2014 NFL Mock Free Agency: NFC EditionBy Erik Lambert - Feb 6th, 2014 at 10:24 am
Dec 29, 2013; Oakland, CA. Oakland Raiders defensive end Lamarr Houston (99) reacts during the game against the Denver Broncos at O.co Coliseum. The Broncos won 34-14. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports The countdown to the active parts of the NFL off-season has begun, starting with free agency. Here’s a mock rundown of where the NFC teams will go. Green Bay Packers – $27.2 million – Sign: Aqib Talib One thing to remember is the Green Bay Packers are not big free agency spenders except on their own players, so nobody should expect them to go on a huge spree. However, if they do seek some outside help they might want to bolster their secondary. Aqib Talib is the kind of cover corner they love and he might not be too expensive for them. Minnesota Vikings – $23.9 million – Sign: Lamarr Houston The defensive front is about to undergo some changes for the Minnesota Vikings. They have to make sure it doesn’t deplete too much. Signing a player like Lamarr Houston would lend them so much flexibility since he has the strength and quickness to play defensive end but the size to move inside to defensive tackle. Carolina Panthers – $20.9 million – Sign: Hakeem Nicks It became quite clear against San Francisco that the Carolina Panthers need more weapons for Cam Newton. Already links are being established between them and Hakeem Nicks. The Giants receiver had a rough 2013 season but he’s still young and would present a quality NFL target for Newton. Philadelphia Eagles – $20.9 million – Sign: Sam Shields The defense should get primary attention during the off-season from top to bottom. Adding help at corner is a great place to start. Though overlooked at times, Sam Shields was a steady, reliable cover man for the Packers and fits perfectly in a 3-4 scheme. The Eagles could plug him right in day one. Washington Redskins – $14.7 million – Sign: Zane Beadles Another teams that needs to focus on defense, but the Washington Redskins can’t do that until they’re sure Robert Griffin III is protected. Giving him help at guard would help greatly. Zane Beadles was one of the underrated names who assisted Denver in boasting the greatest offense in league history. Atlanta Falcons – $13.6 million – Sign: Anthony Collins Playing behind Andrew Whitworth made it easy to forget how good Anthony Collins is. The veteran backup is capable of starting anywhere else and he proved that when the Bengals shuffled their line late in the season. The Atlanta Falcons badly need blocking help and Collins could be a legitimate option given his size and athleticism. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – $11.4 million – Sign: Jared Allen Lovie Smith knows his defense can’t function without a pass rush, and defensive end is a weak spot on his roster. Jared Allen is expected to test the market and he is a perfect fit for the system. His former coach Leslie Frazier is the Bucs defensive coordinator as well. It seems like an ideal situation. New York Giants – $9.2 million – Sign: Jon Asamoah Thing didn’t start really going wrong for the New York Giants until their offensive line started to fall apart. Their interior blocking is a mess and needs help. If they do hit the 2014 NFL free agent market, then finding a guard would be their best choic. Jon Asamoah doesn’t get much publicity but he was one of the keys in help Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles reach another Pro Bowl. Chicago Bears – $7.3 million – Sign: Clinton McDonald Phil Emery has proven quite adept at finding under-the-radar free agents (see Matt Slauson). While the Chicago Bears still have ways to create more cap space, the best thing for them to do is find defensive tackle help with what they have. Clinton McDonald got little to no attention among the great Seattle defensive names, but he did post 5.5 sacks and was a regular force pass rushing up the middle. San Francisco 49ers – $5.1 million – Sign: Danario Alexander Danario Alexander has a world of talent at his disposal, not to mention height at 6’5?. It’s little wonder the San Diego Chargers have tried hard to keep him in the past. However, that may change in 2014. The San Francisco 49ers badly need a size upgrade at receiver, and Alexander would present a cheap option for them given his injury history. http://nflmocks.com/2014/02/06/2014-nfl-mock-free-agency-nfc-edition/
Now we have $11.4M in cap room? I swear I have seen at least 10 different numbers reported. Nobody seems to really know.
11 million for Allen at his age? I barfed.
I don't think that's per year...cause no one is paying Talib 27 mill a year......
Im guessing thats a 2 year deal...in which case its under 6 a year...sign me up
I took that number to be total cap room.
I took that number to be total cap room.
Yea, some on the lower part could be 1 year deals...but Allen likely isnt part of that. He will probably look for 3 and accept 2 with an option.
You don't hear much about Lamarr Houston. He is only 26, and has 16 career sacks.
He's been playing in a black hole though.
He's been playing in a black hole though.
Its like being in the witness protection program. Same with Mario going to Buffalo.
You don't hear much about Lamarr Houston. He is only 26, and has 16 career sacks.
Lamarr Houston, Arthur Jones, Mike Neal, Linval Joseph, and CJ Wilson are all very good young DTs that don't get a lot of attention.
I'll take Allen for a 2 year $6M deal.The big prize I see is Danario Alexander. 5 year $25MIf he can stay healthy we will have twin towers on the outside and make Mike Williams more of the possession guy that he is.
Danario Alexander missed the entire 2013 due to an ACL injury....and he just had a second surgery on the same ACL last week.....and you think he is the "big prize"?
Glad to see Anthony Collins getting some love. He could be an affordable signing that could prove very valuable. Best case scenario is that he makes Penn expendable, and the worst case scenario is that the team vastly improves it's depth at OT.Beadles has been a solid player for Denver, and it looks like they may not be able to afford to resign him. I don't think he'd command a huge contract, but they have bigger names to resign (DRC, Decker, Shaun Phillips, Moreno).Asamoah lost his starting job in KC to Geoff Schwartz, but he'd likely be an upgrade to Joseph.
Lamarr Houston, Arthur Jones, Mike Neal, Linval Joseph, and CJ Wilson are all very good young DTs that don't get a lot of attention.
they are all nice players, but they are DTs who dont usually get to the QB...hence no attention.as for danario alexander - they were saying on ESPN that they thought his career was over.
