I guess we shouldn’t be surprised that one of the most important positions is harder to progress than most, with awareness as the attribute at the top. There isn’t much elite size thus far in the PTF also, so that probably gave they them a bit more value to me. There are a few players that could also have made the list but it’s a pretty competitive position overall.
6. Terrence Newman, Jacksonville Jaguars
The 8th overall pick in the 2003 draft makes the cut because he’s athletic (95/92/97 SPD/AGI/ACC) and so young at only 23 yet already has 72 AWR. In his rookie season he more than held his own at a position where they typically have a lot of struggles, taking some time to develop. He had a pretty good 21/30 DFL/CTHA ratio as well as 4 INTs. And there’s the 81 TAK. If he were a couple of inches taller he might be be higher on the list already. The more I look into him, the more I like him.
5. Andre Dyson, Arizona Cardinals
Dyson pops out because his 82 AWR at 25 is pretty rare, and with his 22 tackles, 2 INTs through 5 games in 2004, it’ll be even better real soon. I’d to see more SPD(93) but the AGI and ACC good enough (95/96). He performed at a very high level in his sophomore season with 8 INTs, tied for 4th in the league. It probably won’t be long before he moves up these rankings because 99 awareness is around the corner at a young age.
4. Ronde Barber, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buc makes the cut in style even if he’s about to enter his regression era in the PTF. His only weakness is his size being 5’10 but he’s got elite speed (96/95/97 SPD/AGI/ACC), awareness(89) and ball skills(78 CTH). He’s currently at 3 picks for season with 7 pass deflections. Barber would be a welcome addition to any secondary in the league, and he should be playing well into his 30s due to his athleticism.
3. Charles Woodson, New England Patriots
The Pats acquired the star cornerback in an unexpected trade with the Raiders this offseason after resigning to a long term deal in recent years and having just finished a very successful 2003 campaign (8 INTs, 27/22 DFLT/CTHA, 2 FF). At 6’1 with 94 SPD/85 AWR/95 ACC, Woodson has an elite profile that continues to translate on the field. Another TC would help go a long way in helping him last in the top spots for a couple of seasons into regression.
2. Chris McAllister, Baltimore Ravens
The Raven has played a huge role in the team’s 4-1 start behind rookie signal caller Cody Pickett—the 8th overall pick in 2004–with a dominant 13 tackles, 2 INTs, 13 DFL and just 2 CTHA. The opposition hasn’t done much throwing his way bc it’s hard to beat the 6’1” cornerback with 94 SPD/92 AGI/95 ACC and 90 AWR. Factor in that he’s still only 27, and you have why he’s far up this list.
1. Champ Bailey, Washington Redskins
“The Champ is here….” Bailey heads the list because he checks all the boxes as elite. 6’0” with 97/96/98 SPD/AGI/ACC combine with 90 AWR and 72 CTH at 26 is a very hard mix to top. He had 5 INTs last season(with 2 being a pick six) and 3 more were taken away due to a replayed week this season. He has a 12/7 DFL/CTHA ratio currently and that is elite. It’s going to take a lot to top his value in the league, if it ever happens before he hits the regression years. Adding to his value is his 95 KR ability.
