PFT’s 2014 All-Unemployed Team

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PFT’s 2014 All-Unemployed Team
Posted by Mike Wilkening on May 14, 2014

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The following is a list of the best available veteran players at each position as of mid-May. Rotoworld’s free agent list and NFLPA records were used in compiling the list of candidates.

A club’s scheme, positional depth and salary cap situation are all factors that must be weighed when considering whether a team would consider any free agent listed below. Similarly, a player’s skill, age, cost and injury history are also data to be considered.

The list will be updated throughout the rest of the spring and into the summer. In fact, it’s possible the beginning of training camps in July could spark interest in some of the players below.

Quarterback: Brady Quinn, Vince Young.

Both Quinn and Young have bounced around in recent years, and whether both could be top backups again is somewhat in doubt, but their NFL experience puts them at or near the top of the ready list of candidates for a No. 3 QB role.

Running back: Felix Jones, Ryan Williams, Ronnie Brown.

Still only 27, Jones could be a viable third or fourth option in a backfield. The 24-year-old Williams had his Arizona career derailed by injuries. Brown ranked 16th in blocking among all NFL backs in 2013, according to Pro Football Focus.

Fullback: Vonta Leach.

He could be a fit for a team looking strictly for a blocking back.

Wide receivers: Santonio Holmes, Miles Austin, Earl Bennett.

Holmes and Austin will likely have to take big pay cuts and complementary roles to have NFL jobs in 2014. According to the Cowboys’ website, coach Jason Garretthasn’t completely discounted the prospect of a potential Austin return to Dallas. Durability is something to weigh with Austin and Holmes; Austin missed five games last season, while Holmes has played only 15 combined games in the last two seasons.

Bennett, the 27-year-old ex-Bear, can play the slot.

Tight end: Jermichael Finley, Ben Hartsock.

Finley’s NFL future is tied to whether he gains medical clearance after an October 2013 neck injury. Given his talent and relatively young age (27), he’s the best free agent available at any position if healthy. Hartsock’s value stems from his blocking; he was the NFL’s best run-blocker at tight end in 2013, per PFF.

Offensive tackle: Bryant McKinnie, Tyson Clabo, Eric Winston.

McKinnie is an experienced, short-term bridge option at left tackle. He will be 35 in September. Winston (119 starts) and Clabo (116 starts) are similar options at right tackle.

Offensive guard: Davin Joseph, Uche Nwaneri, Will Rackley.

There is a glut of experienced guards on the market. A former Pro Bowler, Joseph will now be two seasons removed from a broken kne cap. He has drawn a little interest in free agency. Nwaneri and Rackley were the Jaguars’ starting guards a season ago. The 30-year-old Nwaneri is the more accomplished player of the duo, while Rackley’s age (25 in October) is one of his key selling points.

Center: Kyle Cook, Jonathan Goodwin.

Cook (6-3, 310) started 66 games for the Bengals from 2009 through 2013. He was limited to four games in 2012 after ankle surgery. He will be 31 in July. Goodwin, 35, has started every game in the last five seasons, the last three of which were with San Francisco. Like Cook, Goodwin has good size for the position (6-3, 318).

Defensive end: Jason Hunter, Daniel Te’o-Nesheim, Brett Keisel.

Hunter and Te’o-Nesheim could appeal to 4-3 clubs, while the 35-year-old Keisel is the best of the 3-4 ends on the market.

Defensive tackle: Kevin Williams, Isaac Sopoaga, Aubrayo Franklin

Williams has missed just five games in 11 NFL seasons, but he’ll be 34 in August. Nevertheless, he could still be a contributor for a 4-3 team. Seattle has reportedly shown interest. Sopoaga and Franklin are fits at nose guard in 3-4 schemes.

Inside linebacker: Pat Angerer, Desmond Bishop, Dan Connor.

The 27-year-old Angerer could play either in the middle or on the weak side in a 4-3. Health and durability are the concerns with the Iowa product. Bishop recorded more than 100 tackles playing inside in the Packers’ 3-4 scheme in 2010 and 2011. Connor (29 in November) has made 27 regular season starts.

Outside linebacker: Stephen Nicholas, James Anderson, James Harrison, Edgar Jones.

Nicholas (50 starts) and Anderson (102 tackles, four sacks for Chicago in 2013) are 4-3 outside linebackers. Harrison, 36, is best in a 3-4 defense. Jones also has experience in a “30” front and is an experienced special teams player.

Cornerback: Terrell Thomas, Asante Samuel, Dunta Robinson.

The 29-year-old Thomas made a stirring comeback in 2013 after missing two seasons with knee injuries. Samuel, 33, has 51 career picks, but he’s entering his 12th NFL season. The physical Robinson, Samuel’s former Atlanta teammate, is entering his 11th campaign.

Safety: Jim Leonhard, Mike Adams, Steve Gregory.

Gregory, 31, has started at least 11 games in each of the last three seasons. The 33-year-old Adams is another seasoned pro on the back end of the defense. Leonhard, 31, has been a starter on some very good defenses throughout his career and can catch punts.

Returner: Josh Cribbs.

A long-time special teams ace who can return kickoffs and punts and cover kicks, Cribbs can also be utilized at receiver and in “Wildcat” packages.

Kicker: Rob Bironas.

Has connected on 85.7 percent of his field goals (239-of-279) in his NFL career. May not have the same punch on kickoffs he had earlier in his career — forced just 32 touchbacks out of 80 attempts last season.

Punter: Mat McBriar.

Posted a 41.3-yard gross average (35.0-yard net) a season ago in nine games with Pittsburgh.
 

TheDYVKX

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Pat Angerer is a talented player when healthy. Had no idea he was still available. Some team might get a steal for a low price, prove it deal type. If nothing else, they don't lose anything.
 

jrry32

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I'm surprised that a few of the names are still available. Nwaneri is a durable guy that isn't a liability at the OG spot as a starter. Terrell Thomas has some ability despite his knee issues.
 

ZigZagRam

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Beat me to it Jerry. Nwaneri is a solid starter and a good run blocker. He was miscast in the Jags blocking scheme as I believe they moved to a ZBS last season. Travelle Wharton is another good guard available but I think at this point in his career he may be leaning towards returning to Carolina or retiring.

Angerer would be a solid add if healthy. I'd like to add a veteran that can play inside. Who is our backup MLB right now? Bates?
 

SierraRam

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At the right price, I'd go:

Leonard; worth a look at Safety - Maybe he can provide some veteran savy on the back end...

We've shored up the OL but Goodwin played well for the niners at C and G. - solid interior depth
 

mr.stlouis

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The best run blocking TE in the league isn't employed by an NFCW team? Boy, he must have hands of brick.
 

fearsomefour

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Pat Angerer is a talented player when healthy. Had no idea he was still available. Some team might get a steal for a low price, prove it deal type. If nothing else, they don't lose anything.
Would love him for some great LB depth.
 

leoram

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Pounding the table for Hartsock and Angerer. If we want an elite running game, we need an elite inline blocking TE. And if JLau goes down, we have no experienced backup in place.

C'mon Snead..... Do you feel me?
 

Elmgrovegnome

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Te’o-Nesheim and Rackley were higher draft picks. What happened? Busts or don't fit due to scheme changes?
 

Ramrasta

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I recall Vonta Leach to be one of the best fullback talents there was. The dude blocks like a truck and runs people over in short yardage situations. He is a fairly good pass catcher too. Are FBs just getting phased out of the NFL?
 

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Are FBs just getting phased out of the NFL?

That's been going on for a long time. TE's are used in place of FB's. No FB means one more position open on a 53 man roster. Don't necessarily agree with that but there it is. If a team wins a Super Bowl with a great FB then there may be a resurgence with that position.
 

69superbowl

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Wouldn't mind if the Rams invited Santonio Holmes to camp. He's right up Fisher's Coo Coo's Nest alley and might throw a scare into the crop of underachieving young receivers. Depends on Holmes' desire to get healthy and behave well enough to make a team, I suppose. Don't think he has a lot of leverage left after the fizzle in NYJ. He probably has a better chance of sticking with Cleveland.
 

mimontero

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Wouldn't mind if the Rams invited Santonio Holmes to camp. He's right up Fisher's Coo Coo's Nest alley and might throw a scare into the crop of underachieving young receivers. Depends on Holmes' desire to get healthy and behave well enough to make a team, I suppose. Don't think he has a lot of leverage left after the fizzle in NYJ. He probably has a better chance of sticking with Cleveland.

Think I would rather have Miles Austin. We have a good locker room here and there is no reason to bring drama into it with someone like Holmes. That said, we should definitely make at least one more move at receiver. Need to give Bradford some quality weapons.
 

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Think I would rather have Miles Austin. We have a good locker room here and there is no reason to bring drama into it with someone like Holmes. That said, we should definitely make at least one more move at receiver. Need to give Bradford some quality weapons.

Too late...:(

Browns sign Miles Austin
Posted by Michael David Smith on May 15, 2014

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AP

With Josh Gordon potentially facing a suspension, Cleveland needs help at wide receiver.Miles Austin will provide just that.

The Browns announced today that Austin has agreed to terms.

Austin has spent his entire career in Dallas, and the Cowboys said this week that they were interested in bringing him back. Instead, he’ll head to Cleveland, where he could be the No. 1 receiver if Gordon is suspended. Right now the receiver depth chart after Gordon is thin, with Greg Little, Andrew Hawkins,Nate Burleson and Travis Benjamin as the top four.

The 29-year-old Austin is coming off a disappointing, injury-plagued season in which he caught just 24 passes for 244 yards, and no touchdowns. But if healthy, Austin could be a valuable part of Cleveland’s offense.

Gordon is reportedly facing a suspension for the entire 2014 season as a result of a failed drug test. Last year, Gordon led the league in receiving yards despite missing the first two games because of a drug suspension.

Before signing with Cleveland, Austin was one of the wide receivers on PFT’s All-Unemployed Team.
 

mimontero

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Too late...:(

Browns sign Miles Austin
Posted by Michael David Smith on May 15, 2014

x350-67-e1380312543311.jpg
AP

With Josh Gordon potentially facing a suspension, Cleveland needs help at wide receiver.Miles Austin will provide just that.

The Browns announced today that Austin has agreed to terms.

Austin has spent his entire career in Dallas, and the Cowboys said this week that they were interested in bringing him back. Instead, he’ll head to Cleveland, where he could be the No. 1 receiver if Gordon is suspended. Right now the receiver depth chart after Gordon is thin, with Greg Little, Andrew Hawkins,Nate Burleson and Travis Benjamin as the top four.

The 29-year-old Austin is coming off a disappointing, injury-plagued season in which he caught just 24 passes for 244 yards, and no touchdowns. But if healthy, Austin could be a valuable part of Cleveland’s offense.

Gordon is reportedly facing a suspension for the entire 2014 season as a result of a failed drug test. Last year, Gordon led the league in receiving yards despite missing the first two games because of a drug suspension.

Before signing with Cleveland, Austin was one of the wide receivers on PFT’s All-Unemployed Team.
Typical lol
 

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I wouldn't mind bringing Leach into camp. Wouldn't mind one of the OGs or MLBs.
 

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Browns announce addition of Earl Bennett
Posted by Darin Gantt on May 15, 2014

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Reuters

The Browns might not have nearly as much quality on the field, but at least they have quantity at wide receiver.

To go along with the reports earlier this afternoon that they had signed Miles Austin, the Browns announced they had reached deals with wide receiver Earl Bennett along with defensive lineman Elhadji Ndiaye.

Bennett was released by the Bears in March after six seasons, but had tailed off in recent years.

He and Austin give the Browns some experience at the position, but nothing approaching the kind of explosion they’ll lose if Josh Gordon’s suspension isn’t successfully appealed.
 

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Michael Bush among additions to PFT’s All-Unemployed Team
Posted by Mike Wilkening on May 18, 2014

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AP

With running back Ryan Williams set to join Dallas and wide receivers Earl Bennettand Miles Austin signing with Cleveland, PFT’s All-Unemployed Team had some open roster spots.

But not anymore.

Ex-Bears tailback Michael Bush replaces Williams on our squad, which aims to highlight some of the best veteran talent still available in free agency. Bush, who turns 30 in June, has rushed for 3,250 yards and 29 touchdowns since joining the NFL in 2007. Overall, the 6-foot-1, 245-pound Louisville product has averaged a solid 4.0 yards per carry in his career, though he was limited to a career-worst 3.1 yards per attempt a season ago in a reserve role for Chicago.

At wide receiver, we’ve added ex-Browns wideout Greg Little and ex-Jaguars receiver Jeremy Ebert.

Waived Friday by Cleveland, the 24-year-old Little can be claimed by any team by 4 p.m. Eastern on Monday. Any claiming club would have to assume his 2014 salary ($753,750, per NFLPA data), and his contract expires after the season. His youth, durability and production probably merit him a roster spot, if not a prominent passing game role.

Ebert (6-0, 195) has NFL experience with Jacksonville and New England and is still relatively young (25 years old).

Finally, a few words on Williams, Austin and Bennett. All three landed on teams that had clear needs at their positions. The Browns’ potential receiving depth issues are no secret, but the Cowboys’ RB depth also needed a little lift, too. All three players could very well make the 53-player roster with their new clubs.

When joining a team after the draft, it’s hard to ask for much more.