Ryan Clark

45-Year-Old SafetyS

Free Agent

2024 Defense Stats

TCKL

SACKS

0.0

INT

Rest-of-Season Projections

TCKL

SACKS

INT

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2024 Fantasy Outlook

There was no outlook written for Ryan Clark in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.

Height 5'11"

Weight 205

DOB 10/12/1979

College LSU

SWashington Commanders

Neck

December 7, 2014

Clark (neck) is active for Sunday's game against the Rams.

ANALYSIS
Clark has two fumble recoveries and an interception in the last two games and will be safe to deploy Sunday if you need him.

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2024 Ryan Clark Split Stats

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Past Fantasy Outlooks

2014

2013

2012

2010

2009

2008

2007

2005

Clark never looked particularly flashy during his eight seasons with the Steelers, but maybe that was just because he was playing next to Troy Polamalu. Flashy or not, Clark's numbers were quite good in Pittsburgh, as he exceeded 100 tackles in each of the last three seasons, intercepting five passes over that time span. He left for Washington this offseason, the same place he spent two years prior to joining Pittsburgh in 2006. He ought to be a reliable tackle source once again this year in a Washington secondary lacking safety talent, though the soon-to-be 34-year-old showed conclusively by now that he doesn't have much upside as far as big plays go.

Even on a modest snap count of 883 defensive plays in 15 games, Clark made it to triple-digit tackles for the second year in a row in 2012. This status quo seems unlikely to change in 2013, because Clark is penciled in for the same role this year, and in the past four years he has averaged roughly 95 tackles per season. The selection of fourth-round Syracuse safety Shamarko Thomas was more for insurance behind injury-prone starter Troy Polamalu than it was to put any heat on either Clark or Polamalu in the starting lineup.

Troy Polamalu has been the much better on-field player, but Clark (largely due to better durability) has been the better IDP in recent years. He made it to 100 tackles for the first time in his career in 2011 (71 solo) and rounded out his box score with a sack and interception. He has just 3.5 sacks and 11 interceptions in his 10-year career, so Clark's upside is certainly limited, but his floor is at a good level thanks to posting a 16-game rate of 96 tackles the last four years.

Clark had a career-year with Pittsburgh in 2009, setting new marks in solo tackles (68), total tackles (89) and passes defensed (8), while also tying his career-high in interceptions (3). He has recorded 70 or more tackles in four of his six full seasons in the league and is expected to do so again in 2010.

Clark had one of the best statistical seasons of his career in 2008 with 87 tackles, six passes defensed and one interception. Assuming he will be completely healed from offseason shoulder surgery (and entering the final year of his contract), he should again team up with Troy Polamalu to form one of the better pairs of safeties in the league.

Clark should start at free safety for the Steelers and benefit from playing alongside the tenacious Troy Polamalu.

Clark will battle second-year player Anthony Smith for the starting free safety spot in 2007. He acquitted himself quite nicely after signing a four-year deal with Pittsburgh in March of 2006 before missing three games with a groin injury.

With the return of injured safety Matt Bowen, Clark will see his playing time reduced in 2005. He was effective at times last year but failed to record a sack or interception.

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