31. MLB/OLB D’Qwell Jackson (Cleveland)- Resigned 5 years 42.5 million with 16.8 million guaranteed
The NFL’s leader in tackles in 2008 with 154, Jackson played just 6 games combined in 2009 and 2010, but bounced back big time with 158 tackles this year. Jackson is no sure thing going forward, but he’s a talented linebacker, the leader of their defense, and doesn’t turn 29 until September so the Browns are expected to make a big push to resign him to a long term deal.
32. DE John Abraham (Atlanta)- Resigned 3 years 21 million
I bet you’d never guess John Abraham is 16th all time with 112 career sacks, most among active players. However, he’s 34 in May and he wouldn’t be a very good fit for a 3-4 so he won’t be on the radar of about half the league. The Falcons seem content to let him explore the open market in hopes he doesn’t find anything better than he can get in Atlanta. Atlanta has turned their focus to locking up younger defensive players like Brent Grimes, who is expected to be franchised, and Curtis Lofton. 9.5 sacks last year shows he can still play at a high level, but for how long?
33. MLB David Hawthorne (Seattle)
The Seahawks got an undrafted steal with Hawthrone, who has 338 tackles in the last 3 years and turns 27 in May. However, they seem content to let him go if he can find someone who will overpay. The Seahawks seem to have made Red Bryant and Marshawn Lynch their offseason priorities.
34. G Ben Grubbs (Baltimore)- Signed with New Orleans 5 years 36 million with 15 million guaranteed
Another player who could go elsewhere, Grubbs, who was the 10th best guard in the league last year according to ProFootballFocus, wants a contract bigger than teammate Marshal Yanda got last offseason (5 years 32.5 million). Yanda actually ranked 2nd according to ProFootballFocus and Grubbs is not expected to get that kind of money from Baltimore, who has other free agents to resign. Grubbs, however, is only 28 in March and is a nice above average option at guard for the right price.
35. WR Brandon Lloyd (St. Louis)- Signed with New England 3 years 12 million
This is an interesting one. Brandon Lloyd actually led the league in receiving in 2010 with 77 catches for 1448 yards and 11 touchdowns and was no slouch in 2011 with 70 catches for 966 yards and 5 touchdowns. However, he turns 31 in July and has always struggled outside of Josh McDaniels’ system. He wasn’t that great in 4 games with Denver last season without McDaniels before getting traded to St. Louis and reuniting with McDaniels. In St. Louis, he put up good numbers in 11 games despite inconsistencies at quarterback. McDaniels is in New England now and Lloyd has smartly said he’d like to follow him. If he’ll take a discount, he’ll be a Patriot. If he won’t, he could go elsewhere, but might not have a ton of success.
36. DE Jeremy Mincey (Jacksonville)- Resigned 4 years 27.2 million with 9 million guaranteed
Jeremy Mincey came out of nowhere to have 8 sacks and 38 pressures this season and also was above average against the run at 6-3 270. ProFootballFocus rated him as their 12th rated defensive end. The Jaguars need to retain him because he’s the only player on their roster who can consistently get to the quarterback. 28 until December, Mincey should get a solid payday this offseason.
37. DE/RLB Mark Anderson (New England)- Signed with Buffalo 4 years 27.2 million with 8 million guaranteed
Mark Anderson has played 6 seasons since being drafted in the 1st round in 2006 and he’s had 2 good ones and 4 bad. In 2006 as a rookie, he had 12 sacks for Chicago. And this past year, he had 10 sacks for New England. In between, he managed just 13.5 sacks in 4 seasons for Chicago and Houston. He’ll be risky to give a long term deal to and if he’s smart, he’ll take a hometown discount in New England, where he really seems to fit the scheme well. Anderson turns 29 in May.
38. C Scott Wells (Green Bay)- Signed with St. Louis 4 years 24 million with 13 million guaranteed
Scott Wells has emerged as one of the best centers in the league, 4th rated by ProFootballFocus this last season, but the Packers are playing hardball with him, offering him 4-5 million per year when he wants 7.5 million. He could end up elsewhere, especially since the Packers have been linked to Chris Myers. However, if Myers signs elsewhere, Wells would have a lot more leverage. The Packers don’t have a clear successor on the roster and there isn’t anything other than over the hill veterans on the market after Myers and Wells.
39. RLB/OLB Jarret Johnson (Baltimore)- Signed with San Diego 4 years 19 million with 7 million guaranteed
Not much of a pass rusher, in fact, he’s only had 20 sacks in 9 seasons and never gone over 6, Johnson is one of the better run stuffing linebackers in the league and plays both the 3-4 and 4-3 in Baltimore. He could follow Chuck Pagano to Indianapolis and would have value as a 2 down run stuffing linebacker for either a 4-3 or a 3-4 team on the open market. Resigning in Baltimore is also an option for Johnson, who turns 31 in August.
40. CB Carlos Rogers (San Francisco)- Resigned 4 years 29.3 million
Carlos Rogers broke out last season, his first in San Francisco, and rightfully made the Pro Bowl. He allowed a 52.8% completion percentage and 7.2 YPA with 3 touchdowns to 6 interceptions. However, I’m always worried about players who have their best season in a contract year after age 30 (31 in July), especially underachieving former first round picks like Rogers. He’s also got a history of injury problems. I’d be worried about giving him a big long term deal and it sounds like the 49ers might be as well. They’re refusing to give him the 4-5 year deal he wants.
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