Top 100 FA (Rotoworld)

[Mitch]

Intriguing list and comments. Your thoughts? What players do you want in Cardinals' red and white?

1. Kirk Cousins (28) -- Currently sixth all time in passing yards per game. Likely to get tagged again.
2. Chandler Jones (27) – Double-digit sacks in three of last four years. Almost certain to get tagged.

3. Jason Pierre Paul (28) -- One of NFL's most complete defensive ends. G-Men badly want him back.

4. Kawann Short (28) -- Do-all 4-3 defensive tackle. Panthers fully expected to franchise tag Short.
5. Eric Berry (28) – Takeaway specialist shuts down TEs. Says he won’t play on franchise tag again.
6. A.J. Bouye (25) – Ascending shutdown corner was PFF’s No. 6 coverage CB out of 120 last year.
7. Melvin Ingram (27) – Only Von Miller, Khalil Mack had more QB hurries among 3-4 OLBs in ’16.
8. Alshon Jeffery (27) – Type-A No. 1 WR with availability concerns. Still a lock to break the bank.
9. Brandon Williams (28) – This year’s Damon Harrison. Dominant run-stopping two-down nose.
10. Le’Veon Bell (25) – Deserves to become the NFL’s highest-paid back, but likely to get tagged.
11. Trumaine Johnson (27) – Rare size for CB (6’2/204). No. 2 free agent corner behind A.J. Bouye.
12. Stephon Gilmore (26) – Gilmore is this year’s Janoris Jenkins. Supreme talent but inconsistent.
13. Calais Campbell (30) – Finished third among 3-4 DEs in tackles for loss (12), second in sacks (8).
14. Terrelle Pryor (27) – Went 77-1,007-4 in first season at WR. Browns say Pryor won’t be tagged.
15. Kevin Zeitler (27) – Top-ten guard in PFF’s ratings three straight years. Expected to leave Cincy.
16. Logan Ryan (26) – Versatile corner has experience covering slot and shadowing No. 1 receivers.
17. Brandon Carr (30) – Coming off best season in Dallas. Has played both man and zone coverage.
18. Andrew Whitworth (35) – Old but highly effective. Has missed two starts in the last eight years.
19. Nick Perry (26) – 3-4 OLB broke out for career-high 11 sacks playing on one-year, prove-it deal.
20. Johnathan Hankins (25) – 4-3 DT has disappointed the last two years, but will still strike it rich.
21. Dont’a Hightower (27) – Rare every-down MLB who can cover, stop run, and rush the passer.
22. DeSean Jackson (30) – D-Jax has led NFL in yards per reception in two of the last three years.
23. Larry Warford (25) – 332-pound RG coming off his best season. This year’s Brandon Brooks.
24. Dre Kirkpatrick (27) – Steady if unspectacular boundary CB. Allowed only two TDs last year.
25. Tony Jefferson (27) – Led all safeties in tackles for loss (13) last season. Can shut down TEs.
26. Russell Okung (29) – Cut by Broncos. Will still be in demand due to weak OT market/draft.
27. T.J. Lang (29) – Top-15 guard at PFF in three straight years. Did not allow a sack last season.
28. Dontari Poe (26) – Freakishly athletic nose tackle’s name and body are bigger than his game.
29. Prince Amukamara (27) – Quality No. 2 corner when healthy. Never a takeaway specialist.
30. Pierre Garcon (30) – Led Skins in receptions (79), yards (1,041). Tackle breaker after catch.
31. Kelvin Beachum (27) – Cut by Jags. Undersized (6’3/303) LT struggled after 2015 ACL tear.
32. Mike Glennon (27) – Deliberate, slow-twitch QB could get overpaid by a desperate team.
33. Kenny Stills (24) – Possible gem of this year’s free agent WR class. Great hands, 4.38 speed.
34. Rick Wagner (27) – This year’s Mitchell Schwartz sits atop free agent right tackle market.
35. Ronald Leary (27) – Leary’s strength is run blocking. Saints tried to trade for him last year.
36. Matt Kalil (27) – Plagued by knee/hip injuries. Poor available LT talent will inflate his market.
37. Barry Church (29) – 222-pound strong safety does his best work near the line of scrimmage.
38. Riley Reiff (28) – 2012 first-rounder hasn’t met expectations in Detroit. Moved to RT last year.
39. Cordarrelle Patterson (26) – Has five kick-return TDs last four years. Gadget player on offense.
40. Martellus Bennett (30) – Played through knee/ankle injuries last year. No. 1 TE in free agency.
41. Jabaal Sheard (27) – Fell behind Trey Flowers with Pats last year. Fits best as rotational 4-3 DE.
42. Duron Harmon (26) – Excelled as Patriots’ No. 3 safety. Candidate to land shockingly big deal.
43. James Harrison (38) – Remained the Steelers’ best pass rusher at age 38. Likely staying in PIT.
44. Julius Peppers (37) – Still useful rotational pass rusher. Registered 7.5 sacks on 58% of snaps.
45. Kenny Britt (28) – Topped 1,000 yards with awful QB play. Also set career high in catches (68).
46. Chris Baker (29) – Underrated 3-4 DE has 9.5 sacks, five forced fumbles the past two seasons.
47. Bennie Logan (27) – Nose tackle struggled in Eagles’ “Wide-9” scheme. Played better in 3-4.
48. Morris Claiborne (27) – Played well when healthy in ’16, but missed 32 games last four years.
49. Johnathan Cyprien (26) – Has settled in as a strong run-support safety but coverage liability.
50. T.J. McDonald (26) – Slightly above-replacement-level safety may be facing drug suspension.
51. Nick Mangold (33) – Released by rebuilding Jets. Played well when healthy early last season.
52. Jared Cook (29) – Light flipped on with good QB play. Fully expected to re-sign with Packers.
53. Terrance Williams (27) – Chronic body catcher with no standout on-field traits. Buyer beware.
54. Jack Doyle (26) – Plus run blocker, reliable possession/red-zone target. Top-three FA tight end.
55. Lawrence Timmons (30) – Father Time is catching up to Timmons, who was a liability last year.
56. Darius Butler (31) – Longtime playmaking slot corner for Colts wants to transition to safety.
57. Captain Munnerlyn (28) – Feisty slot CB yielded just four gains of 20-plus yards on 68 targets.
58. Jared Odrick (29) – Cut by Jags after injury-shortened year. Has played 4-3 DE and DT, 3-4 DE.
59. Bradley McDougald (26) – Box safety has experience matching up with TEs in man coverage.
60. Kendall Wright (27) – Badly needs change of scenery. Slot receiver with some vertical ability.
61. Robert Woods (24) – Sure-handed WR hasn’t played in a functional passing offense since USC.
62. D.J. Swearinger (26) – Hard-hitting safety had breakout year in 2016. His arrow is pointing up.
63. Michael Floyd (27) – Chronic underachiever facing suspension after extreme DUI in December.
64. J.C. Tretter (26) – Held own as Packers’ starting center before MCL tear. Possible value pickup.
65. Zach Brown (27) – Early-season star ILB tailed off as year progressed. Longtime underachiever.
66. Nick Fairley (29) – Impact 4-3 DT when healthy, in shape. NFL teams don’t seem to trust him.
67. Ted Ginn (31) – Still lifts lid, flips field position. Nine receptions of 40-plus yards last two years.
68. Charles Johnson (30) – Took below-market deal to stay in Carolina last year. Likely will again.
69. Lorenzo Alexander (33) – GMs likely wary of career special teamer breaking out for 12.5 sacks.
70. Perry Riley (28) – Up-and-down ILB resurrected his career in Oakland. Still a scary investment.
71. Kevin Minter (26) – Roughly replacement-level ILB has forced one turnover in 61 career games.
72. Brian Hoyer (31) – Could envision him as bridge QB for old pal Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco.
73. Ryan Fitzpatrick (34) – Stretched as starter but still one of the NFL’s better backup QB options.
74. Josh McCown (37) – See Ryan Fitzpatrick. Helps that McCown is willing to mentor young QBs.
75. Datone Jones (26) – Jack of many trades, master of none. Best attribute is DE/DT/LB versatility.
76. Stacy McGee (27) – Rotational 4-3 DT/3-4 DE was enjoying strong 2016 before injuries struck.
77. DeMarcus Ware (34) – Had back surgery in December. No idea what he has left at this point.
78. Alan Branch (32) – Anchored New England’s run defense last year. Old and doesn’t rush the QB.
79. Alex Okafor (26) – 3-4 OLB has 13.5 sacks over last three years in rotational role for Cardinals.
80. Jarvis Jones (27) – Has shown he isn’t an NFL pass rusher, but useful edge setter in run game.
81. Dwight Freeney (37) – Still has some pass-rush ability, but may be considering retirement.
82. Terence Newman (38) – Entering his 15th NFL season. Has always played well for Mike Zimmer.
83. Chris Long (32) – Quality “locker-room guy;” Long offers little on the field at this stage of career.
84. Lawrence Guy (27) – Run-stopping five-technique 3-4 DE. Leaves the field on passing downs.
85. William Gholston (25) – Another run-stopping end who offers little in pass-rush department.
86. Gerald Hodges (26) – 3-4 ILB. One of the few 49ers defenders who played the run well in ’16.
87. Sylvester Williams (28) – Nose tackle was one of main culprits in Denver’s soft run defense.
88. Andre Branch (27) – Replacement-level 4-3 DE had 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles last season.
89. Brandon Fusco (28) – Once-promising guard struggled badly after tearing his pectoral in 2015.
90. Erik Walden (31) – Not really a pass rusher. Lucked his way into career-high 11 sacks last year.
91. Ryan Griffin (27) – Possession TE rotated with C.J. Fiedorowicz last season. Low-impact blocker.
92. Latavius Murray (26) – Big and fast, but doesn’t beat contact and unreliable in the passing game.
93. Eddie Lacy (26) – Does beat contact, but can’t stay healthy and conditioning a recurring concern.
94. Danny Woodhead (32) – Tore ACL last September. Trusted change-of-pace/passing-down RB.
95. Rex Burkhead (26) – This year’s best all-around FA running back. Elusive runner, terrific receiver.
96. LeGarrette Blount (30) – Good role player if used correctly. One-dimensional grinder/clock killer.
97. Andre Ellington (28) – Fell behind David Johnson, Chris Johnson, and Kerwynn Williams in 2016.
98. Jacquizz Rodgers (27) – Young journeyman RB outplayed Doug Martin and Charles Sims last year.
99. DeAngelo Williams (33) – Battled knee problems for much of ’16. When healthy, great No. 2 RB.
100 (tie). Patrick DiMarco (27), Kyle Juszczyk (25), James Develin (28) – It's a strong fullback class.

 

[jmt]

Wow Cards with three of top 25. Sign those guys!

 

[TheCardFan]

Would you sign Dont'a Hightower instead of CC?

Hightower is younger and plays a major position of need (ILB).

 

[juza76]

I would sign trumaine Johnson zach brown and warford

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Morris Claiborne and Kenny Britt. That's if the Cards re-sign their main guys, CC, Jefferson, Minter, and Swearinger.

 

[Chopper0080]

Players I would consider outside of our own

Dont'a Hightower - Just because our defense needs a leader
Desean Jackson - I would pay him for a year of production
Kenny Stills - If we wanted to pay a potential top end WR - he would be the guy
Chris Baker - Stud, but the cost may be high
Bennie Logan - Is a stud NT in a 3-4, team has changed to a 4-3
Nick Mangold - Good anchor in theory
Jared Odrick - Was pretty good in Miami as a 3-4 DE-seemed like an iffy fit with Jaguars
Jack Doyle - Seems like an Arians type of TE
Robert Woods - Not used in Buffalo

Something to keep in mind-Stills and Robert Woods are 24...Floyd is 27. Crazy that they are available, and could be solid long-term roster fits.

 

[Jetstream Green]

To my recollection. in regards to past seasons and the availability of youth. that is a pretty nice selection of players

 

[Cardiac]

Players I would consider outside of our own

Dont'a Hightower - Just because our defense needs a leader
Desean Jackson - I would pay him for a year of production
Kenny Stills - If we wanted to pay a potential top end WR - he would be the guy
Chris Baker - Stud, but the cost may be high
Bennie Logan - Is a stud NT in a 3-4, team has changed to a 4-3
Nick Mangold - Good anchor in theory
Jared Odrick - Was pretty good in Miami as a 3-4 DE-seemed like an iffy fit with Jaguars
Jack Doyle - Seems like an Arians type of TE
Robert Woods - Not used in Buffalo

Something to keep in mind-Stills and Robert Woods are 24...Floyd is 27. Crazy that they are available, and could be solid long-term roster fits.

Bennie Logan was injured and nicked up this past season and is as you say a far better fit in a 3-4 D. He has a good personality and should be a good locker room fit.

I get the attraction of D Jackson but I think he is a knucklehead and don't want him. Plus JJ Nelson and Smoke are similar in stature and close in speed.

Hightower would be great but his price tag might be a bit high.

I wouldn't go after Mangold because of age and injuries seem to be piling up and we have Boehm.

I like Stills and Woods as options.

 

[Chopper0080]

Bennie Logan was injured and nicked up this past season and is as you say a far better fit in a 3-4 D. He has a good personality and should be a good locker room fit.

I get the attraction of D Jackson but I think he is a knucklehead and don't want him. Plus JJ Nelson and Smoke are similar in stature and close in speed.

Hightower would be great but his price tag might be a bit high.

I wouldn't go after Mangold because of age and injuries seem to be piling up and we have Boehm.

I like Stills and Woods as options.

D Jackson is far better as a vertical threat than JJ or JB. My point is that if the Cardinals want to make a move for 2017, Jackson is a guy who can blow the top off a defense and doesn't need a ton of touches. No question about what he brings, and he is one of the best in the NFL to do it. If we want a #1 guy to replace Fitz after this season, Kenny Stills can be that guy, and and you can structure a low hit this year if you need to.

 

[Cardiac]

D Jackson is far better as a vertical threat than JJ or JB. My point is that if the Cardinals want to make a move for 2017, Jackson is a guy who can blow the top off a defense and doesn't need a ton of touches. No question about what he brings, and he is one of the best in the NFL to do it. If we want a #1 guy to replace Fitz after this season, Kenny Stills can be that guy, and and you can structure a low hit this year if you need to.

I disagree about "far better" vertical threat than JJ and if they get Smokey's sickle trait managed properly I disagree again. Plus Jackson is getting older and JJ was improving dramatically as he got healthy last year.

I do concede that Jackson can be very dynamic and would add a punt return bang that would help as well. I also think he wants to go back to Philly and they want him back for obvious reasons and to appease the fans and give a subtle jab at Chip Kelly.

 

[JeffGollin]

My top 3 FA's would be Calais, TJ and Swearinger (I think there's an edge you get when you keep good guys who know your system).

Who would I rate highest after those 3? It depends on which guys we fail to sign).

If we lost a safety, Berry would be kind of cool. Short or Hightower would help take the pain away from losing Campbell. After that, maybe a great big WR like Jeffrey or Britt. I'd stay away from CB and try exploit the deep pool in quality corners in the draft.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

My top 3 FA's would be Calais, TJ and Swearinger (I think there's an edge you get when you keep good guys who know your system).

Who would I rate highest after those 3? It depends on which guys we fail to sign).

If we lost a safety, Berry would be kind of cool. Short or Hightower would help take the pain away from losing Campbell. After that, maybe a great big WR like Jeffrey or Britt. I'd stay away from CB and try exploit the deep pool in quality corners in the draft.

Berry just got paaaaaaaaaaaid! Doesn't bode well, at all, for the Cards to resign Tony Jefferson.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

 

[Waysouth]

Let Campbell walk...trade a 3 or 4 round pick for Sheldon Richardson and sign Hightower, and maybe Swearinger.

 

[Gandhi]

First of all, I think my free agency wishes will make better sense if I start off by writing a little bit about what I think about the salary cap and what situation the Cardinals are in.

As you probably know the salary cap has gone up the last few years, and every indication is that it will continue to rise. Because basically every team in the league has a lot of cap space, or could easily get it by restructuring some contracts, we are seeing players get contracts that would be outrageous just a few years ago. I would even argue that some of the players getting major deals are not even some of the very best on their position. It is simply the development of the league and the salary cap, and to me, there is not that much point in being critical of any contract given to any player. What is “a bad deal” in this market?

So, obviously some teams have a better situation with their salary cap than others, and some teams can offer bigger deals to players, but I would say that for example the Cardinals could get any free agent out there without sacrificing their budget and without walking directly into cap hell within some years. They could even extend Calais Campbell, Tony Jefferson and D.J. Swearinger with ease. As I see it, the problem to the team is that the players and their agents know this as well. They know that the teams that, contrary to the Cardinals, don’t need to restructure anything can right away make huge offers with a lot of money upfront and relatively frontloaded contracts.

Having said that, I would like to see the Cardinals go after help on the offensive line and the backend of the defense. I think that is two areas that needs to be upgraded before next season, and I simply have more faith that veterans can better provide that upgrade than rookies. That’s absolutely not to say that I don’t want and expect at least the same amount of production from the rookies as in years past, but I would just like to go the veteran-way at those positions. Also, Keim has shown that he will pay up to secure a great offensive line, though that goes for both free agency and the draft so maybe that is not such a good argument here.

By the way, I have also added some wide receivers. I don’t really care if that position is being addressed through free agency or the draft. I just think there is some intriguing players in free agency.

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Offensive guard Kevin Zeitler is my dream-signing. I think he would instantly be a massive upgrade at right guard. Neither do I think there is any doubt that he will be the most sought-after free agent on the offensive line, and as I just wrote, he can expect a better offer than what the Cardinals can give him.

Offensive guard Larry Warford would be a great consolation prize, I think. He will probably get a big deal as well, but the thing about him is – at least to me – that he is a much better run blocker than pass protector, and offensive line players simply get paid to pass block nowadays. It would not shock me if Warford are not among the first wave of free agency signings.

Cornerback Logan Ryan is a player I have always like. He has to be one of the best tackles in the NFL. I know that he has been used both on the outside and as a nickelcorner, but I actually don’t know how much he really played on the outside, and I think the Cardinals needs the most help outside. Mitch, I know you live in Patriots-country. Can you help me out here?

Cornerback Morris Claiborne has for some reason been fascinating to me for several years. Maybe it’s because I remember him from his days at LSU, where he was a stud, but no matter why, I just think it would be worth taking a chance on him.

Wide receiver Kendall Wright is obviously – I think – a much better player than he has shown with the Titans the last few seasons. Well, you could certainly argue that no players is better than his latest production, but I think he just needs a change of scenery.

Wide receiver Robert Woods is more or less the exact same story as Kendall Wright. I think both could be very solid players in new systems.

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On top of those players, I would like to see the Cardinals re-sign at least Calais Campbell, Tony Jefferson, D.J. Swearinger, Sio Moore, Jermaine Gresham, Stepfan Taylor and Earl Watford. That’s not going to happen – as I stated, not because of cap space – but it sure would be nice.

 

[GuernseyCard]

Decide on your best offer to CC now and if he passes, move onto Chris Baker pronto.

 

[Chopper0080]

I disagree about "far better" vertical threat than JJ and if they get Smokey's sickle trait managed properly I disagree again. Plus Jackson is getting older and JJ was improving dramatically as he got healthy last year.

I do concede that Jackson can be very dynamic and would add a punt return bang that would help as well. I also think he wants to go back to Philly and they want him back for obvious reasons and to appease the fans and give a subtle jab at Chip Kelly.

Career Averages
Jackson
55 - 979 - 5 - 17.7yds/catch

Brown
50 - 739 - 4 - 14.6yds/catch

Nelson
22 - 433 - 4 - 19.3yds/catch

That looks far better to me...

 

[Jetstream Green]

I would make an effort and see what Captain Munnerlyn would want... the guy is a gamer and hardly ever gets beat for a big play, liked the guy coming out of college

 

[Cardiac]

Career Averages
Jackson
55 - 979 - 5 - 17.7yds/catch

Brown
50 - 739 - 4 - 14.6yds/catch

Nelson
22 - 433 - 4 - 19.3yds/catch

That looks far better to me...

This for last year? JJ had a broken thumb and Smoke had the sickle cell issue. You know better than I that a snap shot of stats is hardly concrete evidence.

Agree to disagree on this one.

 

[Chopper0080]

This for last year? JJ had a broken thumb and Smoke had the sickle cell issue. You know better than I that a snap shot of stats is hardly concrete evidence.

Agree to disagree on this one.

those are career averages

 

[Cardiac]

those are career averages

Sorry I made you post this when you clearly had career averages listed in your post, reading and posting quickly while at work does have its disadvantages.

I'm hearing pundits say that Jackson will get paid well this FA period so your point is shared by many if not most. I just don't want him on the Cards.