There's a Lot More Left
Thursday, July 28, 2011
The post-lockout frenzy is in full swing, and Adam Levitan got you up to speed on Wednesday's moves in
his late-night column. Now, let's look ahead to Thursday.
Get 2011 rankings, projections and much moreWhile some of the top free agents already reached "agreements in principle", there is plenty of elite talent left on the board. Here are the top-ten remaining unsigned veterans:
1. Cornerback Nnamdi AsomughaCornerback is free agency's deepest position, but there's a holdup. It's because Asomugha hasn't agreed to terms yet. The Jets and 49ers have been his most ardent pursuers, and the Texans also remain in the mix. Look for Asomugha's agent to broker a deal by this afternoon.
Prediction: Jets on a five-year, $65 million contract.
2. Cornerback Johnathan JosephJoseph is a ball-hawking "off-man" corner with elite talent but a checkered injury history. The Texans consider him a viable fall-back option if they don't land Asomugha, and it's reasonable to think the 49ers feel the same way. When Asomugha agrees to terms, Joseph will soon follow.
Prediction: Texans on a four-year, $33 million contract.
3. Nose Tackle Aubrayo FranklinRumors have been scant about Franklin's suitors, but 320-pound, true 3-4 nose tackles are hard to find. The Chiefs lost incumbent
Ron Edwards to the Panthers on Tuesday, creating a hole inside. Kansas City has been active in free agency and needs to prioritize signing Franklin quickly.
Prediction: Chiefs on a four-year, $30 million contract.
4. Running Back Ahmad BradshawThe Dolphins and Giants are in hot pursuit of Bradshaw, who runs angry for a small back and excels in the passing game. One report claimed Bradshaw priced himself out of the Fins' range on Wednesday. The G-Men should swoop in today, because he's a necessity in their offense.
Prediction: Giants on a five-year, $37 million contract.
5. Defensive Tackle Brandon MebaneMebane is a classic "three-technique," pass-rushing tackle who played out of position in new Seattle coach Pete Carroll's system last year. The Seahawks have considered keeping him, but the Broncos are strongly in the mix. There's a bigger need and better fit for Mebane in Denver.
Prediction: Broncos on a five-year, $28 million contract.
6. Defensive End Ray EdwardsThe media has touted Edwards as a better pass rusher than he actually is; he was single blocked throughout his time as a starter in Minnesota. Character concerns have also affected Edwards' market. He won't get
Charles Johnson money, but the Titans, Browns, and Eagles have sniffed around him enough to suggest Edwards will emerge from free agency very well compensated.
Prediction: Titans on a four-year, $40 million contract.
7. Wide Receiver Braylon EdwardsEdwards confirmed via Twitter on Wednesday that the Jets haven't even contacted him about a contract. New York's focus is elsewhere. It's fair to wonder if Edwards will even approach
Santonio Holmes and
Sidney Rice money, because there have been more reports of teams having "no interest" than in pursuit. A deep-pocketed, free-spending owner can change that.
Prediction: Redskins on a six-year, $40 million contract.
8. Offensive Guard Davin JosephPro personnel departments have mixed opinions on Joseph because 1) He only fits power-blocking schemes and 2) He's been so injury prone that there's limited recent film on the 27-year-old. The Bucs are smartly slow-playing Joseph's market, which hasn't developed quickly.
Prediction: Buccaneers on six-year, $30 million contract.
9. Cornerback Antonio CromartieCromartie can be a head case on the field and only fits defenses that run a lot of press-man coverage. He was a perfect match for Rex Ryan, but the Jets are targeting bigger fish. The Raiders and Seahawks have both been mentioned as teams with interest. At 6-foot-2, 210 with reported 4.3 speed, this is the kind of player Al Davis covets in his back end.
Prediction: Raiders on a four-year, $32 million contract.
10. Outside Linebacker Matt RothThe 3-4 outside linebacker market is plodding along. Roth,
Manny Lawson, and
Mathias Kiwanuka all remain unsigned and have been sparingly connected to teams. Perhaps Roth is the domino that must fall in order for this position to generate more buzz. A terrific edge setter with underrated pass-rushing skills, Roth could be New England's next
Mike Vrabel.
Prediction: Patriots on a five-year, $27 million contract.
Get the 2011 Fantasy Football Guide
The post-lockout frenzy is in full swing, and Adam Levitan got you up to speed on Wednesday's moves in
his late-night column. Now, let's look ahead to Thursday.
Get 2011 rankings, projections and much moreWhile some of the top free agents already reached "agreements in principle", there is plenty of elite talent left on the board. Here are the top-ten remaining unsigned veterans:
1. Cornerback Nnamdi AsomughaCornerback is free agency's deepest position, but there's a holdup. It's because Asomugha hasn't agreed to terms yet. The Jets and 49ers have been his most ardent pursuers, and the Texans also remain in the mix. Look for Asomugha's agent to broker a deal by this afternoon.
Prediction: Jets on a five-year, $65 million contract.
2. Cornerback Johnathan JosephJoseph is a ball-hawking "off-man" corner with elite talent but a checkered injury history. The Texans consider him a viable fall-back option if they don't land Asomugha, and it's reasonable to think the 49ers feel the same way. When Asomugha agrees to terms, Joseph will soon follow.
Prediction: Texans on a four-year, $33 million contract.
3. Nose Tackle Aubrayo FranklinRumors have been scant about Franklin's suitors, but 320-pound, true 3-4 nose tackles are hard to find. The Chiefs lost incumbent
Ron Edwards to the Panthers on Tuesday, creating a hole inside. Kansas City has been active in free agency and needs to prioritize signing Franklin quickly.
Prediction: Chiefs on a four-year, $30 million contract.
4. Running Back Ahmad BradshawThe Dolphins and Giants are in hot pursuit of Bradshaw, who runs angry for a small back and excels in the passing game. One report claimed Bradshaw priced himself out of the Fins' range on Wednesday. The G-Men should swoop in today, because he's a necessity in their offense.
Prediction: Giants on a five-year, $37 million contract.
5. Defensive Tackle Brandon MebaneMebane is a classic "three-technique," pass-rushing tackle who played out of position in new Seattle coach Pete Carroll's system last year. The Seahawks have considered keeping him, but the Broncos are strongly in the mix. There's a bigger need and better fit for Mebane in Denver.
Prediction: Broncos on a five-year, $28 million contract.
6. Defensive End Ray EdwardsThe media has touted Edwards as a better pass rusher than he actually is; he was single blocked throughout his time as a starter in Minnesota. Character concerns have also affected Edwards' market. He won't get
Charles Johnson money, but the Titans, Browns, and Eagles have sniffed around him enough to suggest Edwards will emerge from free agency very well compensated.
Prediction: Titans on a four-year, $40 million contract.
7. Wide Receiver Braylon EdwardsEdwards confirmed via Twitter on Wednesday that the Jets haven't even contacted him about a contract. New York's focus is elsewhere. It's fair to wonder if Edwards will even approach
Santonio Holmes and
Sidney Rice money, because there have been more reports of teams having "no interest" than in pursuit. A deep-pocketed, free-spending owner can change that.
Prediction: Redskins on a six-year, $40 million contract.
8. Offensive Guard Davin JosephPro personnel departments have mixed opinions on Joseph because 1) He only fits power-blocking schemes and 2) He's been so injury prone that there's limited recent film on the 27-year-old. The Bucs are smartly slow-playing Joseph's market, which hasn't developed quickly.
Prediction: Buccaneers on six-year, $30 million contract.
9. Cornerback Antonio CromartieCromartie can be a head case on the field and only fits defenses that run a lot of press-man coverage. He was a perfect match for Rex Ryan, but the Jets are targeting bigger fish. The Raiders and Seahawks have both been mentioned as teams with interest. At 6-foot-2, 210 with reported 4.3 speed, this is the kind of player Al Davis covets in his back end.
Prediction: Raiders on a four-year, $32 million contract.
10. Outside Linebacker Matt RothThe 3-4 outside linebacker market is plodding along. Roth,
Manny Lawson, and
Mathias Kiwanuka all remain unsigned and have been sparingly connected to teams. Perhaps Roth is the domino that must fall in order for this position to generate more buzz. A terrific edge setter with underrated pass-rushing skills, Roth could be New England's next
Mike Vrabel.
Prediction: Patriots on a five-year, $27 million contract.
Get the 2011 Fantasy Football Guide
Evan Silva is a senior football editor for Rotoworld.com. He can be found
on Twitter .
Email :
Evan Silva
