In this installment of the bold free agents, the NFL Fan Blitz staff has each chipped in a player who should be on the radar for each team in the NFC West.
Without further ado, check it out.
Arizona Cardinals: LB Shaquil Barrett
March 13, 2019. 4:00 p.m. ET.
Not only does this mark the official beginning of the 2019 NFL League year, but it also marks the beginning of Free Agency. With a cap space number north of $45.3 million, the Cardinals will have the room to add some impact players to a roster that is lacking depth.
While there are a number of positions that Arizona could target in free agency (WR, OL, TE, DL, DB), there is one potentially available pass rusher that has familiarity with new defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s system. That player is the fifth-year linebacker, Shaq Barrett. When the 2019 season begins, Barrett will be entering his sixth campaign at the prime age of 27. While Barrett doesn’t have eye-popping numbers over his career (14.0 Sacks, 7 FF), his knowledge of the defense could prove to be valuable. Adding Barrett would give Arizona an impact pass rusher across from Chandler Jones.
Shaquil Barrett Career Stats:
2018: 13 GP – 0 GS – 28 Total Tackles – 6.0 TFL – 3.0 Sacks.
2017: 16 GP – 9 GS – 36 Total Tackles – 7.0 TFL – 4.0 Sacks – 2 FF.
2016: 16 GP – 0 GS – 31 Total Tackles – 4.0 TFL – 1.5 Sacks – 1 FF.
2015: 16 GP – 6 GS – 42 Total Tackles – 8.0 TFL – 5.5 Sacks – 4 FF.
2014: N/A
*Stats from Pro-Football-Reference.com
– Jonathan Joyce
Seattle Seahawks: S Adrian Amos
Earl Thomas III is not expected to return to the Seahawks next season, and that means finding his replacement will be a top priority in their offseason needs. There is a vast amount of free safeties available in free agency, including Adrian Amos (Bears), Tre Boston (Cardinals), Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (Redskins), Lamarcus Joyner (Rams), and Tyrann Mathieu (Texans), among others.
With the amount cap space available for Seattle, they may be looking to sign a top player to fill the big shoes Thomas has had there since 2010. The player they are looking for could be Adrian Amos.
Amos was drafted in the fifth-round of the 2015 draft by the Bears out of Penn State and has been progressing well as a player since then. He was a major contributor to a Bears team that made it to the wild-card round this past season. During the year, Amos played in all 16 regular season games and registered two interceptions, one fumble recovery, and 73 total tackles (two tackles for loss). He could be an important addition for Seattle’s secondary, and just what they are looking for to fill the hole created by Thomas’ likely departure.
– Griffin Clark
Los Angeles Rams: DE Demarcus Lawrence
The Rams biggest need this season has been getting pass rush off the edge. With Dante Fowler Jr.’s future uncertain (he will be an unrestricted free agent), and rather than waiting for a group of youngsters to develop, Los Angeles could make a bold move and bring in an edge pass rusher like Lawrence to compliment Aaron Donald in the middle, signing the Boise State product to a big second contract. The Rams have proven they are open to big moves (i.e. Ndamukong Suh, Aqib Talib, Marcus Peters, etc.). Also, remember that the team was in talks about bringing in Khalil Mack from the Raiders before he ultimately got traded to the Bears. Bringing in Lawrence would immediately create a threat off the edge that offensive coordinators would have to account for, and would continue to maximize the opportunity they have with Jared Goff still on his rookie deal (though Goff does become eligible for an extension this offseason). Though Lawrence has primarily played in a 4-3, Wade Phillips would be able to maximize his talents and farther disrupt opposing quarterbacks.
– Nick Fox
San Francisco 49ers: S Earl Thomas
Last offseason saw the 49ers bring “Public Enemy #1” into the fold. Yes, Richard Sherman went from foe to friend to add stability and leadership to a young secondary. Most would agree the incentive-laden deal worked in this first season. Fast forward to this offseason, what if I told you the 49ers should add another former member of the vaunted “Legion of Boom?” That’s right. Earl Thomas is a free agent and would be a scheme fit from day one. The last time we saw Thomas on a football field, he was being carted off and flipping off his own bench. You can bet Thomas has revenge on his mind much as Sherman did. He will turn 30 in May and most likely won’t come cheap, but would greatly improve the secondary. With the Niners looking to contend for a playoff spot next season, it makes sense to load up on veterans to guide the younger players.
– Jason Aponte
