If We Sign Only One More Big FA

[Bengalbug]

(03-20-2022, 10:44 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: If Waynes is cut, Jalen Davis & Brannon (Practice Squad last year) are the only other corners we have. Some quality depth would be good. 

Agreed. But quality depth vs gilmore is two different things. Please don’t take anything I am saying as I don’t think gilmore is good, he obviously is.

I just think there are a few ways to go about this, and at this point waiting to see what’s left isnt a bad approach. Also, the draft still presents real opportunity to bolster the secondary.

Best available FA:
CB Stephon Gilmore
Gilmore made the Patriots' defense tick from 2017 to 2019, as he played lockdown man coverage better than any corner in the league. He's at his best playing press man where he can cover the league's best receivers, but he comes back down to Earth when asked to play more zone concepts.

CB Steven Nelson
Steven Nelson is a classic overachiever at the cornerback position. A little undersized, he has been a consistently good player in the NFL, making up for some limitations with feisty physicality. He is better in zone coverage, but can hold up in man coverage too and would fit within most NFL defenses. He would be a good option to a team that needs several cornerback additions like the Cardinals or Vikings.

CB Bryce Callahan
Callahan stepped up and played some outside cornerback for Denver in 2020 when he was called on, but that's not where he's at his best. Callahan has been one of the best nickel cornerbacks in the NFL with a 96th percentile slot coverage grade since 2017. Brandon Staley's defense in Los Angeles stands out as a scheme fit for Callahan if the Chargers aren't planning on re-signing Chris Harris Jr. this offseason.

CB Janoris Jenkins
As Jenkins continues to bounce from team to team, he remains a reliable starting option outside. He has earned PFF grades between 64.0 and 73.0 in every season of his career outside of a career-best 82.5 mark in 2016 with the New York Giants.

CB Robert Alford
Alford is the kind of defensive back you can use to stabilize a defensive backfield in need. With the attrition and injuries suffered in Tampa Bay, he may be an option for a similarly blitz-heavy, majority-zone defense.

CB Patrick Peterson
Peterson was one of the best corners of his generation at his peak, but at 32 he is now seemingly well beyond that peak. He still has enough experience and savvy to hold up overall, but isn't as quick or rangy as he once was which hurts his production in both zone and man coverage.

CB Joe Haden
As an older defensive back, playing much less press coverage, it's time to take a look at slot DB or play outside in a zone-heavy scheme. If playing inside is a dealbreaker, the Giants and Raiders may want to take a look at Haden. Patrick Graham and Gus Bradley run Cover 1 less than 15% of the time, and allow their corners to play with the depth Haden needs to keep the game in front of him.

CB K'Waun Williams
You don't want Williams in a defense consistently asking him to stick with receivers in single coverage, but he's an effective slot option in a zone-heavy defense that asks him to get downhill on underneath passes and be an above-average run defender for his position.

CB Jason Verrett
Given Verrett's injury history, it's difficult to project him as a starter despite his starter skills. He's an outside corner.

CB Chris Harris Jr.
One of the best corners of his generation, Harris is at his best as a nickel corner capable of playing both man or zone coverage. He has had success on the outside during his career, but those reps are likely best if limited at this point in his career.