2011 NFL Free Agency: Donte Whitner & the 10 Biggest DB Playmakers
Now that the dust has settled after the 2011 NFL Draft, we can now look towards free agency—at least until the NFL lockout is lifted.
Every team will have holes to fill, as players acquired in the draft may not be prepared to take on such large roles.
Out of all the positions entering free agency, safeties and cornerbacks are loaded with talent—which is rather convenient, considering that the draft wasn't deep at all in the defensive backfield.
Here are 10 free-agent defensive backs who could be potential play-makers on your favorite team's roster.
This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @ TonySantorsa.
Nnamdi Asomugha
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Out of all of the free agent defensive backs, Nnamdi Asomugha is by far the best available.
Asomugha will certainly be a hot commodity and will be cashing in big time as many NFL teams will be offering the former Oakland Raider huge contracts.
Along with New York Jets' Darrelle Revis, Asomugha is considered to be the premier cornerback in the league and is one of the best man-to-man corners.
Asomugha played in 14 games last season with Oakland while accumulating a shockingly low 17 tackles and zero interceptions—Do you know why? Because teams will avoid Asomugha at all costs.
Every team could use Asomugha on their roster, no matter how deep their defensive backfield is, because he is guaranteed to eliminate the opposing team's best wide receiver.
Quintin Mikell
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If your favorite team is in the need of a strong safety, then Quintin Mikell is your guy.
Mikell was extremely productive in 2010 for the Philadelphia Eagles, as he tallied 88 tackles to go along with three interceptions.
He's a very well-rounded defensive back as he provides major support against the run and is a ball-hawking defender who will jack up any receiver in his vicinity.
The Eagles will likely make a strong play to re-sign Mikell, but if the right offer isn't there, he'll be up for grabs.
Ike Taylor
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Pittsburgh Steeler Ike Taylor is one of the most well-rounded, dependable cornerbacks in the NFL.
Taylor was very efficient during the Steelers' Super Bowl run in 2010 as he recorded 66 tackles, two interceptions, and 11 pass deflections.
The Steelers will certainly make a play for Taylor, but his asking price may be too high for Pittsburgh.
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Eric Weddle
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Eric Weddle is one of the league's young and emerging strong safeties who could be cashing in via free agency—and it may not be with the San Diego Chargers.
According to a report courtesy of Rotoworld.com, Weddle and the Chargers will have no problem parting ways:
"Chargers GM A.J. Smith said on Saturday that he hopes to re-sign free agent FS Eric Weddle, but insinuated he won't go out of his way to do so. After Weddle suggested earlier this week that he would move on in a "heartbeat" if he didn't like what the Chargers offered him, Smith says the team will do the same.
"Although they have denied it, it sure looks like their recent signing of Bob Sanders has made the Chargers more willing to let Weddle walk this offseason."
Weddle is a very physical strong safety who made 96 tackles in 2010.
Antonio Cromartie
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No matter how big Antonio Cromartie's mouth may be or how childish he is, the guy can still play football at a high level.
Cromartie will enter 2011 free agency as one of the top man-to-man cover cornerbacks due to his amazing physicality.
In a April 18 report courtesy of Rotoworld.com, the Jets will likely let Cromartie enter free agency with no contract offering:
"The Jets are tentatively expected to let him walk as he searches for a big payday."
Johnathan Joseph
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Cornerback Johnathan Joseph will probably end up re-signing with the Cincinnati Bengals, but could still test the waters of free agency.
Joseph was one of the Bengals' top defenders as he recorded 42 tackles and three interceptions in 2010. He's only 27 years old and still has a lot of room to improve.
Dawan Landry
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The 28-year-old strong safety Dawan Landry is one of the more physical defenders this year's free agent class and will be looking for a big payday.
Landry is such an efficient player as he tallied an impressive 111 tackles in 2010. One year earlier, he ended up with 89 tackles and four interceptions.
If the Ravens can't offer Landry the kind of deal wants, I'd expect other teams in the league to give him exactly what he wants, as he's such a playmaker at the strong safety position.
Roman Harper
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Roman Harper has been one of the NFL's most productive and consistent strong safeties.
Harper has spent his entire career with the New Orleans Saints, and in 2010, he tallied up 98 tackles, one interception and three sacks—very impressive numbers if you ask me.
The only major knock on Harper is that he's not the best cover-strong safeties out there, but he's certainly a physical ball-hawking playmaker.
Brent Grimes
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Cornerback Brent Grimes had a breakout year in 2010 for the Atlanta Falcons as he recorded 87 tackles and in incredible five interceptions.
Grimes may not be the best man-to-man cornerback out there, but he thrives in zone coverage due to his stellar ball skills.
The Falcons have already extended a first-rounder tender on Grimes, but many teams will have no issue giving up a first-round draft choice for the emerging talents of Grimes.
Donte Whitner
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Donte Whitner will be in for a huge payday this off-season, as Buffalo Bills general manager Buddy Nix has publicly made it clear that they will not be re-signing the 25 year old.
Courtesy of Rotoworld.com, Nix spoke with a local radio station in Buffalo and discussed the future of Whitner:
"Donte Whitner I don’t think wants to be here, and he probably won’t," Nix said.
That's about as close to confirmation an NFL team will give. The Bills' moves already indicated they intend to move on, re-signing George Wilson and drafting Da'Norris Searcy, another "box" safety.
Whitner, 26 in July, was the eighth overall pick in the 2006 draft out of Ohio State. He'll appeal to teams that value safeties who play the run effectively."
Whitner has definitely been over-shadowed while playing for the lowly Buffalo Bills for the first five years of his career, but he's one productive playmaking safety.
In 2010, Whitner recorded a breakout season as he made an incredible 140 tackles and one interception.
If your team needs a young strong safety who's been very productive and can still get better, then you better hope Whitner is on the team's radar.
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