2014 NFL Free Agency: Offensive X-factors
By Andrew Long
Dec 8, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick (7) runs onto the field prior to the game against the Detroit Lions at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Lions 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
We’re less than a week away from the start of the 2014 NFL free agency period! With that being said, I want to take this time to formulate a list of the top 2014 NFL free agents. I’ll rank the top 3 free agents at the following positions: QB, RB, WR, TE, DL, LB, and DB.
But today i’ll be focusing entirely on the offensive positions. I plan on pushing out the list for the defensive players later on this week.
Let’s jump right into things!
Quarterbacks
The class of free agent quarterbacks certainly isn’t the strongest group of players on the market. I, personally, wouldn’t feel comfortable signing any of the players to be my number 1 guy. Most of these guys have the ability to be solid backups, though.
While playing for an injured Jay Culter, McCown showed that he is absolutely still capable of tossing the pigskin at his age. The veteran quarterback put together his best season as a pro last year. In his 8-game stint as the starter, he managed to throw 13 touchdowns and only one interception. Whichever team signs McCown should feel comfortable having him as their teams backup quarterback.
Like McCown, Vick has been around for a longtime. Unlike McCown, though, Vick doesn’t have any recent success to lean on. He hasn’t had a good season since 2010 and hasn’t a decent season since 2011. His 2012 and 2013 seasons were both disasters. Vick is going to have rely heavily on his veteran experience and past accomplishments to try and sell himself to a team.Do I think someone will sign him? Absolutely. Do I think he should start? Absolutely not. But his experience as a mobile QB could help him land a backup job as a mentor to a younger player with a similar skill set.
Cassel, for the most part, never really excelled at being a starting NFL quarterback. Sure, he had a few good seasons, but he never could solidify himself as a franchise QB. A not so great starting quarterback usually equates to a decent backup quarterback, though. I would feel comfortable with Cassel coming off of the bench for me.
Honorable mention: Seneca Wallace