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Defensive Notes

Playmakers on the market

Byard, Jackson and Howard available

Yesterday was a bad day to be a playmaking defensive back. Two of the better ones from recent years were released by their teams. But it seems to be a good free agency period for looking for one of those types of players.

The Eagles released safety Kevin Byard (pictured), who they acquired from the Titans during the season, while the Patriots released cornerback J.C. Jackson. The Eagles had a lot of problems defensively so it can be debated whether Byard is still a difference-maker, but he was an All-Pro just two years ago; he's 30. Jackson is 28, and went to the Pro Bowl two years ago.

Those aren't the only opportunistic defensive backs on the market. The Dolphins last week released Xavien Howard; the 30-year-old started 13 games last year and has led the league in interceptions twice. The Dolphins might be hoping to bring him back. Another prospective free agent is Giants safety Xavier McKinney; especially factoring in youth, the 24-year-old might be the top defensive back on the market.

Each of those players has at least one season in the last five years with 5-plus interceptions; some of them have two. There have been 44 such seasons since 2019; by my count, 12 are by players on the market right now (and still playing), and there are others who might shake free before the start of free agency. (Tre'Davious White, for one, is a potential cap cut for Buffalo.)

In the table, which shows all defensive backs with a 5-interception season since 2019, current free agents are in bold.

DEFENSIVE BACKS WITH 5 INTERCEPTIONS, 2019-2023
YearPlayerPosGIntIntTDPD
2021Trevon DiggsLCB1611221
2020Xavien HowardRCB1610020
2023DaRon BlandCB179515
2020J.C. JacksonLCB169014
2021J.C. JacksonLCB178123
2023Geno StoneS17709
2023Jessie BatesS176111
2022Minkah FitzpatrickS156111
2022C.J. Gardner-JohnsonS12608
2022Justin SimmonsS12607
2022Riq WoolenCB176116
2021Amani OruwariyeRCB146011
2020Tyrann MathieuSS/RLB15619
2019Stephon GilmoreRCB166220
2019Anthony HarrisFS146111
2019Tre'Davious WhiteRCB/LCB156017
2023Rasul DouglasCB165114
2023Derek StingleyCB115013
2023Charvarius WardCB175123
2022Jaire AlexanderCB165014
2022DaRon BlandCB17507
2022Tashaun GipsonS17508
2022Patrick PetersonCB175015
2022Jalen PitreDB17508
2022Harrison SmithS145010
2021Kevin ByardSS175113
2021Quandre DiggsFS17507
2021Rasul DouglasRCB125213
2021Xavien HowardRCB165116
2021Micah HydeFS175110
2021Xavier McKinneyFS/SS175110
2021Jordan PoyerSS16509
2021Justin SimmonsFS175012
2020Quandre DiggsFS165010
2020Justin SimmonsFS16509
2020Harrison SmithSS165010
2019Kevin ByardFS16509
2019Minkah FitzpatrickDB16519
2019Joe HadenLCB165017
2019J.C. JacksonDB165010
2019Jackrabbit JenkinsDB155016
2019Kevin KingRCB155015
2019Devin McCourtyFS16507
2019Marcus PetersLCB165314

--Andy Richardson

Fantasy Index