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Players can officially sign contracts in free agency after 4:00 ET on Tuesday, but the last few days have been filled with speculation. Often, that speculation is fueled by agents feeding national and local writers. Some is worth taking seriously, most isn't. The speculation is a good indication of which teams are looking at which positions, but specific team-player marriages shouldn't be taken too seriously.
The higher than expected salary cap has already influenced some deals, as teams who didn't expect to be competitive in the market can now offer higher dollar contracts. That could mean that we see a higher than usual number of players sign during the first wave of free agency.
I'll highlight a few big names to watch at each position below. It won't be an exhaustive preview, but will be more than enough to get your feet wet in preparation for the first week of moves. Footballguys will have a full list of free agents and where they sign contracts soon. And I'll have a continually updated fearutre of all the major defensive free agent moves with analysis beginning tomorrow and running through each wave of free agency.
defensive end
There are a small handful of rotational edge rushers on the market. Shaun Phillips and Calvin Pace are the best options of those experienced in a two point stance. The defensive end list is reasonably deep, however, even with Greg Hardy staying in Carolina on a franchise tag, Michael Bennett headed back to Seattle and Everson Griffen re-signed by Minnesota. Teams looking to add a pass rusher will be competing for the names on this list.
Michael Johnson - Johnson is clearly the biggest prize among the defensive ends and is arguably (with Hardy off the market) the highest impact defensive free agent available at any position. It's unlikely Cincinnati will have be able to bring him back. A reunion with Mike Zimmer in Minnesota made obvious sense but now seems unlikely. Weekend rumors had the Buccaneers showing high interest. The market for Johnson may include half the league before the courtship ends, however. Ben Goessling reported that seven teams have inquired about Johnson.
LaMarr Houston - Houston has the size and athleticism to fit in any scheme. He's not a major fantasy force in sack-heavy leagues, but has averaged over 50 solos over the past two seasons and has had seasons of 5, 4.5 and 6 sacks in his four years in the league. Ian Rapoport has tweeted that the Packers and Bears are interested but Houston's list of suitors will be long.
Anthony Spencer - Spencer needed microfracture surgery for a preseason knee condition that never healed. He's also entering his age 30 season. Despite a mostly disappointing first five years in the league as a pass rusher, teams will still be pursuing Spencer on the strength of his 11.5 sack 2012 season.
Willie Young - Young saw nearly 800 snaps on a Detroit defensive line full of talent last year. He only had three sacks, but frequently pressured the pocket. Teams didn't beat down Young's door last year and he signed a small one year deal with the Lions, but he could see more interest this year.
Jared Allen - The Vikings are moving on from Allen after signing both Brian Robison and Griffen to big long term deals since October. Allen hasn't been consistent in years, but still shows flashes of dominance. He wants to play for a contender. It remains to be seen whether teams will see him as more than a rotational rusher.
Justin Tuck - Tuck will be 31 this month, has had frequent durability concerns and had been very inconsistent for much of the past three seasons. But he played close to 900 snaps last year and flashed stretches of his former dominant form over the second half of 2013. If healthy, he'll be attractive to teams looking for a solid all-around veteran presence.
linebacker
Last year, the Dolphins made a huge -- and head-scratching -- splash early in free agency, signing Dannell Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler to huge contracts while it took months for solid veterans like Karlos Dansby and Daryl Smith to find jobs. That hasn't been unusual in recent years, as the sheer number of linebackers filing through the market make it tough to predict who gets signed in the first wave of free agency and who may still be looking for a gig after the draft.
Karlos Dansby - Cast aside by the Dolphins last year, many teams looked at Dansby as a one year option before he signed a one year, 2.25 million deal with Arizona. Following a 112 solo tackle, six sack, four interception, 19 pass defensed season as the anchor of Arizona's defense, Dansby won't come anywhere near that cheaply this offseason. There's mutual interest between the Cardinals and Dansby, but the big deals signed by Donald Butler and D'Qwell Jackson have set a higher than expected market value.
Daryl Smith - Smith's market took a long time to develop last offseason after he missed nearly all of 2012 with a groin injury. Like Dansby, Smith was more than a veteran stopgap, anchoring Baltimore's front seven and adding five sacks and three interceptions. He'll be 32 this year. Aaron Wilson reported last week that the Ravens want Smith back, but they couldn't get a deal done before Smith hit the market.
Wesley Woodyard - A key part of Denver's defense over the past two seasons, Woodyard has experience as both an inside and outside linebacker. The team dialed back his snap count after a stinger last year and talk of the Broncos re-signing him has been light.
Brandon Spikes - After his time in New England ended with a suspicious trip to injured reserve during the playoffs, Spikes will be a very interesting free agent to track. At times, Spikes was one of the most dominating inside linebackers against the run in the league. But durability concerns with his knees (chronic cartilage issues and a late season PCL injury contributed to his IR move), a PED violation and reports of missed meetings and other off-field issues dogged him throughout his years with the Patriots. He did not have surgery after the season ended and says he's healthy. Just 26, we'll find out quickly whether teams are more impressed by his on-field upside or turned off by his medical file and attitude concerns.
Perry Riley - Washington couldn't get a deal done with Riley before the start of free agency. The depth chart is thin with long time anchor London Fletcher retired. If Riley leaves, Washington will need two inside backers. If there's competition for his services, Washington is likely to let Riley walk. That may not be a bad outcome, as Riley has been a stable, though not special, every-down player.
Jon Beason - Beason put up strong tackle numbers in New York, but was a liability against the run and in coverage more often than not. There's been discussion that Beason is a critical piece for the New York defense, but observers may be fooled into thinking Beason is better than he is due to the weak surrounding cast. Beason doesn't have the foot speed and range he had before his Achilles injury. Fantasy owners should likely root for Beason to stay in New York. He'll need a target rich environment without much competition for tackles to boost his numbers.
defensive back
Louis Delmas signed a one year, $3.5 million deal with Miami on Monday and Jairus Byrd is asking reportedly asking for more than $8 million per season. If those deals seem exhorbitant to you, you're not the only one. But safety is becoming a critical position for defensive coordinators looking for flexible coverage options against the spread offenses of today's NFL. Teams will reward a player who can play with good instincts and range in deep coverage and / or hold his own over the slot in subpackages.
Jairus Byrd - Byrd wanted an armored truck sized contract. If he doesn't get one in the first days of free agency, it may be a long month for him. If he can prove he's over the plantar fasciitis that limited him last year, his coverage profile is strong enough to entice a team to pay his asking price.
T.J. Ward - The Browns chose not to tag Ward last week, closing the door on two of their signature defenders. Ward is generating interest from the Jets, Lions and Broncos, all of whom have big holes at safety. There's a long list of safeties on the market and Ward is likely to get one of the bigger deals. Cleveland may have held the highest fantasy upside for Ward, but there are lots of strong situations avaiable for him.
Alterraun Verner - Verner has been tied to many teams in the past 48 hours and will likely sign a deal quickly. His fantasy value should remain high wherever he lands.
Mike Mitchell / Antoine Bethea - Mitchell and Bethea, among many others, will draw attention after the Byrd-Ward market plays itself out. At least one smaller deal in this range will happen early in free agency. The New York Jets, Detroit, Denver, Philadelphia, Washington and others will all likely end up with a safety when the music ends.
Charles Tillman - Tillman wants to play cornerback and won't sign with a team who feels his best fit is at safety. There has been speculation that he could reunite with Lovie Smith in Tampa Bay and take on a slot corner role. That worked for Ronde Barber. Whether it's what Tillman has in mind remains to be seen.
Roman Harper / Malcolm Jenkins - Both veteran New Orleans safeties are on the market, with Kenny Vaccaro rehabbing a torn ACL. The Saints aren't interested in Harper and most indications have Jenkins signing elsewhere. Nearly every safety on the market has been tied to Philadelphia and Detroit. Jenkins is no exception.
Follow and ask questions on Twitter @JeneBramel. Reading the Defense will be a regular feature this offseason with free agent commentary, draft prospect previews, tier discussion, links to our offseason IDP roundtable podcasts and much more. Subscribe to The Audible on iTunes or download our IDP podcast here.
