Top 2008 Defensive Free Agents

[TheBrand0n]

Does anyone know? Is there a list? I know I'm probably looking too far ahead, but me knowing that we'll have so much cap space atop of just being a forward thinker, I cant help it.

I think Asante Samuel will be one. Asante and Dante.. nice ring to it... can somebody inform me of the rest?

[1337texansfan]

asante would be awesome to land. we might be able to afford him as well.

[Towlie]

I want either CB Asante or SS troy polumalu (god i MS his name lol). I know we have 200000 SS's... but troy can play center field, he's the second best safety in the NFL after ED REED.

[TheBrand0n]

I want either CB Asante or SS troy polumalu (god i MS his name lol). I know we have 200000 SS's... but troy can play center field, he's the second best safety in the NFL after ED REED.

He signed an extension before the season.

[Towlie]

That popped all of my bubbles thebrandon lol.

[Super Mario Bros]

DL:

Jared Allen, UFA, Kansas City Chiefs
Allen’s sack total dropped in ’06, but he still posted 7.5 and raised his tackle total a good deal. He’ll be back in Kansas City for the upcoming season, but there’s a good chance that he’ll try the market out come next offseason. He’s just 25 years of age, and has shown that he is among the league’s best at his position. He’ll be a high priority for several teams once the signing period opens.

Simeon Rice, UFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
His age isn’t appealing and he was hampered by injuries last season, but Rice is still known as a defensive force. His sack total of two in eight games was his lowest total of his career, and just the third time he had less than a double digit total in the category. Prior to 2006 he had missed two games in ten seasons, and has been a leader on the line for some time. With Tampa Bay releasing him, he’s already a free agent. His shoulder will need to heal some before he can pass a physical.

Justin Smith, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals
Smith is an intriguing player. He’s consistent, experienced, and has a powerful motor. With 81 total tackles and 7.5 sacks in ’06, Smith showed that he was a high level end, and that he was coming into his own as a defensive leader on the Bengals. He won’t command elite dollars, but he would be valuable to several teams and may find a suitor willing to open the checkbook wide.

Terrell Suggs, UFA, Baltimore Ravens
Suggs is somewhat versatile and has become a volatile opposing presence for offenses. He has the ability to play at the linebacker spot and also attack from the line at the end spot. He has grown into a top pass rusher and presents match-up problems for most teams. He’s been near or above double digit sack totals in each of his four seasons with eight being his low. He is a true talent and will attract some large offers from various teams, but Baltimore will do everything they can to sign him to an extension, especially considering that he doesn’t turn 25 until October.

Other Free Agent Defensive Linemen
Jordan Carstens UFA Carolina Panthers
Ebenezer Ekuban UFA Denver Broncos
Tommy Kelly UFA Oakland Raiders
Sam Rayburn UFA San Francisco 49ers
Mike Rucker UFA Carolina Panthers
Paul Spicer UFA Jacksonville Jaguars
Randy Starks UFA Tennessee Titans
Renaldo Wynn UFA Washington Redskins


LB:

Teddy Bruschi, UFA, New England Patriots
The safe bet is that Bruschi will retire once his contract ends after the season, but if he can be convinced to play another season or two, he’ll be able to attract decent attention as a leader with valuable playoff experience and championships under his belt. In fifteen games during the ’06 season, Bruschi logged 112 total tackles and an interception, all after coming back from a stroke. Bruschi has proven that he’s not only talented and has a natural ability for the game, but also that he’s one tough customer with a work heart that can’t be measured. He is a unique breed of a player.

Karlos Dansby, UFA, Arizona Cardinals
Dansby may very well end up being the cream of the crop in terms of linebackers during the next free agency period. He has excellent size and is coming into his own as a top level defensive player. He will turn 26 later this season and has consecutive seasons of 80 or more tackles. He also collected three interceptions in ’05 and an impressive eight sacks in ’06. Being young, strong, and talented should land him a large contract, and the Cardinals could be the team locking him up very soon.

Demorrio Williams, UFA, Atlanta Falcons
Williams is slightly undersized, but he has a knack for finding the ball and making the play. His 217 combined total tackles over the past two seasons is a solid number, and he’s been helpful against the passing attack at times. He is also appealing because he’s still maturing at the position and is just 27 years old. Atlanta will try to retain his services, but Williams might command more money on the open market.

Boss Bailey, UFA, Detroit Lions
Bailey has strong coverage skills and works hard to make plays. Bailey is physically gifted, but he has battled injury the past two seasons and hasn’t had a chance to show consistent play. Due to lost games, he’s also been unable to work on developing a knack for tracking down the ball. Bailey needs to be more physical, but also find a way to stay healthy. He’ll turn 28 early in the season, and will need to be on the field to garner attention on the free agent market.

Other Free Agent Linebackers
Jordan Beck RFA Atlanta Falcons
Kevin Bentley UFA Seattle Seahawks
Darryl Blackstock RFA Arizona Cardinals
Brandon Chillar UFA St. Louis Rams
Danny Clark UFA Houston Texans
Na'il Diggs UFA Carolina Panthers
Landon Johnson UFA Cincinnati Bengals
Teddy Lehman UFA Detroit Lions
Lemar Marshall UFA Washington Redskins
Kawika Mitchell UFA New York Giants
Mark Simoneau UFA Philadelphia Eagles
Sam Williams UFA Oakland Raiders


DB:

Mike Doss, UFA, Minnesota Vikings
The former Colts safety has a new home this season, and if he can avoid injury, he could see a long-term deal from Minnesota. Doss recorded a pair of interceptions in just six games last season, and has two picks each of the past three seasons. He has the ability to make an impact in slowing the opposition’s rushing attack, and has plenty of playoff experience under his belt. Doss is developing into a leader and is a defensive weapon that many teams wouldn’t mind having.

Domonique Foxworth, RFA, Denver Broncos
The Broncos added Dre’ Bly during the off season, so Foxworth will still be used mainly as a nickel defender. Foxworth is fast, but doesn’t always make the best play on the ball. He’s just 24, so experience and playing time should help his development. If another team thinks he can be a top two cornerback, he may seek to leave Denver to take on that bigger role. His RFA status will make it difficult to pull him away from the Broncos, but the cornerback position is one of great significance in the modern NFL, so there’s a chance.

Other Free Agent Cornerback
Chris Carr RFA Oakland Raiders
Drayton Florence UFA San Diego Chargers
Randall Gay UFA New England Patriots
Tory James UFA New England Patriots
Karl Paymah RFA Denver Broncos
B.J. Sams UFA Baltimore Ravens
Chad Scott UFA New England Patriots


Other Free Agent Safety
Jordan Babineaux UFA Seattle Seahawks
William Bartee UFA Kansas City Chiefs
Jay Bellamy UFA New Orleans Saints
Omar Stoutmire UFA Washington Redskins
Derrick Strait UFA Carolina Panthers
Gibril Wilson UFA New York Giants

[Super Mario Bros]

Also Texans FA's for next year:

WR Jerome Mathis
WR Andre Davis
OG Fred Weary
LB Danny Clark

[Super Mario Bros]

There's a lot of great upgrades we can make to the offensive line next offseason.

[SamerElmir]

Asante Samuel
Randall Gay
Jared Allen
Terrell Suggs

Are the ones that interest me the most, Samuel Cause he is amazing, Gay to add depth, And Allen to be our strong side DE while Williams can play the weak side where he seems to dominate more, and Suggs at LB and to blitz...can you imagine....

DeMeco Ryans/Terrell Suggs
Dante Robinson/Asante Samuel
Mario Williams/Jared Allen

And we have plenty of Cap room to do it

[Durant35]

Asante is way better than David

[Armor For Sleep]

Be careful about Asante Samuel. Be careful the same way New Orleans should've been careful about Jason David.

Samuel is clearly head and shoulders above Jason David. I don't know what people were expecting from David, but after seeing him play at least twice for 3 seasons, I was fairly certain that he was nothing special.

Samuel, on the other hand, had more INTs last season than Jason David has had in his entire career. He is comparable to Dunta. David is comparable to Faggins. There is no reason to be apprehensive regarding Samuel.