With the NFL Free Agency period set to begin in less than 24 hours, let’s take a look at the list of teams in the NFL and their current cap numbers.
Oakland Raiders – $64,302,920
Jacksonville Jaguars – $59,338,623 (before the Red Bryant deal)
Cleveland Browns – $49,918,501
Indianapolis Colts – $41,014,750
Miami Dolphins – $35,181,273
Minnesota Vikings – $33,163,489
Green Bay Packers – $33,122,928 (before the Sam Shield deal)
Cincinnati Bengals – $27,554,957
Buffalo Bills – $25,634,541
Baltimore Ravens – $24,929,100
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – $24,100,000
Philadelphia Eagles – $24,010,804
New York Jets – $23,328,558
Atlanta Falcons – $18,649,379
Arizona Cardinals – $17,800,087
Seattle Seahawks – $17,734,558
San Francisco 49ers – $14,999,984
New York Giants – $14,717,183
Denver Broncos – $13,701,763
New England Patriots – $12,946,420
Detroit Lions – $12,175,130
Tennessee Titans – $10,601,952
Kansas City Chiefs – $9,626,444
Washington Redskins – $9,585,235
Chicago Bears – $8,949,726
Houston Texans – $8,628,210
St. Louis Rams ($6,942,232) A few restructured deals are needed.
San Diego Chargers – ($5,633,735)
New Orleans Saints (-528,992) Before release of WR Lance Moore.
Dallas Cowboys (-650,690)
Pittsburgh Steelers (-672,066)
Carolina Panthers (-5,470,036)
Now that we have all the money looked at, let’s start making some predictions for tomorrow’s big day. First on the list is the offensive lineman:
OT – Brandon Albert – Best offensive tackle to hit the market and is going to get paid like a top 5 tackle. My prediction is that he signs with the Miami Dolphins to anchor their left side of the line.
OT – Jared Valdheer – Another talented offensive tackle who is one of he best in the game. I think it will come down to Oakland and Arizona. I wouldn’t be surprised if he signs with Arizona.
OT – Eugene Monroe – A high draft pick out of Virginia a few years ago who was traded to the Ravens last season. I predict that he returns to the Ravens. If not, I wouldn’t be surprised if Atlanta or Buffalo get into contract discussions with him.
OT – Rodger Saffold – Injuries have hurt this young tackle but he’ll hit the market and will get some activity from a few teams. He won’t get as much money as the players above but I believe he’ll sign with the Oakland Raiders.
OT – Michael Oher – Yes, the player who had a movie based off of him and he doesn’t even protect the quarterback’s blind side. Oher should be back in Baltimore but he might be hard for him to turn down the money that teams like Jacksonville or Oakland offer him. My prediction is that he goes back to Baltimore.
OT – Anthony Collins – Not surprised if he re-signs with the Bengals.
OT – Austin Howard – The market won’t look as nice as it will for others and with that the Jets will re-sign Austin Howard.
OT – Zach Strief – No way can the Saints bring him back but I think he’s going to get a lot of activity from teams all over. The top three teams on his list will be Buffalo, Seattle and Tampa Bay. My prediction is Tampa Bay.
OG – Davin Joseph – At 30 years old he’s going get some action but will have to pass a physical with his recent injuries. I believe he’ll find a team like the San Diego Chargers who could use him up front.
OG – Jon Asamoah – He’s been a solid starter in his career but was benched for Geoff Schwartz and the odds of him going back to Kansas City are unlikely. I think he’ll be a great fit in either Minnesota or with the New York Jets. My prediction is the Jets.
OG – Zane Beadles – Beadles has been solid for the Broncos but he’s likely to move on and I predict a team like the Giants will try to take a shot at him.
Now that we’re done with the offensive lineman, let’s take a look at the defensive lineman that are out there.
DE – Michael Johnson – Probably the best defensive end on the market and probably one of the top free agents out there this year. Rumors are that the Vikings are highly interested in Johnson but with a new contract to Everson Griffen, I think that takes them off the market and I think Johnson will make a surprise move and sign with the Oakland Raiders.
DE – Jared Allen – Finally this guy is on the market and as a Lions fan hopefully he’s wearing something that isn’t purple on Sunday. Allen is older than most of the defensive ends on the market but he should still see a nice deal from a team like the Atlanta Falcons.
DE – Lamarr Houston – Houston thrived in Oakland and deserves to be on a winning football team. I think Houston will see a nice contract from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
DE – Arthur Jones – I think this is the sleeper signing especially if he leaves the Ravens and goes to the Packers. I don’t believe that will happen because the Colts are highly interested and Jim Irsay will overpay for him.
DE – Justin Tuck – It’s not official yet but it is expected that Tuck will hit the market. If he does, I think teams are going to be calling him left and right but the favorite to land him will be the Arizona Cardinals.
DE – Willie Young – A former seventh rounder who has panned out alright for the Lions. Young will see whats out there but I think he’s best fitted to return to the Lions.
DE – Tyson Jackson – Here’s a guy who’s never lived up to the hype but he’s on the market and should see some activity from teams like the Ravens and Packers. My prediction is that he’ll sign with the Packers.
DT – Jason Hatcher – Not the best at his position and he his aging but Hatcher stepped up for the Cowboys last year. He’ll find a decent deal from a team like the Cleveland Browns.
DT – Henry Melton – The Bears are going to struggle to reign Melton and I think he’ll find quite a few other teams interested in him. Those teams would be Miami and Jacksonville. My prediction is Jacksonville because they offer the most money.
DT – B.J Raji – It’s not official yet so he has to go on here. Either way though, the Packers will get Raiji back just like they got Sam Shields back.
DT – Randy Starks – Even at 30 years of age, Starks can produce. The Dolphins will let him walk but I think Starks will see a decent contract from the Giants.
DT – Linval Joseph – I don’t think the Giants will have enough money to bring him back especially when a team like the Raiders are willing to open up the checkbook for him. M
NT – Paul Soliai – Soliai got a short team deal with the Dolphins two years ago and he won’t be getting another one from them. The Vikings and Falcons are the favorites to land Soliai in which I believe that the Falcons will come out on top to give him a two-year deal.
