Barry Church

Church was a tackling machine over the last four years in Dallas, totaling 434 over that span despite missing five games the last two years. Now he takes up the strong safety spot in a Jacksonville defense that saw previous starter Johnathan Cyprien finish last year with 127 tackles. Given his proven skill set and the recent history of high production in the role he inherits, Church's potential tackle total has a very high floor and ceiling alike. The fractured forearm that knocked him out for four games last year resolved itself by Week 13 and isn't a concern going forward.

For three years now Church has been a fantastic source of tackle production, posting linebacker-like season totals of 135, 97 and 117 in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively. He's unlikely to make an impact in coverage (just three career interceptions) and doesn't blitz, which certainly limits his upside, but his tackle production alone all but guarantees him of DB1 status. There's no reason to think his role will lessen any time soon, so another season with triple-digit tackles should await, even if there are no sacks or interceptions to go with it.

Church's season wasn't as impressive statistically as his breakout in 2013, but the Cowboys' improved offense that kept the defense off the field likely claimed some of that responsibility rather than any regression in Church's performance. He saw over 100 fewer snaps in 2014, which resulted in a steep decline from 135 tackles (107 solo) in 2013 to 97 tackles (77 solo) last season. He doesn't offer much in coverage, but Church did provide two interceptions and a forced fumble last year, and remains solid as an in-the-box safety and open field tackler. If the offense takes a step back without DeMarco Murray, Church's own IDP numbers could rebound.

Given that he's a former undrafted free agent who headed into 2013 with just 38 tackles in three seasons, Church's breakout season last year was next to impossible to anticipate. He didn't just surpass triple-digit tackles, he surpassed triple-digits in the solo-tackle category alone, posting 107 solo stops and 28 assists for 135 total tackles. He played as a pure in-the-box safety and wasn't very busy in coverage, but he managed to intercept one pass and return a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Dallas failed to add any safety competition in the draft or free agency, so Church should play almost every snap once again in 2014. The Dallas defense figures to be bad again in 2014, meaning plenty of snaps and tackle opportunities for Church. If your league's scoring system puts a heavy emphasis on tackle production, it might be worth ranking Church first at defensive back; his 135 stops were tops among defensive backs by a 20-tackle margin. Church's history of production goes back a long way: he also posted 283 tackles in his final 36 games at Toledo.

One of the Cowboys' many undrafted free agents finds, Church won a starting safety spot to begin the 2012 season and recorded six tackles in three games before a torn Achilles ended his campaign early. He could be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the switch to Monte Kiffin's Cover 2 scheme, and if Church can stay on the field he could put up some IDP-worthy tackle numbers.

Tough, third-year safety has improved in coverage, and is in the mix to start opposite Gerald Sensabaugh in 2012.

Special teams ace could see a lot more snaps at safety this season, but has a lot to prove in coverage.