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My offseason


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It's pretty boring but I tried to be realistic. 

Re-sign: Kirkpatrick, Whitworth, Peerman, LaFell, Johnson, Dawson

Sign: I think we could do a much better job of adding Veterans, both as potential starters and fringe roster guys. Then you have depth when injuries occur. With that said I would add a guy almost everywhere. 

QB: Austin Davis-Wasn't terrible as a starter and would give us some insurance should McCarron get traded. 

RB: James Wilder-I think he still could be the eventual 4th back.

TE: Tim Wright-Not sure of how long Eifert's injury will cause him to be out. Might as well add a pass catching TE on the cheap

C: Nick Mangold-He has a chance to compete with Bodine and add's a veteran to the locker toom. 

T: Sebastian Vollmer-Can compete at RT if Fisher isn't the option. He is out in NE most likely

DT: Chris Jones-Decent pass rushing DT who has battled injuries.

DE: Connor Barwin-Local college product who can add some pass rush to the rotation.

LB: Sean Weatherspoon-Was coming on before yet another injury. Vet minimun with starter upside when healthy

LB: Sean Spence-Undersized athlete.

S: Matt Elam-Try to find Reggie Nelson lightning in a bottle again.

CB: Leon Hall-A consistent face for the DB group. Might be able to play some safety as well.

Draft:

DE-LB and OL in the first 3 rounds.

WR-RB in the mid rounds and maybe more DL and OL.

Fill out the roster with UDFA's and Draft picks.

QB Dalton 2020 McCarron 2017 Driskel 2019 Austin Davis CFA  
RB Bernard 2019 Hill 2017 D 3-5 Peerman 2016 Carson 2016 James Wilder
HB Hewitt 2019 CFA        
WR Green 2019 Core 2019 Wright 2017 CFA    
WR LaFell 2016 D 1-4 Russell 2016 CFA    
WR Boyd 2019 Erickson 2018 Kumerow 2016      
TE Eifert 2017 Kroft 2018 Uzomah 2018 CFA Tim Wright  
LT Whitworth 2016 Ogbouehi 2018 D 6-7      
LG Boling 2019 D 3-5 Redmond 2016      
C Nick Mangold Bodine 2017 Johnson 2016      
RG Westerman 2019 Hopkins 2016 CFA      
RT Sebastian Vollmer Fisher 2018 CFA      
             
K Bullock 2018 Brown 2016        
P Huber 2017          
LS Harris 2017          
             
LE Dunlap 2018 Clarke 2017 Brown 2016 CFA    
LT Billings 2019 Sims 2017 Thompson 2017 Dean 2016    
RT Atkins 2018 Hardison 2018 Williams 2017 Chris Jones    
RE Connor Barwin Johnson 2018 D 1-5 CFA    
SLB Vigil 2019 Sean Spence Sean Weatherspoon CFA    
MLB D 1-5 Rey 2018 Albright 2017      
WLB Burfict 2017 Flowers 2017 Dawson 2018 CFA    
S Iloka 2020 Smith 2018 Matt Elam      
S Williams 2020 Fejedelem 2019 CFA      
CB Kirkpatrick 2016 Dennard 2017 Benwikere 2017      
CB Jackson 2020 Russell 2019 McRae 2016      
CB Shaw 2018 Leon Hall CFA      

And that entire Free Agent overview compiled

Needs

As far as I can tell ignoring the guys that may return in free agency I see our needs as: 2ndWR, LT, C, RG, RT, K, LDT, RDE, SLB, MLB, S, CB, CB, Backup QB, RB Depth. These are at all kinds of different levels. Some can be filled in house, some will be filled with re-signed free agents, some will have to come from the draft or free agency.

2nd WR:

·        Brandon LaFell (UFA) 6-3 210, 30 years old. 64-862-13.5-6

o       LaFell has been solid 2 of his last 3 years. He’s likely back as the 2nd starter.

·        Tyler Boyd 6-2 197, 54-603-11.2-1

o       Likely starter at Slot WR.

·        Cody Core 6-3 210, 17-200-11.8-0

o       Flashed ability at the end of the year but still raw at the position

·        Kenny Stills 6-0 195, 24. 42-726-17.3-9

o       Stills is probably headed for a big payday somewhere after a solid year. Cincy is unlikely to get involved in a bidding war.

·        DeSean Jackson (UFA-Redskins) 5-10 175, 30. 56-1005-17.9-4

o       Likely up for a big final payday. Probably too costly.

·        Jeremy Kerley (UFA-49ers) 5-9 188, 28. 64-667-10.4-3

o       Kerley is underappreciated and undersized. He played with Dalton at TCU and was brought in for a workout last offseason. He might be too small for the outside but may fit the kind of 2nd week of free agency signing that we like to make.

·        Kendall Wright (UFA-Titans) 5-10 191 27. 29-416-14.3-3

o       Wright had an up and down year even being inactive some weeks. He might be a possibility if no one goes after him early.

·        Markus Wheaton (UFA-Stealers) 5-11 189 26. 4-51-1

o       Wheaton is coming off a torn labrum and won’t be healthy until April or May. The former 3rd round pick ran a 4.45 forty at the combine. He might be another one of the 2nd week in the offseason type pickups.

·        Ted Ginn (UFA-Panthers) 5-11 180 32. 54-752-13.9-4

o       Ginn had his second season in a row of decent receiving. At 32 there might not be a huge market for his services.

Projection: I wouldn’t be surprised if a WR was drafted as early as 9. With the amount of needs we have I would not love that but I can see the argument with AJ Green inching towards 30. I’d love to add Jeremy Kerley because I think he would come cheap and perform but I just don’t see it happening. My guess is LaFell returns as the starter and we draft a guy with #1 upside in the top 4 rounds again.

 LT, RT, 

·        Andrew Whitworth (UFA) 6-7 330, 35. 164 career starts.

o       Whitworth is solid still at 35. This team probably goes nowhere without a strong left tackle because of how poorly Dalton has been historically when he has faced pressure. He is a must re-sign.

·        Cedric Ogbuehi 6-5 310, 24. 12 career starts

o       Ced was very poor in his second year with the Bengals. He was especially bad at RT and was quoted as saying he is not a RT. Whit will hopefully play LT next year and with Ogbuehi backing him up and then Ced will be heading into his year 4 year in 2018. I don’t see a way that we pick up his 5th year option. He is not an option at RT. PFF says that he was “at fault for nine sacks and 40 total QB pressures in 11 games.

·        Eric Winston 6-7 310, 33 125 career starts

o       Winston started 2 games last year for the Bengals and has been an ok backup for the team.

·        Jake Fisher 6-6 305, 23. 4 career starts

o       Fisher started at RT for 3 games this year. Was better than Ogbuehi but not good enough to say the spot is solidified

·        Andre Smith 6-4 325, 29. 77 career starts

o       We love getting back our ex free agents. While Andre didn’t fare well last year it wouldn’t be out of the question to see him back in stripes. A triceps injury led him to start just 4 games for the Vikings.

·        Sebastian Vollmer (Likely CC) 6-8 320 32. 80 career starts

o       Vollmer probably won’t be back in NE after a shoulder injury put him out for the year and they signed his replacement long term

·        Byron Bell 6-5 340, 27 72 career starts

o       Bell injured his ankle, was out all of last year and was replaced by rookie Jack Conklin. Likely to be available

·        Menelik Watson 6-5 315, 28 17 career starts

o       Former second rounder regained a starting position at RT by the end of the year.

·        Gosder Cherilus 6-7 316, 32 116 career starts

o       Relegated to a backup role last year with 3 starts. Likely to be available.

·        Jordan Mills 6-5 316, 26 50 career starts

o       Started 16 games at RT for the Bills last year a position they will look to upgrade

·        Marshall Newhouse 6-4 328, 28 56 career starts

o       Newhouse started 5 games for us in 2014 and was not impressive. Since he has started 20 games for the Giants

·        Ben Ijilana 6-4 322, 27 13 career starts

o       Started at both RT(6) and LT (7) for the Jets this year

 

Projection: Whitworth is a must re-sign. The offense doesn’t go without him. Franchise him if you have to (I don’t really think we have to.) When I started this I assumed I would conclude that we should draft a tackle early and re-sign Winston.  I still think that is a smart option given Whit’s age and the unknowns in Ced and Fisher. However, after seeing the group that is available in Free Agency I think there is another option that might be better. Sign one of a handful of guys, Vollmer, Bell, Watson, Smith or Cherilus and pencil them in at starting RT and/or let them compete with Fisher for the position. That gives us more stability at tackle if Fisher can’t make it. A tackle grouping of Whit, Ogbuehi, Fisher and FA (Vollmer-Bell-Smith-Watson and Cherilus. The position isn’t solved but it’s more stable with a vet, even an injured or aged one. I think that one of them will be available for an affordable deal. I’d probably prefer Vollmer or Bell

 C, RG,

C

·        Russell Bodine 6-3 308, 24 48 career starts

o       Bodine had an improved year but was such a gaping hole on the line in the past that’s not saying much. He still looks lost often and pressure up the middle is common.

·        Nick Mangold 6-4 307, 33 164 career starts

o       Local guy Mangold is on the tail end of his career but could help bring some stability to the line.

·        Joe Hawley 6-3 302 28, 52 career starts

o       29 starts over the last 2 year for the Bucs.

·        John Sullivan 6-4 310 31, 94 career starts

o       Sullivan has 1 start over the last 2 year. He seems like an ideal Winston like steadying force at C that might be able to help push Bodine to improve or start in his stead

·        AQ Shipley 6-1 307, 30, 38 career starts

o       Shipley started all 16 games for the Cards in 2016

Projection: I would love for us to go get Mangold. He shouldn’t cost much, he is a local guy and he may want to go what is traditionally a winner. Bodine may have improved by the end of the year but I am not buying in.

G

·        Kevin Zeitler 6-4 320, 26, 71 starts

o       The only question is how much are we willing to pay a RG. He is solid, we want him back, it might just cost too much.

·        Luke Joeckel 6-6 312, 25, 39 starts

o       Former #2 overall pick who didn’t find success at tackle and was moved to guard.

·        Chance Warmack 6-2 323, 25, 48 starts

o       Former #10 overall pick battled injuries this year.

·        Larry Warford 6-3 317, 25, 57 starts

o       4 year starter for the Lions

·        Brian Winters 6-4 320, 25, 41 starts

o       Hudson Ohio Native and

Kent St
alum started 13 games this year for the Jets.

·        Ron Leary 6-3 320, 27, 47 starts

o       12 game starter for the Cowboys this year at LG.

·        TJ Lang 6-4 318, 29, 94 starts

o       13 game starter at RG this year for the Packers.

·        Vladimir Ducasse 6-5 325, 29, 30 career starts

o       Ducassse started the last 8 games of 2016 for the ravens and 11 games for the Bears in 2015

·        Jahri Evans 6-4 318, 33 169 career starts

o       11 year starter for the Saints, unlikely to move on

·        Jermon Bushrod 6-5 320, 32, 112 career starts

o       Started 16 games for Dolphins last year after playing 3 for the Bears and 6 for the Saints.

·        Tim Lelito 6-4 315, 27, 24 career starts

o       4 year veteran all with Saints, 7 starts 2016, 13 starts 2015.

·        Ted Larsen 6-2 315, 29, 65 career starts

o       Started 8 games for the Bears in 2016

·        Chris Chester 6-3 303, 34, 143 career starts

o       Chester has started the last 32 games straight for the Falcons, and before that 64 straight for the Redskins.

Projection: Zeitler has been exceptional at the position and I believe that you should always re-sign your exceptional players because you get so few of them. With that said I don’t think RG is a priority position even if the offensive line is important and him leaving will create another hole. In the end despite the loss Zeitler will just cost too much money at a non priority position. Because of that I think we try someone already on the roster here. Westerman, Fisher, Ogbuehi, TJ Johnson, Bodine and Hopkins could all get a chance with another possibility of having one of these 6 play at LG and Boling moving over.

 Backup QB

·         Mike Glennon-Buccaneers: Glennon is the top candidate on the market who is most likely to change teams. He played sparingly this year with only 10 completions on 11 attempts. His career stats paint a very good picture. 18 starts, 4100 yards, 30-15 and 59%.

·         Brian Hoyer-Bears: Hoyer had some quality starts for the Bears this year and wasn’t terrible for the Texans in 2015. He has 31 career starts and a passer rating of 98 in 2016 and 91.4 in 2015. This year he had 1,445 yards, 6-0 and 67%. He’s played for 5 teams in his career.

·         Landry Jones-Stealers: Jones has 4 starts over his career with the Stealers. This year he has filled in well with 558 yards, 4-2 and 61%.

·         Matt Barkley-Bears: Barkley wasn’t good enough for the Cardinals or the Eagles but was ok at times for the Bears. He had the only 6 starts of his career this season throwing for 1,611 yards, 8-14 and 59.7%. He had 3 300 yard games.

·         Geno Smith-Jets: Smith has 30 career starts but is coming off an ACL tear and a broken jaw.

·         Ryan Fitzpatrick-Jets: Fitzpatrick held out and then played very poorly with 12 tds and 17 ints. He is a veteran though with 116 career starts.

·         Case Keenum-Rams: Keenum started for most of the year and was not inspiring. He’s got 25 career starts in Houston and LA. This year he threw for 2,201 yards, 9-11 and 61%.

·         Nick Foles-Chiefs: Foles has 35 career starts and a lifetime 88.1 passer rating. He is on his 3rd team despite being just 27. This year he threw for 410 yards, 3-0 and 65%. He is due 10.75 Million in 2017 with 0 dead cap.

·         Colin Kaepernick-49ers: Kaepernick was replaced by Gabbert then won the job back. The 29 year old has 59 career starts. This year he had 2,241 yards, 16-4 and 59% and 2 tds on the ground.

·         Blaine Gabbert-49ers: Gabbert started 5 games this year and wasn’t great although he had didn’t have much of a supporting cast either. Finished with 925 yards, 5-6 and 56.9%. Also ran in a couple scores.

·         Matt Cassell-Titans: The 34 year old Cassell has started 80 career games including one this year for the Titans and 7 last year for the Cowboys.

·         TJ Yates-Dolphins: Yates didn’t play this year but has 7 career starts and is just 29. He also has that playoff win against us a few year backs with the Texans.

·         Christian Ponder-49ers: The former first rounder is only 28 and has 36 career starts all with the Vikings in his first 4 years.

·         Austin Davis-Broncos: Davis is currently a Free Agent. He has 10 career starts and had a decent season with the Rams in 2014 with 12-9 2001 yards and 63.4% and a 85.1 passer rating.

Projection: I don’t see McCarron getting traded. I don’t think we should be in a rush when we have 11 picks in this draft, he’s cheap and without him we are lost should Dalton go down. And if we are not in a rush I think the market won’t come to us. I think Taylor, Cutler, Romo, Glennon and Garrapalo will be guys who will find landing spots before teams start thinking about trading for McCarron. Then you add in teams thinking about drafting Turbisky, Kizer and Watson in the 1st or 2nd round. I should call this a personal projection because I don’t really see this happening but what I think they should do is sign Austin Davis immediately. He has starting experience and is a somewhat similar player to Dalton. He wasn’t terrible for the Rams and would give us some insurance should McCarron be traded. He also would probably cost us nothing.

RB Depth

·        Rex Burkhead 5-10 210, 26, 1 career start

o       Burkhead had success with more carries closing out the year with an impressive 119 yards and 2 tds. He had his best year on the ground with 344 yards and 2 tds as well as 17 catches for 145 yards. He also had 13 tackles on special teams. He might be looking for a place where he can get more carries.

·        Denard Robinson 6-0 213, 26, 13 career starts

o       Robinson is one of those enigma players who seems to have loads of ability but never really produces. He would be a guy who I would add to the end of the roster if no one grabs him when free agency slows way down. Might also be a good replacement if Burkhead leaves. His second year was his best with 582 rushing yards and 23 catches. Then they added Yeldon

·        Andre Ellington 5-9 199, 27, 15 career starts

o       Ellington had great rookie and second years and then fell off. David Johnson has taken control of almost all of the carries there. He is another guy that would be a nice end of the bench guy if he doesn’t find a home in free agency.

·        James Wilder 6-1 232, 24

o       Wilder is currently a free agent. I would love for him to come back for camp. His highlight reel from college is great and I think he could be an eventual Peerman replacement. I am irrational about him.

Projection: I would love to have Burkhead back but I am pretty sure he is gone. I just don’t see how Burkhead can look at the market and not see another team (Packers, Vikings) that will be able to pay him similarly or more and give him more carries. I hope that Burkhead is back and plays here a long time, maybe even eventually taking over the Peerman role. With that said I think they bring back Peerman and draft a guy. I think this position gets really confusing. Bernard is a lock. Hill is probably a lock. Peerman seems to be a lock with his role on teams. This draft is very deep at RB and we will have 11 picks.Burkhead if re-signed clouds that a bit. I guess I could see a situation where Hill gets cut, but that would be pretty surprising.

 TE depth.

·         Gavin Escobar 6-6 251, 25

o        Escobar fits the mold of TE’s we like. The former 2nd rounder has been very poor with just 30 catches over his first 4 years. He might be the type of end of free agency TE prospect that fills a hole for the beginning of the season if Eifert’s back isn’t ready.

·         Tim Wright 6-4 220, 26

o        Wright is coming off a missed season on the Lions IR with a torn ACL. Wright had a great rookie year with the Bucs, then moved on to the Pats and then didn’t do much with the Lions. Similar to Escobar he might fit a role as a fringe roster Free Agent who can catch passes with Eifert out.

Projection: Eifert’s back is a question mark but he has two solid backups to fill in. I predict no early signings or draft picks here. Maybe a fringe CC free agent as insurance.

 RDE,

·         Micheal Johnson 6-7 272, 29

o        45 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 3 pass defensed.

·         Connor Barwin 6-4 264, 34

o        Former UC Footballer and Basketballer that will save them 7.75 million if released. 34-5 2 passes defensed. 7 sacks in 2015, 14.5 in 2014.

·         Jared Odrick 6-5 298, 29

o        Odrick dealt with injuries all year playing just 6 games. The Jags save 8.5 million by cutting him. 12 tackles 1 sack.

·         Trent Murphy Trade 6-5 290, 26

o        Murphy would have to be gotten by trade and there is a not too far fetched scenario where Gruden is looking for a QB. The Redskins were set to try him at DE after their depth increased at LB last year and asked him to beef up to 290. He is entering the final year of his rookie deal and likely behind Preston Smith and Ryan Kerrigan on the depth chart again. 47 tackles, 9 sacks. 

·         Charles Johnson 6-2 275, 30

o        26 tackles 4 sacks.

·         Dion Jordan 6-6 275, 26

o        The former 3rd overall pick has not played in the last 2 years due to injuries and suspensions. Just three total sacks.

·         Wallace Gilberry 6-2 270, 32

o        2.5 sacks in just 5 games with the Bengals in 2016

·         Lamarr Houston 6-3 274, 29

o        Houston tore his ACL in the 2nd game of the year. 42 tackels 8 sacks 2015. He is a potential cap casualty.

·         Pernell McPhee 6-3 273, 28

o        McPhee played only 9 games in 2016 with 16 tackles for 4 sacks. He is a potential cap casualty.

Projection: Dunlap is a stud and Will Clarke (4 sacks) is coming around to solid contributor. Margus Hunt should be done. Gillberry might be back but won’t be a necessity. Micheal Johnson is solid but not a playmaker at a position where we want one. I think Connor Barwin is a perfect rotational veteran end who might want to close out his career where he played college ball and with a winner. I don’t think his signing would take us out of taking another end at any time within the first few rounds and would give us a safety net if other positions fall to us more easily.

 LDT, 

·         Billings 6-1 311, 21

o        2016 4th rounders season ended before it started with a knee injury

·         Sims 6-2 330, 31

o        37 tackles, 1.5 sacks in 2016. Played 37.5% of snaps already.

·         Peko 6-3 325, 32

o        37 tackles. Played 54.6% of snaps in 2016.

·         Thompson 6-2 305, 27

o        Hasn’t played in a season and a half and wasn’t great before that.  53 career tackles and 3 sacks in 4 years.

·         Hardison 6-3 315, 24

o        Hardison will likely take Gilberry’s swing spot along with Clarke. He hasn’t tallied a stat in 2 years.

·         Nick Fairley 6-4 308, 29

o        43 tackles, 6.5 sacks. Fairley would have been a great pick up last season. He likely priced himself out of our market.

·         Chris Jones, 6-1 295, 26

o        Jones is a perfect addition IMO. Adds to the mix at dt and will come very cheap. 23 tackles in 2016. Had some solid seasons with the Pats before injury. Has incredible strength and could be a solid rotational guy on the very cheap.

·         Bennie Logan, 6-2 315, 27

o        24 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2016 after 55 tackles in 2015.

·         Sheldon Richardson 6-3 294 26

o        Jets won’t be able to pay Richardson so he has been on the market. 62 tackles, 1.5 sacks.

·         Karl Klug, 6-3 278, 28

o        Likely more of a DE or hybrid in our system. Tore his Achilles in December so he will come very cheap. 26 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Projection: We have so much talent here and a ton of unknowns. I think you can go with Sims/Billings/Hardison/Clarke and then a rookie or add in Chris Jones. To me Chris Jones is the type of player we don’t ever sign and should. We seem to only sign veterans we plan to keep. I’d bolster the roster anyway we can and Jones can come cheap and flash some of the skills Atkins brings to the table. 

 SLB, MLB,

·        Vigil 6-2 239, 23

o       21 tackles

·        Maualuga 6-2 258, 30

o       27 tackles, 1 int

·        Dansby 6-3 251, 35

o       114 tackles, 1 sack, 0 int

·        Rey 6-0 250, 29

o       86 tackles, 1 int.

·        John Simon 6-1 260, 26

o       51 tackles, 3.5 sacks. Simon fought injuries at the end of the year.

·        Alex Okafor 6-4 261, 25

o       13 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 8 sacks 2014

·        Akeem Ayers 6-3 255, 27

o       21 tackles, 2 sacks

·        Sam Acho 6-3 260, 28

o       27 tackles, 1 sack

·        Jelani Jenkins 6-0 240, 24

o       29 tackles, 110 tackles 2014, 71 tackles 2015. Seems like a possible high upside signing.

·        Zach Brown 6-1 248, 27

o       149 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 int 4 pass break ups. I wanted Brown last year and want him again. Great year probably took him out of our market

·        Nick Bellore 6-1 250, 27

o       83 tackles, 1 sack, 1 int. Usual special teamer that filled in well due to injuries. Likely doesn’t have coverage skills we covet.

·        Sean Spence 5-11 231, 26

o       54 tackles, 3 sacks. Very athletic former Steeler. Might fit well in the rotation.

·        Sean Weatherspoon 6-2 244, 29

o       Ruptured Achilles after many previous injuries. Could be an ideal 2nd week+ pickup. 27 tackles in 4 games. Looked like he was going to have a great season before his injury. He is often injured.

·        Bruce Carter 6-2 240, 28

o       16 tackles in 2016

Projection: It’s hard for me to project this position because I don’t really understand what we are looking for in the position anymore. I know we want atleast 2 cover guys that can play WLB and MLB and play all 3 downs. I don’t know what the SLB position is anymore. Is it a pass rush position like it was prior to Lamur when we had guys like Reinard Wilson and even tried Robert Geathers and Micheal Johnson there or is it Lamur/Dansby and more of a cover guy. I just don’t know. If it’s the pass rusher Simon-Okafor-Ayers or Acho might fit. If it’s a coverage guy that’s Brown-Spence-Jenkins and Carter. I am most interested in Brown-Jenkins-Spence and Weatherspoon in that order.

 S, 

·         Shawn Williams 6-0 210, 25

o        81 tackles, 3 ints, 1 sack, 5 passes defensed. Williams didn’t lock down the spot and his coverage skills are questionable. His contract is easy to get out of.

·         Barry Church 6-2 218, 28

o        85 tackles, 2ints, 4 passes defensed. He played in 12 games

·         Tony Jefferson 5-11 212, 25

o        96 tackles, 2 sacks, 0 ints, 5 passes defensed

·         Chris Conte 6-2 203, 27

o        69 tackles, 2ints, 5 passes defensed

·         Bradley McDougald 6-1 209, 26

o        91 tackles, 2ints, 10 passes defensed

·         Donte Whitner 5-10 208, 31

o        66 tackles

·         Michael Thomas-Dolphins 5-11 193, 26

o        58 tackles 1 sack 1 pass defensed

·         Kemal Ishmael 6-0 206, 25

o        52 tackles, 2 passes defensed

·         Baccari Rambo 6-0 221, 26

o        42 tackles, 1int, 3 passes defensed

·         Jordan Poyer 6-0 191, 25

o        39 tackles, 2 passes defensed

·         Rashad Johnson-Titans 5-11 204, 31

o        38 tackles, 1 pass defensed

·         Matt Elam 5-10 208, 25

o        4 tackles

·         Blanton 6-1 200, 27

o        35 tackles

Projections: There are a lot of safeties with experience but this position is the toughest for me to judge above them all. I am not a fan of Shawn Williams but I believe that the Bengals are and won’t make huge moves here. The one guy that stands out is Matt Elam. It’s our MO to sign a guy like that and try to make something out of him. I would stand pat here other than taking a flyer on Elam.

 CB, CB

·         Adam Jones 5-10 180, 33

o        Said he wished a cop was dead and spit on a nurse. Likely cut just for that but likely faces a suspension that will actually save the team money on the cap. 66 tackles, 1 int, 7 passes defensed.

·         Dre Kirkpatrick 6-2 185, 27

o        Kirkpatrick is a free agent. He had 46 tackles, 3 ints and 10 passes defensed

·         William Jackson 6-0, 189, 24

o        DNP after a training camp injury.

·         Josh Shaw 6-1 200, 24

o        Shaw had 56 tackles, 1 int and 3 passes defensed in 2016

·         Darqueze Dennard 5-11 198, 25

o        The former first round pick wasn’t great in 2016 as he tried to carve out pt. 47 tackles and 1 pass defensed. It will be interesting to see if they pick p his 5th year option.

·         KeiVarae Russell 5-11 192, 23

o        Cheifs 3rd round pick in 2016 surprisingly cut and scooped up by Bengals. Had 1 pick on 1 play for the season. 

·         Bene Benwikere  6-0 200, 25

o        Bene bounced around the league last season playing in 4 total games before being dropped by the Panthers after giving up a ton of yards to Julio Jones. His best year was 2015 with 59 tackles and 9 passes defensed.

·         Leodis McKelvin 5-10 185, 31

o        McKelvin is at the end of his career. He had 43 tackles, 2 ints and 16 passes defensed this year. Can return punts and kicks as well

·         Sam Shields 5-11 184, 29

o        Concussions led him to play just 1 game in 2016 and might end his career

·         Terrance Newman 5-10 197, 38

o        Newman was solid in his year 38 season with 38 tackles, 1 int, 8 passes defensed

·         Tramon Williams 6-0 192, 33                                               

o        36 tackles, 1 int, 5 passes defensed

·         Leon Hall 5-11 195, 32

o        31 tackles, 1int, 2 passes defense

Projections: We have a solid group of unknown young guys in Russell, Jackson, Dennard and Shaw that will all be back. I would try to re-sign Kirkpatrick but not break the bank for him if he gets a huge contract. To me he’s the second most important free agent to re-sign. Adding Benwikere might keep us out of the free agent pool but one guy I think they should sign is Leon Hall. He might even be able to play some safety.

 K, 

·         Bullock 27 8-9 44 Long

·         Dawson 42 16-18 53 Long 97% xp

·         Zuerlein 29 16-19 54 Long  100% xp

·         Gould 35 10-10  47 Long 87% xp

Projection: With the re-signing of Bullock and the market for kickers pretty dull I am going to guess we either go a late draft pick or UDFA or some guy I have never heard of. Dawson or Zuerlin would both be interesting if they want a place where they are more likely to win.

 

 

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