NFL Free Agency 2011: Cullen Jenkins and the 15 Best Defenders on the Market
In a normal offseason all of these teams would be signed to their new teams, and everyone would be talking about team previews for the 2011-2012 season.
However, this is a lockout year, and these free agents have been halted in their tracks, remaining in limbo until the lockout ends.
Some of the best defenders on the market were hit with the franchise tag, which may not matter when the new CBA is reached.
Players like Michael Vick, Peyton Manning, Vincent Jackson, and Tamba Hali may hit the open market, if the new CBA does not include a franchise tag.
With that knowledge in mind, here are 15 players that could hit the market with welcoming arms.
15. Shaun Ellis (DE, New York Jets)
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Even at 33 years of age, Shaun Ellis is still a great five-technique player and could provide some value on a short-term deal to a team like the Dallas Cowboys.
Dallas got no production from their defensive ends last season, and Ellis has more sacks than both starters combined.
He is still capable of producing solid numbers at this point in his career, and will likely on seek out a two to three year deal.
Ellis is an 11-year veteran that averages nearly seven sacks per season, and brings valuable leadership and experience. While he has played every season in New York to this point of his career, it is time for both Ellis and the Jets to part ways.
14. Mathias Kiwanuka (DE, New York Giants)
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Kiwanuka only appeared in three games this past season, but was a consistent player for the Giants in the previous five seasons.
He is three years removed from his best season, where he recorded eight sacks and 51 tackles.
The biggest issue with Kiwanuka is his injury as he is recovering from a herniated cervical disk in his neck. He has been cleared to resume football activities, but at this point it is unknown how much the injury will affect his play.
He has the potential to be one of the best free agent acquisitions this offseason, however, expect him to stay in New York, where he is comfortable with the scheme and the medical staff.
13. Stewart Bradley (LB, Philadelphia Eagles)
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Stewart Bradley is an undervalued linebacker that has played for the Eagles up to this point in his career. Philadelphia will certainly be attempting to retain the linebacker, as they would like to move him to the strong-side next season.
Bradley is a heart and soul type of player that relies more on his instincts and intelligence, rather than his physical abilities. He shows exceptional leadership abilities, and may not be one of the 15 most talented defensive players hitting the market, but he certainly provides qualities that cannot be taught.
Bradley was limited for part of the season last year, however, he certainly showed his worth in games against the New York Giants and the Indianapolis Colts.
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12. Eric Weddle (S, San Diego Chargers)
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Safeties in the NFL are always in demand, and Weddle is the best one on the market this offseason. The Redskins made a play before the lockout began by signing the next best free agent safety, O.J. Atogwe.
Atogwe signed a 5-year contract worth $26 million dollars, and he is three years older than Weddle.
Weddle will be looking for a similar contract in the four to five year range, that will also be worth approximately 30 million.
There are certainly some teams that will have interest in Weddle, including the Indianapolis Colts and the Dallas Cowboys.
Jerry Jones will surely want to make an offer to bring the playmaking safety to Dallas.
11. Antonio Cromartie (CB, New York Jets)
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Cromartie has never been considered to be an elite cornerback, but he has always been a playmaker. Cromartie is similar to Redskins cornerback, DeAngelo Hall, as both of them are known to look for the big play.
The Jets tendered Cromartie in March, and have expressed interest in bringing the playmaker back to New York. He likely won't see a ton of interest on the free agent market, but any team that is looking for a playmaker will certainly be making the call.
One team that may show surprising interest is the Washington Redskins, if they are to lose Carlos Rogers to free agency. Seeing two playmaking corners in DeAngelo Hall and Antonio Cromartie paired together may lead to big plays for both the opposing offense and the Redskins' defense.
10. Brandon Mebane (DT, Seattle Seahawks)
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Mebane was a third round pick of the Seahawks back in 2007, and has certainly been a key player on their defensive line.
He is one of the best run stoppers in the game, with his blend of size, strength, and quickness. While he does not sack the quarterback often, only ten sacks in his career, he does a decent job at getting pressure on the quarterback.
Seattle has not been a great fit for Mebane, as he does not supply the pass rush that is required in the "Leo" defense.
Mebane will be best fit with a team like Indianapolis, where he can focus primarily on stopping the run. Fortunately for Mebane, it will be a match made in Heaven, as he loves to stuff the run, and the Colts are desperate for anyone with his skill set.
9. Carlos Rogers (CB, Washington Redskins)
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As a cover corner, Carlos Rogers is one of the most underrated players in football. He is exceptional in man to man coverage, and is more efficient than his counterpart, Deangelo Hall.
Rogers is not a flashy corner, in fact he is far from flashy. He has awful hands, probably the worst of any starting cornerback in the NFL, which frustrate Redskins fans on a daily basis.
However, he has the ability to shut down most teams top receiver, and has the ability to excel as the first or second cornerback on a team.
While Rogers is still on his rookie contract, he is not as young as many would think. Rogers will turn 30 before the season starts and is not worth the money he is demanding, as it has been reported that he wants a similar contract to the one Dunta Robinson got from Atlanta.
8. Charles Johnson (DE, Carolina Panthers)
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Most people are asking who Charles Johnson is, right? Well, Charles Johnson replaced Julius Peppers after Peppers bolted for Chicago. He is far from a household name, but teams better start taking notice, as he is only 24 years old and has not reached his prime.
Johnson became a full-time starter in 2010, and emerged as a legitimate pass-rushing threat to opponents. He recorded 11.5 sacks, after recording 10 sacks in the two previous seasons combined, in a limited role.
A third-round selection in 2007, Johnson finally got the chance to show his worth, and did not disappoint. In comparison, in Peppers' last season as a Panther, he recorded one sack less than Johnson did in 2010.
Johnson was one of the lone bright spots on the worst team in the NFL last season, and the Panthers need to make it a priority to resign their best pass rusher this offseason.
7. Paul Posluszny (LB, Buffalo Bills)
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To put it simpley, Paul Posluszny is a tackling machine. He has recorded over 100 tackles in each of the last three seasons, only one of which he actually appeared in all 16 games.
He is coming off of a 151 tackle season, after only playing in 14 games. He averages nearly nine tackles per game for his career, and when healthy is one of the best interior linebackers in the game.
Posluszny is very versatile and can play inside linebacker in both the 4-3 and the 3-4. With that versatility, he could find his services to be in high demand when free agency kicks off.
As mentioned previously, he has had some injury problems in the past and has only played in 16 games one time in his four seasons. However, Posluszny's skill set certainly makes him worth the gamble.
6. Stephen Tulloch (LB, Tennessee Titans)
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Stephen Tulloch is another guy that may not be that well recognized outside of Tennessee. He had an explosive season in the middle of the Titans 4-3 defense, and trailed only Jerod Mayo in tackles this season.
He finished the year with 159 tackles and is coming off of back to back 100 tackle seasons. He has improved drastically over the last three seasons and appears to be entering his prime at 26 years old.
He is a solid leader, and provides everything that teams look for in a middle linebacker. Expect him to remain in Tennessee next season, as he appears to be excelling there, and there are not too many teams looking for a 4-3 middle linebacker.
5. Johnathan Joseph (CB, Cincinnati Bengals)
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Top cornerbacks are always in high demand when they hit free agency, and Johnathan Joseph will be no exception.
Joseph has spent five years in the league, and at only 26 years of age, he is still in his prime. Joseph is a shut-down cornerback that has certainly helped the Bengals defense to improve over the past few years.
Corner is one of the toughest positions to play on the field, and elite talent is not usually this readily available.
Unfortunately for Joseph, Nnamdi Asomugha is also a free agent, and is getting all of the publicity.
Joseph will certainly get a solid payday when he hits free agency, but it could have been a lot higher without a lockout, and without Asomugha joining him on the market.
4. Cullen Jenkins (DE, Green Bay Packers)
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At 30 years of age, Jenkins is a polished, and well-respected defensive end in the NFL. Defensive lineman have a relatively long shelf life in the NFL, and Jenkins should be able to play at a high level for a few more seasons.
His durability has come into question as of late, due to the fact that he has only played in 31 regular season games over the previous three seasons.
However, there is no denying that Jenkins still has the ability to play at a high level.
Jenkins will likely be on his way out of Green Bay, and could be making his way to the rival Chicago Bears, as they have made Jenkins a priority once free agency begins.
3. Tamba Hali (LB, Kansas City Chiefs)
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The Chiefs designated Hali as their franchise player, however, he did not sign that tender before the lockout began.
Thus, if the franchise tag becomes irrelevant, he will hit free agency as the best outside linebacker available.
Hali is coming off a season where he totaled 14.5 sacks, and was unstoppable at times. Hali is a bit underrated, as a lot of people outside of Kansas City did not truly see how productive he was for the Chiefs.
For his career, he has totaled over 40 sacks, and nearly 300 tackles. He is likely to get a big contract if he hits free agency, as there will be a lot of teams that play the 3-4, that will be looking to land an elite pass rusher.
2. Haloti Ngata
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Like Hali, Ngata was named his team's franchise player also. Ngata is still in his prime, and is a force to reckon with in the trenches.
He is one of the premier nose tackles in the game, and excels in both run stopping and pass rushing. He is one of the key reasons that the Ravens run defense excels, and one of the reasons they get so many sacks.
He recorded 5.5 sacks out of the nose tackle position, and over 60 tackles last season. At 27 years old, Ngata will be in high demand for a team looking to snag an elite nose tackle for their 3-4 scheme. Look no further than a team just south of Baltimore, in the Washington Redskins, who may make a rather large offer for Ngata's services.
1. Nnamdi Asomugha (CB, Oakland Raiders)
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Nnamdi Asomugha is one of the premier cornerbacks in the league. He ranks up there with Darrelle Revis and Champ Bailey as the best in the game.
He is a shut-down corner, that teams generally avoid throwing against. He can lock down on any receiver in the game, and is a game-changing player.
Cornerback is one of the most important, and most difficult positions in the game, and having a player with the skill set of Asomugha's is certainly worth the money.
He will likely receive compensation similar to the contract that Revis signed with the Jets last season, and it will be well deserved.
Adding a player like Asomugha could immediately transform a team. Any team that is lacking cornerback depth will certainly take a look at him, from Houston to Dallas to Washington, it is anybody's best guess as to where the star corner will land.
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