(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Outside Linebackers
Derrick Brooks
The future Hall of Famer has gotten up there in age, (35), but still has around three years that someone can squeeze out of him.
His veteran savvy, poise, leadership, and knowledge of the game are great qualities to bring to a team. He could walk on and start for almost any team in the NFL. His age puts some red flags up in a league where youth is premium.
Brooks is most likely going to be signed when a starting LB from a team is injured.
Plausible Destination: New England Patriots
The Patriots have not found a replacement for veteran LB Mike Vrabel whom they traded to the Kansas City Chiefs. Brooks would fit the bill of Belichick preference of employing veteran players nicely.
He would be able to tutor Defensive Rookie of the Year, Jerod Mayo, and would go along nicely with veteran LB Tedy Bruschi.
Nabbing him would fill the only need on the New England roster; that team is looking great.
Freddy Keiaho
He is the best free agent Linebacker left on the market in terms of playing ability and upside.
In his first two seasons as a starter, he has averaged 93 tackles and has nowhere to go but up. He would be a starter for the majority of NFL teams, and I am surprised he has not been picked up yet.
Plausible Destination: Denver Broncos
They have nowhere to go but up on defense, and grabbing Keiaho would give them a quality starter and additional flexibility to shift things around on the front seven.
He would represent an upgrade over current starter Boss Bailey and would round out the LB unit nicely.
Morlon Greenwood
He is a proven starter who saw his production drop as his role was diminished with the Houston Texans. Before they began phasing him out of a starting role, he posted four consecutive 100+ tackle seasons.
He is only 30 and still has plenty of gas left in the tank. He will be in the battle for a starting role for whichever team picks him up.
Plausible Destination: Philadelphia Eagles
They don't have the most overwhelming group of LBs, and putting Greenwood alongside Stewart Bradley would make this group formidable. Upgrading a defensive unit that was part of an NFC Championship team would only be for the better.
The Eagles two weakest links are the LB unit and their failure to provide Pro Bowl QB Donovan McNabb a true No. 1 WR.
In the series finale, I will examine the top remaining MLBs, CBs, and Ss that can be had on the scrap heap.
We're going to send you the most entertaining NFL articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
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