2011 NFL Free Agent Defensive Backs
By: Roshan Bhagat
Top Cornerbacks:
Champ Bailey, DEN Though several other corners have leapfrogged Bailey over the last couple years, he still remains one of the better consistent corners even at his age. He allowed no touchdowns in 2009 and while hes set to earn $13 million this season, there have been no talks of a contract extension as far as we know. The Broncos may be waiting to see how Bailey performs this season before deciding what type of contract to offer him.
Johnathan Joseph, CIN The Bengals corners awakened last year to help lead a defense that played much better than expected. Joseph is physical and aggressive and is well on his way to developing into one of the leagues better corners. The team was expected to have extended either, or both, of their tandem this offseason, but nothing has yet materialized.
Eric Wright, CLE Wright, who will be 25 later this year, has already shown numerous signs that he will develop into a fine cornerback. Hes been a starter for the Browns since he was a rookie and has steadily progressed with each season. The organization is very high on Wright and will make him a priority next year after seeing how large a leap he takes this year.
Richard Marshall, CAR Marshall was only given a 2nd round tender this offseason, which many thought made him an attractive Restricted Free Agent possibility over the summer. Marshall is a very physical corner who loves to get involved in the run game. Over his first four seasons hes averaged, 84 tackles, 9 deflections, 3 picks, and a sack. The Panthers seem to have no intention of extending him this offseason.
Carlos Rogers, WAS Rogers has been a solid cover corner over the last several years, but has gone unrecognized for the most part because of his hands of stone. The Redskins have an improving defense and losing one of their best players in the secondary would be a major setback.
Tramon Williams, GB Tramon Williams is expected to start this year if Al Harris begins the year on the PUP. The Packers are very high on this instinctive corner who figures to be the future of the teams secondary along with Nick Collins. Though they were reluctant to extend Williams this offseason, they did place the highest tender on him to ensure they would retain him.
Antonio Cromartie, NYJ Cromartie is one of several big names the Jets acquired over the offseason to help them get over the hump. He was heavily criticized for his lack of effort at times in San Diego in addition to his unwillingness to help out in run defense. Cromartie is your typical gambler, who may have found his ideal fit in New York.
Other Notable Free Agents:
Michael Adams, ARI
Brian Williams, ATL
Fabian Washington, BAL
Chris Carr, BAL
Drayton Florence, BUF
Corey Graham, CHI
Brandon McDonald, CLE
Chris Houston, DET
Will Blackmon, GB
Fred Bennett, HOU
Brandon Carr, KC
Lito Sheppard, MIN
Usama Young, NO
Stanford Routt, OAK
Ellis Hobbs, PHI
Ike Taylor, PIT
William Gay, PIT
Karl Paymah, SF
Josh Wilson, SEA
Kelly Jennings, SEA
Justin King, STL
Ronde Barber, TB
Elbert Mack, TB
Tye Hill, TEN
Top Safeties:
Antoine Bethea, IND Along with Reggie Wayne and Robert Mathis, Bethea has been absent from the Colts mandatory minicamps in search of a new deal. Bethea has every bit as good as a healthy Bob Sanders in the secondary, but was only given a 1st round tender this offseason. With Manning also due for a new contract, itll be interesting to see if the Colts have enough money to meet Betheas demands.
Quintin Mikell, PHI Though the Eagles have struggled to find an adequate starting free safety, Quintin Mikells emergence in the past two years at strong safety has made a big impact on the defense. After making the possible mistake of letting Brian Dawkins go a couple years too early, the Eagles wont soon let that happen again with Mikell who still has several years in front of him.
Tanard Jackson, TB Jackson hasnt received much publicity since his standout rookie season, but his impact on the Buccaneers defense has been just as strong since. The defense has been changing schemes, and more directly his responsibilities from year to year, which has made it difficult for him to really find any continuity. Though the public hasnt heard much of him, expect the organization to take care of Jackson in the offseason and keep him in Tampa for the next 4-5 years.
OJ Atogwe, STL Atogwe will become a free agent in the coming weeks, which may or may not take him off the market for next year. Its probably more likely that he signs a long-term deal in the near future, whether its with St. Louis, Dallas, Miami, or anywhere else.
Bernard Pollard, HOU The complexion of the Texans run defense changed dramatically after Pollard became the teams starting strong safety. If he performs at the same level again, not only will the Chiefs be kicking themselves for releasing him late last offseason, but the Texans will be happy to extend him.
Darren Sharper, NO After a terrific rebound year, it took a while, but the Saints re-signed Darren Sharper to a 1-year deal. At 35, Sharper is looking toward the end of a career and the Saints seem anxious to try out 1st round pick Malcolm Jenkins at safety. If he has another good year as a pure ballhawk, hell get another short-term deal, but most likely outside of New Orleans.
Other Notable Free Agents:
Matt Ware, ARI
Coy Wire, ATL
Dawan Landry, BAL
Tom Zbikowski, BAL
George Wilson, BUF
Josh Bullocks, CHI
Danieal Manning, CHI
Chinedum Ndukwe, CIN
Roy Williams, CIN
Abram Elam, CLE
Gerald Sensabaugh, DAL
Alan Ball, DAL
Daniel Bullocks, DET
Atari Bigby, GB
Sean Considine, JAC
Gerald Alexander, JAC
Jarrad Page, KC
Deon Grant, NYG
Michael Johnson, NYG
Aaron Rouse, NYG
Brodney Pool, NYJ
Hiram Eugene, OAK
Eric Weddle, SD
Paul Oliver, SD
Dashawn Goldson, SF
Sabby Piscatelli, TB
