I thought I would share a free agent wish list that doesn't include the usual suspects of marquee players. Here are some "under the radar" free agents that won’t break the bank while providing upgrades to the pash rush, offensive line depth, and secondary.
Edge Rusher:
Andre Carter (6’ 4” 245lbs age 32) is likely to be available for a reasonable contract due to his age. While Carter is 32, he is still producing at very high level as an edge rusher. Pro Football Focus ranked Carter as the 16th most effective pass rusher in 2011 while recording 11 sacks and 40 QB pressures, ranking him ahead of notable edge rushers Dwight Freeney, Tamba Hali, and Terrell Suggs.
Defensive Lineman:
Kendall Langford (6’ 6” 295lb age 26) DE was a key piece in Miami's sixth-ranked defense last season, Langford graded out as a top-five all-around 3-4 defensive end, according to Pro Football Focus. He is only 26 and his 34 QB pressures ranked him ahead of notable defensive ends Justin Tuck and J.J. Watt.
or Jeremy Mincey (6’ 3” 270lbs age 28) his 49 QB pressures ranked him as the 7th most productive pass rushing defensive end in 2012.
Offensive Guard/Center:
Evan Mathis, Chris Myers, Scott Wells, or Ben Grubbs
While these aren't exactly "under the radar" players, offensive lineman aren't exactly they type of free agents most fans fantasize about when going to bed at night. We should be able to land one of these players for a reasonable price.
Safety:
Tyvon Branch (6’ 205 lbs age 25): 4.31 40 time gives him great coverage ability and has the closing speed to be highly productive in both cover 2 and man schemes. He can play both Strong and Free Safety. This past season, Tyvon really came into his own with 109 tackles, the NFL Leader for a Strong Safety. He also had five passes defensed, a pick and a fumble recovery. He is an up and coming defensive back and Oakland is reportedly looking at slapping him with the franchise tag. Branch would be a significant upgrade over Abe Elam.
These players could all add a welcomed infusion of talent and address key areas of need through a value-minded and financially responsible approach to free agency.


There are 18 Comments. Load Now.
Shortcuts to mastering the comment thread. Use wisely.
C - Next Comment
X - Mark as Read
R - Reply
Z - Mark Read & Next
Shift + C - Previous
Shift + A - Mark All Read
Comment Settings
Live comment alert: Hide it!
Comments for this post are closed.