Charles Godfrey

Godfrey missed all but two games games in 2013 with an achilles injury, and will make the transition to cornerback for 2014. With the switch, there may be a decline in his tackle totals that have reached as high as 84 in recent years, but increased balls thrown towards him could lead to increased interception totals.

Godfrey is the starting free safety for the Panthers and registered 69 tackles (44 solo) last season.

Although he missed two games and played hurt in several others due to a shoulder injury, Godfrey managed to post a respectable total of 84 tackles (66 solo) and two interceptions last year, leaving him with per-game numbers from the last two seasons that project to roughly 90 tackles (73 solo), eight passes defended and four interceptions over 16 games. He will more than likely keep up that sort of production because the NFC South is exceptionally pass heavy, and the Carolina defense should continue to struggle to get off the field in 2012.

Godfrey is still developing as a safety, but he’s coming off a nice 2010 season and starts for a defense that should be on the field constantly in 2011. He finished last year with 84 tackles (70 solo) and five interceptions, and chances are good he’ll be in a position to build on that this season. It’s also encouraging that Godfrey forced four fumbles in just 12 games in 2009. A Jimmy Clausen or Cam Newton-led offense figures to have a rough go of it this year, so Godfrey should get plenty of snaps to pad his stats.

Will be a key piece in the Panthers' secondary, but not expected to have much fantasy value.

Godfrey made 61 tackles while recording a sack, interception and forced fumble and starting all 16 games as a rookie in 2008. The Panthers' coaching staff has been pleased with Godfrey's development as he's made a relatively smooth transition to free safety after playing corner during college. Don't be surprised if his numbers improve across the board in Year 2 as he'll be more comfortable in his position and fully accustomed to the speed of the NFL, but he may not force enough turnovers to merit IDP consideration in most leagues.

The Panthers are converting Godfrey to safety after he was a corner at Iowa during his college days. Godfrey is a big-hitter with good closing speed, but opposing defenses will likely test him if he's able to stick as the team's Week 1 starter ahead of Terrence Holt.