Defensive End:
There are a bunch of solid, young, prime-of-their-career players included in this talented group of edge rushers hitting free agency this year. Along with some older but still effective superstars, this group is one to watch out for this off-season.
Jared Allen: The long time Viking will finally hit the free agency market at the age of 32. Having a quietly solid season last year for the underachieving Vikings racking up 11.5 sacks his services will still be in demand. I expect his former head coach who is now the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator to push hard for Tampa to sign him, if not the Oakland Raiders or Denver Broncos to be good spots for Allen to land as well.
Michael Johnson: With Cincinnati's glut of pass rushers on their team, don't expect Johnson back with the Bengals. Johnson had a down year, only totaling 3.5 sacks this year. Considering the Bengals used the franchise tag on him the year before, Johnson should not be expecting anywhere near that kind of money. The most likely landing spot for Johnson would be with the Vikings as Jared Allen is hitting free agency. With new coach, and former Bengals defensive coordinatior, Mike Zimmer taking over for Leslie Fraser, the Vikings seems like the most likely landing spot for Johnson.
Michael Bennett: Bennett's gamble on himself coming off an injury last off-season was a good one, turning in a campaign that will net him a long-term contract from a team. Having racked up 8.5 sacks this year while maintaining good run support, Bennett is an all around defensive end. Bennett's last two teams will be in hot pursuit of him when it comes to signing him back. Look for Tampa Bay and Seattle to push hard for him, but for him to remain with his Super Bowl winning team in Seattle.
Other top free agents include: Lamarr Houston, Justin Tuck, Arthur Jones
Defensive Tackle:
An interesting mix of players are free agents this year at the tackle position. A lot of players coming back from injury, bad years, or finally breaking out after switching from defensive end to tackle. There are no superstars in this group, but some solid depth is out there for teams to sign.
Henry Melton: I don't see the former Chicago Bear returning to his team. They might try, but I think he will test the market. Having battled injury problems last year, he is one of the top disruptive tackles in the league when healthy. Look for teams like the Buccaneers or the Cowboys (if they can get under the cap) to make a push for him. If the Cowboys release DeMarcus Ware and free up cap, I think that would be a nice landing spot for him to go to.
Linval Joseph: The New York Giants absolutely need to re-sign this giant of a man. With the Giants being up against the cap wall and having multiple holes to fill on the team, it is very unlikely to happen. Joseph is a big run stuffer with some pass rush ability. He can play a nose tackle for a 3-4 team or run stuffer for a 4-3 team. The Atlanta Falcons would be a nice spot for him to land with ATL needing all kinds of help along their line.
Jason Hatcher: After switching from a 3-4 defensive end to a 4-3 defensive tackle, Jason Hatcher had a career year for the Dallas Cowboys. Racking up 11 sacks as a tackle is incredibly impressive, especially after just switching roles on the defensive line. Hatcher will not be taking a hometown discount from the Cowboys. Look for Dallas to try to re-sign him, but instead going with younger Melton. Expect the team who loses out on Melton to sign him, with those most likely to be the Buccaneers or the Bears.
Other top free agents include: BJ Raji, Randy Starks, Kevin Williams
Outside Linebacker:
After the re-signing of the big outside linebackers on the market in Brian Orakpo and Jason Worilds, the outside linebacker market has become kind of bare. There is still some decent depth linebackers out there but the top end talent is not there this year.
Shaun Phillips: Having joined the Denver Broncos last season, Shaun Phillips was inconsistent without the presence of Von Miller on the other side of him. Phillips is a pass rusher who needs someone else on the other side of the defense to take the heat away from him so he can do what he does. As a number two pass rusher on a team, you cannot ask for more. I believe the Broncos will re-sign Phillips, with maybe the Oakland Raiders being a second option if the Broncos option falls through.
Calvin Pace: The long-time Jet had a good season last year on the surprisingly solid Jets defence last year. At 34, this will more than likely be the last contract Pace receives. A two to three year deal is likely in the cards. Pace is still an effective pass rushing option having racked up 10 sacks last year. Any team with the need for a pass rusher at the end would be wise to give Pace a look. I believe he will re-sign with the Jets at the end of the day and finish his career in New York.
Other top free agents include: Keith Rivers, Erin Henderson
Inside Linebacker:
Even with the re-signing of Donald Butler in San Diego, this linebacking group is quite deep and talented. With a lot of guys who can step in and contribute right away, look for teams with needs in the middle of their linebacking core to jump on some of these top guys immediately.
Karlos Dansby: After leaving Miami last season and re-joining the Arizona Cardinals, the team by which he was drafted into the NFL, Karlos Dansby had an outstanding year. Next to Darryl Washington in the Cardinals 3-4 defense, Dansby racked up 121 tackles, six sacks and four interceptions. Dansby would be unwise to try to test out the market. He is a great fit in Arizona and they want him back. I believe in the end he will end up back in Arizona, but the Browns might be a good fall back option to fill in for D'Qwell Jackson, who was recently signed by the Colts.
Brandon Spikes: After switching from the 3-4 to the 4-3 Brandon Spikes the New England Patriots felt they needed to move on from their former run stopping middle linebacker. Great against the run and a liability in pass coverage he will need to go to another 3-4 team to be effective. The Houston Texans would be a good option to play next to often injured Brian Cushing in their 3-4 and take on the bigger offensive linemen allowing Cushing to run free and make plays and hopefully stay healthy for the year.
Jon Beason: The former All-Pro middle linebacker for the Carolina Panthers was moved around the trade deadline last year to the New York Giants. Slumping while playing for the Panthers, his move to the Giants this season revitalized his game. Beason is a quick, rangy linebacker whose bread and butter is as a 4-3 linebacker who is good against the run. He is also one of the best cover linebackers and will be coveted by teams in free agency. I believe a return to the Giants would be the best option for Beason, put Oakland or Minnesota would also be good options.
Other top free agents include: Daryl Smith,
Cornerback:
Cornerbacks are always in demand in this new NFL with wide open offences. This year's class of corners does not disappoint. With some hall of fame caliber vets out there, and some young guys just hitting first agency for first time this will be an interesting position for teams to go for coming up March 11.
Aqib Talib: The talented Aqib Talib is a mystery. While on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he was a troublemaker and talented playmaker who would get beat way too often. When he was traded to the New England Patriots, he became one of the top corners in the game. What Talib will a team get? If put into the right system with the right coaching staff, Talib is one of the best in the game. That is why I believe he sticks in New England.
Alterraun Verner: Looks like the talented former UCLA Bruin and Tennessee Titan will more then likely be moving on from the team who drafted him. Verner is a solid cover corner who racked up five interceptions this past year. At the age of 25, he will be in high demand. Verner would look fantastic on the other side of Joe Haden in Cleveland. If not, the Raiders could also use help on the back end of their defence.
Vontae Davis: The former Miami Dolphin standout and current Indianapolis Colt is an outstanding cover corner. While he isn't the biggest playmaker out on the market (only racking up one interception last year for the Colts), his cover skills are second to none. The Colts would be crazy to let Davis go, especially after spending a 2nd round pick to trade for him in the first place.
Other top free agents include: Sam Shields, Dominique Rodgers-Cromarte, Charles Tillman
Safety:
This class of safeties are led by two of the best young safeties in the league. With Seattle setting the example of what two outstanding safeties can do to make your secondary fearful, look for teams to try to learn from their example and go out and spend big to improve their safety play.
Jairus Byrd: This one has got to hurt Sports By Schmucks writer and massive Bills fan Brett Smith (Editor's note: Bye bye, Byrdie) Probably one of the top three safeties in the league, Byrd's play making capability and coverage skills are second to nearly no one. The Buffalo Bills have made plenty of offers to Byrd in order to get him back. While I still believe there is a chance Byrd still can head back to Buffalo (EN: I don't), it is more then likely he is moving on. The Cleveland Browns would be a great landing spot for the Byrdman if other top free agent safety TJ Ward isn't re-signed. The Houston Texans would also be a good landing spot to pair with D.J. Swearinger.
T.J. Ward: Another one of the top young safeties out there on free agency market, T.J. Ward is much more of a steady tackler than other top safety Jairus Byrd. Ward is a solid defender against the run and good in coverage as well, racking up 112 tackles this season for the underrated Cleveland defence. The Browns would be wise to try to re-sign this force in their secondary. If he decided against re-signing, the Bills would be a good place for him to go. The Philadelphia Eagles need a steady player on their back end as well and could be a good spot for Ward.
Donte Whitner: Another former Buffalo Bills safety and another one of the better safeties in the league is hitting free agency. Whitner is known for his hellacious hits and fierce play. He's not much of a playmaker with his ball skills, but Whitner can turn a game around with one big hit. He makes going over the middle of the field scary for a receiver. The 49ers would be wise to make it one of their top priorities to bring him back. If not, the St. Louis Rams would be a good spot for Whitner to land as the Rams need safety help. The Rams would also hurt a division rival at the same time.
Other top free agents include: Louis Delmas, Antoine Bethea, Chris Clemons
So that wraps it up folks. That is my look at the NFL free agency period. Keep an eye out for my first mock draft coming up shortly after the free agency period begins.
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