2009 NFL Free Agent Defensive Backs

Published by Seahawk Fanatic on January 1, 2009

Nnamdi Asomugha, UFA, Oakland Raiders
Asomugha’s numbers don’t overwhelm other than his eight interceptions in ’06, but the big reason that he has only 241 career tackles and 10 interceptions is because opponents attack the side of the field that Asomugha isn’t on. He has 40 passes defensed over the past three seasons prior to ‘08 and he’s one of the NFL’s best in coverage. He’s held some of the game’s best receivers in check in single coverage and when he becomes a free agent, he may command the most attention of the lot. With the release of DeAngelo Hall, the Oakland may look to pay Asomugha, considering how talented he is.Mike Brown, UFA, Chicago Bears
When healthy, Brown has proven to be a valuable part of the Bears defense. Brown’s best season was in 2001, when he had five interceptions and three sacks, but he been a steady contributor when he has been in the lineup. In four seasons, from ’04 through ’07, he played in just 21 games. To this point this year, he has a sack and an interception to go along with 55 tackles, while playing in every game. Teams will be concerned about his health history, so Chicago appears to be the right fit for him. However, there are teams willing to take a risk in the NFL, and Brown has been healthy so far this season.

Brian Dawkins, UFA, Philadelphia Eagles
Dawkins has been one of the better safeties in the league for some time now. He’s in his mid-thirties, but he will still be of interest to several teams because of his track record. He has had at least one interception in each year of his 13-year career, and he’s had only one during the two seasons he missed considerable time. As recently as two seasons ago, he had five forced fumbles, four picks, and 98 tackles. While he may not be quite the same player he once was when he becomes a free agent, he’s having a decent season and will probably still be a better option than many other safeties in the league. He’s played in Philadelphia his entire career and chances are it’ll stay that way.

Dawan Landry, RFA, Baltimore Ravens
It is difficult to imagine that the Ravens would let Landry get away considering he is young and showed major potential during his first two seasons in the NFL. Landry, a safety, made a significant impact in his first year when he made 69 tackles and had five interceptions as well as three sacks. While his sacks and interceptions dropped in year two, he tallied 83 tackles, still making plays on the ball but just not coming up with turnovers. He was placed on injured reserve for this season after playing in just two games this year. Landry is athletic and finds the ball well. It’s a safe bet that Baltimore wants to keep him around through his prime.

Dunta Robinson, UFA, Houston Texans
Robinson missed nearly half the season last year, but before he was injured he was being mentioned alongside the top corners in the league, even though he played for a struggling Texans team. He also missed the first five games of this season, but has 18 tackles and a pick in the five games he has played in since. He made a name for himself in his rookie season when he made six interceptions, three sacks, and 88 tackles. Any team would like to have his services in their defensive backfield if he can stay healthy, and if Houston doesn’t start winning, Robinson could look for a change of scenery with a more successful franchise.

Other Defensive Backs
Oshiomogho Atogwe, UFA, St Louis Rams
Tyron Brackenridge, UFA, Kansas City Chiefs
Mike Brown, UFA, Chicago Bears
Phillip Buchanon, UFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chris Gamble, UFA, Carolina Panthers
Jabari Greer, UFA, Buffalo Bills
Rodney Harrison, UFA, New England Patriots
Kelvin Hayden, UFA, Indianapolis Colts
Renaldo Hill, UFA, Miami Dolphins
Daven Holly, UFA, Cleveland Browns
Sean Jones, UFA, Cleveland Browns
Bryant McFadden, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers
R.W. McQuarters, UFA, New York Giants
Justin Miller, UFA, New York Jets
Lawyer Milloy, UFA, Atlanta Falcons
Deltha O’Neal, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals
Jarrad Page, UFA, Kansas City Chiefs
Jermaine Phillips, UFA, Tampa Bay Bucs
Allen Rossum, UFA, San Francisco 49ers
Darren Sharper, UFA, Darren Sharper

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