Schefter: Top 5 NFL free agents for 2010
ESPN’s Adam Schefter breaks down the top 5 free agents in this year’s class.
1. Julius Peppers, DE, Carolina Panthers
Should Carolina not tag Peppers — and it would cost the Panthers $21.4 million to do so — he might become the highest-profile free agent since Reggie White. Peppers, 30, would like to play in a 3-4 defense and rush the quarterback as often as possible. Every team in the league could use another pass-rusher. The question will be which ones are willing to spend the millions it will take to land him.2. Karlos Dansby, LB, Arizona Cardinals
Just like the Panthers might deem Peppers too pricey to franchise, the Cardinals could do the same with Dansby, making him another desirable defensive free agent. It would cost Arizona just less than $11 million to keep the 28-year-old Dansby, and he would love to test the free-agent market and become one of the highest-paid defensive players in football history.4. Chester Taylor, RB, Minnesota Vikings
Although Taylor turns 31 in September, he has low mileage, having backed up Jamal Lewis in Baltimore and Adrian Peterson in Minnesota. Should the Vikings tag Taylor, he would make $8.15 million next season — about twice as much as Peterson. So Taylor figures to be free, and he figures to be the top running back available for plenty of teams that need one.
Texans’ cornerback Dunta Robinson was No. 3 on Schefter’s list, while Casey Hampton and Ryan Clark of the Steelers were list at No. 5.
It’s interesting that Taylor is getting a lot of attention this offseason despite his age. Running backs over 30 usually get the silent treatment during the offseason, but Taylor figures to be a hot commodity when the free agency period opens in a couple weeks. A team like the Chargers seems like a good fit for him.
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I keep thinking at some point that GM’s will figure out that a team’s success at running the ball has much more to do with their line than their back.
If I were a GM I would never reach for a guy like Taylor. The money it would take to sign him would be better spent shoring up the O-line, and there are serviceable backs in just about every draft.
I completely agree. Every year capable backs come out the mid rounds and yet, every year teams clamor over the big name free agents.
Teams that build from the inside out usually have the most success.
I completely agree. I am by no means a Lions fan, but all I preached last years was they should use their two 1st round draft picks on lineman. This year I hear that they are targeting Suh and McCoy. I’m glad they are starting to think up there.
Anthony: Any chances you see Berry falling to Cleveland? And what do you think about Mayes landing in Atlanta?
JayG,
Good questions. I think there’s a chance Berry could fall to Cleveland, but he’ll have to get past Tampa Bay and Seattle first. If one of the top two DTs are there for the Bucs at No. 3, I don’t think there’s anyway they’ll pass. But there’s a good chance Suh and McCoy could go 1-2 and the Bucs could take Berry at 3.
As for Mayes, I don’t think he’ll make it to Atlanta and even if he does, I wonder if the Falcons would take him over a pass-rusher or a corner. I think they envision DeCoud and Moore as their future starting safeties, although Mooore has to get on the field first. And with Coleman still under contract, I think the Falcs might pass on Mayes, even if he drops.
There was talk during the senior bowl week that Mayes might have to move to OLB. That would be an interesting development.