The 2015 NFL free-agent pool doesn't have depth or a tremendous amount of star power at every position, but the class as a whole has some big-name headliners.
Not least among these marquee players is Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who should have his choice of suitors. What team is plays for comes down to the proper combination of a promising future on the gridiron and a tremendous amount of money.
Less hyped than Suh and other stars is Green Bay Packers cornerback Tramon Williams, who is hitting the open market with experience and playing a key position working in his favor.
Let's take a closer look at the latest rumors and buzz surrounding Suh, Williams and some other notes as the official beginning of NFL free agency approaches.
Suitors for Suh: Raiders and Colts?
Sarah Glenn/Getty Images It shouldn't come as much surprise that the Oakland Raiders are in the market for Suh. They have the type of cap space to all but write the All-Pro a blank check.
NFL.com's Michael Silver reports that Suh will meet with the Oakland brass to gauge what it can offer for the next phase of his career:
As ESPN's Peter Burns points out, Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie won't have a shortage of cash to offer Suh:
But McKenzie was also aggressive in free agency last offseason, and is now picking No. 4 overall in the draft with a new head coach in the fold in Jack Del Rio.
As important as money ought to be considering he can net one of the richest contracts ever, Suh has to be convinced that he can win. For all the individual greatness he's achieved in his young career, Detroit hasn't won a playoff game since Suh arrived.
That's why the latest rumblings from Bleacher Report insider Jason Cole becomes all the more interesting:
Not only are the Indianapolis Colts mulling the idea of bringing Suh in. They might also take a chance on pass-rusher Greg Hardy. As Cole explains, having a quarterback like Andrew Luck can be an effective recruiting chip to play.
Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel weighed in on the Colts' favorable situation:
Suh would be the on-field space-eating force Indianapolis needs in a big way up front. He would solve a lot of issues the Colts have defensively, allowing GM Ryan Grigson to upgrade the offensive line and protect Luck, who's been hit too much in his first three years under center.
Based on the stability coach Chuck Pagano has provided at the helm and how well Luck is coming along, Indy could be where Suh winds up.
The Colts have gone progressively further in the past three postseasons. Suh would make them a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Seahawks Reportedly Courting Tramon Williams
Elaine Thompson/Associated Press The "Legion of Boom" Seattle Seahawks secondary may welcome a new member in 2015, because the franchise is rumored to be pursuing Williams.
Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has the details:
A source close to Williams and his agent, Rodney Williams of Katy, Texas, told the Journal Sentinel that the Seahawks have made it clear they're going after the 31-year-old cornerback because they have little or no chance to re-sign [Byron] Maxwell, an unrestricted free agent.
The above passage references last year's starter opposite Richard Sherman, Byron Maxwell, who looks to be on his way out of the Emerald City. It's not as though Seattle can pay all its key player, so seeing Maxwell flee for more money elsewhere won't come as a huge surprise.
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports analyzed the possibility of Williams joining the Seahawks:
Williams was burned by Seahawks receiver Jermaine Kearse for the winning touchdown in Seattle's overtime victory in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Apparently the Seahawks' front office saw enough from Williams to want him in spite of that.
"He just probably won't get as many years as he wants," said an NFC executive to McGee about Williams losing a step. "He went from being really fast to fast. He could still do it. It's just how long can he still do it?"
Green Bay's defense has held it back from being a more prominent championship contender, which doesn't help Williams' leverage on the open market, nor does the fact that he's turning 32 soon.
Seattle can probably sign him at a bargain, convincing Williams to join a promising situation. This would address a key need and permit the Seahawks to focus on re-signing younger franchise cornerstones in All-Pro middle linebacker Bobby Wagner and star signal-caller Russell Wilson.
Report: Jacoby Jones to Visit Chargers
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images The Baltimore Sun's Aaron Wilson hears from a source that the San Diego Chargers will host Jones for a visit.
Jones has proven to be an asset as a return man, taking four punts and five kickoffs to pay dirt during his eight-year NFL career. Although he's flashed ability as a capable receiver, the 2014 campaign saw Jones register just nine receptions on 18 targets for the Baltimore Ravens.
Beyond the aging Malcom Floyd and young stud Keenan Allen, San Diego is quite thin in the receiver corps. Recent history hasn't been kind to Jones, but he did grab two clutch touchdown catches in Baltimore's most recent run to the Super Bowl.
Championship experience in general is something the Chargers locker room could use. This team has been on the precipice of something special ever since Philip Rivers took over under center, yet have never quite closed the deal.
Injuries plagued San Diego last year, so adding a special-teams spark likes Jones could be an X-factor that pushes a healthy 2015 team over the hump and back into the postseason.
Wilson lists Cincinnati and Tennessee as other interested teams Jones has visited. ESPN's Coley Harvey noted how superior Jones was to Brandon Tate in 2014:
The Bengals have been one-and-done in the playoffs the past four years, putting them in a similar situation of sorts as the Chargers. Tennessee appears to have little to offer Jones in terms of immediate on-field success.
Among those three teams, San Diego seems like the best fit for Jones.
Rivers is the best QB from that batch, and the opportunity exists for Jones to be Rivers' go-to deep threat. Both Floyd and Allen lack the top-end, long speed to stretch the field, so Jones fills a schematic void that the Chargers need to plug.
No comments:
Post a Comment