The Elite DBs You Should Take Early

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The IDP Roundtable Series

This summer, the Footballguys staff will discuss various topics to help you in your IDP leagues.

What defensive back(s) do you consider among the elite tier who deserves consideration as the first off the board?

Kyle Bellefeuil

While I tend to fade the DB position, Derwin James is a player who will make me take the plunge earlier than normal. James does have some health concerns but is an elite difference-maker at the position. James’ role and skill set are conducive to IDP production with how the Chargers utilize him all over their defensive formations. Jeremy Chinn is another player whom I will consider shifting gears for. Chinn spends a good amount of time up in the box (510 snaps in 2021) and has averaged 112 combined tackles over his first two seasons.

Joseph Haggan

I only have two defensive backs in my elite group, or tier one. Derwin James is one of them, and he just got a bag of cash from the Chargers, leaving me to believe that he does not have any lingering injuries which he sustained earlier in his career. James is a swiss army knife defensive back, having the ability to line up all over the field. His usage is perfect as well, playing 585 of his 961 snaps in the box or slot and 328 snaps as a free safety. Over James's two healthy seasons, he has averages of 111.5 tackles, 5.5 for a loss, 2.75 sacks, 9 passes defended, 2.5 interceptions, and 1.5 forced fumbles per season.

Jeremy Chinn is the same type of player with similar usage. James set the tone for these types of defensive backs, and Chinn is incredibly similar. Chinn's usage is even better than James'. In 2021 he played 74% of his snaps in either the box, the slot, or the defensive line. Chinn has averaged 112 tackles per season over his first two seasons. His 2021 season started quite slow with 43 tackles in his first eight games. He showed his potential though in his last eight, though, totaling 64 tackles, an average of 8 per game. You couldn't ask for more out of a defensive back.