2014 NFL Free Agents: Top 50 List

[thenepatsrule]

NFL Trade Rumors - 2014 NFL Free Agents: Top 50 List NFL Trade Rumors - |

1.Jimmy Graham
2. Greg Hardy
3. Jairus Byrd
4. Michael Johnson
5. Alterraun Verner
6. Lamarr Houston
7. Aqib Talib
8. Brian Orakpo
9. T.J. Ward
10. Jared Veldheer

I hope Talib remains with the team :rocker:

 

[supafly]

I hope he stays too, although I'm also torn between how much money he may want and how much we will actually offer him.

As the season ends and free agency approaches, it will obviously be a very hot topic, but I'm wondering if we don't take a conservative approach--especially if Talib is retained? The cap implications + so many of our own may definitely point towards us staying away from making too big of a move as it pertains to outside players, although that's just speculating.

 

[thenepatsrule]

I hope he stays too, although I'm also torn between how much money he may want and how much we will actually offer him.

As the season ends and free agency approaches, it will obviously be a very hot topic, but I'm wondering if we don't take a conservative approach--especially if Talib is retained? The cap implications + so many of our own may definitely point towards us staying away from making too big of a move as it pertains to outside players, although that's just speculating.

If and thats a gigantic IF we were to land Jimmy Graham , How scary would our offense be with JG and Gronk.

 

[Kdo5]

He must still be banged up but Talib isn't playing near the level he was at the beginning of the season.

 

[supafly]

He must still be banged up but Talib isn't playing near the level he was at the beginning of the season.

I'm sure there's some truth to your comment, but matching him up in man coverage with no safety help vs Gordon wasn't the brightest move in my opinion. Even if he's the healthiest he's ever been he doesn't make that play.

On top of any injuries, which is certainly going to be the #1 concern with Talib moving forward (it's been a 3 yr pattern with this hip issue), the injury losses to other parts of the defense is likely leaving the secondary more susceptible. The lack of any kind of pass rush is adding more pressure on the shoulders of Talib, which is probably just one of several reasons why his play his tailed off a bit.

 

[supafly]

If and thats a gigantic IF we were to land Jimmy Graham , How scary would our offense be with JG and Gronk.

I'm more inclined to believe that if that happened, we wouldn't be picking up the option for the remainder of Gronk's expensive years. In the meantime though, yes--it'd be pretty awesome, assuming that Gronk returns to full health and doesn't have to miss the first 5,6,7 games due to not being in football shape as the ACL heals.

The thinking with any of this overlooks one small detail however:

The N.Orleans Saints are about as likely to let Graham go in free agency as Geno Smith and the Jets are to be hosting the SB in their own stadium this February. No way he's going anywhere.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Is Alex Mack a free agent? I want him bad.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Just saw this:

Doug Kyed ‏@DougKyedNESN 9h
Scott Chandler is a free agent after this season. Do you think Belichick has already started drafting his contract?

 

[slash83]

Man JG would be an amazing signing. But I'd be happy with Michael Johnson.

 

[nabwong]

Just saw this:

Doug Kyed ‏@DougKyedNESN 9h
Scott Chandler is a free agent after this season. Do you think Belichick has already started drafting his contract?

Yes please!

 

[BradyManny]

Unless we get some unforeseen relief on the Hernandez hit, I don't think we'll be players in free agency.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

Unless we get some unforeseen relief on the Hernandez hit, I don't think we'll be players in free agency.

We will be bargain shoppers on others free agents, as usuaual, and nothing is wrong with that.

What is interesting is how we approach it with our FAs, Talib, Edelman, et. al.

 

[Brady6]

If and thats a gigantic IF we were to land Jimmy Graham , How scary would our offense be with JG and Gronk.

It would be a great signing but I don’t think the Saints will let him hit the market, they’ll tag him if need be the tag for a tight end is a little over $6 million which is not that much for Jimmy Graham.

I am with you on the dream of it however. I would take a flyer on Finely I think he could be had on a 1 year show me type deal coming back from the injury.

 

[Brady6]

Unless we get some unforeseen relief on the Hernandez hit, I don't think we'll be players in free agency.

This free agent period actually has a lot of potential for the Patriots in my opinion. I could see them going after several players who may be looking for 1 years show me type deals as the return from major injuries this season, this would allow Belichick to do what he does best and bring in potential premium players at less than their normal market value.

Henry Melton
Brian Orakpo
Anthony Spencer
Jeremy Maclin

Those are some players who could be looking to sign a one year deal at a reasonable rate to prove they’re still the same players and then cash in during the 2015 period.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

It would be a great signing but I don’t think the Saints will let him hit the market, they’ll tag him if need be the tag for a tight end is a little over $6 million which is not that much for Jimmy Graham.

I am with you on the dream of it however. I would take a flyer on Finely I think he could be had on a 1 year show me type deal coming back from the injury.

Eh, we don't need another TE who is injured all the time. We need a reliable insurance TE who will consistently be on the field and produce, although he dosn't have to be spectacular like JG.

 

[Kontradiction]

The Pats could franchise Talib but, long term, I would have to see what he wants. On that side of the ball, the Pats will have to look at upcoming contracts for McCourty and Jones.

 

[Brady6]

Eh, we don't need another TE who is injured all the time. We need a reliable insurance TE who will consistently be on the field and produce, although he dosn't have to be spectacular like JG.

Graham has only missed 2 games in 4 seasons.

 

[patfanken]

I'm sure there's some truth to your comment, but matching him up in man coverage with no safety help vs Gordon wasn't the brightest move in my opinion. Even if he's the healthiest he's ever been he doesn't make that play.

On top of any injuries, which is certainly going to be the #1 concern with Talib moving forward (it's been a 3 yr pattern with this hip issue), the injury losses to other parts of the defense is likely leaving the secondary more susceptible. The lack of any kind of pass rush is adding more pressure on the shoulders of Talib, which is probably just one of several reasons why his play his tailed off a bit.

That had to me a screw up, Sup. IIRC, on that play he played close coverage, but not tight coverage and I don't think he played inside position. He had no chance to be in position for that short in-cut/slant. And once he caught it, no chance to catch a much faster player.

If Talib knew he was on a total island, with no help inside OR deep;, then he would have played much tighter and to the inside forcing Gordon to go to the sideline. So either soemone else busted an assignment or Talib had a brain fart.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Just saw this:

Doug Kyed ‏@DougKyedNESN 9h
Scott Chandler is a free agent after this season. Do you think Belichick has already started drafting his contract?

I'd LOVE to get him, he'd be a fantastic addition that wouldn't break the bank.

 

[Ivan]

The Pats could franchise Talib but, long term, I would have to see what he wants. On that side of the ball, the Pats will have to look at upcoming contracts for McCourty and Jones.

Interesting situation with Talib. Early this season he was playing like the best CB in the league and had he been able to maintain that throughout the season would likely have been looking at a contract around 50 million dollars. Unfortunately for him he was injured again, missed significant playing time, and has not played at the same level since returning, and given the recurring nature of the hip injury, his age, although still not 30, and the slip in his performance in the second half of the season he is going to be looking at a different market than he would have been. Now his value is going to be more questionable, he won't be getting 50 million from anyone, and could likely be had for around 30 million, the question is how high the Patriots are going to be willing to go and how the contract would be structured. The Patriots will probably offer him a long term deal to start with but it is likely to be around 20-22 million/4 years, and he will want more and test the market. I doubt the franchise him given the CB tag price, but he could well end up doing another 1 years 5-6 million deal, although that's less likely now that he has been able to put many of the character concerns to rest with his good behavior in NE.


I won't be surprised if a team like the Jets overpays him and he gets his 30 million plus for 4 years.