Ndamukong Suh (DT)
A
generational talent upon his entrance into the NFL - now Suh has created an image
branding himself as a troublesome, selfish, underperforming paid talent. Not fulfilling
his contractual salary with production in Miami, Suh has been entertaining visits
to other teams upon his release. Ranking as the top free agent on the market to
this point, Ndamukong again has his choice of teams he’d like to play for in
the upcoming season. Already having meetings with the Titans and the Saints,
Suh has a visit lined up with the LA Rams to potentially form a tandem that
would see super star Aaron Donald teamed up with Ndamukong forming a unit that
would be very difficult to play against. Coming off a sixteen game season that
saw a career low in statistics, Suh generated a mere 4.5 sacks and 29 tackles. It’s
clear Suh’s angle is to generate the most lucrative deal possible, but this
time we may see lower dollar figures taken to be part of a winning formula in
hopes to win a championship. Suh still has the ability to produce when he’s so
inclined, and this change of address could actually revitalize his career.
Playing for a contender on a short deal seems to be the path forward, but as we’ve
seen from the past, big money will definitely sway his choice.
Kenny Vaccaro (S)
The Safety
market has been extremely quite thus far leaving talented players like former Saint
Kenny Vaccaro patiently waiting for his opportunity. Missing eleven games in
the last two seasons, Kenny has been flagged as an injury concern that may
cause his wait on the open market to extend for a little more time. Coming off
his best season as a pro in terms of interceptions (3), Vaccaro has been a
steady reliable piece in the defensive backfield in his five seasons with New
Orleans. The price point that Kenny’s agent is trying to convince teams is feasible
for his services remains high and teams will wait for the price to come down
before they pursue him further. In the end Vaccaro will have to settle taking
less on the open market due to his injury history in the league.
Eric Reid (S)
Much like
his counterpart Kenny Vaccaro, the market has been dead quite on former 49er
Eric Reid. Speculation has pegged Reid as an afterthought to most clubs due to
his protesting and kneeling during the national anthem. ADF doesn’t believe
this truly represents the case, as mentioned the safety market as a whole has
been non-existent to this point. Eric hasn’t enjoyed playing on sound clubs
deflating his stats giving the perception he isn’t a quality player. Entering
his sixth season, Reid has endured injuries of his own that would also put into
question the correct market value for bringing him aboard. While Reid has been
outspoken of his protesting efforts, that shouldn’t preclude him from finding a
new home as agreeing to an acceptable price should dictate the terms. ADF
believes Eric would flourish given the opportunity while being surrounded with
talent that would be conducive to his success.
Morgan Burnett (S)
At the ripe
age of 29, the career Packer is making one last push to garner a big money deal
before his talent level and production drops to a point where he’ll have to
entertain minimum salaries to continue to play. Burnett is an above average
safety that holds his placement tremendously well in the defensive backfield. A
fantastic tackler with a keen eye in run support, Morgan has seen seasons of
over one hundred tackles three times in his career (2011: 107 tackles, 2012: 123
tackles, and 2014: 130 tackles). While Burnett could be ranked as the top
safety left on the market, his projected market value places him in a difficult
situation to be signed. Currently Burnett holds a value in the realm of achieving
a deal worth 40 million over 4 years, quite pricey for most teams for the
position. With no teams entertaining signing any safety at this point, the
price point should definitely drop as the days prolong.
Terrelle Pryor (WR)
The disastrous
2017 campaign for the converted quarterback turned wide receiver has left him
on the market trying to convince teams to give him another opportunity. Having
team visits scheduled with the Seahawks and the Jets, shows his market is very
thin at this point generating interest from receiver needy squads. Though
Terrelle has great athletic ability, his lack of execution to complete the full
route tree stifled his progression in Washington marking him purely a deep
threat. An injury filled campaign did no favours to his market value as teams
will be wary to offer big money with any term attached. Pryor should ultimately
find a home on a one year contract (prove it deal) with a team in need of a one
route receiver that can stretch the field.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (DB)
At the age
of 31 entering his 11th season in the NFL, the prime years are definitely
behind the once feared playmaker on the defensive backend. Thoughts to convert
the corner into a safety, the Giants chose rather to cut Rodgers-Cromartie
saving big money in the process. Coming off one of his worst seasons as a pro
on a defense that gave up mid-way through the year, a change of scenery would benefit
the long-time pro. Essentially losing his top end speed should allow teams to
kick DRC into the nickel spot or entertaining a conversation to the safety
position as well. Cromartie has be vocal in suggesting he would wait until
after the draft to choose a team, banking on clubs with clear roster holes to
help garner more money on his next contract. DRC is a player that could round
out a defensive back unit with experience and skill for at least the next two
years. He would be a great bargain to any team looking to upgrade.
EJ Gains (DB)
Finding his
way to Buffalo from LA last season via trade, the Bills choose to cut bait with
the defensive back finding his way to the open market. While Gains was a
valuable producer for the Bills last season, injuries made him expendable to
return to western New York. It’s not overly surprising to see his market somewhat
quite to open free agency, but Gains has sparked interest from the Texans and
the Cardinals. Still at the age of 26 and proving his talent was definitely an
asset last season, Gains struggles to stay on the field consistently enough to warrant
trust in the form of large money offered. With a visit planned to Arizona to potentially
play alongside star Patrick Peterson, Gains when healthy could provide a cover
tandem valuable of top production.
Bashaud Breeland (DB)
Failing his
physical after receiving a lucrative contract from the Carolina Panthers sent
the former Redskin defensive back to the open market with interest cooling off
all together. Breeland saw a deal worth 24 million over three years rescinded after
a foot injury left him unable to complete the Panthers test. A massive blow to
a corner who won a deal on the open market that saw him greatly overpaid for
the talent level he possesses. In a year that sees as much emphasis on
defensive back talent as any, ADF fully expects Breeland to resurface on the
market radar accepting a lower term and money contract in hopes to generate a
larger pay day the following season.
Tre Boston (S)
Being waived
last season from the Panthers, Boston was picked up by the Chargers and found a
level of production that helped propel their defense with fantastic reliable
play. With a safety market uber-quite to this point, Boston could find himself
in the favorable situation to gather a contract over all safeties on the market
due to price point and ability. The drop off from Boston’s ability to the others
on the market isn’t as vast as some may think, and at the favorable age of 25,
Tre could be scooped up any day. Coming off a fantastic season that saw career
highs in nearly every category, he would be an absolute steal for any defense at
the right price and contract length.
Jordan Matthews (WR)
Another
player that found his way to Buffalo via trade was former Eagle slot receiver
Jordan Matthews. Though having talent to man the slot with skill, Jordan was
unable to produce in his time with the Bills finding his was to the market
rather easily. Matthews was very productive in the Eagles offense which was
surrounded with talent, opening up lanes for production. Exposed traits from
last season proved Matthews couldn’t find room on his own to be productive
while drawing top end coverage on a weekly basis. Having injury concerns of his
own, the best fit for Jordan is to find a club with a dedicated primary target
to relive pressure from top cover corners allowing him to find room in the
slot. He should be able to re-establish his career elsewhere.
Eric Ebron (TE)
Coming out
of the draft, the knock on Ebron was his soft hands unable to consistently
catch the ball. In his time in Detroit, it was clear the Lions management saw
enough to cut bait letting Ebron walk to free agency saving a boatload of cash.
Eric does possess a great level of skill, but hasn’t been able to put it all together
on the field. He should resurface on a club that is slim at the position taking
a massive haircut on money and term. If Eric could figure out how to catch the
ball with regularity while improving his blocking ability, he could be a force
on any club; time will tell if his new location will bring him success. Miami
could be a place Eric finds a deal with potentially a lead role.
Mike Wallace (WR)
The former
Baltimore Raven speedster has again found himself vying for an opportunity to
prove he’s worth another deal as his production continues to underwhelm. With a
market deadly quite on Wallace receiving virtually zero interest, Mike has his
agent reaching back to Baltimore in hopes to work out another deal this time on
a team friendly capacity. With the Ravens just inking former Raiders receiver
Michael Crabtree to the fold, Wallace could greatly serve as the deep threat again
to Joe Flacco and company.
DeMarco Murray (RB)
The colossal
drop off to DeMarco Murray’s game last season allowed the Titans to move on for
the enigmatic runner. After his days in Dallas, Murray has seen seasons of
success followed by failure without understanding the reason. It seems the more
touches Murray receives one year, the clearer his production drop off will be
the next season. DeMarco could again become a serviceable back in a secondary
role preferably in the passing game. Murray still possesses the great skill of
being able to pick up blitzing line backers and safeties which is invaluable
for a third down back. With Miami being the front runner inviting Murray for a
team visit, he could add value to a backfield behind youngster Kenyan Drake.
Martellus Bennett (TE)
The
confusing injury from last season that saw Bennett released from the Packers
then picked up by the Patriots, only to see him hit injured reserve ending his
year, now sees him trying to find another team to play for. With a strong
skillset, Bennett finds his way to consistently disappear after the first
quarter of the season becoming quite an enigma for his current team. He found
success in the Patriots offense a couple years back and cashed in on the open
market (in 2017). This time around teams have become aware of his nature to
slip his levels of production thus making his market very quiet to this point. Flirting
with the notion of retirement, Bennett has also been connected to the Eagles to
join his brother (Michael Bennett) in Philadelphia. We shall see how this plays
out, but Bennett is on the downward trend in his career.
Eric Decker (WR)
Playing the
waiting game at this point, the 31 year old once massively productive receiver
has seen his share of injuries take down his level of play in recent years. Decker
could still be productive in an offense that has an established quarterback and
perhaps moving his talents to the slot extending his career. It’s possible we
see teams gain interest in Decker after the NFL draft, using him as a depth
signing to fill a need. At this point Eric shouldn’t generate much money as a
free agent, but should find his way on a club to help create some levels of production.
Atlanta would be a nice place for Decker
to resurface as a slot receiver.
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