With just under a week to go before the 2014 NFL free agency period opens, things are heating up in the football world.
Now that the franchise tag window has closed, we are left with a much clearer picture of who will be available on March 11. Saints tight end Jimmy Graham, Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy, Jets kicker Nick Folk, and Washington Redskins Brian Orakpo were the only players to receive franchise tag designation this year, while the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers dusted off the seldom-used transition tag to retain center Alex Mack and linebacker Jason Worilds, respectively. With that said, let’s look at some of the story lines that will define this free agency period.
A Higher Salary Cap than Anticipated
The 2014 salary cap has been set at $133 million, and that’s good news for a lot of cap-strapped NFL franchises. Early expectations had the cap resting approximately eight to ten million dollars lower than this, but NFL clubs were thrilled at the higher total. Simply put, this higher number makes it much simpler for teams to become cap-compliant. It lessens the amount of restructuring that front offices have to do, and makes it easier for teams to become buyers in free agency. Last year’s free agency period was noted for it’s lack of big spending. With this year’s cap jumping up in this manner, we may see teams return to their bank-breaking ways.
A Tackle-Rich Market
With so few players receiving the tag this year, there is no shortage of quality free agents set to flood the market. The offensive tackle market is surprisingly strong, headlined by the Ravens’ Eugene Monroe, the Raiders’ Jared Veldheer, and the Chiefs’ Brandon Albert. The importance of quality offensive line play cannot be understated and these three figure to be very well-compensated in a week’s time. While it might seem surprising that none of these players received the tag, the designation is quite costly for offensive linemen. There is still time for these men to work out new deals with their respective clubs, that won’t result in such bloated cap numbers.
Surplus of Cover-Men
Similar depth can be found in this year’s corner back class. Even with Brent Grimes agreeing to a new contract with the Dolphins, players like the Titans’ Alterraun Verner, the Patriots’ Aqib Talib, the Colts’ Vontae Davis, the Packers’ Sam Shields, the Broncos’ Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and the recently reinstated Seahawks’ Brandon Browner are all set to test the market. That is a loaded group and in a league that has become more pass-oriented with every passing (pun intended) year, quality corner back play is at an all-time premium. I would expect all of these men to receive fairly lucrative paydays once the period opens.
Byrd to Fly Elsewhere?
Remaining in the defensive backfield, one of the premium free agents in this year’s class is Bills safety Jairus Byrd. Simply put, Byrd is one of the game’s very best players at his position and will break the bank in short order. It’s a bit surprising that the Bills didn’t tag him for a second time, but the two sides remain hopeful that a new deal can be reached. Byrd is the type of player to build a defense around, and will be paid accordingly.
What’s Next for Broncos Skill-Players?
The Denver Broncos offense was the talk of the town last year. Setting records and testing the dependability of scoreboards across the country, this team set the standard for offenses across the league. They have an excellent chance of re-establishing this dominance next season, but they may have to do it without two key players.
Knowshon Moreno was one of last year’s true breakout players. He set personal bests across the board and delivered for the Broncos in key situations all year. Having said that, it appears the franchise is prepared to let him test free agency. Moreno is going to seek fair compensation for his quality play and Denver has high hopes for backup runner Monte Ball. While a Moreno return can’t be ruled out, it likely depends on what kind of a market he’s met with in less than one week.
Receiver Eric Decker is coming off his second consecutive big year. He figures to be the most coveted wide receiver on the market this year, and will likely receive multiple lucrative offers. With new contracts on the horizon for Demaryius Thomas, Von Miller, and Julius Thomas it’s likely that the Broncos are going to have to let Decker walk. The potential departures of these two players will definitely be tough on last year’s AFC Champions, but such is life in a league with a hard salary cap.
All of the madness begins on March 11. Be sure to keep following LastWordOnSports.com for coverage of this crazy time of year. Things are about to get very interesting. Thanks for reading, everyone. Check back for some key league-wide updates next week.
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