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Bills Sign Corey Graham

031114-corey-graham-600Buffalo signed versatile CB Corey Graham to a four-year, $14 million contract, outbidding the Redskins for Graham’s services.

Graham broke out with the Bears in 2008, posting 91 total tackles, eight passes defensed, and an interception, but his success was short-lived. Graham struggled to carve out a niche, playing sparingly over the next three seasons.

He joined the Ravens in 2012, and looked to be in a similar situation as he was in Chicago. That all changed mid-season when injuries to Lardarius Webb and Jimmy Smith thrust Graham into the starting lineup. He excelled in this role, posting 45 total tackles in eight games as a starter, and was a key part of the Ravens' Super Bowl run.

While Graham technically wasn’t a starter last season, he saw significant playing time as Baltimore’s nickel corner, finishing the year with 705 snaps. A consistent tackler, Graham posted 74 total tackles, and only missed four.

Graham is likely to reprise this role with his new team, as incumbents Stephon Gilmore and Leodis McKelvin are penciled in as the every-down corners. Last year, the Bills relied on the very appropriately named Nickell Robey as their slot corner.

A viable fantasy option since emerging as a starter in 2012, Graham was fantasy’s No. 25 defensive back last season in PFF IDP scoring. Buffalo is in a transitional phase under new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, so it’s still unclear how Graham will be used.

What we do know is that Graham will play eight games in the most tackle-friendly venue in the league from last season. This bodes positively for Graham’s fantasy value. If he sees similar usage to last season, Graham will again have high-floor DB3 value in IDP leagues.

 

Editor's Note: Be sure to check out our new Mock and Companion Draft Tool! Utilizing our updated player projections, run a quick mock draft and see where this year's crop of free agents are coming off the board in early fantasy football drafts.


Jeff Ratcliffe is the Assistant Managing Editor and resident IDP maven of PFF Fantasy. 

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