We're looking at free agency ahead of the official FA start period (March 12th, kinda officially…but things are happening all week+ prior), going position by position to discuss some of the big names, tour top ranked guys, as well as the sleepers and frauds of the group…and we'll make some throwaway/dart throw predictions on landing spots.
We're looking at free agency ahead of the official FA start period (March 12th, kinda officially…but things are happening all week+ prior), going position by position to discuss some of the big names, tour top ranked guys, as well as the sleepers and frauds of the group…and we'll make some throwaway/dart throw predictions on landing spots.
Today's position group: LB (written a few days before some of the deals getting announced last couple of days)
The consensus top three LBs available…
1) Zach Baun, PHI
2) Dre Greenlaw, SF
3) Nick Bolton, KC
FFM’s Top Three LBs Available...
1) Zach Baun, PHI
The should-have-been-winner of the Defensive Player of the Year award, Baun was a one man wrecking crew last year, the single most chaos-causing defender I saw. True, he benefits from playing behind a nasty defensive line, but Baun was effective at every aspect of the game, run defense, coverage, blitzing…he did it all and did it well. He deserves every dime of what he’s going to get paid and more.
2025 FA PREDICTION: I think he returns to Philly. Howie doesn’t have a ton of money to play with, but he can get a nice 3 year deal done and Baun can run it back in a great system for him with a chance at another Superbowl.
2) Dre Greenlaw, SF
Missed most of 2024 recovering from the Achilles tear he suffered during the 2023-2024 Superbowl. He is starting to build up quite a history of injuries in his lower extremities. It’s not a huge concern but something to monitor. When healthy he’s one of the best linebackers in the game, adept at both stopping the run and coverage. It was a huge blow when he was lost during the Superbowl and it’s hard not to wonder if the 49ers might have won if he played the entire game.
2025 FA PREDICTION: I’m going to guess he lands with the Bucs on a 1 year prove it deal, but if teams are convinced he’s healthy he might get more. The Bucs never adequately replaced Devin White and my longtime personal favorite, Lavonte David, looks like he’s near the end of his time as well. Bowles needs a rock solid field general in the middle of his defense and Greenlaw could be that guy.
3) Ernest Jones, SEA
Jones did oddly bounce from the Rams to the Titans to the Seahawks last year for unspecified reasons, but he was effective at every stop so it’s hard to hold it against him. If there’s some issue with his attitude behind the scenes that might make me pivot to someone else, but otherwise he’ll be just 26 years old, he’s productive, especially in the run game, and he’s a proven producer in multiple systems.
The fraud LB of free agency 2025: Nick Bolton, KC
Nick Bolton isn’t a bad player by any means, but because of his youth and pedigree with the Chiefs he’s likely to get something like a 4 year $60 million contract and I just don’t see how paying a run stuffing linebacker $15 million a year is worth it.
2025 FA PREDICTION: I smell the Bengals here. They have a fondness for thick run stoppers at linebacker (Vonteze Burfict, Keith Rivers, Ray Maualuga) and they are terrible at gauging what players are worth.
The best value RB in free agency 2025: Lavonte David, TB
Even at 35 years old he’s still an excellent player and he’ll come cheap too, much less than his much more heralded peer Bobby Wagner will cost because of his name.
2025 FA PREDICTION: You have to think it’s back to the Bucs if possible. He’s been signing below market deals with them the past couple years because of his loyalty to the team. If you can find a way for him to retire a Buccaneer you do it.
The deep sleeper LB in free agency 2024: Jack Sanborn, CHI
As recently as 2023 Sanborn looked like he might be an up-and-comer for Chicago to go along with their two high dollar starters, but he was pigeonholed into playing the strong side and that role just doesn’t see the field as much. When he started in place of Tremaine Edmunds for two games he looked quite good. He’s flying under the radar but will be just 25 years old next year and would be a cheap shot at trying to find a quality starting linebacker.
2025 FA PREDICTION: Follows Matt Eberflus to Dallas where they need linebacker depth anyways.
