We’ve talked about offense and we’ve hit the defensive line and outside linebackers teams need to look at to turn themselves into playoff contenders, but what if you need an inside linebacker or safety? Then you could not be in a better position to solidify that position on your team for the next three-to-five years.
The beauty in targeting these young free agents as we’ve gone through them, is it almost works as a bonus draft. Young guys ready to step to become starters or stars that can all be added to your team with good contracts in the prime of their careers. They’ve already proven they can play in the NFL, so there’s no worry about the speed of the game shocking them or any rookie letdowns. There’s less risk with better returns, and other than a handful of first-round picks, these guys will have better seasons and more impact on your teams than anyone in the upcoming draft.
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–Inside Linebackers–
Josh Mauga, 27, Kansas City Chiefs
2014: 103 tackles, 0.5 sacks, three passes defended
Mauga is a perfect example of the kind of player I mentioned above and the Chiefs are probably kicking themselves that they didn’t sign him to more than a one-year contract last season. Mauga began his career as a back-up for the New York Jets, started one game and recorded 44 tackles total. Injuries limited his 2012 season to just five games and he was out of the NFL in 2013 so the Chiefs stole this guy off the streets last offseason. It’ll be a while before he has to worry about money again.
Where he should end up: Buffalo Bills
Mauga was signed as an undrafted free agent by Rex Ryan and he already knows the system, even if he hasn’t been in it two years. Ryan is converting Buffalo’s 4-3 defense to a 3-4 and has only one inside linebacker under contract right now, Ty Powell, who has recorded 17 tackles and one sack in his entire career.
Rolando McClain, 25, Dallas Cowboys
2014: 81 tackles, one sack, three passes defended, two interceptions, one forced fumble
McClain was a Pro Bowl alternate in his first season with the Cowboys, stepping in for injured Sean Lee at middle linebacker. McClain is another guy like Mauga who sat out of football in 2013 after retiring shortly after he signed with the Ravens. McClain decided he wasn’t quite done with football yet and paid off big for the Cowboys at a position they thought was going to be a disaster when Lee went down. As long as McClain didn’t burn down his own house in December, he should have plenty of money to buy a new one soon enough.
Where he should end up: Cincinnati Bengals
The Benglas likely won’t re-sign middle linebacker Rey Maualuga and McClain can plug right into their defense. Cincinnati is a consistent playoff team, but they need a lot of pieces and luckily for them they have the free cap money to blow. Don’t be stingy, Bengals. The window is closing fast.
–Cornerbacks–
Perrish Cox, 28, San Francisco 49ers
2014: 53 tackles, 17 passes defended, five interceptions
The great San Francisco exodus continues with Cox, finally making having a breakthrough season after four years in the league, cashing in. Cox got his first real chance a starter since his rookie season in Denver, putting up monster stats that should have sent him to the Pro Bowl. Instead, it’ll just fatten his bank account.
Where he should end up: Chicago Bears
New Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio knows better than anyone what he had in Cox in San Francisco last season. With Charles Tillman possibly retiring, Chicago needs an upgrade over Tim Jennings, who didn’t pick off a single pass last season and only defended seven. Jennings isn’t done, but he’ll serve the team better in his twilight years as a nickel back and reserve.
Chris Culliver, 26, San Francisco 49ers
2014: 45 tackles, 14 passes defended, four interceptions, one forced fumble
I don’t expect either guy to be back with the 49ers and if Cox doesn’t sign with the Bears, Culliver probably will. But the Bears don’t need both of them with Kyle Fuller on the other side, so we’ve got to pick another new team for Culliver.
Where he should end up: New York Jets
New Jets head coach Todd Bowles needs to upgrade both corner positions, though the jury is still out on rookie Marcus Williams out of North Dakota State who played solid in the eight games he was active last season. Bowles will know what he’s getting in Culliver, a guy who’s been coached up by Vic Fangio and he should be comfortable putting him on either side of his defense.
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–Safeties–
Nate Allen, 27, Philadelphia Eagles
2014: 62 tackles, one sack, five passes defended, four interceptions, one forced fumble
Allen didn’t break out in 2014 by any means and according to the Eagles, this was a down year for him. He’s been a real player from his first start in 2010 for the Eagles. He’s also been healthy, only missing four games over the last three seasons. At 6-foot-1, 210 pounds Allen can match up with the big tight ends down the middle and the Eagles are dumb enough to let him walk he won’t be on the market more than a few days.
Where he should end up: Buffalo Bills
With really only two legitimate top safeties in the upcoming NFL draft, the Bills can’t afford to mess around and not be active at this position in free agency. Rex Ryan needs a defense that can match up to the Patriots and specifically Rob Gronkowski and Allen’s size makes him ideal for that job.
Kendrick Lewis, 26, Houston Texans
2014: 84 tackles, six passes defended, two interceptions, one touchdown, three forced fumbles
The Texans have been searching for a safety to pair with their front seven for years and they finally landed one in Lewis last season. The only problem is they signed the former Chief to a one-year deal and now they’ll literally have to pay the price.
Where he should end up: Houston Texans
You don’t fix a problem and immediately screw it up again. Especially with D.J. Swearinger continuing to develop as your other safety. The one thing the Texans can’t screw up is their defense so Lewis needs to be a priority.
Devin McCourty, 27, New England Patriots
2014: 68 tackles, six passes defended, two interceptions, one forced fumble
You can usually expect championship teams to get raided for their free agents, but the Patriots don’t stand a chance in this fight, already looking like they’re about $5 million over the cap before they start cutting players loose. Luckily for the Pats one of McCourty’s back-ups, Malcolm Butler, made the game-saving pick in the Super Bowl so he’s probably earned a good look as a starter.
Where he should end up: Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals need to make some serious moves not to just improve their team, but get the psychological edge to actually win a playoff game or two. McCourty not only solves a need, but he’s played for a champion and bringing in a young guy with a Super Bowl ring is a great way to motivate a team that seems to refuse to take that next step.
Rahim Moore, 25 Denver Broncos
2014: 49 tackles, five passes defended, four interceptions, two forced fumbles
Moore is best remembered as the guy that let Jacoby Jones get behind in the 2012 playoffs, propelling the Baltimore Ravens to the Super Bowl and the Broncos to their first one-and-done playoff season under Peyton Manning. Fans can think about that all they want, but coaches and GMs should see a guy that just had his best season in pass coverage that recorded the second highest tackle total of his career.
Where he should end up: Philadelphia Eagles
With Nate Allen leaving the team, the Eagles will have an open job and Moore slides right into it. When the Eagles signed Cory Undin to coach defensive backs this January it all but sealed the deal since he had the same position with the Broncos last season.
Ron Parker, 27, Kansas City Chiefs
2014: 94 tackles, one sack, 12 passes defended, one interception, one forced fumble
You’ve got to feel good for Parker, drafted out of NCAA Division II Newberry in South Carolina, he’d been a career back-up in the league for three different teams before landing on the Chiefs’ roster in 2013. Thrown into service when Eric Berry missed most of the season after being diagnosed with lymphoma, Parker had the best year of his life.
Where he should end up: Kansas City Chiefs
With questions about Berry ever returning, the Chiefs can’t let Parker go and there should be just enough questions with other teams about him being a one-year wonder to do it without breaking the bank.
