageable amount and return to the starting lineup, his IDP potential for 2012 makes him very much worth a speculative look as a buy-low that could pay off big down the road. 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!