NFL Fantasy Teams: AFC North Roster (Defensive Backs)

The AFC North presents the pride of the division by sporting the overall #1 Defensive Backs unit among all divisions. They finish with #2 among the divisions in both Safeties and Cornerbacks.




AFC North Starting Cornerback: Rod Woodson, Pittsburgh Steelers

A former world-class hurdler, Woodson engaged in 11 Pro Bowls and made 8 All-Pro Teams. He was also the first player to earn trips to the Pro Bowl at cornerback, safety and kick returner. He holds the NFL record for interception returns for touchdowns (12), and was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1993. His 71 career interceptions is the third-most in NFL history.







AFC North Starting Cornerback: Mel Blount, Pittsburgh Steelers

Blount, the elite of the elite cornerbacks of his era, helped lead the Steelers to 4 Super Bowls during the time he played. He made 5 Pro Bowls, appeared on 6 All-Pro rosters, and won NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1975. He wrapped up his Hall of Fame career with 57 interceptions, good for 12th all-time.





Back-up Cornerback: Hanford Dixon, Cleveland Browns

A true shut-down corner for much of his career, the only real statistic he has in his favor are that there are no statistics. Is said to have only had 7 passes thrown his way in 1987 with the Cleveland Browns. The least in recent years is by Nnamdi Asomugha with 27. Dixon made 2 All-Pro teams and 3 Pro Bowls.





Back-up Cornerback: Ken Riley, Cincinnati Bengals

Riley is-- ready for this? FIFTH all-time in NFL history with 65 interceptions... Did you know that?? He made 4 all-pro squads, but spent his entire career rotting in hapless Cincinnati, so he never attained any of the accolades he deserved in a big media market. It is a shame above shames that he has never even been considered for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.





AFC North Starting Safety: Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens

Raw Lewis was the unquestionable captain of this great defense, but "Ball Hawk" Reed left just as big of a mark on his side of the field. He was electrifying when he got the ball and feared when he didn't have the ball. He was just as likely to run a pick-six back 79 yards as much as he was to send a receiver to the locker room. An intelligent student of the game, Reed was known for studying every fabric of opposing offensive schemes to memorize tendencies. A 9-time Pro Bowler, 8-time All-Pro, he holds the following NFL records: Tied-most playoff career interceptions (9)
Longest Interception Return for Touchdown (108 yards)
Most interception return yards, career (1,590)
Tied-most career blocked punts returned for touchdowns (3)
First person in NFL history to return an interception, punt, blocked punt, and fumble for a touchdown







AFC North Starting Safety: Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers

Polamalu is one of the most exciting players in NFL history. Not only has he been the heralded leader of the lock-down Steelers' defense that won 2 Super Bowls, but he has done so in electrifying style. He made 8 Pro Bowls and 5 all-pro teams. His finest season came in 2010 when he won NFL Defensive Player of the Year.







Back-up Safety: Donnie Shell, Pittsburgh Steelers

Shell, a 4-time Super Bowl Champion with Pittsburgh, made 5 straight Pro Bowls and 4 consecutive all-pro teams from 1978-1982. He retired with 51 interceptions, and for reasons unknown to anybody he has not yet been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.






Back-up Safety: Mike Wagner, Pittsburgh Steelers

I'm sure you are as tired of reading this phrase as I am typing it, but this guy....won 4 Super Bowls with the Steelers. Obviously, Wagner was an intrical part of the defense, and he recorded interceptions in both Super Bowls IX and X. He had a couple of Pro Bowl nods and a couple of a all-pro additions.




Click HERE to see the next series of roster announcements for the All-Time AFC North!