RELATED: See Defensive Linemen, Edge Rushers, and Linebackers

We are still over a month from the NFL Draft, but it's never too early to start researching those individual defensive players to get your big board set for your rookie drafts. Let's end our journey by looking at the back-end defenders. In no particular order, here are a handful of defensive backs.

Malaki Starks, Georgia

Starks is going to be an elite tackling safety at the next level; that's almost assured.  He has track speed with athleticism oozing from his pores.  He's an instinctual player but will need work in coverage.  In certain schemes, though, he could become an elite defender right from the get-go.  He has sub-4.4 speed but hits like a Mack truck.  And at 6-foot-1 and under 200 pounds, he still has the frame to bulk up a little while not losing any straightaway speed.  We all know defensive back is typically a deep position, but here's a guy you can grab somewhat early and feel pretty good about.

Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina

Like Starks, Emmanwori should provide immediate returns to whatever team drafts him.  He's a plug-and-play safety who blends linebacker tackling ability with excellent ball skills, especially for his size at 6-foot-3 and over 200 pounds.  In the right scheme, he may actually outperform Starks.  But honestly, you can't go wrong with either of these guys.  They should be elite defenders and fantasy performers for years to come.

Xavier Watts, Notre Dame

Watts is an incredibly versatile safety with an offensive background, which gives him an edge in terms of jumping routes and diagnosing the play. He's got the size to play box safety but is also adept enough in coverage to get deeper in coverage. If you miss on the top two bigger names above, Watts is certainly a nice consolation prize, especially if he lands in a good situation.  

Travis Hunter, Colorado

No writeup on rookie defensive backs would be complete without mentioning this unicorn.  Now, we all know that cornerbacks aren't ideal in terms of fantasy production, but there are three things going for Hunter. One, we all know about the Rookie Corner Rule, but will that apply to Hunter as an elite cover guy?  Two, we've seen cornerbacks' value jump a little in the past few years, especially those that end up in the slot.  But will Hunter play outside?  And third, we all know that Hunter may also get some offensive snaps.  If your league will count those stats, Hunter is definitely an intriguing prospect.  I don't need to tell you how his athleticism jumps off the screen when you watch him.  He's a dynamic playmaker on both sides of the ball and could really be a difference-maker to whatever team drafts him.  The big question is, though, how will it all translate to the fantasy football side?

Will Johnson, Michigan

If you're in a league that breaks apart the cornerbacks from safeties, take a look at this Michigan product.  He blends size with athleticism and a high football IQ.  He's not scheme-dependent; he'll flourish in whatever defense he's put in.  He'll probably play outside coverage, facing up against bigger wideouts (since he's 6-foot-2 himself), but he may be adept enough as a tackler to matter in fantasy circles.

Conclusion

Defensive back is always a deep position, but if you can target a slot corner and/or a rookie who gets immediate playing time, you can look at both safeties and cornerbacks.  If you're in a league that blends the two positions, safety is the way to go, and it looks like there are a few good ones at the top, with some depth at the position as well.