News: The Bears kept fortifying the cornerback position on Thursday with the signing of free agent Jonathan Wilhite. The former Patriot and Bronco is 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds. He had 28 total tackles, two passes defensed and an interception last year.
Analysis: Wilhite is probably going to serve as a backup corner with the Bears. We wouldn't touch him in Fantasy play.
News: Denver DB Jonathan Wilhite recorded four tackles and one interception in Week 4 against Green Bay. The Broncos would lose the game 49-23.
Analysis: Wilhite was signed earlier this month to fill the void in the depleted secondary. He'll get plenty of time to play in Denver, but he is not worth owning in Fantasy IDP leagues yet. Leave him on the waiver wire.
News: The Broncos needed a veteran CB after cutting Perrish Cox and losing Syd'Quan Thompson (Achilles) and filled the void by signing fourth-year New England castoff Jonathan Wilhite. Wilhite had been a starter but this summer fell down the Patriots depth chart.
Analysis: Wilhite played in just nine games last season, registering a career-low 20 tackles and he went without an interception for the first time in three seasons. He may have a chance to earn some solid playing time in Denver, but Fantasy owners should leave the Auburn product for the waiver wire. Wilhite is not expected to make a big impact in 2011.
News: The Patriots announced on Monday that they shed several players en route to figuring out the final 53 men who will be on the regular-season roster. Among the casualties were DBs James Sanders, Jonathan Wilhite and Malcolm Williams, tight end Garrett Mills, offensive lineman Mark Wetterer, defensive linemen Kade Weston and Clay Nurse, wide receivers Tyree Barnes and Darnell Jenkins and kicker Chris Koepplin.
Analysis: Outside of reserve DBs Sanders and Wilhite, none of the players mentioned above had much of a chance to crack the final roster. Either way, none of the options were expected to make a big Fantasy impact in 2011.
News: The Patriots placed DB Jonathan Wilhite on injured reserve Wednesday with a hip injury
Analysis: Wilhite was the nickel back for New England before getting hurt, so wasn't on the field enough to be worth of ownership in Fantasy play. Continue to ignore him IDP formats.
News: The Patriots have listed the following players as inactive for Week 9 vs. Miami: WR Julian Edelman, RB Fred Taylor, RB Sammy Morris, CB Jonathan Wilhite and LB Eric Alexander.
Analysis: Edelman, Taylor and Morris were declared out earlier this week, so you should have already made plans to be without them. The other guys on this list have no Fantasy value.
News: The Patriots have announced the following inactives for their Week 3 game vs. Atlanta: LB Prescott Burgess, DB Darius Butler, RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, LB Jerod Mayo, WR Wes Welker and DB Jonathan Wilhite.
Analysis: Welker is the big name in this group and should be benched in all formats. The rest were either already declared out (Mayo) or have no Fantasy value.
News: Patriots coach Bill Belichick searched for enough healthy defensive backs to finish the Patriots' last game. He may have the same problem Week 9 against Peyton Manning and the Colts. Safety Rodney Harrison is out for the season, and starting cornerback Ellis Hobbs and backup Lewis Sanders were sidelined from practice Wednesday. It may be time for rookies Terrence Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite to step up against Manning, still dangerous despite a subpar season for him and Indianapolis. "Even if you're not a starter, you've still got to be ready to go," said Wheatley, a second-round draft pick from Colorado.
Analysis: Hobbs has some low-end IDP value, so keep an eye on his status. None of these other players has much Fantasy value on his own, but with all the problems the Patriots have in their secondary, you have even more reason not to start the Patriots DST against the Colts. Consider it a No. 2 Fantasy option.
News: Patriots LB Tedy Bruschi led his team with 11 tackles during a Week 8 win over the Rams. Also contributing were DL Richard Seymour (seven tackles, sack), DB Jonathan Wilhite (seven tackles) and DL Ty Warren (four tackles, sack).
Analysis: Warren has the most value of this group as a low-end Fantasy DL, while the other three have very minimal impact in IDP leagues. Only start Warren in Week 9 at Indianapolis.
News: The Patriots have signed fourth-round draft pick Jonathan Wilhite. Wilhite, a cornerback at Auburn University, played 34 games, made 101 tackles and three interceptions. New England drafted the 24-year-old player as a potential replacement for departing defensive back Asante Samuel or Randall Gay.
Analysis: Wilhite has a chance to play right away, but keep an eye on his development and role in training camp. For now, don't plan on drafting Wilhite in any IDP leagues and just see about adding him off the waiver wire.
