Thread For Our F/a Prospects

[Alan]

According to Jim Thomas of the St Louis Post-Dispatch, the Rams have tender offers to exclusive rights free agents C Tim Barnes, QB Austin Davis and WR Justin Veltung.

Veltung, 22, was a practice squad player for the Rams. He was active for three games last season and saw just three snaps on special teams in 2014, according to Pro Football Focus.

Super Bowl is in the bag now that we've signed my man Veltung. I was sweating bullets until I read this.

 

[ChrisW]

Super Bowl is in the bag now that we've signed my man Veltung. I was sweating bullets until I read this.

Can't wait to see him develop. He's got some speed!

 

[Prime Time]

The Free Agent Hot 100
Posted by Mike Wilkening on March 5, 2014

Getty Images

1. Saints tight end Jimmy Graham. (franchise tag recipient)

2. Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett.

3. Redskins outside linebacker Brian Orakpo. (franchise tag recipient)

4. Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib.

5. Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson.

6. Ravens offensive tackle Eugene Monroe.

7. Colts cornerback Vontae Davis.

8. Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker.

9. Raiders defensive end Lamarr Houston.

10. Titans cornerback Alterraun Verner.

11. Broncos cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

12. Bills safety Jairus Byrd.

13. Raiders offensive tackle Jared Veldheer.

14. Browns center Alex Mack. (transition tag recipient)

15. Packers cornerback Sam Shields.

16. Vikings defensive end Jared Allen.

17. Chiefs offensive tackle Branden Albert.

18. Giants defensive end Justin Tuck.

19. Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen.

20. Browns safety T.J. Ward.

21. Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks.

22. Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins.

23. Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby.

24. Packers defensive end B.J. Raji.

25. Rams guard/offensive tackle Rodger Saffold.

26. Seahawks wide receiver Golden Taint.

27. Ravens offensive tackle Michael Oher.

28. 49ers safety Donte Whitner.

29. Dolphins defensive tackle Randy Starks.

30. Ravens defensive lineman Arthur Jones.

31. Giants linebacker Jon Beason.

32. Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton.

33. Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman.

34. Packers outside linebacker Mike Neal.

35. Giants defensive tackle Linval Joseph.

36. Cowboys defensive tackle Jason Hatcher.

37. Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders.

38. Texans running back Ben Taint.

39. Colts safety Antoine Bethea.

40. Bears defensive end Corey Wootton.

41. Panthers cornerback Captain Munnerlyn.

42. Packers wide receiver James Jones.

43. Colts running back Donald Brown.

44. Broncos offensive guard Zane Beadles.

45. Broncos outside linebacker Shaun Phillips.

46. Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew.

47. Ex-Seahawks defensive end Red Bryant.

48. Eagles quarterback Michael Vick.

49. Bears cornerback Charles Tillman.

50. Bengals offensive tackle Anthony Collins.

51. Texans defensive end Antonio Smith.

52. Dolphins defensive tackle Paul Soliai.

53. Bears quarterback Josh McCown.

54. Ex-Browns inside linebacker D’Qwell Jackson.

55. Ravens linebacker Daryl Smith.

56. Seahawks cornerback Walter Thurmond III.

57. Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner.

58. Ex-Lions safety Louis Delmas.

59. Cowboys defensive end/outside linebacker Anthony Spencer.

60. Jets offensive tackle Austin Howard.

61. Chiefs offensive guard Jon Asamoah.

62. 49ers cornerback Tarell Brown.

63. Chiefs offensive guard Geoff Schwartz.

64. Steelers defensive end Ziggy Hood.

65. Chiefs defensive end Tyson Jackson

66. Packers tight end Jermichael Finley.

67. Raiders running back Darren McFadden.

68. Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel.

69. Ravens cornerback Corey Graham.

70. Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno.

71. Cardinals wide receiver Andre Roberts.

72. Broncos cornerback Chris Harris (RFA).

73. Seahawks outside linebacker O’Brien Schofield.

74. Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (RFA).

75. Patriots inside linebacker Brandon Spikes.

76. Packers running back James Starks.

77. Broncos defensive end Robert Ayers.

78. Broncos linebacker Wesley Woodyard.

79. Chiefs wide receiver / returner Dexter McCluster.

80. Seahawks defensive tackle Clinton McDonald.

81. Titans defensive end Ropati Pitoitua.

82. Panthers wide receiver Brandon LaFell.

83. Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount.

84. Texans defensive tackle Earl Mitchell.

85. Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew.

86. Texans tight end Garrett Graham.

87. Saints center Brian De La Puente.

88. Lions defensive end Willie Young.

89. Redskins inside linebacker Perry Riley.

90. Seahawks offensive tackle Breno Giacomini.

91. Panthers offensive guard Travelle Wharton.

92. Packers center Evan Dietrich-Smith.

93. Raiders defensive tackle Pat Sims.

94. Saints offensive tackle Zach Strief.

95. Vikings wide receiver Jerome Simpson.

96. Seahawks defensive tackle Tony McDaniel.

97. Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne.

98. Chargers defensive tackle Cam Thomas.

99. Vikings running back Toby Gerhart.

100. Vikings quarterback Josh Freeman.

 

[A55VA6]

I wonder if Jairus Byrd would be more interested in coming to the Rams because he went to high school and all that in St.Louis? I hope! lol Byrd would be so good for this defense..

 

[ChrisW]

I wonder if Jairus Byrd would be more interested in coming to the Rams because he went to high school and all that in St.Louis? I hope! lol Byrd would be so good for this defense..

I wouldn't hold your breath. Fisher doesn't value the Safety position that high. Byrd also doesn't fit the mold of being able to play both positions. I think TJ Ward would be our guy, if we signed a higher priced safety.

Having said that I wouldn't be suprised if we didn't go for Ward either.

 

[A55VA6]

I wouldn't hold your breath. Fisher doesn't value the Safety position that high. Byrd also doesn't fit the mold of being able to play both positions. I think TJ Ward would be our guy, if we signed a higher priced safety.

Having said that I wouldn't be suprised if we didn't go for Ward either.

Yeah, I don't expect us to make a big run at a safety but it sure would be nice to have a high caliber one back there to go with McDonald.

 

[ChrisW]

Last week, reports indicated that contract talks between the Rams and impending free agent G Rodger Saffoldwere expected to pick up this week.

However, Saffold’s agent, Alan Herman, tells the St. Louis Post Dispatch that his client will test the free agent market next Tuesday.

“Rodger definitely will be out in the free-agent market,” Herman said.

The Rams do not sound like they are ready to give up on re-signing Saffold who is viewed as the top offseason priority.

“We had a good conversation with Rodger’s representatives at the (scouting) combine,” Rams executive vice president Kevin Demoff said. “They said all the right things. As Jeff (Fisher) and Les (Snead) said in their interviews, re-signing Rodger is a priority. There’s good dialogue going on.”

Saffold, 25, played left tackle for the Rams during his first few years in the league, but wound up playing both guard and right tackle after they signed Jake Long in free agency last year. Saffold has said that he would prefer to either play left tackle or right guard.

St. Louis reportedly believes Saffold is better suited at guard, so it will be interesting to see what kind of figures are being thrown around regarding an extension. Saffold is widely expected to have an active market.

 

[Prime Time]

No market for running backs, so far
Posted by Mike Florio on March 8, 2014

Getty Images

During the first day of the second annual legal tampering period, plenty of teams reportedly have shown interest in plenty of players. Few if any are running backs.

As one source who has been actively working the phones throughout the day told PFT on Saturday night, there’s currently no market for running backs.

If it holds, it’s no surprise. In recent years, not many/any veteran tailbacks have broken the bank as free agents, with the best contracts coming in the range of $3 million to $4 million per year. Which also happens to be the top of the market for kickers.

Eight running backs appear on PFT’s Free Agent Hot 100: Ben Taint (No. 38);Donald Brown (No. 43); Darren McFadden (No. 67); Knowshon Moreno(No. 70); James Starks (No. 76); LeGarrette Blount (No. 83); Maurice Jones-Drew (No. 85); Toby Gerhart (No. 99).

Based on Saturday, there won’t be a land rush for tailbacks on Tuesday. The contracts likely will come late in the week, at the earliest.

 

[Boffo97]

Unless he's totally done, I wouldn't mind looking at Maurice Jones-Drew.

 

[RamBill]

All signs point to Branden Albert signing with the Dolphins
Posted by Mike Florio on March 9, 2014, 3:46 PM EDT

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...-to-branden-albert-signing-with-the-dolphins/

Last year, the Dolphins nearly traded for Chiefs tackle Branden Albert. This year, they need only to make a deal with Albert himself.

Per a league source, all signs currently point to Albert signing with the Dolphins not long after the market officially opens on Tuesday.

Albert instantly would be installed as the left tackle in Miami, succeeding Bryant McKinnie. Who replaced Jonathan Martin. Who replaced Jake Long.

Like Long, Albert was a first-round pick in 2008. After his rookie contract expired, Albert played in 2013 under the franchise tag.

If/when (when) Albert leaves the Chiefs, it’s possible that right tackle Eric Fisher, the first pick in the 2013 draft, will flip to the left side. It’s also possible that Fisher will stay on the right side and Donald Stephenson, who started seven games last year, will play the left side.

 

[RamBill]

Adam Caplan ‏@caplannfl

On G Jon Asamoah and the #Falcons, 1 NFL source said it would be a "small upset" if he didn't wind up signing w/ATL to play RG.

 

[ChrisW]

James Walker of ESPN.com reports that free agent S Jairus Byrd is seeking a long-term deal that would pay him as much as $9 million per season.

• Walker adds that the market f0r Byrd is “strong enough” that he should be able to come close to the contract of Chiefs’ S Eric Berry – six years, $60 million, $10 million per season.

As of now, the Dolphins and Rams are believed to have interest while the Eagles and Browns haven’t shown much interest up to this point.

Last year, Byrd totaled 48 tackles, 4 sacks, one interception and a forced fumble for the Bills defense. Pro Football Focus has Byrd rated as the No. 8 safety in the league last season.

 

[Prime Time]

Top free-agent roundup: NFC West
March, 10, 2014/By ESPN.com staff | ESPN.com

This division was toughest in football last season, yielding three double-digit-win teams and the Super Bowl champion. It is no surprise some serious free-agent talent will come out of the NFC West. Here are the top 15 free agents, as ranked by ESPN.com Seahawks reporter Terry Blount, Rams reporter Nick Wagoner, Cardinals reporter Josh Weinfuss and 49ers reporter Bill Williamson.

1. Michael Bennett, Seattle DE: He was a free-agent bargain last year. That won’t be the case this year.

2. Karlos Dansby, Arizona LB: He is 32, and that could scare teams, but he can still dominate.

3. Anquan Boldin, San Francisco WR: He might be 33, but he is crucial to the offense.

4. Donte Whitner, San Francisco S: The 49ers could have some big competition, but Whitner is a strong defender they want back.

5. Golden Taint, Seattle WR: Taint might not be a numbers monster, but he has big potential.

6. Rodger Saffold, St. Louis OG: The Rams' biggest free-agent priority has proved capable of being a Pro Bowl-caliber guard when given the chance.

Related Coverage
• NFC top free agents: N | S | E | W
• AFC top free agents: N | S | E | W

7. Clinton McDonald, Seattle DT: A solid plugger on a great defense. He will get interest.

8. Walter Thurmond, Seattle CB: He isn’t as known as one of the Seahawks’ top cornerbacks, but he played big. He could be looking at nice payday.

9. Andre Roberts, Arizona WR: He quietly had a nice season in 2013, with 43 catches. He could attract solid interest.

10. Breno Giacomini, Seattle OG: A solid offensive lineman whom the Seahawks want back.

11. Shelley Smith, St. Louis OG: Started just two games in 2013 but flashed starter potential when given the chance.

12. Steven Hauschka, Seattle K: A standout kicker whom the Seahawks want back.

13. Phil Dawson, San Francisco K: The 49ers badly want this guy to return. He saved many games last season.

14. Tarell Brown, San Francisco CB: Solid performer who could get looks as a No. 2 cornerback.

15. Eric Winston, Arizona OT: He’s not what he used but is still solid. The Cardinals want him back.

 

[Alan]

When Shelly Smith is the second rated OG when including Saffold, you know there isn't anything we really want in FA at that position. That's assuming his assessment is correct of course.

 

[jjab360]

When Shelly Smith is the second rated OG when including Saffold, you know there isn't anything we really want in FA at that position. That's assuming his assessment is correct of course.

That's only the NFC West's Free Agents, there's plenty of other FA OGs in the league.

 

[Alan]

jjab360 setting me straight:
That's only the NFC West's Free Agents, there's plenty of other FA OGs in the league.

Thanks jjab! I blame my mistake on this :seizure:. Not that I've had one recently but I was thinking about having one so...

 

[Warner4Prez]

This morning Adam Schefter said Saffold to the Raiders.

 

[ChrisW]

Michael Silver of NFL.com reports that a battle is shaping up between the Rams and Giants are free agent G Geoff Schwartz.

Schwartz, 27, signed a one-year deal worth $630,000 with the Chiefs last year. He would go on to appear in all 16 games and grade out as the No. 8 guard in the league this past season, according to Pro Football Focus.

 

[ChrisW]

Update:

Aaron Wilson reports that the Ravens aren’t close to an agreement with free agent ILB Daryl Smith.

• Wilson adds that the two sides are “disconnected” in regards to contract parameters.

Smith, 31, has done enough this season to warrant a multi-year contract after he signed just a one-year deal worth $1.125 million last year.

In 2013, Smith totaled 123 tackles, five sacks, two inceptions — one was returned for a touchdown — and two forced fumbles.

The Broncos and Titans have been mentioned as two teams that could have interest in Smith should he reach the open market in the coming weeks.

 

[ChrisW]

Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that free agent S Donte Whitner expects to be a Brown by 4pm est today.

• Cabot adds that Whitner is “excited” to return to Cleveland.

Whitner is from Cleveland and the Browns have plenty of cap space to make him a very solid offer that could be tough for the 49ers to match. Indications have been that Whitner is likely to sign elsewhere this offseason.

Moats, 25, previously came up an a potential option for the Browns given that he played with Mike Pettine while in Buffalo last year.

Whitner, 28, totaled 73 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a recovery last year. Pro Football Focus rated him as the No. 6 safety in the league.