Targeting A Right Cornerback For the Broncos via Free Agency

Andre' Goodman is the starting Right Cornerback for the Denver Broncos. At least he was for 8 games in 2010. Rookie Perrish Cox was thrust into the starting spot because of injuries and he did a fair job for a first-year player in the NFL. However, with Champ Bailey on the left, the right side could use a boost, especially with the looming legal issues for Cox. Maybe Free Agency will find the Broncos in the Buyer's market for a pair of corners. Regardless, I will list the available players for your perusal. Here we go...

Richard Marshall is the starter at RCB for the Carolina Panthers. He is 5' 11", 189 lbs, Age: 26 and in hid 5th year. His 2010 salary was $1.759. Marshall is a very physical corner who loves to get involved in the run game. Over his first four seasons he’s averaged, 84 tackles, 9 deflections, 3 picks, and a sack. A true play-maker, Richard is capable of delivering big hits, timely interceptions, and the occasional sack. He is aggressive, with great hands and ball skills. A threat to take it all the way back when he picks off a pass, Marshall is active and aware on the field. He is a Star cornerback, though a bit undersized overall. The Panthers seem to have no intention of extending him this offseason, so maybe he will follow his coach to the Rocky Mountain region.

Ike Taylor is the starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is 6'2", 195 lbs, Age: 30 and in his 8th season. He made $3.5 million (+ $1.1 million roster bonus) in 2010. Ike is a big physical cornerback who redirects opposing receivers well. He will contest the jump ball and knock it away and is a solid tackler who excels in run support. He has learned to avoid big mistakes. Taylor lacks top quickness and anticipation to make big plays. He sometimes sits in his deep zone and lets the play develop under him. A solid starter with a Super Bowl Ring.

Josh Wilson is the starting RCB/KR for the Baltimore Ravens. He is 5' 9", 192 lbs, Age: 25 and in his 4th year. He made $466,240 in 2010 according to Yahoo. The Seattle Seahawks traded Josh Wilson to Baltimore for a 2011 fifth-round draft pick on August 31, 2010 and he played in 14 games for the Ravens. Josh has elite speed. He's also a very physical defender who does a very good job in coverage. A pure, gifted cover corner and excellent return man. Wilson could be a more dangerous threat for pick-offs. He prefers to stand by his man instead of looking up the field. He also bites too often on fake plays. He is a very good starter.

Drayton Florence starts for the Buffalo Bills. He is 6' 0", 195 lbs, Age: 30 and in his 8th year. Yahoo lists his 2010 salary as $3,352,470. Drayton is very speedy and physical, with all the tools. He likes to jam his receiver at the line. He has good play recognition and is very aware on the field. A sure tackler and an interception threat, Florence doesn't step up to blitz much. He is a good starting cornerback.

Brandon Carr is the starter at RCB for the Kansas City Chiefs. He is 6' 0", 207 lbs, Age: 24 and in his 3rd year. He made $390,200 in 2010 per Yahoo. Brandon possesses a nice combination of solid size and above-average speed. He has the tools to make plays all over the field and is very aware of the action in front of him. However, he doesn't always take proper position and can get beaten along the lines.  physical enough to jam receivers. Needs to work on his angles in run defense. Not a prolific gambler. An underrated starting corner, Carr's 25 Passes defensed was 2nd only to Brent Grimes in 2010.

Stanford Routt is one of the starters for the Oakland Raiders. He is 6' 1", 195 lbs, Age: 27 and in his 6th year. His 2010 salary was $3.268 million. A former track star with outstanding speed, Routt has good footwork and quickness and can close on the ball. He is effective in man coverage and mirrors his receiver well. However, Stanford doesn't have great instincts and will bite hard on double moves. He gets down on himself and then misses tackles. He needs improvement in the mental aspects of the game, but is an adequate backup or emergency starter.

Antonio Cromartie is the starting RCB and Kick Returner for the New York Jets. He is 6' 2", 210 lbs, Age: 26 and in his 5th year. Yahoo lists his 2010 salary at $941,630. "Cro" is one of several big names the Jets acquired over the offseason to help them "get over the hump." He was heavily criticized for his lack of effort at times in San Diego in addition to his unwillingness to help out in run defense. He is your typical gambler, who may have found his ideal fit in New York, across from Revis island. Antonio possesses elite quickness for his size. He can close on receivers and turn easy catches into interceptions. Has excellent hands and the ability to make difficult catches. He is dangerous with the ball in his hands. He will get out of position jumping routes and overplaying the interception. This leaves him vulnerable to getting burned downfield on double moves. He needs to improve his footwork and overall technique. A good starting corner and Pro Bowler.

Kelly Jennings is the starter at RCB for the Seattle Seahawks. He is 5'11", 180 lbs, Age: 28 and in his 5th year. His 2010 salary was $701,240 per Yahoo. Kelly has long arms that allow him to match up well against taller receivers. He has shown improvement in his overall technique and has good anticipation to break up plays. Jennings has poor tackling skills and can get dragged along. He gets shielded by big receivers on slants and comeback routes and is not a physical defender. He is considered an adequate starter or decent backup.

 


Carlos Rogers is the starter at RCB for the Washington Redskins. He is 6' 0", 192 lbs, Age: 29 an in his 6th year. He made $1.542 million in 2010. Rogers has been a solid cover corner over the last several years, but has gone unrecognized for the most part because of his hands of stone. The Redskins have an improving defense and losing one of their best players in the secondary would be a major setback.
 
Carlos jams receivers well and matches up against bigger targets. He has solid technique and good hips, but lacks long speed and can get beaten deep when he picks the wrong shoulder or bites on a fake. Consider him an adequate starter or solid backup.

Fabian Washington is the 2nd string Corner behind Josh Wilson on the Baltimore Ravens. He is 5' 11", 175 lbs, Age: 27 and in his 6th year. His 2010 salary was $1.887 million. The good: Fabian has elite speed, cuts well with receivers and closes quickly on the ball. He reacts well and will jump in front of some passes. Washington has good instincts in zone coverage and will catch the ball. He is a smart and hard-working player. The bad: Fabian is average-sized and lacks muscle mass, which contributes to his tendency to get injured. He can be run over in run support, doesn't get a good jam and isn't a great leaper.
Starting cover corner, but  struggles against bigger receivers.

Corey Graham is a back-up Cornerback for the Chicago Bears. He is 6' 0", 198 lbs, Age:25 and in his 4th year. According to Yahoo, he made $465,200 in 2010. Corey has good speed and nice size for a cornerback. He brings good intensity and finishes his tackles. Hard working and versatile, Graham has the ability to play several spots in the secondary. However, he isn't a big-play threat in either the interception or sack department and might benefit from stepping up at one position in the secondary to solidify his role. A solid starting defensive back.    

Lito Sheppard is a 9 year veteran for the Minnesota Vikings. He is 5' 10", 194 lbs and 29 years old. He made $2 million in 2010. Sheppard is a ball hawk who likes to jump routes to pick off passes. He is fundamentally sound, can run with most receivers and shut down the best of them. Lito is injury prone and doesn't do as much in run defense as he could. He has lost some of his big-play ability over the years.  An excellent technician who's played in the Pro Bowl.   

 

William Gay is a backup Corner for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is 5' 10", 190 lbs, Age: 26 and in his 4th year. He made $466,240 in 2010 according to Yahoo. William plays bigger and faster than his measurable attributes. He is a hard worker with above-average instincts. Gay is a play-maker that can support against the run and is a solid tackler. He has sub-par size and speed, can be jammed off the line, overpowered and outrun in open field. He also needs to improve on his angles and decision-making. William is a decent starter with a Super Bowl Ring.

I supplied a salary range for the Cornerback position in the last post here.

This list of appropriate candidates would procure a competitor that will challenge for a potential starting spot and provide quality depth in the Broncos defensive backfield. Considering the failures at the Nickel position, a second or third play-maker to help force turnovers would be worth obtaining.

Go Broncos!