By Rich Tandler
Our friends at Rotoworld have come up with a comprehensive list of players who will be free agents when the new league year starts at 4 p.m. on March 13. We’re going to go position by position and take a look at the top players who may be available and how they might fit with the Redskins.
See below for a list of positions previously analyzed. Here is a closer look at the top cornerbacks available.
- Brent Grimes, Falcons
- Cortland Finnegan, Titans
- Brandon Carr, Chiefs
- Carlos Rogers, 49ers
- Terrell Thomas, Giants
- Rashean Mathis, Jaguars
- Aaron Ross, Giants
- Eric Wright, Lions
- Richard Marshall, Cardinals
- Tracy Porter, Saints
The list of available cornerbacks is already starting to expand as Pittsburgh’s Bryant McFadden and the Raiders’ Stanford Routt have been released since this list was compiled.
The Redskins could be in the market for a cornerback as they were not happy with the performance of Kevin Barnes as the nickel corner. Josh Wilson and DeAngelo Hall are set as starters but in the NFL you really need three starting caliber corners. This is especially true in the NFC East, which is loaded with playmaking receivers like Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks, and Dez Bryant.
For obvious reasons Rogers is not in the mix for Washington. Even if the history was not there his age—he’ll be 31 before training camp starts—would probably have the Redskins shy away from him.
Grimes (age 28) and Carr (26) are the top corners currently available. Under normal circumstances they might command contracts that would be prohibitive for the Redskins. But with the ample supply of quality cornerbacks still growing the laws of supply and demand could push the asking price down to a level where the Redskins could afford to take a closer look.
Thomas just turned 27 and had five interceptions in both 2009 and 2010. He missed last year with a torn ACL (reports are that his rehab is ahead of schedule) so he could be a good bargain. Signing him or Ross would have the double benefit of adding a quality player while weakening the division rival Giants.
Porter (26) has only seven interceptions in four years but he came up with the biggest play in Saints history with his pick six of Peyton Manning to sew up Super Bowl XLIV.
Previous free agent analysis
- Quarterbacks
- Wide receivers
- Running backs
- Offensive tackles
- Guards
- Centers
- Tight ends
- Defensive line
- Linebackers
Rich Tandler blogs about the Redskins at www.RealRedskins.com. You can reach him by email at RTandlerCSN@comcast.net and follow him on Twitter @Rich_Tandler.
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