Damontae Kazee

Kazee spent the first four seasons in Atlanta but joined the Cowboys for the 2021 season and logged 52 tackles (35 solo), two interceptions, two forced fumbles and four pass defenses while appearing in every game. He'll serve as depth at safety behind starters Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds after signing a one-year deal with the Steelers during the offseason.

After converting from nickel corner in 2019, Kazee went into last season as the starting free safety for Atlanta, but an Achilles tear ended his campaign Week 4. He followed Dan Quinn to Dallas as a free agent, and Kazee's ball-hawking skills (he had 10 interceptions in 2018) give the Cowboys defense something it's been lacking. Kazee is expected to line up next to Donovan Wilson in the starting lineup, and Quinn's scheme has a tendency to make safeties strong IDP assets. However, Kazee first will need to prove he's fully recovered.

Kazee began last year as Atlanta's primary nickel corner but eventually shifted more toward safety. Going into 2020, it's expected that Kazee will begin the year as the starting free safety next to strong safety Keanu Neal. Kazee pretty much moved to safety in Week 8 of last year, from which point he totaled 44 tackles and three interceptions while playing 520 defensive snaps. If Kazee can push for 1,000 snaps on defense, then he might be able to offer mainstream IDP value. As much as you don't want to chase those three interceptions from last year, that tackle production offers some utility, and it's otherwise pertinent to note that Kazee has a history of intercepting passes, which he did 15 times in his last 28 career games at San Diego State.

Kazee was an unlikely hero for an Atlanta defense that was absolutely ravaged by injury in 2018, picking up 82 tackles, 10 pass breakups and a forced fumble, while tying Kyle Fuller and Xavien Howard for an NFL-best seven interceptions. He began last season as a special teams contributor and backup defensive back, but was thrust into the lineup following season-ending injuries to starting safeties Keanu Neal (knee-ACL) and Ricardo Allen (Achilles). Kazee was so impressive in 2018 that coach Dan Quinn shifted him to nickelback in order to keep him on the field despite the healthy returns of Neal and Allen. The 26-year-old hasn't missed a game in two years as a pro, but a rib injury suffered Aug. 15 against the Jets (thankfully no broken bones reported) is something to monitor headed into the regular season.