NFL Free Agency updates

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/all/available/

From what I have seen so far most of the players on the list are not under 30. So for Miami to keep up with trying to have a young team, Free Agency might not be the move.

I would target OL heavily in free agency. You never know who will actually be available, but some names I'm looking at are:

Titans RT Jack Conklin
Saints G Andrus Peat
Patriots G Joe Thuney (my #1 free agent target)
Redskins G Brandon Scherff
Seahawks OT George Fant
Lions G Graham Glasgow

Just saw that Patriots center Ted Karras is an unrestricted FA. He was a backup for his first 3 years, but started 15 games this season after David Andrews got hurt in week 1. If the Dolphins want to move on from Kilgore and add a veteran center, Karras would be a good fit at a reasonable price.

I'd be very happy with Thuney and Karras!

Agree on Thuney and Karras, those two would go a long way towards shoring up the o-line.

I'm a bit concerned about Conklin for a few reasons:

He's not a very good pass protector. Sounds a LOT like Juwaun James, who we let walk in free agency. Apparently, Tennessee gives him a lot of help through double teams, moving the TE to his side, chip blocks, etc. They can afford to, because the rest of their line is also very good. Does not sound like someone I'd like to back up the Brinks trunk for.

If we did not pay James, why pay someone similar?

Among free agent acquisitions, it seems to be trench players have a good chance of working out. Very much unlike free agent receivers, running backs, line backers. I am hoping Grier looks to both o-line and d-line, and stays away from the splash, skill-position signings which seem to never work out for us.

Yannick Ngokue (sp?) is a great target from JAX, good pass rusher but also stout against the run. We need more guys like that on defense.

Yeah, Conklin is a bit of a stretch if the salary is too high, but I do think he's a solid player and I'd rank him well above James. Really, I'd prefer to draft Tua's blindside protector anyway. Looks like there are some quality RTs in this class.

Yannick Ngakoue (I had to look up the spelling!) is one of the most underrated players in the league - great player. But it sounds like the Jags will work hard to keep him.

On the DL, I might consider a run-stopping DT like A'Shawn Robinson (Lions) or Tyler Lancaster (Packers), or a DE like Isaac Rochell (Chargers) or Morgan Fox (Rams)...basically, young ascending players that should be cheap. I could see the Phins throwing big money at one FA (Thuney!!!) but overall I think they'll be focusing on young FAs that won't ruin the cap down the road.

One intriguing free agent is Falcons' DE/LB Vic Beasley. While his sack numbers have gone down quite a bit since his monster 2016 season, he's still a good pass rusher. I'd like to see what he could do as a stand-up pass rush specialist in this Miami defense.

Sounds like the Browns are going to let OLB Joe Schobert hit free agency. I'd be all over him. He's a playmaker that can rush the passer and is excellent in coverage.

The Browns are not going to get rid of this guy but then again this is the Browns

rightchea wrote:The Browns are not going to get rid of this guy but then again this is the Browns

Yeah, I don't know why they wouldn't re-sign him, but I'm hearing they will let him hit free agency. Crazy.

The Browns right now have a cap of $58 million which doesn't seem like they would get rid of him but then again they have Landry and OBJ.

Another surprise: the Panthers are trying to trade guard Trai Turner. He battled an ankle injury last year but he is a very good player and would be a big upgrade for the Phins. I'd prefer to wait till he gets cut, but if the asking price isn't high a trade could work.

There is no way the Panthers are cutting a 5x pro bowler that is only 26. his contract is only worth 5.30 million last year, they are looking to gather picks for this years draft.

IMO, I give a 3rd round to them because he was injured last year

FA is a friggin joke. In the NFL you have to sign a FA to a giant contract just so he can say he is the highest paid and stroke his ego for a year when you know it's all about the guaranteed money and in 2 or 3 years you are going to ask him to resign a cap friendly deal or cut him and take the hit. In the MLB you a forced to sign a long term guaranteed deal and there is no relief for injury or just a wasted bad contract. There has to be something in between.

JEGnj wrote:FA is a friggin joke. In the NFL you have to sign a FA to a giant contract just so he can say he is the highest paid and stroke his ego for a year when you know it's all about the guaranteed money and in 2 or 3 years you are going to ask him to resign a cap friendly deal or cut him and take the hit. In the MLB you a forced to sign a long term guaranteed deal and there is no relief for injury or just a wasted bad contract. There has to be something in between.

Yeah, free agency is just not a good system. I don't have a solution, but it's a joke. It really hurts older players too.

rightchea wrote:There is no way the Panthers are cutting a 5x pro bowler that is only 26. his contract is only worth 5.30 million last year, they are looking to gather picks for this years draft.

IMO, I give a 3rd round to them because he was injured last year

Who knows...it's a new coaching staff and new offense - Turner may not be a fit. Either way, he'd look great on the Phins!

JMP wrote:

rightchea wrote:There is no way the Panthers are cutting a 5x pro bowler that is only 26. his contract is only worth 5.30 million last year, they are looking to gather picks for this years draft.

IMO, I give a 3rd round to them because he was injured last year

Who knows...it's a new coaching staff and new offense - Turner may not be a fit.  Either way, he'd look great on the Phins!

I would take him all day to help the OL

No Trai Turner for Miami. The Panthers traded him to the Chargers for LT Russell Okung.

This would be a good signing for Miami

Pete Smith wrote:After six seasons with the team, the Cleveland Browns have officially released Christian Kirksey. In many ways a true representation of both what is right with the team and what's wrong, Kirksey completely bought in to the notion of being a Brown, desperately wanting the team to succeed and always being a vocal supporter of what they were trying to do. A great player early in his career, injuries have derailed multiple seasons for one of the team's brightest stars when he signed his contract extension before the 2017 season.

https://www.si.com/nfl/browns/news/cleveland-browns-release-christian-kirksey

plus highlights....mute music if you want

If Kirksey is healthy, he's a pretty good player.  Good speed and has some pass rush ability.  I think the Phins would probably want a bigger outside rusher, but he's a solid player that would probably be cheap.  

Pete Smith wrote:After six seasons with the team, the Cleveland Browns have officially released Christian Kirksey. In many ways a true representation of both what is right with the team and what's wrong, Kirksey completely bought in to the notion of being a Brown, desperately wanting the team to succeed and always being a vocal supporter of what they were trying to do. A great player early in his career, injuries have derailed multiple seasons for one of the team's brightest stars when he signed his contract extension before the 2017 season.

No thanks, I'll pass. No more players made of glass! This team had enough injuries last season as it was.

update from Adam Schefter......

tweet wrote:Dolphins are releasing two-time Pro Bowl safety Reshad Jones, per source. The move will become official March 18. His release will free up $5.3 million against the Dolphins’ salary cap.

rightchea wrote:update from Adam Schefter......

tweet wrote:Dolphins are releasing two-time Pro Bowl safety Reshad Jones, per source. The move will become official March 18. His release will free up $5.3 million against the Dolphins’ salary cap.

Knew it was coming...just didn't know when. Made some big plays for us over the years...too bad he couldn't stay healthy.

that and his pride got in the way when they cut his time

Yeah, for a physical safety 32 years old is about time to break down. He was great in his prime.

update from Chris Perkins

tweet wrote:#Dolphins not picking up option on C Daniel Kilgore, a team captain and leader last season. Interesting decision. He’ll become a free agent & Dolphins will need a new center

I see nothing wrong with this because Miami has enough money to make this type of move. I don't see Miami over spending but getting good to average players that can make this team great. Don't need big names to win just players that willing to make the right plays.

Decent player at best. We can definitely do better. Good veteran leadership, but we can get that from someone else.