Free Agency came and went and we are about to look at the best free agent defensive player signings for 2003. Which teams struck gold you ask?…. we will tell you which defensive player has the best chance of soaring high for this upcoming season! Relocation does not necessarily equal good fantasy numbers, case in point, James Farrior who led the Jets in tackles in '01, but could hardly find his name in the box score last year. Now we will go in depth about 4 players that could be potential fantasy studs in '03

1. Takeo Spikes - LB Buffalo
Takeo Spikes has always been a ferocious tackling machine for the Cincinnati Bengals. At 6'2 245 pounds this guy packs a load and he's built like a tank. Last year for the Bengals he accumulated 71 solos and 32 assists. This year he will be playing the SLB position. Early word has it, that the Buffalo Bills are more likely to blitz this season with a strong linebacking corps composed of LBs Takeo Spikes, Jeff Posey, and London Fletcher.

What does this mean for Spikes? Expect an even bigger year in the sack department. It's a safe assumption that Spikes' sack numbers should significantly increase from last years total. While his sack numbers should go up, it's very easy to see that his tackle numbers will at least increase in this newly revamped defense. Point is, this boy can flat out play with the best of them and a change of scenery for Spikes was needed in order to show what he is truly capable of becoming a real stud.

Fantasy Outlook: To be honest with you Takeo Spikes has always been overrated as a fantasy LB. He's always posted good numbers but nothing spectacular. Due to the fact that he played for the worst team in the NFL Spikes never realized his potential. Expectations for Spikes should be in the neighborhood of 120 total tackles, 6 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. Takeo Spikes should be drafted as your second to third linebacker in leagues requiring 3-4 Lbs. Spikes will rank among the top 10-15 in his position!

2. Roosevelt Colvin LB - New England
Roosevelt Colvin has always been an underrated LB for the Chicago Bears. At 6'3 245, he is a bigger than average Lb with exceptional speed. In his days at Chicago he established himself as a marquee linebacker but was always been in the shadows of Brian Urlacher. What did he accomplish you ask? In his last two seasons with the Bears he has recorded an average of 67 tackles and 10.5 sacks; do you see a trend? This off season NE gave him a 6 year 25.9 million dollar contract to be there starting outside linebacker. Early news coming out of New England is that Colvin will man one starting role on the outside in the Patriots new 3-4 defensive scheme. Because he can rush the passer and also drop into pass coverage - even when lined up as an end - he'll allow the team to disguise their 3-4 and 4-3 fronts.

Fantasy Outlook: Roosevelt Colvin will be used in a 3-4 scheme much like how they use Porter and Gildon in Pitt. It's easy to see Colvin registering a total of 70 tackles with 10-12 sacks. He should also see a big play here and there. Roosevelt is truly undervalued in fantasy drafts and he could be a great steal in the middle of drafts that involve IDP only. One thing is for certain Colvin will finish in the top 20 in his position and it wouldn't be surprising if he finished in the top 10.

3. Mike Peterson LB - Jacksonville
Mike Peterson has always been known as a tackling machine over at Indy. In 2003 he had a huge year by accumulating 136 tackles and 3 int. Used primarily as a WLB in Indianapolis, Peterson was free to roam sideline-to-sideline using his quickness to make tackles. Indy must of felt his asking price was to high and let him go in favor of there 2002 4th round pick David Thornton. This was probably the best thing for Peterson since he will be asked to play the Middle at Jax. Early news has it that MLB Mike Peterson has impressed the team on his play at the MLB position! This could mean even bigger things for Mike Peterson in 2003.

Fantasy Outlook: Mike Peterson has always gone pretty high on draft boards as he has many things going for him. A) He's coming from Indy where he played weak side and when healthy registered more than 130 tackles per season. B) Jacksonville signed him to play the Middle in where he's looked very impressive earlier on. What does this mean for Peterson in 2003? I truly expect huge numbers! He should easily register 138 -145 tackles, 1 sack and 2- 3 picks. Mike Peterson has the potential to finish in the top 10 at his position this year, if he stays healthy. On draft day he should be selected among the top 8 linebackers.

4. Sammy Knight - SS Miami
Sammy Knight is an interesting story. He is coming over from New Orleans where he has made a big name for himself as being a ball hawk! In his 6-year stint with the Saints, he compiled 28 INTs Not bad you say, so why did the Saints cut him this offseason you ask? Well the reason the Saints cut him is because they feel he is to slow to cover the deep half of the field and was viewed as a liability against the pass, as New Orleans's defensive backfield ranked a paltry 27 against the pass. While he was cut he did not generate much interest from teams, as many felt he was to slow to be a viable option at safety. That was until the Dolphins came knocking and presented him with the opportunity of being there starter at SS. Although Sammy Knight runs a 4.9 -5.0 40, he has always made big plays and has been a ferocious hitter in the past.

Fantasy Outlook: Moving to the Dolphins can be a good and a bad thing for Knight, let me explain. The good is that now the Dolphins defensive lineup is loaded with talent! The Dolphins defensive backfield consists of Surtain, Madison, Marion, Freeman and now Knight. I see his INTs total increasing slightly from 5 to about 7. The one bad thing about this union, is that there are too many tacklers out in Miami and newly signed Seau does not help. Knight will not accumulate 107 tackles this year but he should come close. I truly expect him to make about 90-95 tackles while grabbing a league-leading amount of INTs He should easily be a top 5 safety this year and should be selected early in IDP leagues that score high in the INT department.