General Free Agency Thread

[HoosierCat]

 

[volcom69]

1 hour ago, HoosierCat said:

 

There sure was a lot of “close” calls this year, maybe next year they can actually do it lol lol. At some point they are just going to have to spend just a little more if they want some of these guys. 

[HoosierCat]

1 hour ago, volcom69 said:

There sure was a lot of “close” calls this year, maybe next year they can actually do it lol lol. At some point they are just going to have to spend just a little more if they want some of these guys. 

Probably. Rankins got $17 million over two years from the Jets tho and given how much they’ve spent on the D so far I can’t get too torn up about it. Jets have even more cap space to burn than Cincy so a loss here kind of is what it is.

[TJJackson]

They do need another 3-technique (pass rushing) DT to use to rotate with Oggie. 

(Yes, I will get his name right at some point....no disrespect is intended....I keep thinking Ogbeuhi and thatd be disrespectful in the extreme)

The DT class in the draft is weak as hell, and none of the holdover guys from last year are 3Ts, so I'd say that aside from getting a serviceable ORG they also need to sign a serviceable 3T DT. 

a 2-3M guy, preferably for longer than Larry was

[membengal]

Vol - they''ve signed a lot of guys. You don't always win every bidding war.

[membengal]

The DT from the draft you don't know that you want that you want is Milton Willams. 

[membengal]

 

[membengal]

 

[TJJackson]

1 hour ago, membengal said:

The DT from the draft you don't know that you want that you want is Milton Willams. 

OMG.....he wears......he wears........97

its a sign from above :-)

[GapControl]

12 hours ago, TJJackson said:

OMG.....he wears......he wears........97

its a sign from above :-)

Yeah I’m gonna have to get 97 jersey signed by Geno ... tough to see his HOF career end on a down note.  Should hang it up in PBS rafters and retire the number.

[membengal]

Too much buzz about my guy, now...

 

[membengal]

Sigh. The heat. Too much heat. 

 

[AMC]

 

[AMC]

32 minutes ago, membengal said:

Sigh. The heat. Too much heat. 

 

Have seen interviews with him as well. He is an impressive young man. 

[membengal]

He is. The secret is fully out now. Unless we pick up an extra pick in 2nd round, I don't think he is there for us in 3rd round anymore (much less the 4th or 5th round where i had previously been scooping him up in mock drafts...). 

[TJJackson]

we finally have a free agent guard coming in......but he is a backup player with some starting experience

https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/news/bengals-plan-to-host-veteran-center-nick-easton-for-visit

https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/nick-easton/9861  

PFF 59.6 in 2020

one plus for us is that he has experience both at guard and at center. 

another plus: the article says he has played at both ORG and OLG

I'd consider this guy a very small upgrade over Spain based on what I am seeing and reading

[membengal]

Huber back. I know a few of you were starting to fret.

[TJJackson]

20 minutes ago, membengal said:

Huber back. I know a few of you were starting to fret.

this is great news

the word is it is a 1 year deal, so punter will be an issue again next year

hopefully they bring in strong camp competition and sign one of those to the practice squad, so the old man can mentor him

[HoosierCat]

24 minutes ago, membengal said:

Huber back. I know a few of you were starting to fret.

Just checking boxes.

[TJJackson]

On 3/21/2021 at 3:59 PM, membengal said:

You can be dismissive if you want, but I am telling you, he has called most of the shit that happened this week before it happened. Maybe you can trust me and others on our word that he's been clued in? 

Malik has replied to this tweet basically saying he's heard different

so its a big question mark

I really just want them to get both Warford and Turner in for a looksee....both by Pollack running them through drills and full medical team exam as well

If one (or both) look to be good to go, start negotiating right then

Low cost, potential high reward

[TJJackson]

Why oh why do I not remember AMC....with over 2000 posts.....at all?

dude, did you change your handle, and if so, what was it before?

[membengal]

2 hours ago, TJJackson said:

this is great news

the word is it is a 1 year deal, so punter will be an issue again next year

hopefully they bring in strong camp competition and sign one of those to the practice squad, so the old man can mentor him

Next year they can sign him to another one year deal...how is it an issue?

[membengal]

Here's the remaining players still available on The Athletic's Top 150 FA list that they compiled before FA started. Enjoy and compile your week 2 wishlist accordingly:

NFL free agency updated Big Board: Jadeveon Clowney among top unsigned players available – The Athletic

Quote

 

13. Eric Fisher, OT, Kansas City Chiefs (30)
Fisher is a tough player to slot, given that he’ll be spending his offseason rehabbing after suffering a torn Achilles in January. As a point of reference, Eagles guard Brandon Brooks tore his Achilles in January of 2019 and started all 16 games the next season. So Fisher being healthy by Week 1 of 2021 is not out of the question. He has 113 career starts and is a two-time Pro Bowler. Demand outweighs supply at left tackle, meaning Fisher should still have a strong market, despite the injury.

19. Justin Houston, Edge, Indianapolis Colts (32)
He’s on the wrong side of 30, but Houston continues to produce. He was eighth among edge defenders in pass-rush win rate and had eight sacks to go along with 12 QB hits.

20. Alejandro Villanueva, OT, Pittsburgh Steelers (33)
Villanueva didn’t become a starter until he was 27. He’s never missed a game and is a two-time Pro Bowler, although 2020 was not his best season.

29. Jadeveon Clowney, Edge, Tennessee Titans (28)
He was searching for a big payday last offseason but didn’t find it and had to settle for a one-year, $13 million deal with the Titans. Now Clowney’s stock is likely to be significantly lower. He failed to notch a single sack in eight games and then underwent season-ending knee surgery. Clowney might have a hard time finding the deal he’s looking for once again this offseason.

30. Trai Turner, OG, Los Angeles Chargers (28)
It’s tough to know exactly what his market will be. Turner has 89 career starts and is a five-time Pro Bowler. The Chargers traded for him before last season, but Turner was limited to just nine games because of injuries and did not perform well when healthy. He could look to sign a one-year deal to build his value back up and re-enter the market next offseason.

32. Melvin Ingram, Edge, Los Angeles Chargers (32)
It was a tough contract year for Ingram. He appeared in seven games before heading to injured reserve with a knee injury. Ingram has had a very good career, but he finished 2020 with no sacks and four QB hits. If healthy, Ingram is a disruptive player and a versatile pass rusher capable of lining up in different spots. His market will likely come down to whether teams are confident he can bounce back from the injury.

33. Carlos Dunlap, Edge, Seattle Seahawks (32)
The Seahawks traded for Dunlap during last season but then released him. Dunlap has been consistently productive. His 23 sacks over the past three seasons rank 21st league-wide, and his 60 quarterback hits are tied for 12th. He’s also been incredibly durable, having played in 163 games in 11 seasons. Dunlap will be a nice option for teams looking for a veteran pass rusher.

34. T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts (31)
He started off slow but came on strong in the second half of the season and finished with 56 catches for 762 yards and five touchdowns. Just two years ago, Hilton totaled 1,270 yards with Andrew Luck as his quarterback. He’s older than the other receivers on this list but should still have at least a couple of years left as a starting-caliber player. If a team needs wide receiver help but doesn’t have the cap space to target the top of the market, Hilton could make sense.

37. Mitchell Schwartz, OT, Kansas City Chiefs (32)
He was limited to six games in 2020 because of a back injury but hadn’t missed a start the previous eight seasons. Schwartz developed into one of the league’s better right tackles during his time in Kansas City. If he is healthy, Schwartz is probably the best available right tackle. But given his age and the back injury, there are obviously some risks.

40. Richard Sherman, CB, San Francisco 49ers (33)
He’s a tough player to slot. Sherman will be 33 at the start of next season and appeared in only five games in 2020 because of injury. He was 30 when he signed with the 49ers in 2018 and delivered two great years, making the Pro Bowl in 2019. If healthy, Sherman can still be effective. But given his age, he might be looking at another incentive-laden deal or a one-year contract.

41. Casey Hayward, CB, Los Angeles Chargers (32)
He signed with the Chargers during the 2016 offseason and made two Pro Bowls in five years before being released. Hayward has 95 career starts, including 13 last season. He’s past his prime but should still be able to help a team as a starting outside corner on a short-term contract.

48. Kwon Alexander, LB, New Orleans Saints (27)
He signed a big deal with the 49ers during the 2019 offseason but ended up playing just 13 games for them. San Francisco traded Alexander to the Saints during last season, but he tore his Achilles’ in December. If healthy, Alexander would be among the top off-ball linebackers in this class. But he’s missed 22 games over the past three seasons.

49. K.J. Wright, LB, Seattle Seahawks (32)
Wright has 140 career starts, and 2020 was one of the best seasons of his career. He had 11 tackles for loss, 10 passes defended (tops among linebackers), two sacks and three quarterback hits. Wright is a great teammate and probably knows the Seahawks’ defense better than most of the coaches, having played in the same scheme for 10 seasons.

54a.* Kareem Jackson, DB, Denver Broncos (33)
He signed a three-year deal with the Broncos in 2019, but Denver declined his option for 2021. Jackson turns 33 in April, but he’s missed just three games in the past four years. He played 100 percent of Denver’s defensive snaps last season. Jackson was a corner for most of his career but made the switch to safety in Denver and played well. He’d be a nice option for a team in need of a smart, tough veteran defensive back.

55. Malcolm Butler, CB, Tennessee Titans (31)
He signed with the Titans during the 2018 offseason and appeared in 41 games across three seasons. Butler will likely still be viewed as a starter on the outside who is capable of making plays on the ball. He had four interceptions and 14 passes defended last season.

62. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (34)
He played well in 2020, producing six sacks and 19 quarterback hits. Suh has not missed a game in nine seasons. Last offseason, Suh signed a one-year, $8 million deal to return to Tampa. A similar deal again could make sense for both sides.

67*. Danny Shelton, DT, Detroit Lions (28)
He was not ranked on our original top-150 because the Lions released Shelton after the start of the negotiating period. He was a free agent last offseason and signed a two-year, $8 million deal. Shelton has 72 starts in six seasons. He should interest teams that are in the market for a run-stuffing nose tackle.

69. Bashaud Breeland, CB, Kansas City Chiefs (29)
He was a free agent last offseason and did not find a big market, settling for a one-year, $3 million deal to return to Kansas City. Breeland started 11 games. He will interest teams that are looking for a physical press corner on the outside. Breeland ranked 61st out of 106 corners in yards per snap allowed in man coverage. He’s shown that he’s a competent starter, but it’s tough to come up with a reason why Breeland’s market will be much different than last offseason.

72. Leonard Fournette, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (26)
He made the most of his opportunity with Tampa Bay, transforming into “Playoff Lenny” and performing well during the Bucs’ Super Bowl run. But teams would be wise to look at the larger sample with Fournette. Fournette has averaged 3.9 yards per carry in his career and has been competent, but unspectacular, as a pass catcher. Given the way the NFL works, it seems likely a team will look at his playoff success and first-round pedigree and convince itself Fournette can be a difference-maker.

73. Sammy Watkins, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (28)
He returned to Kansas City on a one-year, $9 million last offseason. Watkins battled injuries and had 37 catches for 421 yards in 10 games. He’s had some memorable playoff moments, but in three years with the Chiefs Watkins never topped 673 yards. He ranked 64th out of 78 players last season in yards per route run.

74. Antonio Brown, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (33)
The Bucs signed Brown during last season, and he had 45 catches for 483 yards and four touchdowns in eight regular-season games. Will he now search for a new team or return to Tampa on what might have to be a one-year deal? If the Bucs lose Godwin in free agency, they could view Brown as an attractive replacement. Brown served a suspension last season but is still facing a lawsuit for alleged rape.

82. Golden Tate, WR, New York Giants (33)
He appeared in 12 games, played 44 percent of the snaps and had 35 catches for 388 yards in 2020. Tate lined up in the slot 82 percent of the time. Since released by the Giants, he’s clearly in the decline phase of his career, but Tate could compete for playing time as a slot receiver on a one-year deal.

83. Xavier Woods, S, Dallas Cowboys (26)
He started 48 games in four seasons for the Cowboys. Woods has typically been a free safety, but he played more than 150 snaps in the box and at slot corner too last season. Woods will be an option for teams that don’t want to spend at the top of the market but need a starting-caliber safety.

84. Eric Wilson, LB, Minnesota Vikings (27)
If teams are looking for an ascending three-down linebacker who could be ready for an expanded role, Wilson could fit the bill. He was a full-time starter for the first time last year and performed well. Wilson ranked 13th with 121 tackles. He had three sacks, eight tackles for loss, eight passes defended (tied for third among linebackers) and three interceptions (tied for first). Wilson’s production likely earned him a starting opportunity elsewhere.

85. Jurrell Casey, DT, Denver Broncos (31)
The Titans traded him to Denver last offseason, but Casey appeared in just three games before suffering a season-ending biceps injury. He had five sacks and 10 QB hits in 2019. If healthy, Casey should be able to land a starting job at defensive tackle.

86. Everson Griffen, Edge, Dallas Cowboys/Detroit Lions (33)
Griffen signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Cowboys last offseason and then was traded to the Lions. He’s likely to see a reduced role going forward but still produced as a rotational pass rusher with six sacks and 14 QB hits.

87. Ryan Kerrigan, Edge, Washington Football Team (33)
The four-time Pro Bowler got phased out last season, playing just 38 percent of the snaps. But he still produced 5.5 sacks. Kerrigan will likely look to catch on somewhere as a rotational pass rusher, although it’s possible he could find a starting job.

95. Russell Okung, LT, Carolina Panthers (32)
He’s had trouble staying healthy with just 13 starts over the last two seasons. But Okung is a crafty veteran who could be a short-term option for a team in need of a starting left tackle.

96. Kevin King, CB, Green Bay Packers (26)
It’s hard to dismiss how poorly he played in the NFC Championship. Even though that was only one game, King has some things working against him. The biggest is durability. King has been active for just 41 out of a possible 64 games in four seasons. Originally the 33rd overall pick in 2017, King has not reached his potential. His best move could be to sign a one-year deal, play well and re-enter the market next offseason. King could attract teams that are looking for an outside corner with size.

97. Tre Boston, S, Carolina Panthers (29)
He was released just one year into a three-year, $18 million contract. Boston has started 76 games in seven seasons. He’s typically been a free safety but played more than 400 snaps in the box last season. Boston did not have his best season in 2020, with 15 missed tackles — third most among safeties, according to Sportradar. But he offers a veteran starting safety option for teams that don’t want to spend at the top of the market.

98. Ricardo Allen, S, Atlanta Falcons (29)
Allen started 12 games for the Falcons last season and 76 during his seven-year stint there. In 2020, he lined up primarily at free safety. He is a centerfielder-type who can play the deep middle of the field in single-high safety schemes. Allen should offer a low-cost option for teams in need of a veteran safety.

99. Kenny Vaccaro, S, Tennessee Titans (30)
Vaccaro has made 109 career starts, including 13 last season. He split his time at strong safety and free safety and also played 100-plus snaps as a slot corner, according to Pro Football Focus. Vaccaro will be among the options for teams that are in need of a starting safety.

100. Bradley McDougald, S, New York Jets (30)
McDougald was part of the Jamal Adams trade. He started seven games last year before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. McDougald has 82 career starts and can play free or strong safety. He should be a low-cost option for teams in need of a competent starter.

101. Duron Harmon, S, Detroit Lions (30)
Harmon was a 16-game starter for the first time in his career last season. Previously he had been a rotational player with 29 starts in seven seasons with the Patriots. He’ll be a veteran option for teams looking for a relatively low-cost, competent free safety.

102. Brian Poole, SCB, New York Jets (28)
He was limited to nine games last season because of a shoulder injury. Poole was a free agent last offseason and settled for a one-year, $5 million deal. Given that he’s a year older and coming off of an injury, it seems unlikely that Poole will find something better this time around.

108. K’Waun Williams, SCB, San Francisco 49ers (30)
An ankle injury sidelined him for eight games last season, and Williams turns 30 in July. Because of those factors, he might not find a lucrative deal in free agency. But Williams has been a solid slot corner for a long time and could offer good value on a short-term deal.

110. Mackensie Alexander, CB, Cincinnati Bengals (27)
He was a free agent last offseason and had to settle for a one-year, $4 million deal. Alexander has been exclusively a slot corner. He ranked 51st out of 106 corners in yards per snap allowed when playing man coverage. It seems unlikely that Alexander’s market will be much different this time around.

115. Austin Blythe, OC, Los Angeles Rams (29)
He was a 16-game starter in 2020 and has 49 career starts in five seasons. Blythe played center last season but has previous experience at right guard. He has missed just one game over the last four seasons. Blythe might not have a high ceiling but could be appealing to teams that need a starting center and are looking for a relatively low-cost option.

116. De’Vondre Campbell, LB, Arizona Cardinals (28)
He was a free agent last offseason and signed with the Cardinals on a one-year, $6 million deal. Campbell was a 16-game starter, played 79 percent of the snaps and had 99 tackles. He’s a starting-caliber player who can offer competence across the board but doesn’t stand out in any one area. It seems unlikely that Campbell’s market will be much different this time around.

121. DaQuan Jones, DT, Tennessee Titans (29)
He’s started 93 games in seven seasons. Jones has produced just three sacks over the last three seasons but will be an option for teams looking for a veteran run-defending interior lineman.

122. Rick Wagner, OT, Green Bay Packers (31)
He’s made 96 career starts and played 59 percent of the snaps last season. The Packers released Wagner in February, so he’s free to sign whenever he wants. Last offseason, Wagner signed a two-year, $11 million deal to be Green Bay’s swing tackle. He has dealt with a knee injury and is reportedly considering retirement.

124. John Miller, OG, Carolina Panthers (28)
Miller has started 74 games in six seasons. He signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Panthers last offseason. According to The Athletic’s Joseph Person, Miller was overmatched occasionally but held up well for the most part in 2020. He could be a relatively low-cost option for a team in need of guard help.

126. Austin Reiter, OC, Kansas City Chiefs (29)
He’s started 33 games in five seasons, including 12 last year. A zone-blocking team could see Reiter as a relatively inexpensive starting option, but it’s also possible that he has to compete for playing time or settle for a backup role.

132. Aldon Smith, Edge, Dallas Cowboys (32)
He returned to the NFL after a four-year hiatus and started all 16 games, producing five sacks and 14 quarterback hits.

133. Tanoh Kpassagnon, Edge, Kansas City Chiefs (27)
He started 24 games in four seasons and has seven career sacks to go along with 18 quarterback hits. Kpassagnon is likely looking at a rotational role.

134. Kerry Hyder, Edge, San Francisco 49ers (30)
He was a great value signing for the 49ers last offseason (one year, $1.5 million). Hyder had 8.5 sacks and 18 quarterback hits. In 2016 and 2020, Hyder combined for 16.5 sacks and 37 quarterback hits. In his other five seasons, he’s produced two sacks and six quarterback hits.

136. Lawrence Guy, DL, New England Patriots (31)
He started 60 of 64 possible games over the past four seasons for the Patriots. Guy has never had more than 4.5 sacks in a season but has been a solid, dependable interior defensive lineman.

138. B.J. Goodson, LB, Cleveland Browns (28)
The Browns signed Goodson to a one-year, $2.4 million deal last offseason and got good value. He started 14 games, played 84 percent of the snaps, was their defensive signal-caller and had 91 tackles. Goodson will be an option for teams that need a relatively low-cost starter.

139. Alex Smith, QB, Washington Football Team (37)
He capped off an all-time comeback in 2020 and started six games. Smith was released and can immediately sign anywhere. He completed 66.7 percent of his passes and averaged 6.3 yards per attempt with six touchdowns and eight interceptions last season. At 37 years old, he’ll likely land a spot as a backup somewhere.

142. Quinton Dunbar, CB, Seattle Seahawks (29)
He struggled to stay healthy, appearing in only six games before being shelved for season-ending knee surgery. Dunbar is likely looking at a one-year deal where he can compete for playing time on the outside.

143. A.J. Bouye, CB, Denver Broncos (30)
The Broncos acquired him via trade from the Jacksonville Jaguars before last season. Bouye appeared in only seven games for Denver and was released after the season. He missed five games due to injury and four for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy. Bouye will have to sit out the first two games of the 2021 season. He’s probably looking at a one-year deal.

147. James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers (26)
Conner had 936 yards from scrimmage last season. He ranked 40th in RPOE but was 22nd in success rate. The overall numbers should be taken with a grain of salt, given Football Outsiders ranked the Steelers as the worst run-blocking team last season. Conner has missed nine games over the past two seasons and has been unable to regain his Pro Bowl form from 2018. It’s possible a team will view him as a Tier 2 option capable of carrying the load, but Conner might be better suited as part of a rotation.

148. Duke Johnson, RB, Houston Texans (28)
He had 484 yards from scrimmage in 11 games for the Texans in 2020. Johnson has never had more than 410 rushing yards in a season, but he’s been valuable as a receiver with 307 catches since entering the league in 2015. Johnson has averaged a healthy 9.2 yards per reception in his career. He’ll be attractive to teams that are looking for a complementary, pass-catching back.

149. Mike Davis, RB, Carolina Panthers (28)
Davis was a free agent in 2019 and signed a two-year, $6 million deal with the Panthers. With Christian McCaffrey injured for much of this season, Davis set career highs with 165 carries and 642 rushing yards. He also caught 59 balls and produced 1,015 yards from scrimmage. Davis broke a tackle on a league-high 14.3 percent of his touches, according to Sportradar, and 62 percent of Davis’ yards came after contact, which was the second-highest total. He’s a solid veteran who is probably best served to be a complementary back, but Davis has shown he can take on a bigger load for stretches.

150. James White, RB, New England Patriots (29)
White had just 35 carries last season, and his value comes in the passing game. He had 49 receptions and has averaged 8.6 yards per reception during his career. White could be appealing for contending teams looking for a reliable veteran who can be a productive pass catcher. Perhaps a reunion with Tom Brady could make sense.

 

 

[TJJackson]

Dave Lapham is a tradedown guy as of right now

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc3ByZWFrZXIuY29tL3Nob3cvMjQwMjUyMy9lcGlzb2Rlcy9mZWVk/episode/MTM2Y2M4MzZlNGY0YmNkOGFlYTE1NTZjZTY2NGVjNWQ?hl=en&ved=2ahUKEwjeirrLgcXvAhUXCM0KHdFoDboQjrkEegQIAxAL&ep=6

[AMC]

3 hours ago, TJJackson said:

Why oh why do I not remember AMC....with over 2000 posts.....at all?

dude, did you change your handle, and if so, what was it before?

Hey TJ. I took a good amount of time off. Good to be back, from this old Bengalzoner....