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Rams Free Agency: Projecting Contract Offers for St. Louis
By Steven Gerwel , Featured Columnist
Jan 18, 2015The St. Louis Rams, and the entire NFL for that matter, will be scrambling to re-sign their in-house free agents before the market opens on March 10—about one month after the Super Bowl.
Retaining local free agents is a vital part of maintaining the team’s core. Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff has mentioned in the past that the most important free agents are not the ones from other teams but rather the ones in his own building.
That doesn’t mean the Rams have to cave in and re-sign every familiar face; it just means that continuity and chemistry are important to a football team.
Over the next several weeks, Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead will study the list of St. Louis free agents and determine who’s worth hanging on to. It’s a difficult task, but it’s also vital for the future of the team.
This article will highlight several in-house unrestricted free agents who should be retained and make a prediction on the contract offer based on the current market.
WR Kenny Britt
Kenny Britt has always possessed the talent of a true No. 1 receiver, but he’s been incapable of putting it all together and playing with consistency.
Which in-house free agent is the most vital?
Kenny Britt Joe Barksdale Lance Kendricks Other Submit Vote vote to see resultsBritt was drafted by Fisher with the Tennessee Titans’ first-round pick in 2009. He immediately contributed with 701 yards and three scores as a rookie. In 2010, he posted career-high numbers with 775 yards and nine touchdowns.
It appeared Britt was going to break out in 2011. He posted more than 130 yards in each of his first two games, including three touchdown catches. In Week 3, his breakout campaign came to a halt with a season-ending knee injury.
A suspension for multiple off-field incidents hurt his 2012 season. In 2013, he was benched for uninspiring play and ended the year with just 96 yards.
Fisher, being the man who drafted Britt, was familiar with Britt’s abilities as a player and felt he could contribute to St. Louis’ offense. Despite Britt’s knee injury and off-the-field troubles, the Rams signed Britt to a one-year contract worth a modest $1.4 million.
Not only did Britt produce on the field with three touchdowns and 748 yards (his highest yards total since 2010), but he served as a veteran leader for St. Louis’ young receivers.
According the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Rams wide receiver coach Ray Sherman is quite pleased with Britt’s presence in the locker room.
“And I tell you what,” said Sherman. “(Britt) has been a joy to have. He’s a smart kid. He’s very conscientious. He wants to do the right thing. He studies. He prepares. And he’s like that when he’s in the classroom, and on the field. I mean I love what he brings to the table.”
For a team that has struggled to find a veteran presence at the receiver position since the departure of Torry Holt in 2009, how can the Rams possibly justify letting Britt walk?
For one, Britt is only 26 years old and is still developing as a player. There’s a realistic chance that he can break out and become the 1,000-yard receiver that the team’s been searching for.
Also, there’s not a good contingency plan in place. If Britt walks, there’s no guarantee the injured Brian Quick will bounce back and play at 100 percent. And while Stedman Bailey certainly has the potential to step up and become the No. 1 guy, it’s still risky to make that assumption.
There’s no way around it. Unless the Rams are confident they can snag Alabama’s Amari Cooper or Oklahoma’s Dorial Green-Beckham in the upcoming draft, they have to re-sign Britt.
The good news is that Britt is not a 1,000-yard guy, at least not yet, and his price tag will reflect that. He should land somewhere between the Riley Cooper and Wes Welker range—about $5 million per year on average.
If the Rams can ink him to a similar contract, he’ll remain with the team for the next several years.
Contract Prediction: Three Years, $15 Million
Jeff Haynes/Associated Press
T Joe Barksdale
The Rams fielded one of the worst offensive lines in football this past year, and upgrades are inevitable this offseason.
One of the biggest question marks is right tackle Joe Barksdale, who apparently took a step backward after a very promising 2013 season.
There’s no question that Barksdale is at least partially responsible for his own decline, but he didn’t have much help. Veteran center Scott Wells and right guard Davin Joseph were total liabilities. Barksdale had almost zero help from the two spots to his left, and it showed.
Wells and Joseph will likely be gone in 2015, and the Rams will undoubtedly pursue guards and centers in free agency and the draft.
The Rams do not have the resources to replace three starters on the offensive line in a single offseason, so it’s both necessary and wise to give Barksdale another shot.
If Barksdale continues to struggle, he’ll be replaced a year from now. However, since he’s still only 26 years old, there’s a good chance he can rebound and get back to his former self.
The Rams will re-sign Barksdale this offseason. Thanks to his decline in play, the contract should be modest—somewhere between Tyson Clabo ($1.2 million on average) and Doug Free ($3.5 million).
Barksdale’s contract will likely contain lots of non-guaranteed money and incentives.
Contract Prediction: Three Years, $9.1 Million
Billy Hurst/Associated Press
TE Lance Kendricks
Tight end Lance Kendricks has not been St. Louis’ flashiest offensive weapon, but the former second-round draft pick has contributed in valuable and subtle ways.
In 2012, Kendricks established himself as a decent receiver with four touchdowns and 519 yards, which was surprisingly the highest single-season yards total by a tight end in St. Louis’ history (an accomplishment that was outdone by Jared Cook’s 671-yard campaign the following year).
Since the arrival of Cook, Kendricks has taken on the responsibilities of a wild card. He’s not a consistent part of St. Louis’ aerial game plan, but he’s a valuable run-blocker in his new fullback-tight end hybrid role.
He hasn’t been dismissed completely from the passing game. He contributed a career-high five touchdowns this past season and continues to be a valuable red-zone weapon, but his route running has certainly been limited.
The decision will have a lot to do with three-year veteran Cory Harkey. Harkey has been a solid contributor as the No. 3 tight end and is begging for a larger role. He’s a valuable receiver, but Kendricks likely has the edge as a run-blocker.
Undrafted rookies Alex Bayer and Justice Cunningham both made the final roster for St. Louis. If Harkey moves into the No. 2 role, either player is capable of replacing Harkey as the new No. 3 tight end.
The Rams certainly have the depth in place to move on from Kendricks if necessary, but it will simply depend on how much confidence Fisher has in Harkey.
If St. Louis retains Kendricks, his deal will likely be similar to Brandon Myers or Jacob Tamme—about $2.3 million per year.
Contract Prediction: Two Years, $4.6 Million
Agamemnonhttp://www.sportsonearth.com/article/109450140/
February 16, 2015
Top 100 NFL Free Agents in 201578. Joe Barksdale, OT, Rams
51. Kenny Britt, WR, Rams
Lance, Kendricks – not listed.
AgamemnonNFL Free Agency 2015: Position-by-position look at top players hitting the market
http://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/1/27/7922289/nfl-free-agency-2015-position-by-position
Quarterbacks
1. Jake Locker
2. Mark Sanchez
3. Ryan Mallett
4. Brian Hoyer
5. Matt Hasselbeck
6. Matt Moore
7. Tarvaris Jackson
8. Shaun Hill
9. Michael Vick
10. Christian Ponder
11. Colt McCoy
12. Jimmy Clausen
13. Tyrod Taylor
14. Dan Orlovsky
15. Jason CampbellWide Receivers
1. Dez Bryant
2. Demaryius Thomas
3. Randall Cobb
4. Jeremy Maclin
5. Torrey Smith
6. Michael Crabtree
7. Eddie Royal
8. Cecil Shorts
9. Kenny Britt
10. Nate Washington
11. Wes Welker
12. Hakeem Nicks
13. Reggie Wayne
14. Denarius Moore
15. Dwayne HarrisTight Ends
1. Julius Thomas
2. Charles Clay
3. Jordan Cameron
4. Jermaine Gresham
5. Niles Paul
6. Rob Housler
7. Lance Kendricks
8. Owen Daniels
9. Virgil Green
10. Tony Moeaki
11. Jacob Tamme
12. Matt Spaeth
13. Ed Dickson
14. Lee Smith
15. Daniel Fells.Offensive Tackles
1. Bryan Bulaga
2. Doug Free
3. Michael Roos
4. Joe Barksdale
5. King Dunlap
6. Derek Newton
7. Byron Bell
8. Jason Fox
9. Jermey Parnell
10. Eric WinstonGuards/Centers
1. Mike Iupati
2. Clint Boling
3. Rodney Hudson
4. Stefen Wisniewski
5. Orlando Franklin
6. James Carpenter
7. Brian De La Puente
8. Rob Sims9. Will Montgomery
10. Nick Hardwick
11. Dominic Raiola
12. Jonathan Goodwin
13. Samson Satele
14. Daryn Colledge
15. Dan Connolly AgamemnonPrint and Go Back ESPN.com: St. Louis Rams [Print without images]
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Rams free-agent preview: Tight ends
By Nick WagonerEARTH CITY, Mo. — The free-agent market is scheduled to open March 10 and teams may begin negotiations with those poised to hit the market beginning March 7. We’ll count down to that with a position-by-position look at what the St. Louis Rams have in place, who is set to hit the market, what they might need and who might fit the bill.
Under contract: Jared Cook, Alex Bayer, Justice Cunningham, Brad Smelley
Pending free agents: Lance Kendricks, Cory Harkey (restricted)
Kendricks
What’s needed: The Rams’ offense asks a lot of its tight ends, and they regularly deploy two or even three at a time. Cook, Kendricks and Harkey have played a lot over the past two seasons. Now that tight ends coach Rob Boras has more responsibility, particularly in the run game, it’s probably safe to assume that will only continue if not increase. Cook has been the best pass-catcher of the bunch, though he has yet to play up to the standard of the lucrative contract the Rams signed him to before the 2014 season. He’s still a solid piece, but the Rams would undoubtedly like more from him. Kendricks and Harkey have been jack-of-all-trade types who have played many positions and moved around a lot. The Rams love Harkey, and there is little chance that he will go elsewhere as a restricted free agent. Kendricks, on the other hand, might draw more interest than the Rams can overcome. Boras is a big fan of Kendricks because of his versatility, but Kendricks has said he’d like an expanded role in the passing game. The buzz in Indianapolis at the NFL combine indicated Kendricks might draw offers for roughly $4 million a year. If that happens, it might be difficult for the Rams to match. In that case, they could turn to promising youngsters Bayer or Cunningham for more, or look to find help elsewhere. A consistent threat at tight end isn’t a pressing need, but it sure wouldn’t hurt.Possible fits: There are some big names that figure to hit the market, including Denver’s Julius Thomas and Cleveland’s Jordan Cameron. But the Rams don’t figure to be bidders for either of those players considering their prices. Other names that could be available include Miami’s Charles Clay, Cincinnati’s Jermaine Gresham, and Baltimore’s Owen Daniels.
Verdict: There is almost no chance the Rams will allow both Harkey and Kendricks to depart. Although they would like to keep both, the guess here is that they retain Harkey but Kendricks lands a better offer with a bigger role in the passing game elsewhere. Remember, New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was the man who pushed hardest for Kendricks in the 2011 draft. A reunion there could be one possibility. If indeed the Rams lose Kendricks, they might need to go in search of someone else to compete, but I wouldn’t expect such a replacement to be of the high-priced free agent variety.
AgamemnonNFL
Find this article at:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000474533/article/top-101-nfl-free-agents-for-2015
Top 101 NFL free agents for 2015By Gregg Rosenthal and Chris Wesseling
Published: Feb. 27, 2015 at 11:31 a.m.
Updated: Feb. 27, 2015 at 12:57 p.m.TOP 101 free agents
TAG PREDICTIONS
FA BY TEAM
FA BY POSITION
RESTRICTED FANeed a pass rusher, running back or top-level wide receiver? This is a great free agency period for your team. Just don’t expect to find a quarterback, safety or offensive tackle.
Ranked below are our top 101 unrestricted free agents. Keep checking our list because salary cap casualties could be added before free agency starts. Based on who’s available, these are the players we’d want to sign:
Tier 1: Difference-makers1. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Detroit Lions: Outside of quarterbacks and the two unanimous All-Pros (J.J. Watt, Rob Gronkowski), Suh and Odell Beckham are the two unique talents around whom we would most like to build a franchise. A double-team defeater against the run as well as the pass, Suh is on a Hall-of-Fame career path. He holds all of the leverage in contract talks, as his franchise tag number is a prohibitive $26.7 million.
2. Justin Houston, OLB, Kansas City Chiefs: Houston, 26, came within one sack of breaking Michael Strahan’s single-season record last season. He has averaged a league-best 1.2 sacks per game over the past two years. One of our favorite obscure stats: Houston has committed zero penalties over that same span compared to 20 for Jerry Hughes. The Chiefs will apply the franchise tag if necessary.
3. Dez Bryant, WR, Dallas Cowboys: It’s a testament to Bryant’s NFL-best red-zone efficiency and bodacious run-after-catch ability that he has led the league with 41 touchdowns over the past three years despite a limited route tree. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport has reported the franchise tag is almost a certainty because the Cowboys still have reservations about Bryant’s off-the-field behavior.
4. Demaryius Thomas, WR, Denver Broncos: For defensive backs there might not be a scarier sight than Thomas screaming off a bubble screen, all power and speed with eyes on the end zone. A model of consistency, Thomas has averaged roughly 100 receptions, 1,500 yards and 12 touchdowns per season since Peyton Manning arrived in 2012. The Broncos won’t let him reach the market.
5. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, New York Giants: Finally free from nagging back pain, Pierre-Paul rounded into shape last year. More of a run-stuffer early in the first half of the season, he started torturing offensive tackles in November, recording nine sacks in the final five games. The Giants are fully expected to keep him via the franchise tag.
6. Devin McCourty, S, New England Patriots: The converted cornerback is not only one of the NFL’s best coverage safeties, but also a respected leader on the Super Bowl champions’ defense. McCourty, 27, considers New England home and wants to stay, by way of the franchise tag or a long-term deal.
7. Julius Thomas, TE, Denver Broncos: The two-time Pro Bowl selection isn’t much of a blocker and has struggled with ankle injuries in multiple seasons. Those concerns are trumped by a rare skill set as a mismatch creating space in the middle of the field, excelling after the catch and posting up in the red zone. Thomas is a difference-making talent in the prime of his career. There will be plenty of demand if he hits the market, as expected.
8. Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers: With Wes Welker in decline, Percy Harvin an annual enigma and Victor Cruz injured, Cobb is the NFL’s undisputed slot king entering the 2015 offseason. He’s a punt returner after the catch and has a mind meld with Aaron Rodgers on broken plays. If the Packers are serious about a Super Bowl run, Cobb must be re-signed.
9. DeMarco Murray, RB, Dallas Cowboys: Murray was a tackle-breaking monster for the first three months of the season en route to Offensive Player of the Year honors. The No. 1 concern for potential suitors isn’t the benefit of the Cowboys’ dominant offensive line. It’s that Murray was saddled up for a back-breaking 497 touches. He wasn’t as elusive in December and January. If Dallas applies the tag to Bryant, Murray could be set free.
Tier 2: Impact Starters10. Jerry Hughes, DE, Buffalo Bills: Hughes has averaged 10.0 sacks and 40 quarterback hurries over the past two years — numbers that place him just below Pro Bowl level. How much of that production is the result of feasting on easier matchups provided by the presence of dominant talents such as Marcell Dareus, Kyle Williams and Mario Williams?
11. Mike Iupati, G, San Francisco 49ers: He has been among the best maulers in the run game at guard in the entire league throughout his career. But Iupati is not great in pass protection and isn’t coming off his best season.
12. Greg Hardy, DE, Carolina Panthers: Hardy is not available to be signed until he comes off the Commissioner’s Exempt List, and he could be facing further suspension. But his talent, production and age are worth ranking in the top five here. Someone will give him a chance.
13. Byron Maxwell, CB, Seattle Seahawks: He’s the best option in a relatively thin cornerback crop. That makes him a candidate to be overpaid, but he’d fit well with former Seahawks assistants Gus Bradley or Dan Quinn.
14. Torrey Smith, WR, Baltimore Ravens: Speed kills. Smith has averaged nearly 17 yards per catch for his career and regularly draws long pass interference penalties. Just don’t expect him to be a true No. 1 receiver.
15. Jason Worilds, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers: He doesn’t always finish plays with sacks, but Worilds consistently pressures the quarterback. He will get paid.
16. Pernell McPhee, OLB/DE, Baltimore Ravens: He can rush standing up from the outside or play defensive tackle. But plenty of Ravens defenders have struggled away from Baltimore.
17. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Philadelphia Eagles: He might not be as productive away from Chip Kelly’s system. We suspect Kelly won’t let him get away.
18. Nick Fairley, DT, Detroit Lions: A boom-or-bust pickup, Fairley can be one of the best at his position when motivated.
19. Bryan Bulaga, T, Green Bay Packers: In a tackle-thin market, Bulaga offers rock solid starter status on the right side.
20. Jared Odrick, DT, Miami Dolphins: Quality, versatile defensive line starters are not easy to find in free agency.
21. Terrance Knighton, DT, Denver Broncos: One of the NFL’s premier run-stuffers, Knighton has played for new Raiders coach Jack Del Rio in every one of his six seasons. He’s a better scheme fit in Oakland than Denver.
2015 NFL DRAFT
(April 30-May 2 on NFL Network)Prospects: By name | Position | School
Mock drafts:
Jeremiah 3.0: Rams move on at QB
Davis 2.0: 5 WRs in first round
Zierlein 1.0: Enticing Winston-Evans duo
Brooks 1.0: Winston is right fit for BucsProspect rankings:
Mayock’s top 5 by position rankings
Jeremiah’s Top 50 draft prospect rankings
Bucky’s Big Board 2.0: Williams still No. 1
Brooks’ top 5 by position rankingsMore draft coverage:
Tracking 7 prospects’ draft journeys
Jeremiah: Draftee doppelgangers
Silver: Winston cements top pick status
CFB 24/7: Full ‘Path to Draft’ coverage22. Rodney Hudson, C, Kansas City Chiefs: There are whispers that Hudson’s goal is to become the NFL’s highest-paid center. We aren’t quite as high on him as we were on Alex Mack last year.
Tier 3: Starters with questions23. Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Philadelphia Eagles: Best suited as a defensive end in a 4-3 defense, Graham has been a highly effective rotational pass rusher as an outside linebacker in Philly’s 3-4 scheme. Wesseling prefers him to Worilds.
24. Derrick Morgan, DE, Tennessee Titans: Much like Graham, Morgan gets more pressures than sacks. He’s also best utilized as a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme. He went to college in Atlanta. It’s no secret that the Falcons’ top need is pass rusher.
25. Brandon Flowers, CB, San Diego Chargers: Flowers is looking down the barrel of age 30, is too often nicked up and has size limitations that will scare off some teams. On the flip side, he played at a high level in bounce-back season last year.
26. Brian Orakpo, OLB, Washington Redskins: Prior to getting hit with the franchise tag early last March, Orakpo held down a top-10 spot on our list — only to go down with his third career torn pectoral injury. The Falcons were reportedly hot on his trail at this time in 2014.
27. Kareem Jackson, CB, Houston Texans: After struggling early in his career, Jackson has developed into a solid starter capable of playing inside and outside. He’s tight with Vance Joseph, the Bengals’ esteemed defensive backs coach.
28. Mark Ingram, RB, New Orleans Saints: Still just 25 years old with little tread on his tires, Ingram should attract plenty of interest on the heels of a breakout 2014 season. The cap-strapped Saints can’t afford a back of his caliber.
29. Michael Crabtree, WR, San Francisco 49ers: Crabtree denied playing through a foot injury last season, but the game film suggests otherwise. Any team signing him will be to hope he can recover the impressive pre-Achilles tear form that helped propel the 49ers into Super Bowl XLVII.
30. Ryan Mathews, RB, San Diego Chargers: While injury prone, Mathews is one of the hardest-running early-down backs in the league. He’s a perfect player to pair with a pass-catching back in the draft.
31. C.J. Spiller, RB, Buffalo Bills: Chris Wesseling wanted to rank Spiller much higher, but “peak Spiller” has only come out once in five seasons. He’s a great complementary part, not a foundation to build around.
32. Charles Clay, TE, Miami Dolphins: More of a versatile H-back than a big-bodied tight end, Clay is reportedly seeking $6 million annually. The Dolphins want to keep him, but they’ll have competition from the Bills and others.
33. Jabaal Sheard, DE, Cleveland Browns: Often overlooked and overrated, Sheard can provide solid starter snaps at a reasonable price.
34. Orlando Franklin, G/T, Denver Broncos: He excelled as a guard last season, and Franklin’s versatility to help out at right tackle will earn him money in a thin offensive line market.
35. Chris Culliver, CB, San Francisco 49ers: He hasn’t been the most consistent player throughout his career and he previously suffered a torn ACL, but Culliver has loads of talent. He’s coming off a strong season and has a high ceiling.
36. Rahim Moore, S, Denver Broncos: Forget that play against Baltimore. Moore has developed into a quality starting safety, and he’s only 25 years old.
37. Dan Williams, NT, Arizona Cardinals: Williams has improved every season since getting taken in the first round during the Whisenhunt/Graves era. There are way more 3-4 defenses in the NFL than there are true nose tackles like Williams.
38. Jordan Cameron, TE, Cleveland Browns: If this list came out a year ago, Cameron would have ranked in the top 15 because he’s a matchup nightmare. Concussion woes now jeopardize Cameron’s future.
39. Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers: The Inconvenient Truth can still block, catch and turn a 1-yard stuff into a 4-yard gain like a boss. He’s a nice veteran short-term pickup for a team seeking a title.
40. B.J. Raji, DT, Green Bay Packers: 2013 was an off year. 2014 was an injury year. The talent is there, but it’s been a while since we’ve seen it.
41. David Harris, LB, New York Jets: Harris is on the wrong side of 30, but he’s reportedly drawing interest from the Bills, Dolphins, Bears and Falcons, in addition to the Jets.
42. Stefen Wisniewski, C, Oakland Raiders: Wisniewski is a solid starter in his prime. So why are the Raiders being linked to Hudson as his replacement?
43. Davon House, CB, Green Bay Packers: House is seeking a starting job after four years as a sub-package corner in Green Bay. Don’t be surprised if the Packers re-sign him and allow Tramon Williams to walk.
44. Tramon Williams, CB, Green Bay Packers: Williams was an above-average starter last season, but he turns 32 years old next month. He will have to settle for a short-term contract.
45. Stephen Paea, DT, Chicago Bears: The Bears have struggled up front against the run, but Paea did emerge as a disruptive pocket pusher last season.
46. Henry Melton, DT, Dallas Cowboys: A Rosenthal favorite, Melton was effective for the majority of last season as an interior pass rusher.
47. Brandon Spikes, LB, Buffalo Bills: Spikes has a niche skill-set as a premier two-down run-stuffer.
48. Antonio Cromartie, CB, Arizona Cardinals: Still a quality starter, Cromartie seems likely to follow Todd Bowles to New York for a reunion with the Jets.
49. Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Atlanta Falcons: Weatherspoon was the Falcons’ top defender before Lisfranc, knee and Achilles injuries limited him to 20 of a possible 48 games over the last three seasons.
50. Cecil Shorts, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: Similar to Miles Austin a few years back, Shorts is a strong after-the-catch threat whose explosiveness has been sapped by lingering soft-tissue injuries. Word around the campfire is that he is interested in a Cleveland homecoming.
51. Shane Vereen, RB, New England Patriots: The Gronk generation’s answer to Kevin Faulk in New England, Vereen is basically a younger version of Reggie Bush at this point.
52. Antrel Rolle, S, New York Giants: The weekly hot takes on his radio appearances are more consistent than his pass coverage.
53. Doug Free, T, Dallas Cowboys: Notice how there are only right tackles available in free agency?
54. Rolando McClain, LB, Dallas Cowboys: Does any team want to bet on lightning striking twice without any more drama? McClain probably has more value to the Cowboys than any other team.
55. Perrish Cox, CB, San Francisco 49ers: Something is in the water in San Francisco, where the 49ers have coached up a lot of cornerbacks to career years. Cox played like a Pro Bowl pick for much of last season.
56. Clint Boling, G, Cincinnati Bengals: True starting guards like Boling usually get paid big money on the open market.
57. Jake Locker, QB, Tennessee Titans: Accuracy and durability are issues, but Locker has a higher ceiling than any of the other quarterback options in free agency. At best, he should compete to start.
58. Justin Forsett, RB, Baltimore Ravens: Don’t expect a big contract after Forsett’s big season, but he’s a nice fit for any team running zone blocking.
59. Da’Norris Searcy, S, Buffalo Bills: With few quality safeties out there, Searcy looks like a smart value pickup.
60. Joe Barksdale, T, St. Louis Rams: You can plug him in to start at right tackle.
61. Kenny Britt, WR, St. Louis Rams: The good: Britt established a career-high with 48 receptions last season. The bad: He topped 70 yards in just two games.
62. James Carpenter, OG, Seattle Seahawks: Too often a liability in pass protection, Carpenter hasn’t lived up to his first-round draft pedigree.
63. Stephen Gostkowski, K, New England Patriots: Gostkowski has led the NFL in field goals over the past two seasons, converting an impressive 93.6 percent.
Tier 4: Needs the right role64. Ryan Mallett, QB, Houston Texans: Here’s what we know about Mallett: He has an impressive whip; the Patriots gave him away for a sixth-round draft pick; it took him three months to unseat Ryan Fitzpatrick; coach Bill O’Brien protected him with an outstanding game plan in his first start; he went down with a season-ending injury in his second start.
65. Walter Thurmond, CB, New York Giants: Thurmond was a highly effective slot corner in 2013, but that is the only season in which he has stayed healthy.
66. Josh McCown, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Is McCown the quarterback who nearly carried the Bears to the playoffs two years ago or the quarterback who face-planted behind a turnstile offensive line in Tampa last season? Yes.
67. Buster Skrine, CB, Cleveland Browns: Playing opposite Joe Haden, Skrine has been targeted more than any cornerback in the league over the past two years. At 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, he might be viewed as an inside corner on the open market.
68. Mark Sanchez, QB, Philadelphia Eagles: At one point last season, Sanchez had joined Andrew Luck, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning as the only quarterback overseeing an offense that averaged more than 30 points and 400 yards per game. Then he reverted into one of the game’s most mistake-prone signal-callers with the season on the line.
69. Kendrick Lewis, S, Houston Texans: Lewis salvaged his value by emerging as one of the most consistent defensive backs in Houston after a subpar showing with the Chiefs in 2013.
70. Brian Hoyer, QB, Cleveland Browns: If the goal is to hold the fort for a raw rookie, teams could do a lot worse than Hoyer. If the goal is to contend for the playoffs with Hoyer under center, his limitations will be exposed — just as they were down the stretch last season.
71. Mason Foster, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Foster didn’t fit Lovie Smith’s defense, but looked like a decent young starter in 2013. Perhaps he could join old friend Raheem Morris in Atlanta.
72. Dwight Freeney, LB/DE, San Diego Chargers: Freeney is strictly a situational pass rusher now, although he can still be effective.
73. Reggie Bush, RB, Detroit Lions: For the right price (one-year, $3.5 million), Bush can still help teams as a passing-down threat.
74. Bruce Carter, LB, Dallas Cowboys: Carter makes plenty of big plays, but he gives them up as well.
75. Cory Redding, DE, Indianapolis Colts: Aside from Vontae Davis, Redding was outplaying anyone on the Colts’ defense in the playoffs last season.
76. Brooks Reed, LB, Houston Texans: Peter King once predicted Reed would win Defensive Player of the Year. That should be worth something.
77. Kendall Langford, DT, St. Louis Rams: Quality rotation defensive linemen are not easy to find. Langford was only cut because he was paid big money and was backing up Aaron Donald.
78. Jermaine Gresham, TE, Cincinnati Bengals: He’s a below average starter and an above average backup.
79. Rey Maualuga, LB, Cincinnati Bengals: Marvin Lewis’ defense struggled without Maualuga and instincts last year. He’s a decent bet to return.
80. Jarvis Jenkins, DE, Washington Redskins: Jenkins never made the leap as a second-round draft pick billed as the prototype 3-4 defensive end.
81. Mike Adams, S, Indianapolis Colts: Adams exceeded expectations as a late-period free-agent signing, solidifying the back end of the Colts’ defense. Will there be much interest in a 34-year-old safety?
82. Akeem Ayers, LB, New England Patriots: Ayers played a key role for the Super Bowl champions after the 2-14 Titans couldn’t find a spot for him.
83. Hakeem Nicks, WR, Indianapolis Colts: Nicks regained a semblance of his playmaking form down the stretch last season, but the Colts didn’t think highly enough of him to bench an obviously struggling Reggie Wayne.
84. Karl Klug, DE, Tennessee Titans We see Klug as a situational pass rusher who could surprise with six to eight sacks in a 4-3 defense like Seattle’s.
85. Stevan Ridley, RB, New England Patriots: Ridley is an interesting power back, albeit one coming off ACL surgery.
86. Roy Helu, RB, Washington Redskins: Helu might have overtaken Pierre Thomas as the best screen-pass specialist in the league last year.
87. Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Indianapolis Colts: Bradshaw is effective whenever he plays. Unfortunately, that seems to be roughly a half-dozen times per year. One of the most hard-charging backs in the league has been betrayed by his lower legs.
88. Ahtyba Rubin, DT, Cleveland Browns: Rubin once had a reputation as a premier run-plugger. The Browns had the league’s worst run defense in 2014.
89. Adrian Clayborn, DE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The No. 20 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft ended up playing just 36 games in four years with the Bucs. Even when healthy, Clayborn hasn’t been disruptive as a pass rusher.
90. Charles Tillman, CB, Chicago Bears: Former coach Marc Trestman believed that Tillman was playing at a Pro Bowl level early last season. On the other hand, Tillman is a 34-year-old cornerback coming off a second torn triceps injury.
91. Lance Briggs, LB, Chicago Bears: The seven-time Pro Bowl selection isn’t going to hang with tight ends in coverage in his mid-thirties, but he can still provide solid run defense with a move inside if the Bears opt to bring him back for a 13th season.
92. Rob Housler, TE, Arizona Cardinals: Housler is one of the NFL’s speediest tight ends, but Bruce Arians doesn’t have any use for that species if they don’t block. He needs a change of scenery.
93. Denarius Moore, WR, Oakland Raiders: A perennial tease.
94. C.J. Mosley, DT, Detroit Lions: A late bloomer, Mosley is coming off the most effective season of his 10-year career.
95. Patrick Robinson, CB, New Orleans Saints: An oft-burned first-round draft bust through four seasons, Robinson was noticeably stingier in coverage last year.
96. Ron Parker, S, Kansas City Chiefs: A career special teamer, Parker started 15 games last season, splitting his time between cornerback and safety. That versatility has value.
97. Anthony Spencer, DE, Dallas Cowboys: Returning from microfracture surgery, Spencer struggled to make an impact before coming on in late December.
98. Brian Hartline, WR, Miami Dolphins: He had two recent 1,000-yard seasons and he’s not yet 30, but Hartline is best used as a third receiver.
99. O’Brien Schofield, DE, Seattle Seahawks: Schofield flashed as a rotational pass rusher on a Super Bowl team.
100. Malcolm Smith, LB, Seattle Seahawks: Smith went from Super Bowl MVP to Super Bowl benchwarmer in one calendar year. Perhaps Dan Quinn will recruit him to Atlanta.
101. Michael Vick, QB, New York Jets: We still believed Vick could help a team last offseason, but his heart didn’t seem to be in the one-year Jets stint.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000474533/printable/top-101-nfl-free-agents-for-2015
Agamemnon
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