Antrel Rolle

Rolle was a top-five defensive back IDP in most scoring systems in 2013, finishing with 98 (80 solo) tackles, which marked his third-straight season with at least 92. He took his game to the next level by intercepting six passes, a total greater than his previous three seasons combined. He even pitched in two sacks. Rolle likely won't make so many big plays in 2014, but his tackle production the last three years has been highly convincing, and there's no one in the Giants' secondary who can pose a threat to Rolle's play count. He's likely locked in as a DB2 option at worst in most IDP formats, and as last year showed, he definitely has some DB1 upside as long as he plays the full season. The NFC is a pass-happy division and the Eagles in particular run a lot of plays, so there will be plenty of tackle opportunities this year.

Rolle will start at free safety for the Giants. He's a reliable source of tackles, but rarely generates sacks or interceptions.

Rolle still has not shown any signs of turning into the playmaker in coverage that he was in college, but he has firmly established himself as a 90-tackle threat now that he has settled in at safety. His 16-game rate of 87 tackles (75 solo) going back to 2008 is solid, and it does a good job of masking his inactivity as a playmaker (just eight interceptions and 21 passes defended over the same span.)

Considering he signed a five-year, $37 million contract prior to last year, Rolle was probably a bit of a disappointment in his first season with the Giants. His 87 tackles (75 solo) were solid, but he failed to make the impact in coverage that was expected. The former cornerback intercepted just one pass and, even worse, only totaled four passes defensed. While he’ll need to do significantly better to make it through the rest of his contract, Rolle should at least be a reliable source of tackles, about five per game. And hopefully he’ll rediscover his coverage skills soon, as well.

Rolle signed with the Giants this offseason to shore up the safety position, the team’s biggest weakness last year after Kenny Phillips went down with a knee injury. Rolle is an able tackler, he picked off four passes last year for the Cardinals and even racked up 1.5 sacks. The Giants are expecting big things from Rolle this season, given his five-year, $37 million deal.

Rolle set a new career high with 89 tackles during the 2008 regular season. He adapted well to the switch from cornerback to free safety and he will reprise his role as the Cardinals' starting free safety in 2009. The main drawback is that he dropped from five interceptions in 2007 to one in 2008, largely because of the position switch. Rolle might take a few more chances this season because of his increased comfort at free safety, however, he’s unlikely to approach his career high of five picks.

Rolle will serve as a full-time safety in 2008, an experiment that went well on a part-time basis in 2007. This season, he will start opposite Pro Bowler Adrian Wilson. Rolle began his NFL career with two disappointing seasons at cornerback, but showed good potential in 2007 after the move to safety. He has always been a good tackler, with 84 in 2006 and 58 in 2007 (16 games, but only eight starts). Throw in a handful of interceptions, and Rolle appears primed for resurgence in 2008. The potential is definitely there, as Rolle made three picks in one game last season at Cincinnati. At his previous position, he didn't have the speed to stay with elite receivers (in 2006, he ranked towards the top of the league in pass interference penalties), but the safety position allows him to use his instincts and tackling ability more than his suspect speed.

Rolle occupies a fairly solid starting cornerback role entering training camp, but it's largely by default. He made 85 tackles a year ago mainly because he was beaten so many times. He had just one interception and benefits from Arizona's weakness at the position. Rolle has a lot of potential, but is a risky pick.

Rolle’s rookie season was short-lived – just five games – but offers plenty of evidence to project his success. First, he did nothing statistically while getting his sea legs in Week 1, so those 26 solo tackles came in four games. After six solos in Week 2 and 10 in Week 3, he had to have what was expected to be season-ending surgery on the torn menicus in his left knee. Except that he impressively returned for Week 14. Coming off the bench only for nickel packages, he made his first career pick on Washington’s first possession. Quick work. He made just one tackle in that game as a bench warmer, but then made nine solos the next week before the team played it safe and shut him down. Those five games tell an intriguing story of a cornerback with great strength and physical play.

Rolle will be a starter in his rookie season. After a holdout, he has picked up the defensive scheme quickly for a rookie and has impressed the Arizona coaching staff. He is big and fast, a combination that could make him a dominant NFL cornerback. If teams pick on Rolle since he is a rookie, he could post a high interception total.