PFT’s 2014 All-Unemployed Team

[papasmurfbell]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/05/14/pfts-2014-all-unemployed-team/

 

The following is a list of the best available veteran players at each position as of mid-May. Rotoworld’s free agent list and NFLPA records were used in compiling the list of candidates.

A club’s scheme, positional depth and salary cap situation are all factors that must be weighed when considering whether a team would consider any free agent listed below. Similarly, a player’s skill, age, cost and injury history are also data to be considered.

The list will be updated throughout the rest of the spring and into the summer. In fact, it’s possible the beginning of training camps in July could spark interest in some of the players below.

Quarterback: Brady Quinn, Vince Young.

Both Quinn and Young have bounced around in recent years, and whether both could be top backups again is somewhat in doubt, but their NFL experience puts them at or near the top of the ready list of candidates for a No. 3 QB role.

Running back: Felix Jones, Ryan Williams, Ronnie Brown.

Still only 27, Jones could be a viable third or fourth option in a backfield. The 24-year-old Williams had his Arizona career derailed by injuries. Brown ranked 16th in blocking among all NFL backs in 2013, according to Pro Football Focus.

Fullback: Vonta Leach.

He could be a fit for a team looking strictly for a blocking back.

Wide receivers: Santonio Holmes, Miles Austin, Earl Bennett.

Holmes and Austin will likely have to take big pay cuts and complementary roles to have NFL jobs in 2014. According to the Cowboys’ website, coach Jason Garretthasn’t completely discounted the prospect of a potential Austin return to Dallas. Durability is something to weigh with Austin and Holmes; Austin missed five games last season, while Holmes has played only 15 combined games in the last two seasons.

Bennett, the 27-year-old ex-Bear, can play the slot.

Tight end: Jermichael Finley, Ben Hartsock.

Finley’s NFL future is tied to whether he gains medical clearance after an October 2013 neck injury. Given his talent and relatively young age (27), he’s the best free agent available at any position if healthy. Hartsock’s value stems from his blocking; he was the NFL’s best run-blocker at tight end in 2013, per PFF.

Offensive tackle: Bryant McKinnie, Tyson Clabo, Eric Winston.

McKinnie is an experienced, short-term bridge option at left tackle. He will be 35 in September. Winston (119 starts) and Clabo (116 starts) are similar options at right tackle.

Offensive guard: Davin Joseph, Uche Nwaneri, Will Rackley.

There is a glut of experienced guards on the market. A former Pro Bowler, Joseph will now be two seasons removed from a broken kne cap. He has drawn a little interest in free agency. Nwaneri and Rackley were the Jaguars’ starting guards a season ago. The 30-year-old Nwaneri is the more accomplished player of the duo, while Rackley’s age (25 in October) is one of his key selling points.

Center: Kyle Cook, Jonathan Goodwin.

Cook (6-3, 310) started 66 games for the Bengals from 2009 through 2013. He was limited to four games in 2012 after ankle surgery. He will be 31 in July. Goodwin, 35, has started every game in the last five seasons, the last three of which were with San Francisco. Like Cook, Goodwin has good size for the position (6-3, 318).

Defensive end: Jason Hunter, Daniel Te’o-Nesheim, Brett Keisel.

Hunter and Te’o-Nesheim could appeal to 4-3 clubs, while the 35-year-old Keisel is the best of the 3-4 ends on the market.

Defensive tackle: Kevin Williams, Isaac Sopoaga, Aubrayo Franklin

Williams has missed just five games in 11 NFL seasons, but he’ll be 34 in August. Nevertheless, he could still be a contributor for a 4-3 team. Seattle has reportedly shown interest. Sopoaga and Franklin are fits at nose guard in 3-4 schemes.

Inside linebacker: Pat Angerer, Desmond Bishop, Dan Connor.

The 27-year-old Angerer could play either in the middle or on the weak side in a 4-3. Health and durability are the concerns with the Iowa product. Bishop recorded more than 100 tackles playing inside in the Packers’ 3-4 scheme in 2010 and 2011. Connor (29 in November) has made 27 regular season starts.

Outside linebacker: Stephen Nicholas, James Anderson, James Harrison, Edgar Jones.

Nicholas (50 starts) and Anderson (102 tackles, four sacks for Chicago in 2013) are 4-3 outside linebackers. Harrison, 36, is best in a 3-4 defense. Jones also has experience in a “30” front and is an experienced special teams player.

Cornerback: Terrell Thomas, Asante Samuel, Dunta Robinson.

The 29-year-old Thomas made a stirring comeback in 2013 after missing two seasons with knee injuries. Samuel, 33, has 51 career picks, but he’s entering his 12th NFL season. The physical Robinson, Samuel’s former Atlanta teammate, is entering his 11th campaign.

Safety: Jim Leonhard, Mike Adams, Steve Gregory.

Gregory, 31, has started at least 11 games in each of the last three seasons. The 33-year-old Adams is another seasoned pro on the back end of the defense. Leonhard, 31, has been a starter on some very good defenses throughout his career and can catch punts.

Returner: Josh Cribbs.

A long-time special teams ace who can return kickoffs and punts and cover kicks, Cribbs can also be utilized at receiver and in “Wildcat” packages.

Kicker: Rob Bironas.

Has connected on 85.7 percent of his field goals (239-of-279) in his NFL career. May not have the same punch on kickoffs he had earlier in his career — forced just 32 touchbacks out of 80 attempts last season.

Punter: Mat McBriar.

Posted a 41.3-yard gross average (35.0-yard net) a season ago in nine games with Pittsburgh.

 

[JPPT1974]

Doubt that Vince Young will ever get picked up as he is a poison to anybody on a team. Any team and just got cut after two weeks from the Browns. Well Browns have Johnny Football to deal with!

[ForceEight]

Woah, didn't know Edgar Jones was still around!

[RavenMad]

There are some names there we should be at least kicking the tires on. For RT there is Tyson Clabo and Eric Winston. At CB there is Terrell Thomas and Dunta Robinson.

 

If any of these guys can come in on the cheap we should be looking at them to fill a couple of holes for at least a season.

[papasmurfbell]

Doubt that Vince Young will ever get picked up as he is a poison to anybody on a team. Any team and just got cut after two weeks from the Browns. Well Browns have Johnny Football to deal with!

Yeah I think Vince's career is over. He wasted it.

[Robjr83]

Oz doesn't seem eager to jump on Winston. He said he wants to let the kids "play it out". I don't see him making a move until training camp and if he's not impressed with Wagner.