NFL Offseason: Top Players on the Move

With the NFL season wrapped up and the rookie combines around the corner, it’s time for teams to take a hard look at who is out there in free agency. No one will be able to sign until March 5^th, but names keep floating around and some big free agents will be hitting the market shortly.

Sportsbook: Top Players on the Move

Julius Peppers CAR DE

Peppers has been one of the elite pass rushers in the game since he left the University of North Carolina. Now 30 years old, Peppers is going to leave via free agency and teams may be willing to give Peppers a monster deal. With 10.5 sacks and 5 forced fumbles Peppers would be a nice commodity to add to any team that runs a 4-3 defense. If he were to play in a 3-4, he would likely take a role similar to DeMarcus Ware’s with the Cowboys.

5dimes review: Expected suitors: Patriots, Bears, Packers, Falcons, Giants

Chester Taylor MIN RB

Chester Taylor has been relegated to a backup role with the Vikings since they drafted Adrian Peterson. Although A-Pete has a bad case of fumblitits, it is unlikely that the Vikings can afford to pay two RB’s a starter’s salary. Taylor had been rumored to be getting a franchise or transitional (if there is no cap) tag, but at 7 million plus, that is a lot for a second back when you have one of the best in the league already on your team. Taylor is all but a lock to be on a new team and they will like what they see with him. Taylor is an exceptional receiving back and excellent in screens. His speed still seems good and the lack of reps recently may have extended his career. Look for a team with a young QB or a team running a west coast offense to make a bid for Taylor.

Expected suitors: Lions, Seahawks, Bears, Texans

Keith Bulluck TEN OLB

Bulluck has been one of the best linebackers in the league for many years, but his production dropped last year as the Titans defense struggled without Albert Haynesworth who left for Washington last offseason. Bulluck was forced to sit the last two games of the year due to injury, but if he can get healthy and be even 75% of what he was, Bulluck can be a game changer for a team with poor linebackers. Bulluck has spent his entire ten year career with the Tennessee Titans but is likely moving on this offseason.

Sports tips: Look for the Rockland County, New York native (where this article is currently being written from) to come back home and play for a team that is hurting real bad at linebacker, The New York Giants.

Expected suitors: Giants, Eagles, Colts

Reggie Bush NO RB (restricted)

Reggie Bush has been somewhat of a disappointment in the NFL. Drafted #2 overall a few years back, Bush has not lived up to his contract and the Super Bowl Champion Saints, will likely not pay over eight million dollars to keep a punt returner and backup running back. Bush has shown glimpses of the stuff that made him the #2 pick years ago but has been averaging less than 10 touches a game including returns. Look for him to be a hot name this offseason as Bush will likely fill a change of pace back role for a lucky team that will pay him. Seattle signed Bush’s college coach Pete Carroll to be President of Football Operations and Head Coach. They are the prohibitive favorites to land Bush.

Expected suitors: Seahawks, 49ers, Lions, Redskins

Jason Campbell WAS QB (restricted)

It appears that the rocky marriage is over between the Skins and Campbell. Campbell has had a different playbook every year he’s been in the league and is going to be the scapegoat for owner Dan Snyder’s screw-ups. Now with Mike Shanahan as head coach and GM, expect the skins to draft either Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen to lead them going forward. Campbell is better than most believe however, and would be a nice fit on a team with QB issues.

Expected suitors: Rams, Seahawks, Bills, Raiders