2016 NFL Free Agency Predictions

 With teams starting to negotiate with players agents, here are my predictions for this years free agent period. Here are the players who have already agreed/going to sign with their new or current team:

• Defensive End Malik Jackson agrees to sign with Jacksonville Jaguars (6 years, $90M)
• Offensive Guard Kelechi Osmele expected to sign with Oakland Raiders (5 years, $60M)
• Offensive Guard Richie Incognito re-signs with Buffalo Bills (3 years, $15M)
• Outside Linebacker Tamba Hali agrees to re-sign with Kansas City Chiefs (3 year deal)
• Defensive End Jason Pierre-Paul to return to New York Giants (1 year deal)
• Cornerback Leodis McKelvin agrees to sign with Philadelphia Eagles (2 year deal)
• Cornerback William Gay re-signs with Pittsburgh Steelers
• Tight End Ben Watson expected to sign with Baltimore Ravens (2 years, $8M)
• Defensive End Mario Williams expects to sign with Miami Dolphins (2 year deal)
• Defensive End Charles Johnson expects to re-sign with Carolina Panthers (1 year, $3M)

Player	Position	Previous Team	New Team
Arian Foster	Running Back	Texans	Broncos
Lamar Miller	Running Back	Dolphins	Texans
Jahri Evans	Offensive Guard	Saints	Chiefs
Brock Osweiler	Quarterback	Broncos	Broncos
Stefen Wisniewski	Center	Jaguars	Browns
Alex Mack	Center	Browns	Falcons
Jeff Allen	Guard	Chiefs	Eagles
Evan Mathis	Guard	Broncos	49ers
Alex Boone	Guard	49ers	Giants
Chris Long	Defensive End	Rams	Redskins
Sean Smith	Cornerback	Chiefs	Eagles
Travis Benjamin	Wide Receiver	Browns	Falcons
Russell Okung	Offensive Tackle	Seahawks	Seahawks
Haloti Ngata	Defensive Line	Lions	Lions
Tashaun Gipson	Saftey	Browns	Browns
Donald Penn	Offensive Tackle	Raiders	Raiders
Eric Weddle	Saftey	Chargers	Redskins
Chris Ivory	Running Back	Jets	Jaguars
Doug Martin	Running Back	Buccaneers	Buccaneers
Matt Forte	Running Back	Bears	Dolphins
Jermaine Kearse	Wide Receiver	Seahawks	Titans
Anquan Boldin	Wide Receiver	49ers	Lions
Marvin Jones	Wide Receiver	Bengals	Browns
LeGarrette Blount	Running Back	Patriots	Patriots
Rishard Matthews	Wide Receiver	Dolphins	Chargers
Ryan Fitzpatrick	Quarterback	Jets	Jets
Jaye Howard	Defensive Tackle	Chiefs	Cowboys
Jason Jones	Defensive End	Lions	Lions
Danny Trevathan	Inside Linebacker	Broncos	Bears
Derrick Johnson	Inside Linebacker	Chiefs	Chiefs
Prince Amukamara	Cornerback	Giants	Jets
Adam Jones	Cornerback	Bengals	Bengals
William Hayes	Defensive End	Rams	Rams
Janoris Jenkins	Cornerback	Rams	Jaguars
Reggie Nelson	Saftey	Bengals	Bengals
George Illoka	Saftey	Bengals	Vikings
Leon Hall	Cornerback	Bengals	Vikings
Tyvon Branch	Saftey	Chiefs	Chiefs
Walter Thurmond	Saftey	Eagles	Eagles
Rueben Randle	Wide Receiver	Giants	Rams
Vincent Rey	Outside Linebacker	Bengals	Bengals
Nigel Bradham	Outside Linebacker	Bills	Eagles
Nick Fairley	Defensive Tackle	Rams	Jets
Damon Harrison	Nose Tackle	Jets	Titans
Ramon Foster	Offensive Guard	Steelers	Steelers
Brandon Brooks	Offensive Guard	Texans	Texans
Manny Ramirez	Offensive Guard	Lions	Dolphins
J.R. Sweezy	Offensive Guard	Seahawks	Lions
Bobby Massie	Offensive Tackle	Cardinals	Panthers
Kelvin Beachum	Offensive Tackle	Steelers	Colts
Mohamed Sanu	Wide Receiver	Bengals	Bengals
John Kuhn	Fullback	Packers	Packers
Tim Hightower	Running Back	Saints	Saints
Ronnie Hillman	Running Back	Broncos	Bears
Alfred Morris	Running Back	Redskins	Cowboys
James Starks	Running Back	Packers	Packers
Terrance Knighton	Defensive Tackle	Redskins	Broncos
Mitchell Schwartz	Offensive Tackle	Browns	Browns
Antonio Gates	Tight End	Chargers	Chargers
Coby Fleener	Tight End	Colts	Patriots
Ladarius Green	Tight End	Chargers	Saints
Zach Miller	Tight End	Bears	Bears
James Laurinaitis	Middle Linebacker	Rams	Falcons
Andre Smith	Right Tackle	Bengals	Redskins
Will Montgomery	Center	Bears	Bears
Jerrell Freeman	Inside Linebacker	Chiefs	Colts
Rolando McClain	Middle Linebacker	Cowboys	Cowboys
Demario Davis	Inside Linebacker	Jets	Bills
Antonio Cromartie	Cornerback	Jets	Panthers
Michael Griffin	Saftey	Titans	Rams
Ian Williams	Nose Tackle	49ers	Bears
Steve McLendon	Defensive Tackle	Steelers	Steelers
Oliver Vernon	Defensive End	Dolphins	Giants
Cedric Thornton	Defensive End	Eagles	Eagles
Mark Barron	Linebacker/Saftey	Rams	Rams
Courtney Upshaw	Outside Linebacker	Ravens	Colts
Nick Perry	Outside Linebacker	Packers	Packers
Tahir Whitehead	Inside Linebacker	Lions	Eagles
Casey Hayward	Cornerback	Packers	Titans

18 Years of Greatness from #18

The historical run of NFL icon Peyton Manning is coming to an emotional close. Today, Manning will leave the NFL with a legacy and several achievements. At his press conference in Denver, Manning said "grateful is the word that comes to my mind when it comes to the Denver Broncos". As a signal caller for 18 seasons, Manning was the recipient of five MVP awards, two time Super Bowl champion, and owns many passing records. Whether it was calling audibles or cracking jokes, the sports world will salute and recognize the achievements Manning has accomplished.

Although he set the bar low with a rookie record 28 interceptions, Manning overcame the struggles his young team endured and capitalized with impressive performances the following years. He led the Indianapolis Colts to a playoff appearance in his second season and showcased his cannon arm. Manning developed deep chemistry with newly hall of fame inductee Marvin Harrison and received insurance from rookie running back Edgerrin James. Manning and Harrison set the record for most touchdowns for a quarterback-receiver combination (118). Although James and Harrison are the most notable names of the Manning era in Indy, various supporting casts helped the sheriff capture four MVP awards (2003, 2004, 2008, 2009). Manning also became the first to break Dan Marino's single season passing touchdown record with 49 touchdown passes in 2004. In 2006, Manning finally got playoff redemption over the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, en route to a Super Bowl victory over the Chicago Bears. Despite suffering a neck injury and ending his fourteen year career in Indy, Manning would continue his career elsewhere.

Denver Broncos owner John Elway was ecstatic and ready to roll with Manning in Mile High. In his debut season (2012), posted his second best completion percentage (68.6) and helped pace Denver to the best record in the AFC (13-3). Although Manning lost in a thriller to the eventual Super Bowl champs (Baltimore Ravens) in the Divisional Round, he was poised to light up the scoreboard in 2013. In 2013, Manning lead the most explosive offense in NFL history. Manning set the record for most passing yards (5,477) and touchdown passes (55) in the regular season and helped Denver set the new regular season scoring record (606). After being trounced by Seattle in the Super Bowl and losing to New England in the 2014 championship game, Manning had one goal in mind: capturing another Super Bowl title. Despite having the most frustrating season of his career, Manning got one more chance at the big stage. Even though he played a porous final game, Manning became the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl for two different teams.

Manning leaves as the NFL's all time leader in career passing yards (71,940) and touchdown passes (539).  For three decades, the eighteen year veteran showcased greatness, encouragement, and pleasure to a valuable position. Manning's on field intelligence and popularity make him a profitable selection for a future with NFL organizations. The sun may set on his football career, but it will rise for upcoming journeys.

Undersized is an Understatement

With undisciplined linebacker Daryl Washington serving a one year suspension, Arizona searched for the next best option. Ideally, a prototypical NFL linebacker is 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds. Some pivotal linebackers that come to mind: Jeremiah Trotter, Philadelphia Eagles; Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears; London Fletcher, Buffalo Bills. However, Arizona's confidence in second year safety Deone Bucannon launched a new trend.

Coming out of Washington State, Bucannon impressed draft analysis Mike Mayock with his "punishing tackling technique and overall size". Despite being a projected 4th or 5th round draft pick, general manager Steve Keim selected Bucannon with the 27th overall pick, in the 2014 draft. It had also marked the first time a Washington State player was drafted by an NFL team since cornerback Marcus Trufant was seletcted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2003, according to seahawks.com. During the 2014 campaign, Bucannon played an underrated role in a crowded secondary. He recorded 75 tackles during nine starts and displayed a hard hitting tenacity. Despite an encouraging rookie performance, Bucannon headed into the off-season facing two obstacles: The change in defensive coordinators and the possibility of permanetly switching positions.

Although he had limited expierence as an inside linebacker, head coach Bruce Arians acknowledged that "He (Bucannon) can cover backs and can cover tight ends. He's got linebacker skills, safety skills. It's good to get him in there the most we can get him in there." Newly hired defensive coordinator James Bettcher had high hopes for the second year pro, but knew there was always room for improvement. Retired linebacker Larry Foote was another hire that helped Bucannon become more comfortable with his new position. After Sean Weatherspoon went down with an achilles injury, Bucannon would play a pivitol role for the remainder of the 2015 season. His eleven tackle performance against the Detriot Lions was the turning point of his season.

Known as the moneybacker, Bucannon's switch in late October proved to be an efficient decision by Arizona's coaching staff. Bucannon ended up leading the Cardinals with 119 tackles and was key memeber for the sixth ranked run defense (91.3 Yards Allowed Per Game). His versatility made him a difference maker on the field as he was able to lineup against speedy slot receivers and punished running backs with authority. Saftey Rashad Johnson was amazed by Bucannon's transition to inside linebacker and said that "The only thing close was in my rookie year when Adrian Wilson would slide into the box in nickel and dime packages, Bucannon got the moneybacker nickname from his frequent apperances in the nickel and dime formations, which gave him more space to display his playmaking abilities. Bucannon's storied season influenced teams, such as the Los Angeles Rams, (Previosuly St. Louis) to start safties at linebacker. Bucannon's surroundings helped ignite big performances, but his unselfish and ruthless play made him a valuable member on the defense.