Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Draft Nuggets Blog fot TheTicket.com


Draft Nuggets 2013: Entry #2



Free Agency

As Jerry continues his effort to make Valley Ranch “uncomfortable” and the Cowboys transition to the “Tampa 2” 4-3 under new DC Monte Kiffin, let’s take a very preliminary look at what might be available on the Free Agent market that begins on March 12th. The following is a list of the potential free agents scheduled to hit the open market this spring. Not included on this list are restricted free agents (as they take draft pick compensation and almost always stay with their current club) or the players that will be released due to salary cap considerations. As with most things in the NFL off-season, this list is fluid and constantly changing, but taking a snapshot can show some of the options the Cowboys organization may be weighing.  (Note: Some of the significant free agents highlighted in blue)

Quarterbacks:
Luke McCown – ATL
Joe Flacco – BAL
Tarvaris Jackson – BUF
Tyler Thigpen – BUF
Derek Anderson – CAR
Jason Campbell – CHI
Josh McCown – CHI
Bruce Gradkowski – CIN
Drew Stanton – IND
Brady Quinn – KC
Matt Moore – MIA
Chase Daniel – NO
David Carr – NYG
Matt Leinart – OAK
Charlie Batch – PIT
Byron Leftwich – PIT
Kellen Clemens – STL
Rex Grossman – WAS
Running Backs:

La’Rod Stephens-Howling – ARI
Mike Cox – ATL
Tashard Choice – BUF
Corey McIntyre – BUF
Brian Leonard – CIN
Bernard Scott – CIN
Brandon Jackson – CLE
Felix Jones – DAL
Jerome Harrison – DET
Stefan Logan – DET
Kevin Smith – DET
Cedric Benson – GB
James Casey – HOU
Justin Forsett – HOU
Rashad Jennings – JAC
Greg Jones – JAC
Jalen Parmele – JAC
Peyton Hillis – KC
Reggie Bush – MIA
Jerome Felton – MIN
Danny Woodhead – NE
Kahlil Bell – NYJ
Shonn Greene – NYJ
Lex Hilliard – NYJ
Mike Goodson – OAK
Owen Schmitt – OAK
Rashard Mendenhall –PIT
Jackie Battle – SD
Ronnie Brown – SD
Brandon Jacobs – SF
Steven Jackson – STL
Brit Miller – STL
Quinn Johnson – TEN
Darius Reynaud – TEN
Javon Ringer – TEN
Wide Receivers:

Ruvell Martin – BUF
Louis Murphy – CAR
Johnny Knox – CHI
)
Brandon Tate – CIN
Josh Cribbs – CLE
Mohamed Massaquoi – CLE
Kevin Ogletree – DAL
Brandon Stokley – DEN
Kassim Osgood – DET
Donald Driver – GB
Greg Jennings – GB
Donnie Avery – IND
Austin Collie – IND
Micheal Spurlock – JAC
Dwayne Bowe – KC
Jabar Gaffney – MIA
Brian Hartline – MIA
Devin Aromashodu – MIN
Jerome Simpson – MIN
Deion Branch – NE
Julian Edelman – NE
Wes Welker – NE
Greg Camarillo – NO
Devery Henderson – NO
Courtney Roby – NO
Ramses Barden – NYG
Domenik Hixon – NYG
Jason Hill – NYJ
Chaz Schilens – NYJ
Derek Hagan – OAK
Mike Wallace – PIT
Braylon Edwards – SEA
Ted Ginn – SF
Randy Moss – SF
Danny Amendola – STL
Brandon Gibson – STL
Steve Smith – STL
Roscoe Parrish – TB
Sammie Stroughter – TB
Tight Ends:
Todd Heap – ARI
Tony Gonzalez – ATL
Billy Bajema – BAL
Gary Barnidge – CAR
Ben Hartsock – CAR
Clark Harris – CIN
Richard Quinn – CIN
Alex Smith – CLE
Ben Watson – CLE
John Phillips – DAL
Will Heller – DET
Maurice Stovall – JAC
Jake O’Connell – KC
Martin Rucker – KC)
Anthony Fasano – MIA
Visanthe Shiancoe – NE
Travis Beckum – NYG
Martellus Bennett –NYG
Dustin Keller – NYJ
Brandon Myers – OAK
Leonard Pope – PIT
Dante Rosario – SD
Evan Moore – SEA
Cameron Morrah – SEA
Delanie Walker – SF
Dallas Clark – TB
Jared Cook – TEN
Chris Cooley – WAS
Fred Davis – WAS
Offensive Tackles:
D’Anthony Batiste –ARI
Pat McQuistan – ARI
Sam Baker – ATL
Will Svitek – ATL
Bryant McKinnie – BAL
Jeremy Bridges – CAR
Patrick Mannelly – CHI
Jonathan Scott – CHI
Dennis Roland – CIN
Andre Smith – CIN
Ryan Clady – DEN
Gosder Cherilus – DET
Corey Hilliard – DET
Rashad Butler – HOU
Ryan Harris – HOU
Winston Justice – IND
Eben Britton – JAC
Branden Albert – KC
Jake Long – MIA
Phil Loadholt – MIN
Geoff Schwartz – MIN
Sebastian Vollmer – NE
Jermon Bushrod – NO
Will Beatty – NYG
Sean Locklear – NYG
Jason Smith – NYJ
Khalif Barnes – OAK
King Dunlap – PHI
Max Starks – PIT
Frank Omiyale – SEA
Barry Richardson – STL
Robert Turner – STL
Jeremy Trueblood – TB
Jordan Black – WAS
Tyler Polumbus – WAS
Guards:
Rich Ohrnberger – ARI
Garrett Reynolds – ATL
Andy Levitre – BUF
Mike Pollak – CAR
Lance Louis – CHI
Chilo Rachal – CHI
Derrick Dockery – DAL
Evan Dietrich-Smith – GB
Antoine Caldwell – HOU
Tony Hills – IND
Steve Vallos – JAC
Russ Hochstein – KC
Nate Garner – MIA
Jamey Richard – NE
Donald Thomas – NE
Kevin Boothe – NYG
Brandon Moore – NYJ
Matt Slauson – NYJ
Cooper Carlisle – OAK
Ramon Foster – PIT
Doug Legursky – PIT
Tyronne Green – SD
Rex Hadnot – SD
Louis Vasquez – SD
Leonard Davis – SF
Chris Williams – STL
Kyle DeVan – TEN
Leroy Harris – TEN
Deuce Lutui – TEN
Kory Lichtensteiger – WAS
Centers:
Todd McClure – ATL
Chris Spencer – CHI
Jeff Faine – CIN
Dan Koppen – DEN
Dylan Gandy – DET
Don Muhlbach – DET
Brad Meester – JAC
Thomas Gafford – KC
Joe Berger – MIN
Jon Dorenbos – PHI
Greg Warren – PIT
Andrew Economos – TB
Fernando Velasco – TEN
Defensive Lineman:
Nick Eason – ARI
Vonnie Holliday – ARI
Lawrence Sidbury – ATL
Vance Walker – ATL
Maake Kemoeatu – BAL
Ryan McBean – BAL
Spencer Johnson – BUF
Shawne Merriman – BUF
Kyle Moore – BUF
Antwan Applewhite – CAR
Dwan Edwards – CAR
Israel Idonije – CHI
Henry Melton – CHI
Amobi Okoye – CHI
Robert Geathers – CIN
Wallace Gilberry – CIN
Michael Johnson – CIN
Pat Sims – CIN
Juqua Parker – CLE
Kenyon Coleman – DAL
L.P. Ladouceur – DAL
Justin Bannan – DEN
Jason Hunter – DEN
Kevin Vickerson – DEN
Ty Warren – DEN
Cliff Avril – DET
Sammie Lee Hill – DET
Lawrence Jackson – DET
Corey Williams – DET
Shaun Cody – HOU
Dwight Freeney – IND
Antonio Johnson – IND
Fili Moala – IND
Terrance Knighton – JAC
Glenn Dorsey – KC
Shaun Smith – KC
Tony McDaniel – MIA
Randy Starks – MIA
Ron Brace – NE
Trevor Scott – NE
Sedrick Ellis – NO
Turk McBride – NO
Rocky Bernard – NYG
Shaun Rogers – NYG
Osi Umenyiora – NYG
Mike DeVito – NYJ
Desmond Bryant – OAK
Andre Carter – OAK
Matt Shaughnessy – OAK
Derek Landri – PHI
Darryl Tapp – PHI
Casey Hampton – PIT
Aubrayo Franklin – SD
Vaughn Martin – SD
Alan Branch – SEA
Jason Jones – SEA
Ricky Jean-Francois – SF
Isaac Sopoaga – SF
William Hayes – STL
Trevor Laws – STL
Michael Bennett – TB
Roy Miller – TB
Dave Ball – TEN
Keyunta Dawson – TEN
Leger Douzable – TEN
SenDerrick Marks – TEN
Jarius Wynn – TEN
Kentwan Balmer – WAS
Kedric Golston – WAS
Linebackers:
Quentin Groves – ARI
Paris Lenon – ARI
Jamaal Westerman – ARI
Mike Peterson – ATL
Ricky Brown – BAL
Dannell Ellerbe – BAL
Paul Kruger – BAL
Bryan Scott – BUF
Jordan Senn – CAR
Geno Hayes – CHI
Nick Roach – CHI
Brian Urlacher – CHI
Thomas Howard – CIN
Manny Lawson – CIN
Rey Maualuga – CIN
Dan Skuta – CIN
Scott Fujita – CLE
Kaluka Maiava – CLE
Victor Butler – DAL
Ernie Sims – DAL
Anthony Spencer – DAL
Keith Brooking – DEN
Justin Durant – DET
DeAndre Levy – DET
Ashlee Palmer – DET
Brad Jones – GB
Erik Walden – GB
Connor Barwin – HOU
Tim Dobbins – HOU
Keyaron Fox – HOU
Bradie James – HOU
Jesse Nading – HOU
Barrett Ruud – HOU
A.J. Edds – IND – (Ex)
Moise Fokou – IND
Daryl Smith – JAC
Jovan Belcher – KC
Edgar Jones – KC
Bryan Kehl – KC
Brandon Siler – KC
Jason Trusnik – MIA
Jasper Brinkley – MIN
Erin Henderson – MIN
Marvin Mitchell – MIN
Niko Koutouvides – NE
Tracy White – NE
Jonathan Casillas – NO
Ramon Humber – NO
Scott Shanle – NO
Chase Blackburn – NYG
Keith Rivers – NYG
Bryan Thomas – NYJ
Omar Gaither – OAK
Philip Wheeler – OAK
Akeem Jordan – PHI
Larry Foote – PIT
Brandon Johnson – PIT
Antwan Barnes – SD
Shaun Phillips – SD
Leroy Hill – SEA
Tavares Gooden – SF
Larry Grant – SF
Clark Haggans – SF
Mario Haggan – STL
Rocky McIntosh – STL
Xavier Adibi – TEN
Zac Diles – TEN
Gerald McRath – TEN
Will Witherspoon – TEN
Lorenzo Alexander – WAS
Rob Jackson – WAS
Chris Wilson – WAS
Defensive Backs:
Michael Adams – ARI
Rashad Johnson – ARI
James Sanders – ARI
Greg Toler – ARI
Brent Grimes – ATL
Chris Hope – ATL
William Moore – ATL
Chris Owens – ATL
Sean Considine – BAL
James Ihedigbo – BAL
Chris Johnson – BAL
Cary Williams – BAL
Jairus Byrd – BUF
Leodis McKelvin – BUF
Sherrod Martin – CAR
Captain Munnerlyn – CAR
Zackary Bowman – CHI
Kelvin Hayden – CHI
D.J. Moore – CHI
Nate Clements – CIN
Chris Crocker – CIN
Pacman Jones – CIN
Terence Newman – CIN
Sheldon Brown – CLE
Raymond Ventrone – CLE
Eric Frampton – DAL
Mike Jenkins – DAL
Charlie Peprah – DAL
David Bruton – DEN
Tony Carter – DEN
Jim Leonhard – DEN
Tracy Porter – DEN
Erik Coleman – DET
Louis Delmas – DET
Drayton Florence – DET
Chris Houston – DET
Jacob Lacey – DET
Pat Lee – DET
Alan Ball – HOU
Quintin Demps – HOU
Brice McCain – HOU
Glover Quin – HOU
Darius Butler – IND
Jerraud Powers – IND
Derek Cox – JAC
Chris Harris – JAC
Rashean Mathis – JAC
William Middleton – JAC
Travis Daniels – KC
Abram Elam – KC
Chris Clemons – MIA
Sean Smith – MIA
Jamarca Sanford – MIN
Will Allen – NE
Kyle Arrington – NE
Josh Barrett – NE
Pat Chung – NE
Marquice Cole – NE
Derrick Martin – NE
Aqib Talib – NE
Elbert Mack – NO
Michael Coe – NYG
Justin Tryon – NYG
Brian Witherspoon – NYG
Yeremiah Bell – NYJ
LaRon Landry – NYJ
Matt Giordano – OAK
Joselio Hanson – OAK
Michael Mitchell – OAK
Shawntae Spencer – OAK
Ronald Bartell – OAK
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie – PHI
Will Allen – PIT
Keenan Lewis – PIT
Ryan Mundy – PIT
Chris Carr – SD
Antoine Cason – SD
Quentin Jammer – SD
Corey Lynch – SD
Marcus Trufant – SEA
Dashon Goldson – SF
Darcel McBath – SF
Craig Dahl – STL
Bradley Fletcher – STL
Ronde Barber – TB
E.J. Biggers – TB
Ryan Mouton – TEN
Cedric Griffin – WAS
Tanard Jackson – WAS
Madieu Williams – WAS
Kickers:
Mike Nugent – CIN
Phil Dawson – CLE
Jason Hanson – DET
Shayne Graham – HOU
Lawrence Tynes – NYG
Nick Folk – NYJ
Nick Novak – SD
Steven Hauschka – SEA
Rob Bironas – TEN
Punters:
Kevin Huber – CIN
Reggie Hodges – CLE
Brian Moorman – DAL
Nick Harris – DET
Donnie Jones – HOU
Pat McAfee – IND
Dustin Colquitt – KC
Shane Lechler – OAK
Jeremy Kapinos – PIT
Saverio Rocca – WAS
 

 

 

Analysis:

As they should be pretty tight to the salary cap going into 2013, the Cowboys free agent shopping should be focused on just a few critical areas. Clearly quarterback, kicker and punter should not be on the agenda. But just about every other position could be targeted.

Running Back – With Felix Jones reaching the open market and the fragility of Murray, the depth at RB is in question. Tanner and Dunbar are serviceable back-ups, but probably not potential starters. Look for the Cowboys to add a cheap option to the fold, whether that is a Day 3 draft pick or a cheap free agent (maybe even bringing back Felix Jones)

Wide Receiver – Most of this question here lies with the fate of Miles Austin. If he is retained, then the Cowboys would be set with him, Dez and the emerging Dwayne Harris as starters and merely be looking for depth. If Austin is cut for salary cap purposes, Dallas would be in the market for a solid #2 option. Given the illegally acquired cap-friendly contract of Miles, expect he will return and this will not be an area addressed in free agency.

Tight End – With John Phillips hitting his free agent year off of a somewhat disappointing season, the backup TE job could be an area to upgrade this off-season. Rookie James Hanna came on late last season as a receiving threat, but his blocking skills still need work. A solid blocking tight end would be a nice and inexpensive addition to assist the rushing attack for next season.

Offensive Tackle – The fate of Doug Free is clearly in doubt. With a hefty price tag, Free fell into a rotation with Parnell at RT and may be released. If that is the case, right tackle jumps to the top of the needs for next season. However, starting tackles in free agency are a big ticket items and Dallas may not have the resources to get into a bidding war. Either Free will be retained or this position could be targeted in the draft.

Offensive Guard – The additions of Livings and Bernadeau last year were less than spectacular. While Livings proved serviceable at left guard, Bernadeau was far less than adequate and must be upgraded. Guards generally don’t carry the same price tag as tackles in free agency and a quick and pointed pursuit of a quality talent could be in order. Andy Levitre of Buffalo would be a fantastic choice as a stable, healthy and younger run-blocker to add to this O-Line.

Offensive Center – With Costa battling injuries all year, Ryan Cook was pressed into battle and served fairly well in that capacity. But going into next year with them as your only options at center seems a bit dangerous. This is a position that may be addressed in the draft (with any luck) as the free agent market for centers is quite thin.

Defensive Line – Changing to the 4-3 brings this position to the forefront much more than anticipated a week ago. Question #1 will be Anthony Spencer and whether he will adapt well to the new scheme, what role he might play in it and whether he’s worth the large payday coming to him. Question #2 is how well the rest of the roster adapts to new roles in the 4-3 and finding what holes remain. Rumors abound that Dallas may be a big player in the Defensive Tackle market, looking for a Warren Sapp-type impact pass rusher. Henry Melton and Randy Starks are all players who could fill that bill. Also, a defensive end opposite Ware could be targeted, such as Michael Johnson of Cincinnati or Jason Jones of Seattle.

Linebackers – Though coming off injury-shortened season, Sean Lee and Bruce Carter are certain locks in the new 3 LB alignment. Carter should excel as the weak-side linebacker and Lee will man the middle. The strong-side spot is a bit of a question mark. Alex Albright might be slotted there, as could veteran Dan Connor or Kyle Wilbur. But depth at the position could be addressed, via free agency or the draft.

Defensive Backs – With Mike Jenkins leaving for greener pastures, the role of nickel CB falls to Scandrick. The depth behind him, however, is suspect and should be injected with some youth. Safety, however, is a different problem. Sensabaugh and the healthy-again Barry Church are penciled in as starters. But given the nature of the new Tampa-2 defense, Dallas might be in need of upgrading. A true ball-hawking safety would be a welcome addition to the secondary, though might be a bit too expensive a price tag in free agency.

No comments:

Post a Comment