Free Agency Fits

Free Agency Fits

Friday, March 01, 2013

Now that the NFL Scouting Combine is over, the football world’s attention shifts to free agency, which opens in just 11 days. Teams can start negotiating with players on March 9.

These aren't necessarily predictions on where the following free agents will land, but rather suggestions based on need, price tag, and schematic fit. (I’ll willingly take credit if they land where I have them, though.) A vast majority aren’t high-profile names, and they likely won’t be signing in the first couple days of free agency. But they are at least solid depth players, and those guys can be nearly as important as the big-money fish discussed in Evan Silva’s Top 50 Free Agency Forecast.

49ers: Wide receiver Domenik Hixon – Randy Moss and Ted Ginn are free agents, Mario Manningham is coming off a torn ACL and PCL, and Kyle Williams is rehabbing a torn ACL of his own. Hixon can replace Moss as the 49ers' situational deep threat, while also returning punts in place of Ginn.

Bears: Outside linebacker Daryl Smith – Smith’s 2012 season was lost due to a groin injury, but before that, he was consistently one of the top 4-3 outside ‘backers in the league. Chicago has a hole at the position with Nick Roach being a free agent, and Smith was a stalwart in new Bears coordinator Mel Tucker’s defenses down in Jacksonville.

Bengals: Strong safety LaRon Landry – The safety spot next to Reggie Nelson is a gaping hole with Chris Crocker and Nate Clements' contracts up. Landry is strong versus the run, and the Bengals like veterans in the defensive backfield. Cincinnati has plenty of cap space, but Landry is unlikely to approach the high-dollar deal he's currently said to be seeking.

Bills: Cornerback Sean Smith – New DC Mike Pettine played a lot of press-man coverage in New York with Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. Like Cromartie, Smith is a bigger corner who played a lot of bump and run in Miami and has experience covering the offense's No. 1 receiver. Smith and second-year corner Stephon Gilmore would be a formidable duo for Pettine to build upon in Buffalo.

Broncos: Defensive tackle Richard Seymour – Seymour wasted part of his prime in Oakland with a young, inexperienced team. The Broncos are dangerously thin at defensive tackle, and this is a roster built to win now. It would be a situation where Seymour could potentially get back to a Super Bowl. The 33-year-old shouldn’t command major dollars.

Browns: Outside linebacker Shaun Phillips – Cleveland needs a rush linebacker in Ray Horton’s 3-4 to play opposite Jabaal Sheard, who will transition from 4-3 defensive end. Phillips has a history with new coach Rob Chudzinski and OC Norv Turner from their days in San Diego. The longtime Charger has 69.5 career sacks in nine seasons.

Bucs: Defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson – Roy Miller is a free agent, and the Bucs need to replace him with a run-stuffing tackle next to pass-rusher extraordinaire Gerald McCoy. Vickerson was a key piece to Denver’s No. 3 run defense and would help keep it the strong suit of Tampa's defense at an affordable rate.

Cardinals: Cornerback Bradley Fletcher – New defensive boss Todd Bowles liked bigger press-man corners when he had Vontae Davis and Sean Smith with the Dolphins. But when Bowles got to Philadelphia, Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie struggled and were regularly torched. Fletcher, at 6-foot, 200 pounds, fell out of favor in St. Louis, but he’s still a fine corner for the system Bowles likes to run. He’d be an upgrade on William Gay.

Chargers: Left tackle Max Starks – San Diego’s offensive line was downright awful in 2012. Jared Gaither is almost certain to be released after refusing to play hurt, leading to teammates voicing their displeasure. New offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt knows Starks from his days with the Steelers, and he’s a perfect fit for San Diego's power-blocking scheme. Starks shouldn’t break the bank as a 31-year-old in a deep free-agent tackle class.

Chiefs: Defensive end Mike DeVito – Kansas City has gaping holes at both end spots with Glenn Dorsey slated for free agency and Tyson Jackson expected to be released. DeVito is a stud run defender, and he and new Chiefs DC Bob Sutton spent the last six seasons together with the Jets.

Colts: Right tackle Gosder Cherilus – The Colts have major issues all over the offensive line, and they are flush with cap space. Left tackle Anthony Castonzo is the only real lock to be a starter up front. Cherilus excels as a pass blocker, and he’d help protect Indianapolis’ biggest asset, Andrew Luck. Cherilus would also be a massive upgrade on Winston Justice, who is also a free agent.

Cowboys: Defensive end Israel Idonije – Marcus Spears isn’t cutting it at left end, and he easily could be released. Idonije has some pass-rushing potential, but he’s at his best against the run. That’s what you want from a left end in the 4-3. Idonije has knowledge of new DC Monte Kiffin’s defense after playing a similar style under Lovie Smith in Chicago.

Dolphins: Tight end Brandon Myers – Myers excelled in Oakland’s West Coast offense last season, but the team fired OC Greg Knapp and replaced him with Greg Olson, who has a different philosophy. Anthony Fasano is a free agent in Miami, and coach Joe Philbin runs the West Coast style. Myers and Philbin also have the University of Iowa connection. Also, Dolphins receivers coach Ken O’Keefe was Myers’ offensive coordinator with the Hawkeyes.

Eagles: Cornerback Cary Williams – The Eagles are likely to move on from at least one of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha, and they could easily wash their hands of both. Philadelphia probably doesn’t want to break the bank on a cornerback again, but Williams shouldn’t command top dollar in a deep corner class. He’s a passable man-coverage corner.

Falcons: Right guard Ramon Foster – Free agent center Todd McClure could be considering retirement, and right guard Garrett Reynolds is also a free agent. 2012 second-rounder Peter Konz is expected to take over at center, leaving a hole at guard. Foster fits the Falcons' power-blocking scheme and is an above-average pass-blocker, protecting the team’s biggest asset in Matt Ryan.

Giants: Cornerback Brent Grimes – The Giants’ pass defense was a mess in 2012. Corey Webster and Jayron Hosley gave up way too many big plays, and Prince Amukamara can't stay healthy. Grimes is likely searching for a one-year, prove-it deal, and Atlanta and New York play similar styles on defense.

Jaguars: Running back Justin Forsett – Jalen Parmele and Rashad Jennings are free agents, and there is no clear backup to Maurice Jones-Drew. Forsett performed well as Arian Foster’s No. 2 in Houston last season, but Ben Tate is healthy again and will resume that role. New coach Gus Bradley and OC Jedd Fisch know Forsett from his days in Seattle, where he had his best year.

Jets: Running back Bernard Scott – Plodder Shonn Greene isn’t coming back, and the Jets have limited cap space. Scott is a speed back to complement Bilal Powell's downhill running, and he should come cheaply after tearing his ACL. Scott has only carried the ball 255 times in four seasons, so he has plenty of tread left on the tires.

Lions: Defensive end William Hayes – The Rams want Hayes back as their No. 3 end, but after he had a career year on a one-year deal, Hayes could be looking for a team that would give him a shot to start. Detroit has holes at both end spots, and Hayes was drafted by the Titans when coach Jim Schwartz was the defensive coordinator. The Lions and Rams run very similar defenses.

Packers: Defensive end Glenn Dorsey – Jerel Worthy’s (knee) chances of making an impact in 2013 are slim, and C.J. Wilson and Mike Neal are entering the final years of their rookie contracts. Green Bay’s defense was run through with ease last season, and although Dorsey hasn’t lived up to his No. 5 draft pick status, he has been exceptional as a run defender. GM Ted Thompson doesn’t sign veterans too often, but Dorsey is still just 27 years old.

Panthers: Free safety Kenny Phillips – Phillips would be a massive upgrade on Haruki Nakamura, who gave up way too many big plays in coverage last season. Phillips has a history with new GM Dave Gettleman; they both were with the Giants. Phillips should come at a reasonable price after a couple of injury-plagued seasons. The Panthers don’t have a lot of wiggle room under the cap.

Patriots: Strong safety Louis Delmas – New England was interested in Delmas leading up to the 2009 draft, but he was picked one spot ahead of where the Pats took Pat Chung. Chung also happens to be a free agent. Delmas has versatility to play both safety spots and he’s a big yet disciplined hitter. Coach Bill Belichick likes those qualities. Delmas does have an injury history, though, so he shouldn’t be too expensive.

Raiders: Right guard Louis Vasquez – Oakland signed RG Mike Brisiel to a five-year, $20 million contract last offseason, but he’s a terrible fit for Greg Olson's new power-blocking scheme. Vasquez is a stud and will turn just 26 years old in April. He’s expected to have plenty of suitors, but he might be keen on staying out West.

Rams: Outside linebacker Jonathan Casillas – Jo-Lonn Dunbar was a poor fit as a cover linebacker, but he’s a fine thumper against the run who isn’t afraid to lay wood. He’d be better off on the strong side. Casillas has never been a starter, but he plays in the nickel and is fine in coverage. Plus, he has experience in Gregg Williams’ defense, which is similar to what the Rams still run.

Ravens: Nose tackle Sammie Lee Hill – Incumbents Terrence Cody and Maake Kemoeatu were major reasons why the Ravens were gashed up the middle versus the run in 2012. Kemoeatu is now a free agent. Baltimore needs to get younger, and Hill is just 26 years old. He also has the ability to push the pocket some.

Redskins: Right tackle Ryan Harris – Tyler Polumbus is a free agent and wasn’t very good. Washington doesn’t have an heir apparent at the position. Harris filled in admirably in Houston’s zone-blocking scheme last season as a spot starter, and he’d be a nice, cheap fit for basically the same offense with the Redskins. He was a third-round pick by Mike Shanahan’s Broncos in 2007.

Saints: Outside linebacker Victor Butler – New Orleans is transitioning to the 3-4 under new DC Rob Ryan, and they need pass rushers. Butler was stuck behind Anthony Spencer and DeMarcus Ware in Dallas with Ryan, but he flashed when given the opportunity. Butler has 11 career sacks while playing no more than 300 snaps in a single season. He shouldn’t be too expensive, but he’ll likely have options.

Seahawks: Defensive end Matt Shaughnessy – Seattle is in need of some bodies on the defensive line with Chris Clemons (knee) questionable for the opener and Jason Jones and Alan Branch hitting the market. Shaughnessy is a big guy at 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds, and he has the ability to play inside and out. He showed flashes as a productive pass rusher in his first two seasons in the league, and his head coach at the time was Seahawks OL coach Tom Cable.

Steelers: Tight end Fred Davis – Heath Miller shredded his knee in Week 16, and he’s a poor bet to make an impact early in the season. The Steelers have a tight cap situation, but Davis might come cheap after tearing his Achilles’ in the middle of 2012. Reports have stated Davis is cleared for OTAs. He might be seeking a one-year, prove-it type deal.

Texans: Nose tackle Casey Hampton – Shaun Cody is a free agent for the Texans, and he wasn’t very good anyway. Hampton, 36 at the start of the season, would be a solid short-term solution, and Houston could give him a chance at another Super Bowl run. Hampton is still effective against the run.

Titans: Running back Peyton Hillis – The Titans are in search of a power back to complement Chris Johnson. Javon Ringer is a free agent, and he was never healthy. Hillis was a disappointment in Kansas City last year, so he should be affordable on a one- or two-year deal. Both Hillis and OC Dowell Loggains are University of Arkansas alums.

Vikings: Wide receiver Brian Hartline – Minnesota badly needs someone on the outside to complement Percy Harvin in the slot. Jerome Simpson is a free agent, and Michael Jenkins will be released. Neither of the two was cutting it anyway. Hartline has a career 15.0 yards per catch average, and he’d fit the bill as a field-stretcher if the Vikings strike out on Mike Wallace, Dwayne Bowe, and Greg Jennings.

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