Last year, we embarked on our first journey that was the NFL Free Agency Draft. This is a fictitious event, so like everything we do at 14A Sports, we’re going to have some fun with it.
The players were selected by six members of the 14A panel: Al Walsh, Matt Mulhern, Denis Roarty, Michael McCord, Keith McCord and the inaugural 14A Sports Fantasy Football League Champion, Nick Capodice.
The rules are simple: the draft order will be the same as the draft coming up in early May, with the exception that the Redskins (#2) and Colts (#26) will be selecting in their original spots. All free agents are available in this selection, although there will probably be some selections that are off the wall….that is the point!
Let’s get it started……
1. Houston Texans – Jarius Byrd – S (Buffalo) 27
The Texans need help everywhere, but safety is one of their more pressing needs. They probably have more of a need at QB or OL, but Byrd is one of the best in this FA class. Byrd had a little bit of a down-year considering his past success, but that’s only because he played in 11 games. In his rookie season, Byrd had 9 INTs and has 22 in 5 years. -Al Walsh
2. Washington Redskins — Eugene Monroe — OT (Baltimore) 26
Jay Gruden was the hot name and he’s an offensive genius. Being under Dan Snyder now, it’s in his best interest to protect RG3 and play his game; he’s going to need protection. The Ravens will not franchise Monroe but he’s a top prospect as an offensive lineman. I expect RG3 to win Comeback Player of the Year and this could be one of the reasons why. -Michael McCord
3. Jacksonville Jaguars — Alex Mack — C (Cleveland) 28
Mack is the best in the business and Jacksonville’s long-time center just retired. The Jaguars will also need to find a replacement for MJD, but in order for a playmaker to be effective, they’ll need to anchor their line. There’s also an obvious need for a quarterback, but they’ll find one in the draft. -Nick Capodice
4. Cleveland Browns — Michael Bennett — DE (Seattle) 28
Mingo is just a question mark and may not have a good pass rush to get to the QB. Bennett had a good season and a great postseason. Since 2 offensive lineman were off the board, establishing a defensive line is just as important. -Michael McCord
5. Oakland Raiders — Branden Albert — OT (Kansas City) 29
They’re trying to work out a current deal with Jared Veldheer, but they’re the Raiders so nothing is ever set in stone. This would be a major move for the team, swiping him away from the division rival Chiefs. -Al Walsh
6. Atlanta Falcons — T.J. Ward — S (Cleveland) 27
This team needs help everywhere except for QB and WR, so they go with the top player available. ATL threw two very good (in college) rookie corners out there in 2013, so adding a seasoned vet in Ward would make them dangerous for years. -Al Walsh
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Aqib Talib — CB (New England) 28
Come back home, Aqib! Could you imagine a secondary of Revis, Talib, Goldson and Barron? Good Lord! Odds are, Tampa will pass on Talib with all the money owed to Revis, but this is make believe and this is my dream. -Al Walsh
8. Minnesota Vikings — Michael Johnson — DE (Cincinnati) 27
This move would reunite Johnson with his old Defensive Coordinator, Mike Zimmer, who is now the coach of the Vikes. A lot of rumors have Johnson going to Minnesota already so it’s a natural fit. -Matt Mulhern
9. Buffalo Bills — Karlos Dansby — ILB (Arizona) 32
Buffalo is quietly building a hell of a defensive unit, but they still have a weak spot next to Kiko Alonso. Dansby had an All-Pro year in 2013 and proved that he still has a few years left of top-notch play. He’d fit in perfectly with Buffalo’s scheme and his leadership ability is an added bonus to a young team. -Nick Capodice
10. Detroit Lions — Eric Decker — WR (Denver) 26
Decker has already said he’s going to “do what’s best for my family” which basically means that he’s played his last game as a Bronco. He’ll command #1 WR-type money, but that’s not an object here. -Matt Mulhern
11. Tennessee Titans — Justin Tuck — DE (NY Giants) 30
Their defense was god awful last year, so an experienced pass rusher could motivate some guys to do a better job this year. At the very least, maybe even get a three-and-out for once. -Al Walsh
12. New York Giants — Austin Howard — OT (NY Jets) 26
The New York Giants select offensive lineman, Austin Howard. They say the best thing to know how good a lineman is is that you never hear his name. You don’t hear his name because defensive players don’t go past. Austin Howard would upgrade that line and Eli Manning could use some protectors. Thou Shall Not Pass! -Michael McCord
13. St. Louis Rams — Hakeem Nicks — WR (NY Giants) 26
FINALLY! There is a receiver for Sam Bradford. A true number 1 receiver has been answered for the Rams fans! -Michael McCord
14. Chicago Bears — Henry Melton — DT (Chicago) 27
Already a member of the Bears, but they need to keep him if they’re going to be successful going forward. -Matt Mulhern
15. Pittsburgh Steelers — Ben Tate — RB (Houston) 25
Sure MJD is still on the board but he’s a one man show. Tate would make a good complimentary back along with Le’veon Bell. In my opinion, a good valued pick. -Michael McCord
16. Dallas Cowboys — Jared Allen — DE (Minnesota) 31
For Jerry Jones, this is a no-brainer. Especially if Demarcus Ware. Jared Allen is a name and wouldn’t be a top seller in jerseys but I can see Jerry Jones foaming from the mouth that Allen fell to him at 16. -Michael McCord
17. Baltimore Ravens — Julian Edelman — WR (New England) 27
The Ravens need offensive help as much as anyone in the league. After winning the Super Bowl two years ago, they failed to make the postseason in a weak AFC. Edelman would be a great compliment in the slot to Torrey Smith. -Al Walsh
18. New York Jets — Alterraun Verner — CB (Tennessee) 25
Yes the Jets need to surround Geno Smith with weapons, but they’ll take care of that in the draft, which is deep with receivers and tight ends. Rex Ryan’s defense needs a shutdown corner to run properly. The Jets will have a need at CB with Cromartie set to be released and last year’s first round pick Dee Milliner yet to prove he’s a #1. Verner is young, talented and the best remaining corner on the board. -Nick Capodice
19. Miami Dolphins — Jared Veldheer — OT (Oakland) 26
Surprise, surprise, the team that needs to re-build their entire O-Line selects a left tackle. Maybe it’s because he is squandering his talent in Oakland, but Veldheer is seldom mentioned among the top available free agent tackles, but he should be. Veldheer is young and has the skills to be a quality blind side protector for a long time. -Nick Capodice
20. Arizona Cardinals — Anthony Collins — OT (Bengals) 28
The Cardinals will need to address their offensive line like a lot of teams this offseason. Collins is a beast, and he won’t get paid like one of the best at his position which makes him even more attractive. -Keith McCord
21. Green Bay Packers — Lamarr Houston — DE (Oakland) 26
The green and yellow got smoked up and down the field last season despite making the playoffs. Houston is actually on their radar in real life, so that makes him a natural fit here. -Matt Mulhern
22. Philadelphia Eagles — Vontae Davis — CB (Indianapolis) 25
The Colts would be wise to re-sign Davis, but if they don’t a number of suitors would form a line out the door and around the block. Davis, who started his career with Miami, is commanding a contract of around $8M a year and will absolutely receive that handsome payday. -Michael McCord
23. Kansas City Chiefs — Calvin Pace — OLB (NY Jets) 33
Kansas City’s defense started out the season like they would break every record in the book. However, down the stretch they folded up like a used moving box. Andy Reid would salivate at the opportunity to bring Pace to KC the same way he does at the midwest BBQ. -Denis Roarty
24. Cincinnati Bengals — Antonio Cromartie — CB (NY Jets) 29
Cromarie may have went a little higher on the list had he been released earlier in the offseason. The Bengals seem like they are looking for upgrades every offseason, but this would be a great man-to-man matchup with the division’s best (Josh Gordon, Antonio Brown, Torrey Smith) -Nick Capodice
25. San Diego Chargers — Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie — CB (Denver) 27
The Chargers need cornerback help as they were lit up like Rockefeller in the passing game last season. DRC expressed that he may have retired if the Broncos won the Super Bowl last year, but it appears like he was flapping his wings. -Denis Roarty
26. Indianapolis Colts — Roger Saffold — OT (St. Louis) 25
Indy needs to protect their long-term investment in Andrew Luck and Saffold would do just that. The Colts could go with some talent at skill positions on both sides of the ball, but they seem to find those anywhere and everywhere. -Michael McCord
27. New Orleans Saints — Geoff Schwartz — OG (Kansas City) 27
Just like Indy, the Saints need to protect their long-term investment, and this would be a big upgrade over what they have now. -Al Walsh
28. Carolina Panthers — Emmanuel Sanders — WR (Pittsburgh) 26
Sanders had a tremendous close to the season, and would be a welcome addition in Carolina. With Steve Smith on his way out the door in the future, the Panthers will need a new #1 and Sanders is their guy. -Al Walsh
29. San Francisco 49ers — Andre Roberts — WR (Arizona) 26
The Niners have a lot of big receivers, and Roberts would compliment these guys well. He never got the recognition that he truly deserved because of Larry Fitz and Michael Floyd, but this is a guy that knows the game and can fit in wherever necessary on this offense. -Keith McCord
30. New England Patriots — James Jones — WR (Green Bay) 29
Brady’s weapons were dropping like flies last year, so adding a veteran receiver like Jones will take New England’s passing game back to the glory days. Not the 50 TD glory days, but they’ll be rolling through the air again. -Nick Capodice
31. Denver Broncos — Maurice Jones-Drew — RB (Jacksonville) 28
Another weapon for Peyton Manning, wonderful. The Broncos already have a speed back in Ronnie Hillman, but as time has shown, he’s not living up to the expectations. This would be an excellent signing for the defending AFC champs. -Denis Roarty
32. Seattle Seahawks — Arthur Jones — DE (Baltimore) 27
Michael Bennett said he’s not taking the hometown Costco discount on his Seahawks contract, so they have to find a replacement. Jones is the guy! -Keith McCord
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