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: Cornerbacks
The consensus top three CBs available…
1) Charvarius Ward, SF
2) Byron Murphy, MIN
3) D.J. Reed, NYJ
FFM’s Top Three CB Available...
1) Carlton Davis, DET
For my money, one of the sneaky good/better outside corners in the NFL. Not the best/elite, but really good. And the market doesn’t seem to think he belongs in the top 1-2-3 discussion. He’s held QBs throwing at him to under 57% Comp. Pct. against him in four of his last 6 seasons...and the high mark he’s allowed in that span is 61.9%.
2025 FA PREDICTION: Detroit is well run...I don’t think they’ll let him get away, AND I think Davis would want to stay. Unless...unless Davis can be bought in a crazy bidding war by a team with a ton of money that just throws it at him. Might the Raiders or especially the Commanders shove big money here...or even the chief Lions’ competitor, the Vikings?
2) Byron Murphy, MIN
A solid CB...one who can play outside or in the slot. I like him in the slot, but he’s been playing outside. He’s more OK/good than great. His flexibility adds to his value, but his pure talent is ‘good’/’fine’.
2025 FA PREDICTION: If he doesn’t go back with the Vikings, then I’d be very worried...if Kevin O’Connell turns on you -- it’s not a good sign, because they could afford to bring him back. They may just think he’s fine but not worth the spend. If the Vikings walk, then returning to Arizona could be on the board.
3) D.J. Reed, NYJ
Arguably could be the #2 CB on this year’s list...maybe even #1. An under-sized but talented corner who did a great job across from Sauce Gardner, because QBs would avoid Sauce and pick on Reed as often as they could...and Reed held up about as well as you could hope.
2025 FA PREDICTION: I bet Aaron Glenn would like to have him back, after he watched all the Jets tape, but it depends how costly it would be. If not the Jets, he could follow Robert Saleh to the 49ers?
The fraud CB of free agency 2025: Asante Samuel Jr., LAC
I think he’s a very mediocre CB talent, but he has more ‘heat’ because of his ‘family name’ (Asante Samuel Sr.)...that’s why he was drafted 2nd-round in 2021, and had some 1st-round heat for a while. He’s not terrible, just gonna be overpriced/ranked.
2025 FA PREDICTION: A weak/poorly run team is likely to make this move. I wouldn’t be shocked if Mike Vrabel brought him to the Patriots for a ‘family reunion’ of sorts. The Bengals aren’t out of the question.
The best value CB in free agency 2025: Ahkello Witherspoon, LAR
One of the better outside corners the past two years, among the guys who just float around available for league minimum 1-yr deals in-season. He’s been very solid for the Rams for the past two years in that role. Well...he’ll be available again this year. Maybe some of these ex-Rams coaches and execs will snatch him up before he just sits out there for the Rams to grab as needed again?
You don’t have to make him a starter, just have him for rotations and depth, etc., for a minimum cost.
2025 FA PREDICTION: Likely back with the Rams, but maybe the new ex-Rams personnel guy now Jaguars GM gets proactive on it.
The deep sleeper CB in free agency 2025: Isaiah Rodgers, PHI
A pure dart throw here. Rodgers has some pretty decent numbers/low completion percentages against (46.4% in 2024 reg. season, and 50.0% in the playoffs) in his limited play time. He missed 2023 with a gambling suspension. In 2022, he held QBs to a 58.6% Comp. Pct. in limited play time.
Maybe it’s a giant stretch, but for a league minimum deal with no/limited guarantees you can take a look.
2025 FA PREDICTION: Probably just simply goes back to the Eagles, but it’s a random guess on any other team who would be interested.
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