Darren Sharper

Darren Sharper

49-Year-Old SafetyS
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Darren Sharper in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Re-signed with the Saints in May of 2010.
SFree Agent
August 14, 2011
Sharper will work out with the Patriots, according to SportsXchange via Adam Caplan of Sirius/XM.
ANALYSIS
Sharper might not be the hardest hitting safety in the league any more, but one would imagine he could still be useful, particularly in Bill Belichick's defensive system.
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NFL Stats
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2024 Darren Sharper Split Stats
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
Sharper discovered the Fountain of Youth in 2009, recording nine interceptions and returning three of them for touchdowns. He is a perfect fit for defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' aggressive scheme, as he is asked to play centerfield and read the quarterback while strong safety Roman Harper's number is often dialed in blitz packages. Given that his value is almost entirely tied to his interception total, it would be unwise to count on Sharper to repeat last year's fantasy performance, particularly at his age and after offseason knee surgery.
Sharper provides an interesting option as an IDP due to his ballhawking abilities at the safety position. While he may have lost a step, he will fit well into defensive coordinator Greg Williams attacking style. His tackles and sacks are low for a starting safety, yet, he offers a nice upside with his ability to record interceptions. The Saints hope that he can do just that, as the lack of turnovers were a major weakness for the defense in 2008.
After grabbing nine interceptions for Minnesota in 2005, Sharper has notched just four picks in each of the last two seasons. Still, he was given a spot on the Pro Bowl roster last year and remains one of the league's best ballhawks. It certainly wouldn't surprise anyone if he finished with six-plus interceptions by season's end.
Starting free safety. He's averaged 6.5 interceptions and 59 tackles in two seasons with Vikings.
It’s just not a good idea to bet against Sharper. He’s been a top-20 fantasy defensive back seven years running. No one else has even done that the last four consecutive years. What’s even more amazing is he doesn’t do it with those stable high tackle numbers we love so much. Sharper is a playmaker. During those seven years his lowest interception output was three, and he’s picked off nine twice. He’s also scored 10 touchdowns in his nine-year career. All this, and 2001 was the last time he played 16 games in a season (his career low is 13). We rarely recommend someone relying on five picks to be fantasy relevant. This is the one guy worth taking that chance on.
Starting free safety
So long as Sharper plays, it's hard to do better. He's picked off 27 passes over the past four years (9, 6, 7 and 5) including seasons with 17, 18, 9 and 13 passes defended, respectively. Three games missed to a sprained knee in 2002 held his solo tackle numbers to 52, but he was back in the 70s last year in 15 games.
Sharper had 51 solo tackles and seven interceptions a year ago despite missing three games with a sprained knee. Sharper, who has 22 interceptions over the last three seasons – tops in the NFL – is expected to be 100 percent for the start of training camp.
More Fantasy News
SNew Orleans Saints
July 8, 2011
Sharper said there is a "50/50 chance" that he'll be back with New Orleans once the lockout ends, SportsNoLa.com reports.
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SNew Orleans Saints
June 2, 2011
Sharper is considering retirement if the lockout continues into the Fall, the Associated Press reports.
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SNew Orleans Saints
January 12, 2011
Shaper started in place of the injured Malcolm Jenkins, but he was largely invisible in the Saints' wild-card loss to Seattle. He finished the year with a mere 16 tackles and, more importantly, zero interceptions in eight games.
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SNew Orleans Saints
December 5, 2010
Sharper is active for Sunday's game against Cincinnati, according to the Saints' official site.
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SNew Orleans Saints
Hamstring
December 1, 2010
Sharper (hamstring) is expected to play against Cincinnati on Sunday, New Orleans Times-Picayune writer Jeff Duncan reports.
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