2014 Linebacker Free Agent Breakdown
By: Matt Harmon
High-end starters
1) Karlos Dansby, Arizona Cardinals. Age: 32 *signed with Browns*
Good starters
1) Daryl Smith, Baltimore Ravens. Age: 32 *re-signed with Ravens*
2) D'Qwell Jackson, Cleveland Browns. Age: 30 *signed with Colts*
Solid Contributors
1) Brandon Spikes, New England Patriots. Age: 26 *signed with Bills*
2) Jon Beason, New York Giants. Age: 29 *re-signed with Giants*
3) Wesley Woodyard, Denver Broncos. Age: 28 *signed with Titans*
4) Donald Butler, San Diego Chargers. Age: 25 *re-signed with Chargers*
Role players
1) Erin Henderson, Minnesota Vikings. Age: 27
2) Dekoda Watson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Age: 26 *signed with Jaguars*
3) James Anderson, Chicago Bears. Age: 30
4) Akeem Jordan, Kansas City Chiefs. Age: 29 *signed with Redskins*
5) Keith Rivers, New York Giants. Age: 28 *signed with Bills*
6) Perry Riley, Washington Redskins. Age: 28 *re-signed with Redskins*
7) Jameel McClain, Baltimore Ravens. Age: 28 *signed with Giants*
8) Desmond Bishop, Minnesota Vikings. Age: 30
Diamond in the Rough
1) Vincent Rey, Cincinnati Bengals. Age: 26 (RFA) *tendered by Bengals (UDFA)*
2) Arthur Moats, Buffalo Bills. Age: 26 *signed with Steelers*
QB--RB--FB--WR--TE--OT--OG--C--Int. DL--Edge Plyr.--LB--CB--S--K/P
High-end starters
1) Karlos Dansby, Arizona Cardinals. Age: 32 *signed with Browns*
- Dansby proved in his second stint with the Cardinals that he is certainly still a high-quality player. Dansby proved to be the rock of their defense, outperforming younger linebacker Daryl Washington when he returned to the field. At 32 years old, he is not exactly coming into his prime. However, Dansby looks to still be in excellent physical shape. Whoever brings him in will get a well rounded, and versatile second-level defender.
Good starters
1) Daryl Smith, Baltimore Ravens. Age: 32 *re-signed with Ravens*
- Similar to Dansby, Smith is a veteran player who switched teams and filled a valuable role. Smith was hurled into the national spotlight for his great early season play replacing Ray Lewis on the Ravens defense. Unfortunately, he did begin to slip as the season went on. His play against the run was particularly troubling, as he failed to hit, or shed as aggressively. Smith is still a good and scheme diverse starter. The veteran would make a fine addition to a linebacking corps.
2) D'Qwell Jackson, Cleveland Browns. Age: 30 *signed with Colts*
- The former Browns linebacker had a few season there where he was one of the best players at his position in the NFL. D'Qwell Jackson is no longer that player, and has also had his fair share of injury issues. He was released by the Browns in primarily a salary based move, and can certainly still contribute. Jackson is on the downhill of his career, but can and will start somewhere else next season.
Solid Contributors
1) Brandon Spikes, New England Patriots. Age: 26 *signed with Bills*
- Spikes is an aggressive, young player, and some might argue the tier he falls to here. However, it’s well known that Spikes is a very one-dimensional player. He excels at tracking down what is in front of him, but is hopeless dropping into coverage. Bringing in Spikes is a smart move if for decent money, as long as the expectations remain tempered.
2) Jon Beason, New York Giants. Age: 29 *re-signed with Giants*
- Some media members heaped effusive praise on Jon Beason after he moved from the Panthers to the Giants. The truth is, he was just about the players the Panthers believed him to be when they dealt him. He is still a good leader who plays the run well, but is a complete liability in coverage. The injuries really took their toll. He can start for you, but he is far from the superstar he once was.
3) Wesley Woodyard, Denver Broncos. Age: 28 *signed with Titans*
- Woodyard is another linebacker who faded down the stretch. He started off with bang, but finished the year as a part time player. Perhaps that is his best role moving forward. The Broncos removed Woodyard from early down packages, but kept him in to cover the pass.
4) Donald Butler, San Diego Chargers. Age: 25 *re-signed with Chargers*
- Butler has had his down moments, but has also shined on a few occasions. Injuries have played a role as well. Given that he is only 25, signing him could provide some nice upside.
Role players
1) Erin Henderson, Minnesota Vikings. Age: 27
- The whole Vikings defense was a mess last season, Erin Henderson included. He was released in a salary move, as the team overpaid him last offseason. Henderson was also stretched outside of his role as the team's primary middle linebacker. He can provide value as a two-down outside linebacker.
2) Dekoda Watson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Age: 26 *signed with Jaguars*
- Watson is the ultimate “is what he is” player. He is a decent two down linebacker, but hardly a defensive cornerstone. You can get solid play from him at strong side linebacker.
3) James Anderson, Chicago Bears. Age: 30
- The numbers are pretty brutal for Anderson this season, but he was stretch far out of his role. He logged over 1,000 snaps for the Bears, as injuries hit the unit very hard. Anderson is not a great player, but he is better than what he showed in 2013. If he returns to his comfortable role as a limited snap strong side linebacker, he would play much better.
4) Akeem Jordan, Kansas City Chiefs. Age: 29 *signed with Redskins*
- Jordan played surprisingly well at linebacker next to Derrick Johnson for his old head coach. Another limited player, but one who showed he still has a place.
5) Keith Rivers, New York Giants. Age: 28 *signed with Bills*
- The book on Rivers has already been written and published. He still has some of the dynamic talent and playmaking ability that made him a high draft pick. However, he really struggles to stay on the field. He won’t get you killed if he has to play for you, but you can do better.
6) Perry Riley, Washington Redskins. Age: 28 *re-signed with Redskins*
- Riley was viewed as the heir apparent for London Fletcher in Washington. That plan should be scrapped after Riley’s disturbing 2013 season. He sometimes fools fans with a big play here or there, but he is mostly ineffective. Riley can start, but on a limited basis. The days of hoping he develops into a foundation level player are gone.
7) Jameel McClain, Baltimore Ravens. Age: 28 *signed with Giants*
- Coming back from a gruesome injury, Jameel McClain was not quite his old self last season. He was far from a great player to begin with, and his movement skills were clearly compromised. Perhaps he is better a year removed from his comeback, and can one again be a nice two-down inside linebacker. McClain is worth a look.
8) Desmond Bishop, Minnesota Vikings. Age: 30
- Bishop used to be a good starter, but he hasn’t been on the field much recently. Injuries have been a constant issue the past two years. It is hard to know what you are getting with him anymore.
Diamond in the Rough
1) Vincent Rey, Cincinnati Bengals. Age: 26 (RFA) *tendered by Bengals (UDFA)*
- If the Bengals hit Vinnie Rey with a low tender, plenty of teams might be interested. He looked like the far superior player when he relieved Rey Maualuga during an injury absence. There might be an ascending young player here.
2) Arthur Moats, Buffalo Bills. Age: 26 *signed with Steelers*
- Moats has long been an intriguing player. His issue is that he has never found a consistent home. The Bills have moved him all around the formation, and he is something of a tweener himself. Perhaps he can find a bigger role on another team.
QB--RB--FB--WR--TE--OT--OG--C--Int. DL--Edge Plyr.--LB--CB--S--K/P
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