Atlanta Falcons
Falcons Interested in Champ Bailey, Paul Soliai
The Falcons dealt with a collapse no one saw coming last season, going from being in the NFC Championship Game in 2012 to a four-win season in 2013. Now the Falcons are looking to keep their offensive together and building a defense to climb back to the top of the NFC South.
Atlanta is already looking to veterans who can immediately come in and provide leadership and help a defense that ranked 21st against the pass and 31st against the run last season. The Falcons have shown interest in Bailey who will have to move on from being a cornerback, but a move to safety could be perfect for the 35-year-old. The team also has shown serious interest in Soliai. He would be an ideal fit for the Falcons who are looking for a nose tackle, who are looking to run a more 3-4 oriented defense.
Atlanta Favorites to Sign Jon Asamoah
While the Falcons have plenty of skill-position players on offense, this is a team in need of help along the offensive line. Matt Ryan was sacked 44 times last season and needs more protection on the interior.
Atlanta is focused on improving at guard, and a 25-year-old like Asamoah is an excellent fit. While Asamoah plays with fire the biggest thing he will give the Falcons is reliable protection on the right side. He did a nice job for the Chiefs last season and in a thin offensive guard free agent group, multiple teams are after his services.
If the Falcons can walk away with Soliai and Asamoah, they will have done a very nice job improving the interior line on both sides of the ball. It will also allow the team to focus on using their draft picks to bring in more pass-rushers, a tight end and more help in the secondary.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Buccaneers Looking at Ways to Dump Darrelle Revis Contract
It’s only been a year since Tampa Bay pulled off the blockbuster trade to acquire Revis, but now they are exploring all options to make sure Revis isn’t on the roster after Wednesday.
If Revis is still on the roster Wednesday, the Buccaneers will have to give up their third-round pick to the Jets instead of a fourth-round pick they’d deal if he was traded before the deadline. But the big thorn for the Buccaneers is Revis’ salary, making $16 million per season they want to get out from the contract.
Tampa Bay can find plenty of uses for the extra money and draft picks, including diving into the free agent pool to fill needs on the offensive and defensive line. The Buccaneers already have $23 million to spend, adding another $10 million or more could land two significant starters. They may not get another talent like Revis, but bringing in two starters and a draft pick could be worth it.
Bucs Showing Interest in Alterraun Verner
As rumors swirl that they are ready to move on from Revis, it also looks like the Bucs are showing significant interest in the top free agent corner.
Verner is just 25 and was one of the breakout players in the league this past season, coming at a perfect time as he hit the open market. Not only is Verner younger than Revis, he is also cheaper and could provide more versatility. He is still a top-10 cornerback in the game and has continued to show improvement every season.
Carolina Panthers
Panthers Ready to Part Ways with Steve Smith
For a team that needs help at wide receiver, you wouldn’t expect the Panthers to part ways with their top wide receiver and player who has been with the team for 14 years. But it appears that’s exactly what Carolina is looking to do as they try and create more cap space.
Smith was the Panthers’ leading wide receiver last season but at 34 and due $7 million over each of the next two seasons, Carolina is ready to part ways and look towards the future at wide receiver. The move would allow the Panthers to fill needs in the secondary via free agency as well.
If Carolina ends up parting ways with Smith, there are great odds that they take a wide receiver with their first-round selection. Cam Newton was already in need of another weapon, now that need is magnified even more.
Captain Munnerlyn, Mike Mitchell Drawing Interest Across the NFL
One reason the Panthers are looking to create more cap room is so they can have enough to at least bring back one of their defensive backs. While the team ranked sixth in the NFL against the run, we saw in the playoffs that was more a product of a great pass-rush than the talent of the secondary.
The 25-year-old Munnerlyn is coming off a career season with the Panthers and has already drawn interest from the Saints, New York Jets and Washington Redskins. Mitchell is just 26 and coming off a nice season, and has drawn a lot of interest including from the Redskins, Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles and Falcons.
Both players are overshadowed by a star-filled free agent class and likely will have to wait out the market until the big fish sign. But for teams that lose out on marquee names, they could find great value in Mitchell and Munnerlyn. Meanwhile the Panthers should have time to try and retain at least one.
New Orleans Saints
Saints Not Afraid to Cut Ties with Anyone
The Saints made it their priority this season to keep Jimmy Graham in town at all costs, even if it means angering him the tight end franchise tag-label and cutting some key players from last season.
New Orleans already cut wide receiver Lance Moore and running back Darren Sproles is on his way out as well. The team also cut ties with several players on the defensive side of the ball; cornerback Jabari Greer, safety Roman Harper, defensive end Will Smith and linebacker Jonathan Vilma.
It may not even be the end of cuts as Pierre Thomas is rumored to be on the trading block, and could be cut if New Orleans is able to find something. While several of these players were getting older and have become expendable, the moves are adding up as needs are starting to build on the Saints roster. But the team seems to be willing to do it as long as they can keep their star tight end.