My multi-year extensions go to Littleton and Fowler. Both of them - along with Donald and JJ3 - were the bright spots of a much-maligned defense. Fowler provided a much-needed pass rush, along with solid run defense, and Littleton was arguably the second best player on the defense.
I'm admittedly not as high on Saffold as the rest of you are. He's been great for the last two years, but I still see him as expendable, simply because it's not wise to give players over the age of thirty and with an injury history as extensive as Saffold a multi-year deal. I'd offer a deal of one year, but no more. If he refuses, he walks, and we likely see a third round compensatory pick. It's definitely a tough decision, but one that has to be made.
Suh and Joyner did not play well, but will still probably get compensatory picks. Letting them go is easy.
Longacre was ineffective when he played. He's gone.
Easley is injury-prone. He's gone.
Shields is old, and as much as I admire him coming back from his concussions, he wasn't vintage Shields - and at thirty-two, probably never will be. He's gone.
Mannion isn't a good backup quarterback. He's gone.
Wilson and Hager are both cheap backup inside linebackers, who will likely be replaced by guys like Travin Howard and Micah Kiser. They're both gone.
Westbrooks is a tougher call. He's a good defensive lineman who can play any position on the line. I'd keep him on a two-year contract, as Suh (and likely Brockers because of his cap savings) are gone. If his price gets costly, let him go, but I see him staying.
Brown is a no-brainer at backup running back if we don't retain Anderson. He stays.
I love the way that Anderson is playing, but I see him getting a starting role next year. He's gone, unfortunately.
I do not like Troy Hill, but he's still a RFA and therefore cheap. He stays.
I do like Kevin Peterson, and I think he has a lot of potential. He stays.
I do not want Dominique Hatfield starting, but he's been a solid special teams player before his unfortunate injury. He stays.
I dislike Countess' style of play for today's NFL, but he's a cheap backup who can spot start. He stays.
Natson and Hodge were new additions, and they performed well in their roles as returner and receiver, respectively. They stay.
Fox was injured, but I think that he has potential. He stays.
Garrett Sickels is an outside linebacker who has been injured. In fact, the only game he played in was the final game against the Niners last season, and it was only on special teams. He's gone.
So, to summarize:
Gone: Saffold, Suh, Joyner, Anderson, Longacre, Easley, Shields, Mannion, Wilson, Hager, Sickels.
Stay: Fowler, Littleton, Westbrooks, Brown, Peterson, Hill, Countess, Hatfield, Hodge, Natson, Fox.
