70. S Jordan Whitehead, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Current Injury History: there is some concern about whether Fournette’s actual working design would cause injury appearing out of LSU, but he’s accomplished a decent tasks of avoiding incidents in his NFL profession. A lingering hamstring harm charges your time in 2018, in addition to just additional distinguished injuries before this season was actually an ankle damage that held your out many weeks finally period. Fournette missed the final three days within this month with a hamstring injuries.
Main point here: Fournette features recuperated many appreciate that he lost in Jacksonville with his play-down the stretch in Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl operate a year ago so when their particular contribute straight back in 2010. He’s not attending move a lot of people in the wild field, but Fournette happens to be a successful runner and generating Tom Brady’s count on as a receiving socket in 2021.
Whitehead played in Tampa Bay’s ultra dish success a year ago with a ripped labrum, showing exactly how hard a player they are, which will be precisely what you will want in the strong safety position. His 5-foot-11, 200-pound build and play preferences become notably similar to Cincinnati Bengals stronger protection Vonn Bell. Bell finalized a three-year, $18 million deal using the Bengals before the 2020 season that could act as things of a blueprint right here.
Scheme Fit/Role: FIRM PROTECTION KIND, SINGLE-HIGH DEFENSE: together with the progression we’re seeing in modern professional defensive structure, Whitehead’s archetype as a security is shedding price the further downfield the guy happens. But anytime he is near the distinctive line of scrimmage or even in an underneath area, his violence and physicality render instantaneous results. More you watch him, the more it appears he’s custom-made for brand new England or a coach off Pete Carroll’s tree.
Current injuries records: Whitehead has battled shoulder, hamstring and calf injury through the 2021 season. Considering his size and play preferences, it’s not hard to anticipate that he can be a person which misses video games each period.
However, Conner additionally stepped-up in a significant way whenever Edmonds missed time, assuming a more substantial role and generating some highlight-reel catches with several Cardinals pass-catchers sidelined, as well
Bottom Line: Whitehead try an enforcer key in an NFL that is popular toward even more insurance coverage bodies within protection situation. When he’s at linebacker depth and animated toward the distinct scrimmage, you can find few safeties when you look at the NFL better at generating a direct impact.
71. RB James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
Conner served as a workhorse three-down back once again together with the Pittsburgh Steelers through the duration of their newbie agreement prior to in the long run signing an underwhelming one-year, $1.75 million contract aided by the Arizona Cardinals earlier this offseason. If Conner’s 2021 period – particularly his 16 touchdowns – tend to be any indication, acquiring healthier and splitting details with Chase Edmonds had been an improved situation for him.
Scheme Fit/Role: POWER BACK IN RB ROTATION: Conner possess a unique expertise in that he is one of the best short-yardage and goal-line runners within the NFL yet the guy furthermore produces worth as a retailer during the moving video game. There isn’t any need the guy cannot be on field all three lows, it could be sensible for teams in order to avoid depending on your in a genuine bell-cow part, offered his damage record.
Current damage background: This year in Arizona, a late-season heel damage finished among the many healthiest extends of his NFL job. Conner failed to are available in over 13 regular-season games in any season from 2017 to 2020 after beating a critical knee injuries and Hodgkin’s lymphoma during the University of Pittsburgh.
Bottom Line: Conner seems that he could play a crucial role for a competitor. They have a three-down expertise, but incidents need kept your from declaring a three-down work for a complete month.