In the NFL, free agency isn’t always about landing the biggest names and playmakers – it is often about building depth and plugging people into the right schemes and systems.
As part one of this series stated, the free agency period is as important a timeframe as any of the season.
Let’s take a look at some more free agents that will look to be retained or paid come March 11.
Brian Orakpo, OLB/DE, Washington Redskins
Orakpo is a Redskins legend and has been a dominant player in the league. He could fit into most schemes but is best position is OLB in the 3-4 system.
At the Redskins he forms a handsome partnership with young stud Ryan Kerrigan and new coaching team in Washington will do their absolute best to retain his services.
The recent deal with DeAngelo Hall was very cap friendly and he will remain a Redskin.
Eugene Monroe, LT, Baltimore Ravens
Monroe is one of the premium tackles in the game and at the age of 26 has plenty of great years in front of him.
I am still questioning why Jacksonville traded him but with a very deep draft class Jacksonville can improve in more areas with the picks they gained.
Monroe has stated he won’t be giving the Ravens a discount but John Harbaugh is confident in retaining his services – you wouldn’t give up two draft picks and then not re-sign him.
Monroe will remain a Raven in 2014 and beyond.
Aqib Talib, CB, New England Patriots
Talib was a fantastic acquisition by the New England but we come to expect that from Bill Belicheck.
New England are in a tough spot in that they have limited cap space and two very tough decisions to make. Talib and Julian Edelman are both free agents.
Talib will want a pay rise as he proved to be one of the elite corners in the league and at one point was candidate for defensive player of the year.
Down in Jacksonville Gus Bradley is building a Seattle 2.0 and, with plenty of cap space, Talib will be a target.
Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots
As stated above New England have some tough decisions to make. Julian Edelman is the easiest one.
Edelman is a stud in that offense and easily already more valuable and reliable than Danny Amendola. Cutting Amendola and replicating that deal with Edelman makes too much sense.
Brady’s new favourite toy will remain a Patriot but not without fight, rumours are the Browns, Texans and Broncos are interested.
Joique Bell, RB, Detroit Lions
Joique Bell proved to everyone and fantasy owners that he can be a starting running back in the NFL.
At times Bell looked better than Reggie Bush and with the Lions looking to build on defence Bell may be able land a bigger deal elsewhere. He recently tweeted:
Excited about the near future. Wondering what's goin to happen during Free Agency. Bless beyond measure. I kno where I wanna be tho#OnePride
— Joique Bell (@JoiqueBell) February 13, 2014
Bell is one of the most intriguing free agents and I for one hope he gets a starting gig. Potential landing spots include Cleveland, Jacksonville and Oakland.
Both he and Lions though have mutual interests and with Bush’s injury history he is one of the best replacements in the league.
He will remain a Lion but a stint in Cleveland would be great.
Eric Decker, WR, Denver Broncos
Is Decker a top tier wide receiver or merely a bi-product of the great Peyton Manning? That is the 10 million dollar a season question.
Decker cost himself a bit of money with his poor performance in the Super Bowl but those who doubt his ability should look at his stats from the Orton/Tebow era.
Decker is a quality receiver and can be a great number two wide out. I expect a team with a great quarterback to look to improve their passing game with Decker.
Pittsburgh needs someone else on offense other than Antonio Brown. Why not replace Wallace for a better receiver for less amount of money?
Alterraun Verner, CB, Tennessee Titans
I said in part one that Captain Munnerlyn has the best name in all of football but close behind him in Alterraun Verner.
Verner sounds like he should be in a 1970s space movie but that would mean a team would miss out on his services. Verner made the leap in 2013 and established himself as one of the best cover corners in the NFL which was rewarded with a Pro Bowl appearance.
Verner was only a fourth round pick in 2010 and deserves a big pay increase. Look for a team on the rebuild to offer him some serious coin.
Jacksonville and Oakland will fight out for Verner’s services, with Oakland finding a new talisman since the departure of Nnamdi Asomugha in 2010.
Michael Bennett, DL, Seattle Seahawks
Bennett proved to be one of the great finds by Seattle in 2013 and was a game changer in the playoffs.
This Seattle team is absolutely loaded on defence and with the contracts of Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas due for a raise and the end of next season re-signing Bennett may be a tough ask. The franchise tag seems unlikely.
As I was typing this I received a Bleacher Report alert announcing the Seahawks are expected to release defensive lineman Red Bryant to and utilize that savings on cap space on Michael Bennett.
Sorry Bears fans, a rendezvous with brother Martellus seems unlikely now. Bennett to remain a Seahawk.
Follow Josh on twitter @joshwye
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