Antoine Winfield

Winfield played just five games last season as he missed four games with a neck injury and then the final seven games with the broken collarbone. He should start at cornerback, but will also often play inside against slot receivers. He's put up high tackle totals when on the field, but he's an injury risk at age 35 this season.

Winfield is a significant injury worry as well as a threat to regress in his age-34 season, but the 11-year starter still seems to have the ability to pile up linebacker-like tackle totals. Starting all 16 games, the undersized Winfield totaled 91 stops (73 solo) last season with two sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. It was the fifth time in the last eight years he hit 90 tackles. Health permitting, Winfield can be expected to remain a force as a tackler, though he is generally not a threat to make many plays in coverage.

Winfield missed six games last season due to a Lisfranc injury. He wasn't the same player when he returned late in the season from the foot injury and was often limited to a nickelback role. He didn't have surgery on the injury, but it sounds like his treatment has him ready for training camp. When healthy, he produces strong tackle totals for a cornerback. He could be a sleeper in IDP leagues if he looks back to full speed this summer as he'll take over the starting left cornerback role again.

Long known as one of the better tacklers at the cornerback position, Winfield rebounded from a sub-par 2007 season to produce at his usual high level – a tackle total in the high 80s, multiple interceptions and a touchdown. In 2008 he expanded his repertoire a bit, adding two sacks to the mix. Barring injury, look for another big season from Winfield in 2009; unless there’s a major shift in negotiations this summer, Winfield will be playing for his next – and possibly, his final – NFL contract.

After missing six games due to injury and having offseason surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle, Winfield is looking to return to some of his past glory. Even though he missed significant time last season, Winfield still managed to make 62 tackles in 10 games. The Vikings' defense should have another strong year and Winfield should bounce back if he can stay healthy.

The key to Winfield's aggressiveness is that his talent backs it up. He's one of the better cover corners in the game and is even better in run support. He’s fluid and fast with exciting closing speed that translates to three, four and four interceptions the last three years, respectively. Despite being just 5-9, 180, he plays with strength and toughness. His angles in the open field are dead on, and his wrap-up skills when tackling leave nothing to be desired (107, 85, 98 and 97 total tackles the last four years). This base of fundamental skills is complemented by strong decision-making. Although he’s aggressive, he takes risks at the right time. Corners are often on an island and removed from the play, but Winfield involves himself quickly. Perhaps the greatest testament to this is that he has recovered fumbles in each of the last three seasons and five of the last six. So long as Minnesota plays cover 2, Winfield will be around the ball with the talent and mindset to make plays.

Winfield is likely the best run-support corner in the league. Surely, you don’t play on pace for 90 solo tackles every year just by covering your receiver (Winfield’s 70 solos in 2004 came in 14 games, two of which were limited by injury). Plus, quarterbacks aren’t fond of throwing at corners as good as Winfield, so his tackle numbers are that much more impressive. The tackling alone would make him a good pick, but Winfield has also added interceptions to his repertoire. In his first five seasons, in Buffalo, he picked six passes and never more than two in a year. In his two years in Minnesota, he’s turned in three and four interceptions, respectively. He’s a small (5-9, 180), tough and aggressive player, often risking getting burnt deep for a chance to make a tackle against the run. Winfield also has the speed to stay with receivers and excellent open-field tackling skills, as effective against running backs as wideouts. They don’t come much more consistent than Winfield.

Winfield is one of the best man-to-man corners in the league, demonstrating excellent speed, technique and consistency. From a fantasy perspective, he’s one of the best tackling defensive backs, and certainly the best tackling corner. Last year’s stats are deceptive. He was on pace for 93 tackles through 11 games when he sustained a high left ankle sprain. He missed two games after that and played in a limited fashion when he returned for the final two regular season games. Given 92 solo tackles in 2003, Winfield’s 93-tackle pace through Week 12 of last year was entirely reasonable had he stayed healthy. He had surgery on the ankle in February and is expected to recover fully come training camp.

Starting right cornerback who is considered one of the best cover corners in football. While he may not pile up big interception or tackle numbers, he could be the best defensive back to play for Minnesota in a decade after he was signed away from Buffalo. He could help make Minnesota a much improved defensive unit.

Winfield is Buffalo's No. 1 cornerback. He enters the 2003 season (his fifth) as one of the league's more underrated at the position, but all around he's a stud. He should get more notice around the league as Buffalo's young defense improves. Look for a few picks out of the talented and athletic Winfield, but not too many because so many teams avoid throwing his way. He's also an excellent tackler for a corner man.